Chapter 7
Lianus was reading a history book to study but found himself zoning out.
He had been spacing out frequently for the past few days, and eventually, the news reached his father, Marquis Tristan.
Whether Lianus was aware that many were growing concerned or not, not a single page had turned in his book for a while, prompting Marquis Tristan to step in himself.
<br>
“Do you have something on your mind lately?”
At his father’s question, Lianus quickly came to his senses and shook his head.
<br>
“No, Father. I’m sorry to have caused you worry.”
“You’ve often seemed distracted even during meals lately. May I ask what’s on your mind?”
“Well…”
Lianus had promised to keep it a secret with Cartia, so he couldn’t easily say anything.
<br>
“Hmmm. So it’s a worry you can’t talk about?”
“I promised to keep it a secret with her.”
“Haha. Is it a young lady, perhaps?”
“Yes…”
Marquis Tristan burst into a hearty laugh, thinking how Lianus had already reached that age.
He’d always acted like someone who had never even held a girl’s hand—where and whom had he met?
Though he was his own son, Lianus was strikingly handsome, and there was no shortage of noble young ladies interested in him. That made the question even more intriguing.
Which of them had caught his son’s eye?
<br>
“A promise is important. Even if it’s one made rashly between children.”
“Yes, Father. You always told me how important it is to keep promises.”
“I’m proud that you’re upholding that value. But this promise must be quite a burden if it troubles you so.”
“I’m not sure if it’s a promise I can actually keep.”
“Why? Did you promise to marry her or something?”
Lianus’s eyes went wide like saucers and then froze completely.
Seeing this, the marquis burst into even louder laughter, clutching his stomach.
The room filled with his laughter so loudly that Lianus’s ears turned red, and tears formed in Tristan’s eyes. Even the marquess, passing by, peeked in curiously.
<br>
“My dear, it seems our Lianus has found a fiancée! He says he’s promised to marry some young lady!”
At the marquis’s boisterous laugh, the marquess also smiled and sat beside him.
<br>
“Oh my, I’m quite curious to know who this young lady is. Lianus, can you tell us who she is?”
“It’s… a secret…”
His face turned beet red as he lowered his head, and even the back of his neck had flushed.
Of course, a child’s promise to marry when they’re older is usually just a fleeting whimsy—but the fact that Lianus was taking it so seriously made it all the more endearing.
<br>
“I see. Then let me ask just one thing.”
The marquis wiped his tears and suddenly turned serious.
<br>
“Is she beautiful?”
Lianus couldn’t even lift his head and mumbled,
<br>
“She’s as beautiful as an angel…”
“Pwahahahaha!”
The marquis nearly rolled off the sofa laughing, while the marquess shook her head in amusement.
Still, as parents, they couldn’t help but be curious.
Who could possibly be so enchanting that Lianus would describe her as angelic?
And since he kept zoning out like this, it was clear he’d fallen hard.
They’d raised Lianus to always keep his promises, so he probably wouldn’t tell them easily.
So after some thought, the marquess came up with an idea.
<br>
“Lianus. Since you say you’ve promised to marry someone, it’s only right that your mother knows.”
“Yes? Know what?”
“We are nobles. We can’t just marry whomever we please.”
“Ah…”
“Therefore, we must send a betrothal letter to the other family and gain their consent. It’s customary to arrange engagements during childhood.”
“I see… Then, do I need to tell you who I promised to marry?”
“We must proceed with the engagement, so there’s no choice. I understand you want to keep it a secret, but just this once, could you tell only your father and me?”
There was no real need to proceed with an engagement, but their curiosity got the better of them.
The marquis also stopped laughing and waited for Lianus’s answer.
Lianus, visibly conflicted about breaking his promise, finally spoke after a long pause.
<br>
“Princess Cartia…”
“Hmm? Who…?”
“Cartia Bistide. The imperial princess of the Bistide Empire.”
Neither the marquis, nor the marquess, nor the maids who had been laughing nearby could say a word.
Lianus had promised his future to the daughter of the mad emperor.
*
<br>
“First, let’s correct your usage of titles. When addressing knights, it is proper etiquette to add ‘Sir’ after their surname. Even though you’re a princess, higher-ranking individuals must still observe proper manners toward subordinates.”
“What if I don’t know their surname?”
While Enche was speaking, Cartia casually picked up and ate a cookie.
<br>
“In that case, simply address them as ‘Sir’ and then ask for their family name. Usually, knights will introduce themselves with both name and house upon meeting a princess.”
“What if they don’t act like knights? ‘Sir’ is an honorific, right? Why should I respect a knight who doesn’t deserve it?”
“You grasped the point immediately—how brilliant. But etiquette isn’t just about respecting the other person. It reflects your own character and refinement. Even if the other party is vulgar, maintaining etiquette is a way to preserve your dignity.”
Cartia nodded while sipping her warm milk.
If it had been a typical etiquette tutor, they’d have scolded her for eating during conversation or for eating noisily, but Enche never once criticized anything she hadn’t explicitly taught.
Instead, she pushed her own cookie toward Cartia.
<br>
“Next, let’s go over how to address nobles. Typically, the head of a noble house is addressed by their title and surname. Their wife is referred to as ‘Madam.’ Children are called ‘Young Master’ or ‘Young Lady,’ with the family name preceding those titles. Among close acquaintances, first names or nicknames are fine.”
“So, for example, a child of House Tristan would be ‘Young Master Tristan’?”
“Yes. And if the house has many children, sometimes the first name is used with the title to avoid confusion.”
“Then I should call him ‘Young Master Lianus,’ right?”
“Hmm… Do you know him personally?”
Hic!
Pavia, sewing in the corner, started hiccuping.
It sounded like she pricked herself with the needle and let out a quiet “Ouch,” but she was ignored.
<br>
“No. I don’t know him.”
“I see.”
But no sooner had Cartia said that than someone knocked and entered the room.
It seemed to be a royal guard, but unlike the ones she disliked, perhaps cleaned up by Zervan, this was a new face.
<br>
“Young Master Lianus of House Tristan has sent a message requesting a meeting. If permitted, he will soon enter the palace. What would you like to do?”
Enche blinked at Cartia, who just shrugged.
If he came straight here like this, Enche’s lie would be exposed on the spot. It was an awkward situation.
<br>
“Sorry, actually… we’re engaged.”
Pavia jumped up and called out to Cartia, but she looked completely unfazed.
What’s the big deal about kids promising to marry?
Even Enche, briefly surprised, nodded in understanding.
<br>
“However you met, if it’s Young Master Lianus, he’ll make a fine friend. I’ve met him several times—he’s very proper.”
Cartia nodded in agreement and instructed the guard to allow Lianus entry.
As the guard left to deliver the reply, Cartia grabbed another cookie that Enche had offered earlier.
Pavia had recently tried to limit her sweets, but her cheeks were already showing signs of chubbiness again.
<br>
“Come to think of it, it would be nice if Her Highness had friends her age.”
“Friends? I don’t really need any.”
She had Lianus, and others she would meet in the future. No need to add more.
<br>
“Well… how about my children? They’re boys, but they’re your age and quite adorable.”
At those words, Cartia suddenly lost her appetite—a first since she left the tower.
Enche’s children…
More accurately, her twin sons.
Just thinking about how mischievous they were made her face pale.
How could someone like Enche have given birth to boys who acted like wildfire, never sitting still for a second?
The only thing they shared with her was their vivid orange hair and eyes—even brighter than Enche’s.
To love such troublemakers… Enche was truly admirable.
<br>
“Su-sure… Maybe I’ll meet them someday…”
She was more frustrated that she couldn’t deny it more strongly.
Who could possibly look into Enche’s warm, smiling face and say, “Your children are unmanageable brats”?
<br>
“Wonderful. I’ll bring them next time. I’m sure Your Highness will enjoy their company.”
Even though they hadn’t arrived yet, Cartia could already see her miserable future and forced a smile.
