Chapter 1
“Daddy!”
At the sight of the child running toward him with fluttering steps, the Grand Duke’s eyes instantly reddened.
“Isn’t it remarkable? No matter that they’re bound by blood, it’s been so long—one would expect her to feel shy.”
“Indeed. My son bursts into tears the moment he sees me, asking who that stranger is.”
Even to the knights, the sight of the young princess throwing herself into her father’s arms looked like a doll straight out of a fairy tale.
“You should call him Father now.”
At the maid’s hurried scolding from behind, Roseline pursed her small lips.
“Okay… Father.”
After correcting herself, Roseline glanced nervously at the maid and hesitated before stretching out her willow-branch-thin arms.
“I’ve told you several times—if you don’t behave like a proper lady, I’ll be punished.”
“That’s enough. It’s fine.”
The Grand Duke waved off the maid, who tried to stop him in alarm, and lightly lifted his daughter into his arms.
“Your Grace, but the young lady is at such an important age—if her manners fall apart like this…”
“I said it’s fine.”
The fact that the maid continued to impose etiquette on Roseline even in front of the head of the house clearly reflected the mistress’s strict philosophy of upbringing.
At the Grand Duke’s sudden, chilling shift in demeanor—his gentleness toward his daughter vanishing without a trace—even the stubborn maid could only move her lips before retreating.
He raised his large hand and gently stroked the back of Roseline’s small head as she burrowed into his embrace, then pressed his lips firmly against her crown.
“Uwaaa!”
In contrast to his fierce presence on the battlefield, this soft, tender moment drew uncharacteristically sentimental cheers from the knights.
Startled by the loud noise, Roseline lifted her head from his chest, and the Grand Duke hoisted her up to sit on his shoulder.
Though flustered by the sudden height, she soon relaxed when familiar uncles among the knights met her gaze—some waving quietly, others winking at her.
Gaining confidence, she straightened her back and looked out at the rows of knights standing in formation in the distance. Clad in silver armor, they stood strong and numerous, even though only a portion—those permitted to remain stationed in the capital after dismissal—were present.
“All of them are knights who help Father accomplish great things, right?”
“That’s right.”
Clinging tightly to her father, who nodded with a pleased expression, she waved her hand as widely as she could, hoping her joy and gratitude would reach them.
“Everyone, welcome back.”
“Oooooh!”
“Princess!”
The estate filled with cheers and the clashing sounds of armor and weapons.
Even at a scene that would terrify children her age into tears, Roseline only stretched her arm further and beamed brightly.
“What a noisy bunch.”
The Grand Duke grinned proudly, unable to hide his satisfaction. Even as his daughter tugged at his hair to steady herself, his smile never faded.
The tense atmosphere of the military camp—sharpened by a long campaign and a hurried return—had completely eased. After all, the Grand Duke’s knights adored both the lord they had sworn loyalty to and his only daughter, the young princess Roseline, who had long since become something of their mascot.
Only the maid, her face pale, fidgeted anxiously and glanced behind them.
Far back, a knight who had been lamenting his son earlier clicked his tongue in resignation.
“This is why even those who haven’t seen the young lady once keep talking about her.”
“What are they saying?”
“They call her the Duke’s most precious jewel. And the one who wields that jewel as a hostage is…”
He swallowed the rest of his words, even he—known for his boldness—unable to say it aloud.
But everyone knew what would follow.
‘The witch, Miriam.’
As if the words had summoned her—
Roseline, who had been smiling carefree in her father’s arms, suddenly turned pale and began to struggle.
The Grand Duke, who had been watching her with warm, adoring eyes, followed her gaze.
His wife, Miriam Clifford, was approaching slowly, attended by dozens of servants.
Her rigid posture, tense shoulders, and aristocratic, sharply defined jaw gave her a cold and severe impression. She was infamous for her harsh and cruel treatment of subordinates.
‘Even for a political marriage, this is too much.’
Elliot, one of the Grand Duke’s close aides, clicked his tongue inwardly. Though they kept quiet about it, many still regretted the marriage.
Miriam—and her family—were notorious. There were even rumors that she practiced suspicious sorcery. And after giving birth to Roseline, she had abruptly declared she would bear no more heirs.
The only consolation was that the only trait Roseline seemed to have inherited from her was her brilliant golden hair. In every other way, the young princess was known for her bright and upright nature—nothing like the ill-tempered Miriam.
“I have returned, my lady.”
The Grand Duke extended his free arm toward his wife.
Had Miriam taken it, the scene would have resembled a perfect family portrait. But instead, her fingertips merely twitched before she folded her arms defensively and glared at him.
“You intend to take Roseline with you? Surely I must have heard wrong.”
“That… let’s go inside. I’ll explain it slowly.”
“Did you bring back some kind of madness from the battlefield?”
At her sharp, almost hysterical accusation, the relaxed expression on the Grand Duke’s lips tightened.
After dismissing the knights who had followed him to the inner keep, the Grand Duke strode into the residence with a few close aides, adjusting his hold on his daughter. Her small, slender body felt almost weightless.
As his eyes drifted beneath the hem of her chemise, catching sight of familiar scars, his brow furrowed deeply.
‘Even after I warned her.’
Seeing the fresh marks of the rod, it was clear that his wife, Miriam, remained as harsh as ever in her methods of child-rearing.
“What do you intend to do with a child who knows nothing?”
At her sharp voice, Roseline shrank into herself.
“Do you even understand how important this time is?”
Ignoring Miriam’s heated barrage, the Grand Duke quietly pulled the small body closer into his arms.
Each time her mother spoke, Roseline’s breathing turned ragged and anxious—something even he, inexperienced in child-rearing, could tell was not normal.
Having spent most of his life on the battlefield, he had tried not to interfere in his wife’s methods. Partly because he lacked knowledge, and partly because taking his daughter to a dangerous battlefield just to satisfy his own desire to be with her would indeed be madness—as Miriam had said.
But recalling the scab-covered wounds on her legs, he could no longer step back.
Noticing where his gaze lingered, Miriam let out a cold scoff.
“Are you doing this just to continue the argument we had last time?”
The injuries Roseline bore were all precarious—but still within a range that could be disguised as discipline. Miriam herself had carefully controlled it that way. Therefore, the education of young Roseline—especially as a daughter—fell under her authority as the mother.
The Grand Duke knew this. Rather than provoking her further with blame, he swallowed his rising anger and spoke calmly.
“But she clearly doesn’t want to be apart. As her father, I can’t just let her childhood slip away.”
“And what about me?”
Miriam’s unexpected reply made him pause.
“…Miriam.”
“As your family, I’m also left behind while you’re away.”
Tears suddenly streamed down her face as she glared at him, and the Grand Duke let out a low sigh. Gently setting Roseline down, he stepped closer and took his wife’s hand.
This time, Miriam did not resist. She leaned into him.
“…Hk.”
Watching this, Elliot’s eyes widened in shock before he quickly composed himself and turned to quietly leave the room. Scenes like this always made him uncomfortable.
But unexpectedly, it was Miriam who stopped him.
“Sir Elliot, you speak. You’re the most rational among us, aren’t you?”
“…Pardon? I must have misheard.”
Why me? He should have fled with the others earlier. Turning reluctantly, Elliot forced a smile.
“You don’t think this is a sudden whim, do you?”
“Ah… yes. The decision for the young lady to accompany this campaign is one that both I and the other retainers support. As the Grand Duke’s heir, it will be a valuable experience.”
At the word “heir,” Miriam’s eyes narrowed further. Elliot clicked his tongue inwardly.
She has no intention of having more children, yet reacts like this whenever the topic of an heir comes up.
“Roseline. Was this your request?”
Now the arrow turned toward Roseline.
As she shook her head frantically, Miriam watched her like a spider observing a butterfly caught in its web.
After a long standoff, it was Miriam who finally relented.
Pushing her daughter aside, she sat on her husband’s lap, frowning as she pondered—before finally sighing in resignation.
“Fine. Do as you wish.”
“You’re permitting it?”
“Do whatever you like. When have you ever listened to me?”
All three of them brightened at once—but the one who shone most was Roseline. Miriam pinched her cheek as if annoyed.
“You must be thrilled. So foolish, walking into danger without even knowing it.”
A chill ran down Roseline’s spine at the ominous tone in her mother’s words. Whenever she felt like this, something bad always followed.
But even if it was dangerous, it had to be better than being beaten until scabs formed every time she made a mistake. And more than anything, she would be able to stay close to her father, whom she saw only once a year—if that.
The gloom in her heart was instantly replaced with overwhelming hope.
“Thank you, Mother.”
“You made the right decision, my dear.”
“…I said I understand.”
For once, Miriam softened her expression and gave a small nod.
