Chapter 13
“His Highness the Prince is entering!”
At the attendant’s voice from outside, everyone in the dining hall instinctively turned their heads toward the door. The door at the center of the hall opened, and Franz appeared.
At the far end sat the King in the seat of honor. On his left and right were the Countess of Winston, the Queen, and the Crown Prince and Princess, all greeting Franz with warm smiles. Franz bowed politely and deeply.
“My apologies for being late.”
“Late? You’re right on time.”
The Countess of Winston, with her ever-kind smile, welcomed Franz.
“Come, sit down.”
King Hendrik spoke with his usual dignified tone.
Franz strode forward and kissed Sylvia’s hand.
“You’re as beautiful as ever, Aunt.”
“Oh, you rascal. You haven’t changed a bit.”
Sylvia smiled broadly, embraced him warmly for a moment, and then released him to take her seat again.
Franz then kissed Elizabeth’s cheek and whispered,
“You’d better keep your promise.”
When Franz flashed a charming, playful smile, Elizabeth shot him a look that wasn’t entirely disapproving. Her expression finally relaxed into a gentle smile of relief.
“It’s been a long time, Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your Highness the Crown Princess.”
The two exchanged friendly nods and amiable smiles when their eyes met Franz’s.
“It really has been a while, little brother.”
Frederick’s voice was filled with affection for his younger brother.
The Crown Prince was every bit as handsome as Franz and a constant subject of admiration throughout the kingdom. Outwardly, the brothers shared similarities, but while Franz’s features were fine and elegant, Frederick was more robust in build.
Franz shrugged at his brother’s teasing remark. “I’ve truly been busy.”
“You’ve gotten even more tanned, though. It’s not even summer yet, and you’re already like this.”
Frederick’s skin had taken on a healthy bronze hue, a testament to his love for outdoor sports such as tennis, golf, and rowing.
He even enjoyed exercising under the blazing midsummer sun, and his well-toned muscles exuded the presence of a strong man.
Franz’s pale skin stood out in stark contrast to his brother’s sun-kissed tone, making him look even fairer by comparison.
“Want to work out together sometime?”
Frederick brushed his hand across his face as he made the offer, but Franz immediately shook his head.
“Unlike someone, I have no taste for sweaty sports with a bunch of men.”
“You never change… How about horse riding tomorrow? It’s been ages since we rode together.”
Since Franz enjoyed riding, he nodded in agreement.
Once everyone was seated, an array of dishes began to appear on the table.
“Sister, you must be hungry after such a long journey. Please, eat.”
As the meal began, the conversation flowed easily; it had been a long time since they had all met, and this was a private setting, so they spoke informally.
“Your Majesty looks very well.”
Sylvia offered her compliment, and King Hendrik responded with a pleased tone.
“And you, dear sister, look more radiant every day. It seems the Margrave still dotes on you.”
“Teasing an old lady now, are we?”
Her words were light, but Sylvia’s face shone with the unmistakable glow of someone deeply cherished.
“Age does catch up with the body, though.”
“The Margrave is in good health, I hope?”
“Yes, very much so.”
In her youth, Sylvia had been the star of high society, yet she fell in love at first sight with Gerald Winston, a frontier margrave rather than a central noble. The feeling had been mutual, and the two married quickly and had lived happily ever since.
“I thought he might join you this year,” the Queen said with a hint of regret.
“We were planning on it, but… hmm.”
The Countess paused, took a sip of water, and her lips curled slightly upward.
“Aunt, is there good news?”
At Frederick’s question, all eyes turned toward her, curious.
Sylvia let out a soft laugh. Her bright expression widened eyes all around the table.
“I’m going to be a grandmother soon.”
At her words, the room lit up with joy.
“Oh my, congratulations!”
“Congratulations, Sister.”
The royal couple congratulated her warmly, as did the Crown Prince and Princess and Franz.
Though she smiled happily and accepted their good wishes, her heart was not entirely light—because of Franz, whom she adored dearly.
He was her favorite nephew. Unlike Frederick, who had long since married, Franz still weighed heavily on her mind. He seemed disinterested in marriage, perhaps still trapped in the past. Her lips tightened as she thought bitterly of Chloe.
To abandon Franz just to marry into Altria—knowing the king there could die at any moment—what a foolish, foolish choice.
No matter how young she was, how could she make such a shortsighted decision? Tsk, tsk.
Even if Chloe now beat her chest in regret, calling it the greatest mistake of her life, it was water under the bridge—irreversible.
This year, during her three-month stay in Bilne, Sylvia resolved to find a suitable young lady for Franz and see him married.
When the meal was nearly over, they moved to the tearoom.
“Franz, any good news for us this year?”
Sylvia sipped her tea and asked with a serious look.
“…”
Franz felt as though the tea was sticking in his throat.
The real lecture was about to begin—the true ordeal of the day. But Franz had anticipated this from the moment he arrived, so he stayed calm and deftly redirected attention to Frederick.
“I don’t think this year’s any different for me. Ah! Brother, I heard there’s good news for the royal family? Congratulations.”
Three years ago, Frederick had married the daughter of Duke Merriweather—a woman praised as the ideal Crown Princess for her beauty and intelligence.
Until now, they had been childless, but at last, they were expecting. Knowing how hard-won this was, everyone’s attention shifted immediately to them.
“Ahem.”
Frederick gave a modest cough under the sudden spotlight, while Diana, the Crown Princess, blushed noticeably.
Soon their faces softened into smiles so tender they warmed the hearts of all who saw them.
“Oh my, I was just thinking how happy I was to hear the news!”
Sylvia’s expression overflowed with joy. The announcement of the pregnancy made her beam with delight and relief.
“The physician says it’s been about a month,” Frederick replied.
“This is a blessing for the royal family—and for Lapland. Crown Princess, take special care in these early months, and make sure the royal heir grows strong.”
“I will, Your Grace.”
Diana answered demurely.
“And you, Crown Prince, must care for your wife until the birth.”
“You have my word.”
Sylvia smiled kindly at his reassuring tone.
“Now all that’s left is Franz.”
Finally freed from Sylvia’s scrutiny, Franz’s relief lasted barely a moment before the spotlight swung back to him.
Here we go again.
He sighed inwardly.
“Franz, are you still staying out late these days? Word about you reaches all the way to Farrington. So when will you marry?”
Sylvia asked with a teasing tone, but Franz gave the same answer as last year, down to the last word.
“What can I do if I simply have no desire to marry right now?”
Elizabeth stifled a sigh at his unconvincing response.
“It’s time to settle down. How long will you go on like this? A grown man should know how to build a household.”
Franz would have gladly stayed single forever if he could. But he wasn’t foolish enough to say that—not in front of his mother, who was desperate to see him married.
Especially with Aunt Sylvia here as her staunch ally, adding fuel to the fire.
“Franz, there’s no greater filial duty than this. Like your brother, you should marry soon and lead a stable life. Everything has its proper season.”
Sylvia’s voice was calm but firm.
It was true—by royal standards, he was marrying late. Knowing their concern came from love, Franz held his tongue rather than rebel.
“Is there no one you’re seriously seeing?” Sylvia asked anxiously.
Franz smiled wryly. “If I meet a woman I love enough to marry, I’ll consider it then.”
“Love in a royal marriage? What a luxury,” Hendrik scoffed.
But this time, Franz couldn’t hold back his retort.
“Coming from the two most famous examples of a love marriage, that seems a little unfair.”
Back when his father was Crown Prince, there had been another lady designated as his future Princess Consort. But his father had fallen for his mother and pursued her passionately until they wed.
At his father’s stern remark, Franz’s handsome face hardened in quiet defiance.
Hendrik, struck speechless by the audacity—and the truth—couldn’t immediately rebuke him.
“…”
“Since childhood, I’ve watched my father and mother pour unwavering affection into each other. I grew up wanting to live that way too. So please, don’t force me into a loveless marriage.”
Franz’s earnest declaration left everyone momentarily stunned. Watching their faces, Franz thought to himself, That should do it.
