Chapter 75
Refusal
“As I mentioned, I was a child who only did what I wanted to do, so I didn’t complete all the studies. And whenever the people around me changed, I replaced them with those I liked.”
“I see.”
“My elder sisters and grandfather, for their own reasons, didn’t want me to have someone close to me. My siblings from the second consort were gentle by nature, but even beside them, there was no place for me.”
I recalled how skillfully Dandelion had handled the magical flame sheep. I didn’t ask about his father, who hardly appeared in his story.
“I wanted to decide for myself where I belonged. Whether a minor prince or the legitimate son, it was all inherited. Since I had talent, I went to the Kingdom of Lorneis, which welcomed foreigners. There, I only pursued the studies and research I wanted. I even made friends. I considered my life a success.”
Dandelion stirred the lemon drink with ice in his glass, then suddenly widened his eyes.
“Ah! I wasn’t someone who lived only for myself. I really worked hard! I won’t list my achievements now, though. I know well enough that a man who does that is not impressive!”
He laughed heartily, clearly amused by his own joke.
“But honestly, I was a bit taken aback when you said the things I enjoyed came from my name. Ha-ha-ha!”
I had indeed said something like that to Dandelion before. When he told me the surname Sodante didn’t mean anything, I asked if what he ate and wore didn’t come from his name.
“I’ve always said I abandoned my original name and came this far with my own ability! A new name representing skill and position was my pride.”
“I spoke carelessly to you, Count.”
Now I understood why he took pride in the position he had carved out for himself.
Although I had been unaware of the inner workings of the Ten Duchy and didn’t know why he valued his place, I shouldn’t have spoken lightly about his thoughts.
I had to apologize—but before I could speak, Dandelion did.
“That’s not what I meant. I know, I felt guilty myself. Honestly, if my family’s status or wealth had been lacking, I wouldn’t have had a chance to study magitech, right? And why would the Kingdom of Lorneis have accepted me otherwise?”
Dandelion laughed again.
“No one has ever said to me what you just did, Princess—when I say I abandoned my name.”
“Because I know well the effort and talent you have, Count.”
“Thank you for saying that. But I think it’s because most people didn’t think deeply about me at all.”
I tilted my head slightly.
“My sisters didn’t believe I had abandoned my name. My grandfather and family abandoned me. In Lorneis, my name probably didn’t matter anyway. I was the kind of person who could pull results out of a lab like pasta from a press. Whatever I produced went to Lorneis; it didn’t matter who I was or what I thought. The title I held, Axel, was a minor dukedom anyway.”
He added, laughing, that it was only when he failed to produce results that he could simply forget about it.
“I didn’t think deeply about you either, Count. So I truly apologize for speaking carelessly. I’m sorry.”
“Oh, Princess, I wasn’t speaking to receive an apology.”
Dandelion waved his hand dismissively and let out a sigh.
“Still, Princess… for you, well, you could do as you pleased.”
He continued.
“I fell in love with you at first sight. I had never seen someone so beautiful. Even from the alley, I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”
Dandelion lowered his gaze.
“I want to be by your side, Princess. That alone would be enough. Take me as your husband and give me the Castle of Rund.”
He extended a flat velvet box toward me, opening it in my direction. Inside was a brooch shaped like white and yellow flowers.
“The name Sodante Dandelion never meant much to me. I thought a name inspired by flowers didn’t suit me, and I didn’t like the position that came with my status.”
Dandelion spoke calmly.
“Meeting you changed my mind. Now I like the flower name, the status—everything. Since your name is based on a flower, to suit you, one should at least be the son of a Grand Duke. Don’t you agree?”
He smiled—not with a laugh, but a quiet, confident smile.
“You said the name Axel, which I earned myself, was your pride.”
“At that time, that was all I had to determine my place. The name Axel was a promise, not a meaning. Honestly, even magitech was just a means to find my place—I’ll confess that only to you, Princess.”
Dandelion revealed the depths of his heart without embarrassment or shame.
“I’ve troubled you, haven’t I? I needed to say this before it was too late.”
He raised his light brown brows and smiled.
“Is that rude?”
“I think it’s just honesty.”
My heart fluttered, and I gently touched the brooch he offered.
“Oh, that was something I bought earlier. Not expensive. I saw it in the market and thought of you, so I bought it.”
“Did you?”
I smiled.
“If you like it, I can have it remade with gold and jewels to suit you. Looking at it now, I don’t know why I bought a fake one then.”
Dandelion murmured to himself, wondering why he had done that.
“Can magitech turn it into gold?”
“Ha! Princess, that’s not possible with magitech. I meant a jeweler could do it. I have saved up a fair amount from my work, so I could order as many pieces as you like.”
I slowly opened my mouth.
“This was a proposal, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, Princess.”
I closed the lid of the box.
“Then I must refuse.”
“Was my sudden, deep affection for you not enough to explain?”
I understood everything he had said. I knew well that he was taken by my appearance.
Had he said the same thing while I was still in the Kingdom of Rundra, I might have accepted him as a consort.
At that time, I didn’t understand love, nor did I feel I needed it. His status and reasons alone were sufficient.
I had intended to marry the right person.
The right person meant: a family capable of supporting Shade if necessary, someone normally uninterested in politics, and a clever, understanding mind. Dandelion was suitable.
Dandelion, uninterested in the crown prince or minor prince position, likely wouldn’t meddle in Rundra’s politics. His magitech knowledge and talent would provide fresh energy to the kingdom.
With his cheerful and lively company, I could have had a happy life.
But even listening to the depths of his heart, I couldn’t ignore the cherry-colored eyes that came to mind. I couldn’t imagine being with him.
I couldn’t take his hand while thinking of him. Momentarily, I wondered if that meant I would never marry at all.
“I understand perfectly. So that is why you refuse. You mean you think I am beautiful?”
I smiled at Dandelion. It was important that the refusal be clear.
I didn’t think his feelings were false—but to me, his love was insufficient.
I knew he was attracted to my appearance. From start to finish, he said he liked me because I was beautiful. He didn’t care about the name; he simply wanted to marry a beautiful woman.
I didn’t mean to belittle his intention—but yes, his affection was a little lacking.
I, who intended to marry a suitable person, spoke of affection.
“Huh?”
Dandelion’s focus faltered; he looked stunned. I tilted my head slightly, waiting for him to speak.
“Princess.”
Dandelion placed his right hand over his chest. His gaze returned as he looked at me.
“My heart… it’s beating.”
“Excuse me?”
“Of course hearts beat… it’s just a bodily function.”
He muttered to himself, rubbing his eyes with both hands.
“Princess.”
“Yes, Count Axel.”
“You look different… it’s strange.”
I didn’t ask more, afraid he would compliment my appearance again. Dandelion said no more.
The carriage carrying Dandelion and me reached the duke’s residence. He was silent the whole ride, not smiling as usual.
Upon stepping down, he showed utmost courtesy, bending one knee, taking my hand, and lightly placing his lips on my fingertips.
“In Owen and Lorneis, this is a sign of loyalty, but in Ten it means something else. Ah, only now do I recall this greeting—I am foolish.”
Today, Dandelion made no promises for the future.
