Chapter 8
“The Young Lord Rianus of the Marquisate of Tristan has arrived.”
At the knight’s announcement, Cartia quickly welcomed him in and sat down on the sofa.
“Come, sit here!”
Her cheerful demeanor made the hesitant Rianus relax and approach to sit down.
“Fabia, what are you doing? We have a guest—why haven’t you brought refreshments yet?”
Thanks to Cartia’s sunny smile, only Fabia looked gloomy as she brought out the cookies.
This was already the second time today. Cartia had even eaten all of Ence’s cookies.
Fabia worried this might affect Cartia’s health, but Cartia, seemingly unaware of such concerns, sparkled with delight at the warm cookies.
“You must really like cookies.”
Even though it was clear Cartia was more excited about the cookies than Rianus himself, he didn’t seem offended. Like Ence, he slid the plate of cookies toward her.
“Hm? Don’t you like cookies, Rianus?”
“I eat them if they’re there, but I don’t miss them if they’re not.”
“You sound like a little old man. But still, you said you’d eat them if they’re here. So go ahead and eat.”
“A little old man…?”
Was he unfamiliar with the expression?
When Cartia explained what it meant, Rianus wore a very serious expression.
“I told you to eat a cookie.”
“Ah… I’m fine.”
“Why?”
“Seeing you eat cookies with such a happy face, anyone would want to give theirs to you.”
“Really? Then I’m eating all of this.”
That’s the thing about nobles.
They’re so formal—even a simple “go ahead and eat” has to be said in such a roundabout way.
Meanwhile, Cartia had already grabbed another cookie.
The cookie, dotted with dried strawberry slices and nuts, confirmed the rumors—royal palace dessert chefs were really excited lately.
They hadn’t had the chance to showcase their skills due to the emperor’s dislike of sweets.
Even before she finished the one in her hand, Cartia was already thinking about what to eat next when Rianus spoke up seriously.
“Do you dislike that I sound like a little old man?”
“Huh? Not at all.”
“I’ve often been told I don’t act my age. I suppose that’s what being a little old man means.”
“What kind of expressions did those people have when they said it?”
“Hmm… Not very pleasant ones. Lady Odite even said I was annoying.”
She told him he was annoying?
That’s not something nobles say lightly—it must’ve really bothered her.
Likely, they were around the same age, and someone arranged a meeting so the kids could bond.
Rianus did sound mature for his age, but don’t girls his age usually like handsome boys?
As Cartia pondered, she clapped her hand.
“Got it. That girl must’ve liked you.”
“Pardon? I didn’t see any signs of that…”
“Didn’t she try to drag you into something?”
“She wanted me to go see a pony her father bought her, but I refused because it was dangerous for children to go to the stables alone.”
“And?”
“She also wanted to show me her dresses, but I wasn’t interested, so I declined.”
Of course.
Immature noble girls often assume that if they like someone, the other must like them too.
She probably wanted to spend time with Rianus, but got frustrated by his rejections.
“Then she’s just a strange girl. Don’t mind what odd people say. So what if you sound mature? It means you’re more grown-up than your peers. That’s a strength.”
Rianus blinked, clearly surprised by Cartia’s words. Then the corners of his eyes crinkled into a gentle smile.
“You’re more amazing than I expected, Your Highness.”
“Really? I wish others thought that too.”
“Anyone who talks with you will think that.”
“You never know. Just like someone might find you boring for sounding like an old man, some might think I’m rude or immature.”
“So… is that why you find me boring?”
Cartia broke a cookie in half, dipped it deep in milk, counted three seconds, then held it out to Rianus.
“Say ah…”
Without realizing, Rianus opened his mouth, and she slipped the cookie in. She then dipped the remaining half and popped it in her mouth.
“Who cares what others say? You live your way, I live mine.”
Rianus was too busy chewing to reply, so Cartia took her time sipping her milk.
Once he swallowed, Rianus quickly spoke.
“But my father said a man should always listen to a woman. Since we’re to be married, I must listen to Your Highness.”
Cough!
Cartia choked and sprayed milk everywhere. Fabia quickly rushed in with a handkerchief.
“Are you alright?”
Rianus, flustered, also pulled out a handkerchief and offered it to her.
As Cartia wiped the milk, she was dumbfounded.
Did those words just come from a kid? Even if Rianus was older than her, still…
Just how exactly had the Marquis of Tristan raised him?
“The Marquis raised you very well. Keep that attitude.”
“In what way?”
“Listening to women. That’s admirable. Full marks.”
Whoever marries Rianus would be lucky.
Cartia felt unexpectedly envious.
“Anyway, why are you here today?”
“Ah… well…”
“Did you tell the Marquis?”
A proper visit to the palace wouldn’t be possible alone. So how did he get here?
Cartia looked at him curiously, and Rianus wore an apologetic face.
“I came to apologize.”
“Why? Think we won’t be able to marry?”
“That’s not it!”
“Then the Marquis gave permission?”
“Well… not exactly…”
So the Marquis didn’t know.
Cartia had thought Rianus, no matter how young, wouldn’t betray a secret easily. Was she wrong?
“He said engagements require formal proposals and that a letter must be sent to the other family. So I told him.”
“Hmph. You got played.”
“Pardon?”
“Never mind. Go on.”
“Ah, so I told him I promised to marry you and came to apologize for breaking the secrecy.”
There’s no need to apologize.
Cartia was about to say that, but Rianus looked so serious that she stopped herself.
Still, she was curious.
How did the Marquis react to the news that his son wanted to marry a princess?
“I’m sorry too. I told Ence.”
“Who is Ence?”
“Countess Ceylon. Since we both broke the secret, let’s just forget about it.”
“Forget about marrying?”
“No, forget that we both revealed the secret and felt bad about it.”
Rianus’s expressions changed rapidly—ashen when she joked about canceling the marriage, then quickly relieved when she clarified.
So he had expressive reactions as a child.
Cartia had only known him as a more grown-up version, so this was refreshing.
“So, what did the Marquis say?”
“My father said he trusts my judgment.”
“Even though I’m a princess?”
“He said it doesn’t matter. I made a promise, and I want to keep it.”
“He’s a good father.”
Truly, a wonderful father.
No wonder Rianus grew up to be such a principled and admirable person.
Rianus was beloved by all, nobles and commoners alike.
Even at a young age, he was trustworthy and mature. His father must’ve been just as good.
When Rianus spoke of him, his eyes always looked nostalgic and warm.
“So you came all this way just to apologize?”
“Yes. I thought Your Highness would be busy, so I planned to apologize and leave.”
“Oh? Fortunately, I’m not too busy. Come visit often! We need to get closer before the wedding.”
“May I?”
“Of course! In fact, let’s go out now to celebrate!”
Cartia jumped to her feet, and Rianus hurriedly followed.
As she turned around, she reached out her hand.
He just blinked at it, not understanding the gesture, so Cartia grabbed his hand herself.
“Come on! It’s a lovely day out!”
“Ah… um…”
“Is it because of the handholding? We’re getting married anyway, who cares.”
“I-I see. Ahem. But… where are we going?”
“To my dad!”
“What?”
“We need to tell him about the marriage!”
With Cartia’s cheerful declaration, Fabia ran outside, and the usually quiet palace of the princess went into chaos with all the maids and knights scrambling.
