“Wow!”

Despite being a whisper, it was clearly heard.

Anette covered her mouth with her hands, looking at Mikhail with an awkward smile, then glanced at Cardin.

She thought he was just saying anything.

And then, at that moment.

“……!”

She noticed Cardin rubbing his shoulder with his free hand, the one not holding Mikhail.

The events of yesterday flashed through her mind.

“Grand Duke, please put me down now.”

“Ah, Princess. Did I mention that I safely returned from the temple?”

“No? Wait, stop changing the subject. We’re almost at the garden entrance. Before someone sees us…”

“I’ll show you the engagement certificate once we’re outside. You must be excited, right?”

“Ah, really!”

“……Huh!”

Anette, frustrated by Cardin ignoring her request to be put down, had struck his shoulder.

She had no intention to attack or hurt him.

But Cardin had groaned and bent at the waist.

Regardless, Anette had gotten down from Cardin’s embrace as she wanted and looked at him with a surprised face.

Since her childhood, her nanny had always cautioned her that her strength was different from others and to be careful. Except when dealing with monsters, she had always controlled her strength.

But after her nanny left, she had hardly any physical contact with others.

Even when exchanging reports for work or receiving food rations during hunting, no one tried to touch Anette.

Of course, since coming to the Alcan Empire, people did not shy away from her at all…

Yet Anette never reached out to touch anyone first.

But of all people, her first unintended punch had landed on Grand Duke Harganet.

She had been confident she wouldn’t flinch at open scorn or insults, like from Bridget or Raon, but being playfully teased by someone for the first time, she lost control of her strength in a moment of emotion.

Recalling times when she accidentally broke various things in her sleep, Anette worried about Cardin.

Though he assured her he was fine, his wincing eyes made her feel guilty.

‘But seeing him rub his shoulder like that again, it seems like he might be joking.’

As Anette narrowed her eyes at Cardin, Mikhail came running down to her.

“Princess, I have a question…”

Noticing Mikhail’s slightly anxious expression, Anette tilted her body towards him.

“Seems like Grand Duke was already here, as I suspected.”

A voice sounded from the doorway, seemingly both amused and sighing.

“I specifically said we should go together after the conversation. Couldn’t wait, huh… Ah! Get up quickly, Anette.”

As Anette stood up to greet Charlotte, who had just entered the reception room, she overheard Cardin saying, “It’s not gentlemanly to take up space while ladies are conversing,” and Charlotte teasingly replying, “Is it gentlemanly to leave a lady and go ahead?”

Through their exchange, Anette roughly grasped the situation.

It was about Charlotte leaving Mikhail with Anette, saying she had something to discuss with Cardin, and then a guest arriving for Charlotte.

“Oh, Audrey…”

Anette looked alternately at the little girl standing next to Charlotte and Mikhail, who had somehow hidden behind her without being noticed.

The girl named Audrey slowly stepped forward, lifted her skirt hem, and curtsied gracefully.
“Lady Audrey of the Merlin Ducal family greets His Highness the Crown Prince and Lady Anette of Hayworth.”

With the appearance of the young lady from the ducal family, who was surprisingly calm and mature for her age, Anette found herself in another awkward situation.

The reason was…

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince…”

“Hu, huuh.”

Despite Audrey’s anxious call, Mikhail, instead of responding, buried his face in Anette’s arm and started to whimper.

‘Why did he choose to sit next to me of all places?’

While his mother Charlotte and his uncle, who he usually follows, were there, Mikhail inexplicably clung to Anette’s side.

But feeling the trembling of the small hand gripping her arm, Anette couldn’t bring herself to ask.

And moreover.

‘Why is the young lady sitting next to me…’

Anette’s gaze shifted from left to right. There was Audrey, looking forlorn due to being ignored by Mikhail.

Although it might feel most comfortable for her to sit next to Anette, another guest, the fact that she eagerly took the seat where it was difficult to converse with Mikhail felt oddly deliberate.

Furthermore, initially, Anette thought it was a misconception, but the consistent, bashful smiles from Audrey every time their eyes met didn’t seem like she was uncomfortable or wary of Anette.

‘Even though she clearly knows who I am.’

When Audrey earlier addressed her as “Lady of Hayworth,” Anette wasn’t surprised, having been tipped off that Charlotte would explain the situation to Audrey.

‘But why isn’t she scared? Hasn’t she heard about me?’

No, that couldn’t be it, or she wouldn’t have recognized Anette in the first place.

As Anette pondered this, the moment came.

“If Your Highness dislikes my presence here, I’ll leave right away.”

Audrey sighed deeply, hopped off the sofa, and started to leave.

Mikhail, who had been clinging to Anette’s arm, jerked in surprise and hurriedly spoke up.

“Just, just wait!”

“What is it, Your Highness?”

Audrey’s always calm voice seemed to bring a sense of relief to Mikhail, who asked with a quivering voice.

“Audrey… are you not disappointed in me?”

“Disappointed?”

“Yesterday… I acted foolishly.”

Mikhail’s impulsive request to stay at the Ducal house, abandoning his status as the Crown Prince, was in hindsight, irresponsible and embarrassing. Even if it was a misunderstanding about Anette being his betrothed, he couldn’t deny he had been selfish and inconsiderate towards Audrey.

And furthermore.

“Aren’t you… scared of my power?”

Despite avoiding a major disaster, Mikhail vividly felt the danger of not being able to control his power. It was a shock.

Initially, upon learning of his awakening power, Mikhail was elated. But his father, the Emperor, warned and cautioned him repeatedly.

He couldn’t understand it then and even felt resentful. But now…

‘My father
“I might accidentally hurt someone if I do something wrong.”

“You’ll be careful not to hurt anyone, won’t you?”

“But…”

“Even if you can’t control it like yesterday, it’s okay.”

Lady Anette and Duke Harzgent are here, after all.

Mikhail fell silent at Audrey’s additional comment, seeming to agree.

That’s when Anette realized why Mikhail was so determined to sit next to her. This young crown prince believed that if something went wrong like yesterday, she would protect him.

This level of trust was new to her, prompting Anette to make a curious expression. Then, she inadvertently made eye contact with Cardin sitting directly in front of her.

With Anette’s side occupied by the children, Cardin had settled for the seat directly opposite, where he could clearly see her face. He smiled faintly.

The gentle curve of his eyes made Anette’s breath hitch, as if she had been caught off guard.

Meanwhile, the children’s conversation continued.

“I’m sorry, Audrey.”

“For what?”

“For being like a monster… for having power that can hurt others…”

“Don’t say that. Your Highness’ power is not meant to harm others!”

“Really?”

How could she be so sure, even after witnessing the dangerous situation and destructive power yesterday?

Both Mikhail, momentarily distracted by Cardin, and Anette looked at Audrey in surprise.

“Of course. You’ll soon become as strong as Lady Anette and protect what’s precious to you. Right, Lady Anette?”

Unexpectedly, Audrey turned to Anette with a direct question.

When their eyes met, the usually composed girl suddenly blushed and whispered softly.

“Yesterday, Lady Anette, you were really, really amazing!”

“Yes, yes!”

Mikhail, having overheard, quickly agreed, raising his hand excitedly.

With an enthusiastic face, he asked Anette, “Can I become strong like you, Lady Anette, and protect what’s precious to me?”

“Me?”

How did this significant role fall onto her?