My Fiancé Keeps Trying to Raise Me (16 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 13
The maids tried to persuade Anet, saying that a lady usually arrived slightly later than the appointment time, but Anet believed that observing basic courtesy was more important than such ladylike virtues.
Of course, she was also aware that she couldn’t afford to displease the Grand Duke in any way.
Thus, Anet headed toward the reception room where she was to meet Grand Duke Harzent, arriving a bit earlier than the agreed time.
Perhaps because she wore white lace socks reaching up to her ankles and soft shoes that caused no pain at all, her steps felt light even as she walked down the long corridor.
However, Anet paused in surprise upon seeing two people seated in the reception room—whom she had expected to be empty—while carefully wiping her sweaty palms onto her clothes from nervousness.
“You’ve arrived.”
“Good heavens! Your Grace, you look absolutely stunning today!”
It was none other than the Emperor and Empress.
“Oh….”
Why had she assumed she would be meeting the Grand Duke alone?
Upon reflection, it was only natural for the imperial couple to attend, given that this was a political marriage arranged to seal an alliance between nations.
Embarrassed, Anet quickly apologized.
“I had no idea you were already here. I’m sorry for being late.”
“Late? Not at all. It’s Kardin… Grand Duke Harzent who’s acting unlike himself.”
Lucius, recalling how he’d expected Kardin to arrive early and wait politely, spoke awkwardly, worried Kardin might have already made a poor impression on Anet.
Yet Anet seemed indifferent to the Grand Duke’s absence and quietly moved to the seat Charlotte gestured toward.
Seated on the sofa facing the door, between the Emperor and Empress, Anet suddenly felt oddly as though these two were her own family rather than the Grand Duke’s.
And then—
“His Grace, Grand Duke Harzent.”
The door opened softly at the steward’s announcement.
Anet drew in a deep breath.
Thud. Thud. With every heavy step of the man’s shoes, her heart pounded wildly.
Amidst this tension, she noticed a faint flutter of excitement and a small, blooming hope—and swiftly reprimanded herself.
“Get a hold of yourself. The Grand Duke is merely your political marriage partner.”
At that moment, a man in a formal black suit slowly revealed himself.
Anet rose unconsciously from the sofa and was slightly startled by his tall, broad-shouldered frame—even accounting for her own reduced height, she still had to look far up at him.
“So this is… Grand Duke Harzent.”
As rumored, the Grand Duke wore a black mask, yet radiated an air of elegance and refinement.
His honey-gold hair shimmered so brilliantly that it was impossible to imagine anything hideous concealed beneath that mask.
Indeed, the mask made him seem less like a living person and more like a flawless statue.
Then the Grand Duke’s Adam’s apple moved visibly, and he suddenly bowed his head deeply, gripping the mask tightly with both hands. His shoulders trembled faintly.
Only then did she realize he had momentarily stopped breathing upon entering the room.
He now exhaled a slightly ragged breath, as if finally remembering to breathe again.
“……”
Anet unconsciously bit her lip.
She had certainly informed the Harzent household of her condition beforehand, yet seeing it in person seemed far more shocking.
Having seen enough, Anet lowered her eyes and steeled herself.
She couldn’t allow the engagement to be broken off.
She hadn’t expected to say this in front of the Emperor and Empress, but just as she squeezed her eyes shut to recite the words she’d prepared to change the Grand Duke’s mind—
“…Are you a doll?”
His rich, velvety baritone made her eyes snap open.
“You’re adorably… inhuman.”
“……”
She’d thought she misheard…
But the voice unmistakably belonged to the Grand Duke.
Which meant…
The infamous warmonger, the ruthless slaughterer…
Her fiancé, Kardin Harzent.
[This is the timeline separator]‘Has that brat gone mad!’
Lucius nearly slapped his forehead watching his only younger brother make a fool of himself in real time.
He’d admittedly arrived early, even before the parties involved, hoping to enjoy an entertaining spectacle—but while he’d expected Kardin to put on a sickeningly sweet act, he never imagined this level of absurdity.
Judging by how impeccably dressed he was from head to toe, he must have been late due to elaborate preparations—but if he had the energy to fuss over his appearance, he should’ve kept his wits about him instead. Lucius was utterly exasperated.
“Ahem. Right on time, I see.”
Nevertheless, as an elder brother, he felt obligated to cover for his sibling’s blunder.
Lucius immediately emphasized to Anet that the Grand Duke hadn’t actually been late for their first meeting and tried lightening the mood to help Kardin regain his senses.
He hoped his efforts wouldn’t go unappreciated…
“Hm? Were you here?”
Of course that ungrateful brat wouldn’t acknowledge him.
His tone clearly indicated he’d only just noticed the Emperor and Empress were present, having seemingly seen no one but Anet from the start.
“Naturally. As the sovereigns orchestrating the alliance between the Alkan Empire and Heyworth Kingdom, We must be present at the first meeting of its principal parties.”
“Hmm. I don’t care about all that. For now, I’d like to exchange greetings alone with the person I’ll spend my life with—so I’d appreciate it if Your Majesties could kindly excuse yourselves.”
“Ha!”
His arrogance was so blatant one might forget he was addressing the Emperor himself.
Predictably, Lucius scowled in disbelief.
“So…”
“……”
“You really mean for Us to leave?”
“Yes.”
Kardin’s answer was firm and without a trace of hesitation, prompting Lucius to click his tongue in annoyance.
Just when things were about to get truly entertaining…
Charlotte shared the same thought but quietly smiled, noticing how Anet couldn’t tear her mesmerized gaze away from Kardin.
“It’s certainly our first meeting, so perhaps our presence is making things a bit awkward.”
She then tugged her husband’s arm—dripping with reluctant disappointment—and exited the reception room.
After all, she’d have plenty of amusing scenes to witness in the future.
Once the door closed and they were finally alone as he’d wished, Kardin swiftly turned his head toward her.
He slowly approached Anet, knelt on one knee, and met her eyes.
Their gazes locked even before Anet could reaffirm her resolve to hide her red eyes as much as possible.
“I’m sorry. I just made a scene.”
His voice—utterly unlike the disrespectful and impatient tone he’d used with the Emperor—was so soft and sweet it felt almost ticklish, leaving Anet dazed.
Truthfully, she’d felt that way ever since he’d referred to her as the one he’d spend his life with.
She’d drawn a firm line in her mind, reminding herself she was merely his political marriage partner—but why…
“I’m… fine.”
Half-dazed, she still felt compelled to accept his apology and managed a reply.
Kardin then covered his lips with one hand and murmured quietly.
“Your voice is so young…”
Anet, having clearly heard him, blinked slowly, feeling utterly disoriented.
Suddenly, Kardin burst into laughter.
Whether muffled by his hand or resonating through his mask, his low chuckle sounded astonishingly pleasant, causing Anet to freeze.
“I really am sorry.”
Kardin apologized again, finally composing himself.
“It’s just… all of this feels like a dream.”
Anet understood.
She’d heard the Emperor doted immensely on the Grand Duke, despite their twelve-year age gap—but she’d imagined it as the kind of affection a ruler shows a capable, trusted subordinate.
Yet what she’d just witnessed radiated the warmth and closeness of true familial love.
However, Kardin’s behavior toward her felt even more unreal than his bond with Lucius, leaving Anet speechless.
Then it hit her—a terrifying thought struck her mind.
“I only heard his appearance became hideous due to the Demon Blood… could he also have gone mad…?”
Yes, surely only madness could explain this.
She completely forgot her earlier resolve to hide her red eyes and stared straight into Kardin’s eyes—the only part visible above the mask. Instantly, she lost her breath.
His gaze held deep, clear blue eyes filled with unmistakable affection—utterly incompatible with someone suffering madness.
And with those eyes, the man spoke.
“Hmm, this is rather awkward.”
“Oh! I’m sor—”
“If you stare at me so openly, I’ll get embarrassed.”
“…Huh?”
Just as Anet snapped back to her senses and hurriedly lowered her eyes to apologize, Kardin tilted his head slightly and whispered,
“I’m actually quite shy, more than I appear.”
“I… see.”
Anet nodded absently, feeling utterly dazed.
Meanwhile, Kardin exhaled a short breath—“Hoo”—and, still kneeling, bowed his head.
“Let me properly introduce myself. I am Kardin Harzent.”
We were clearly here to formalize an alliance between nations.
Yet his simple, unaffected introduction—as though none of that mattered—made her feel strangely conflicted. Still, Anet bowed slightly in return and said,
“I am Anet Heyworth.”
Strangely enough, omitting “Princess of Heyworth” made her heart feel considerably lighter.
“I know, Your Highness.”
“……”
His reply was slightly odd.
Though “princess” and “Your Highness” carried the same meaning, his tone was so tender it made Anet’s ears tingle faintly.
Unconsciously fidgeting with her hands, she saw before her a smooth, slender hand—unmarred by a single scar—extended toward her, belonging to someone who seemed impossible to believe was a knight who wielded a sword.
Anet blinked, then slowly reached out her own hand—small, soft, and childlike, without a trace of callus.
Male lead is a clingy little husband
One-line summary: The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
Introduction:
One day, Lu Yuner’s soul transmigrates into a female-dominant world. She enters the Imperial Academy and takes up the position of a doctoral instructor, teaching classes and grading schoolwork.
One day, she encounters the young prince Su Qingwan secretly skipping class from the male academy.
As a result, Su Qingwan is punished.
From then on, Su Qingwan sees Lu Yuner as a “thorn in his side”.
But before long, this “thorn” becomes the person he cherishes most, and he goes to great lengths to win Lu Yuner’s affection.
Mini scene 1:
One day, the sun is high in the sky but Su Qingwan still hasn’t gotten up for class.
Servant Xiaoyuan: “Young prince, it’s time for class. You’ll be late otherwise.”
Su Qingwan says arrogantly: “I’m not going. I am the esteemed prince, my status is so noble, why should I suffer this hardship? Besides, isn’t learning all this just to please women? Hmph, they’re not worthy!”
Mini scene 2:
After Su Qingwan falls for someone, he completely changes. He no longer skips class and diligently learns how to be a good husband and father. But he discovers that Sister Yuner is always surrounded by admirers.
Drunk and overcome with jealousy one day, he clings to Lu Yuner, crying beautifully like a pear blossom in the rain.
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan likes Sister Yuner.”
Lu Yuner: “Young prince, you’re drunk.”
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan isn’t drunk. Qingwan likes Sister Yuner, likes you so much, likes you to bits…” Before he can finish, Lu Yuner’s eyes flash with emotion and she leans in closer.
[Reading Guide]
1. The female lead is gentle, gracious, humble and polite but not weak. The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
2. 1v1, a bit torturous in the beginning but definitely sweet later on.
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Chapter Comments (2)
Inline Comments (4)
"I mean that from the very beginning, I wanted only Anet Heyworth—you—as my brid
We have saved ourselves from ~30 chapters worth of misunderstanding people, we shall rejoice!!
—but she also didn’t want Anet to discover the truth and be horrified.
So… our ML is a hair collector… that’s something you don’t see –read– often
"I may not be as strong as Your Highness, but I’m quite strong myself."
The novel is very good and cute and I think I’d read it
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Wow this novel has it all, huh? No misunderstanding over the ML’s feelings towards FL, kind and loving imperial family wow
Always a favorite of mine when hurt, abandoned, abused MCs gets a chance of having a true family 🥹