It was an extremely awkward situation. But I tried to keep my gentle smile as I looked at Killian and Edan, giving them a look that urged them to answer quickly.
After all, Killian might have already told Empress Venica the name of the kingdom as a placeholder. If I blurted out a name I made up myself and caused a misunderstanding, it would be disastrous. Yet Killian looked utterly flustered.
What is this?
…Don’t tell me you didn’t even think up a kingdom name?
An absurd assumption brushed through my mind—until Venica tilted her head.
“Come to think of it… I haven’t heard it either. His Majesty only said it was a very distant land.”
“A distant land? Where?”
It’s not ‘don’t tell me’—it’s actually true! Aaargh! You idiots! If you’re going to lie, at least settle on a kingdom name first!
Killian’s pupils trembled slightly—he was pretending to be calm, but his panic was painfully obvious. Judging by how his brows furrowed, his mind was probably racing through every possible kingdom name.
It seemed they’d assumed my title was just a passing, temporary label—since Edan had kept me hidden away, and once I officially became Grand Duchess, I’d be known not as a princess but as Grand Duchess anyway, so it didn’t matter much.
As the silence stretched, Illia’s gaze fixed stubbornly on me.
“Is it such a tiny country that you’re embarrassed to say its name?”
“…….”
Why should it matter to you whether I’m a real princess or not? Her hostility toward someone she’d just met was too blatant to even question. Just moments ago, Illia had clearly been interested in Edan—she’d addressed him as “Your Grace” the moment she saw him, suggesting they weren’t complete strangers. Of course, Edan was handsome enough to steal attention from hundreds of meters away, so her attraction was understandable. The innkeeper who once sheltered me even said Edan’s popularity among the people soared after his face became public—and I’d personally witnessed the mountainous piles of gifts delivered daily to the Grand Ducal Palace.
Moreover, the fact that I was to become Grand Duchess hadn’t been publicly announced yet. So naturally, my sudden appearance beside Edan must have rubbed her the wrong way.
As if to confirm this, Illia’s eyes brimmed with childish jealousy and irritation.
But honestly, from my perspective, she was the one who appeared out of nowhere. Edan had always been mine.
After a brief moment of contemplation, I grinned sweetly at her. Of course, it was a fake smile.
“If I told you which country, would you know it?”
“Huh?”
Though the nuance was subtle, my gentle tone made Princess Illia widen her eyes and stare at me. I continued speaking to her in a soft, utterly harmless manner.
“Our kingdom is very far from the Alkedania Empire. Since we’re not neighboring nations, it’s only natural you wouldn’t know of us.”
“But still, if you told me, I’d know. I travel often and have quite an extensive network.”
“No. So far, no one has ever heard of our kingdom. People like you have claimed they know every country, but once I tell them the name, they always react with surprise, saying they’ve never heard of it. So even if I told you, you wouldn’t know. But I understand. It’s perfectly reasonable—you see, it’s just very, very far away. I completely understand. It’s fine.”
“…….”
I skillfully redirected the conversation to sound considerate: I clearly understood her question and wanted to answer, but I chose not to—for her comfort. The message was clear: I’m sparing your dignity, so stop prying and back off. This was a social maneuver I’d learned from books, used when giving a direct answer would be awkward.
As a princess, she couldn’t possibly miss the meaning—she was likely even more familiar with high society than I was. And indeed, my firm stance made her hesitate. After all, she’d just claimed there wasn’t a kingdom she didn’t know—now she was caught between pride and uncertainty. If a name I uttered turned out to be unfamiliar, she’d embarrass herself.
“Well… if it’s that far away…”
Eventually, she mumbled vaguely.
Still, she didn’t outright admit ignorance. Her pride must be quite strong.
Anyway, Illia pressed her lips together in irritation—and right on cue, I deliberately addressed Hillstain.
“By the way, Sir Hillstain. It’s been a while.”
My friendly greeting toward him made not only Illia, but even Empress Venica, turn wide-eyed stares toward Hillstain.
Understandable—they never imagined I’d know Hillstain.
Truthfully, it hadn’t been that long since we last spoke. After my memories returned, Hillstain came straight to the Grand Ducal Palace, and we chatted in detail for over half a day. But that was our only meeting—afterward, Edan blocked every single attempt Hillstain made to contact me.
“Have you been well?”
Adding another sweet remark, I extended the back of my hand toward Hillstain as though granting him a great favor—signaling I was finally permitting the hand-kissing gesture he’d repeatedly requested and been denied.
The sharp-witted Hillstain instantly understood why I’d deliberately singled him out at this exact moment. With a faint, fox-like curve of his eyes, he stepped forward and knelt on one knee—as if paying formal respects to a princess of a truly magnificent kingdom.
“Yes, Your Highness. It has been a while. I’ve missed you.”
Hillstain gently took my fingertips and lowered his lips. The kiss on my hand felt warm.
“……!”
“……!”
I didn’t need to look up to sense Venica and Illia’s shock. I gazed down at Hillstain with feigned elegance, lowering my lashes like someone accustomed to such gestures. His silver hair looked especially soft today—enough to deserve praise, at least while he obediently played along with my whims.
Hillstain was cunning and always smiling—but only toward the late Empress Henzela, Ivy, and me.
As Captain of the Knights, Hillstain’s true demeanor was cold and ruthless. Just moments ago, when escorting Princess Illia, he’d worn a stern, icy expression with lips tightly sealed. So his current behavior toward me was exceptionally out of character.
After the brief kiss on my hand, Hillstain rose and whispered softly into my ear.
“You really are a princess, aren’t you? Princess of Edan’s country.”
Tch. His faint chuckle grating against my teeth annoyed me, but I continued the brief exchange with Hillstain.
“You look quite well, Sir.”
“You look beautiful, Your Highness.”
“Your smile is lovely too. Seems you’ve had many happy things lately?”
“No, not particularly.”
“Why not?”
“The woman I like is getting married soon.”
“Oh dear, that must be upsetting.”
“Yes. I feel like kidnapping her before the wedding and vanishing.”
“Then wouldn’t her husband be in serious trouble?”
“Yes. That’s why I’m conflicted. He’s not an easy opponent.”
Smiling brightly, Hillstain smoothly volleyed back. Meanwhile, Venica and Illia’s gazes toward me grew even more complex.
They weren’t curious about our conversation’s content—they wanted to know what kind of relationship we had, and what my true identity was, given how familiar Hillstain acted toward me.
I was just considering whether to end this display of connections—when Edan spoke up.
“Sir.”
“Yes.”
“Step back.”
With those words, Edan’s icy gaze landed on Hillstain—a clear signal: I’ve indulged you enough, now withdraw. Hillstain promptly stepped back.
“Yes. Of course.”
Once he retreated, I picked up my teacup as if this scenario were perfectly familiar. The tea had gone cold. Since I didn’t particularly crave warmth, I lifted the cup anyway—when Killian caught my wrist.
“Wait. You should drink something warm.”
“It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not. Your health is delicate.”
I’m not so frail I can’t handle a cup of cold tea.
But I gave a small nod and set the cup down.
“Yes. I’ll do that.”
Clack. Killian placed my cup down, received the teapot from a servant, and poured fresh tea into my cup himself.
Venica’s gaze prickled slightly, but surely she wouldn’t take offense over something as minor as pouring tea? I subtly turned my head to gauge the atmosphere. Thankfully, her eyes sparkled more with curiosity than jealousy—she seemed even more intrigued about what kind of relationship I had with these men.
Meanwhile, Princess Illia’s gaze had fixed on Edan’s left ring finger. Frowning slightly, she glanced once at my fingers too. I responded with a playful eye-smile and deliberately cupped my cheek with my left hand.
Look. At. This. Couple. Ring.
Illia, who’d been about to say something with parted lips, bit her lower lip hard. Then, as if resigned, she clasped her fingertips together.
“Your Majesty, I’ll take my leave now. Thank you for your hospitality!”
Whirl—she turned sharply, her red hair whipping fiercely with her decisive movement.
The tea time, briefly disrupted by this uninvited guest’s antics, settled into a pause.
This outcome was quite satisfying. Regardless of which kingdom’s princess I claimed to be, I’d demonstrated at least this much standing within the Empire.
The princess probably felt sour—but being escorted out by the Emperor, Empress, and Captain of the Knights should offer some consolation.
Why pick meaningless fights at first meeting? If you want to challenge me, at least come prepared with a witch’s certification.
I cruelly curled one corner of my mouth and lifted my teacup.
“So Edan. What’s your relationship with that princess? Did she confess to you?”
When the male lead is punished by carrying the female lead’s child and having periods like a woman
“I’ve given birth to two children for you, yet you still think about him.
Was I nothing but his substitute to you from beginning to end?”
Synopsis:
Meng Huan, a scumbag who has dated countless girlfriends, transmigrates to a female-dominated country.
Day 1: Whether it’s female dominance or not doesn’t matter. The beauties here are passionate and amorous. Isn’t it easier to date them than in modern times?
Day 2: After a night, Meng Huan discovers the differences in the female-dominated world. Men here actually have chastity locks and menstrual cycles. This hinders his ability to perform, damn it!
Day 3: What’s wrong with sleeping around? I don’t want you to marry me. I’m meant to be a playboy. I don’t care about male virtues… What? You want to drown me in a pig cage? Marry, I’ll marry!
Day N: Meng Huan inexplicably vomits and receives the shocking news of his life… He’s pregnant.
_____
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