Grand Duke, Please Stop Obsessing Over Your Wife! - Chapter 69

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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69.

If it really was thanks to Anna Rose, I was secretly curious.

‘How would Anna Rose change the Crown Prince’s heart?’

‘Looking at the Crown Prince’s life hardships, it’s natural that he wouldn’t want to ascend to the throne. He’s already faced several assassination attempts.’

Indeed, the Crown Prince had suffered in the midst of political struggles his entire life. It was understandable if he was tired of political strife.

She took a step back.

“Of course. Your Highness’s will is most important. It’s still a distant matter anyway. Let’s talk again later. The Duke will be here soon.”

“Ah. May I ask one more question before the Duke arrives?”

“What are you curious about?”

She must have already mentioned future plans and the current political situation of the Empire.

Under Annelize’s gaze, Iskassian cleared his throat.

“I’m just curious. I hope there won’t be any misunderstandings.”

He’s laying the groundwork first.

“Of course.”

“I’m curious if the Duchess’s sister currently has a fiancé or someone she’s considering.”

Oh my.

Annelize looked at her future brother-in-law with meaningful eyes.

‘No way. When exactly did he fall for her?’

Their meetings consisted only of an attack to the solar plexus in the dark night, briefly seeing her face on the bed, and exchanging a few words after waking up.

‘Was I underestimating Anna Rose too much? Was my little sister charming enough to captivate the next Emperor at first sight?’

No way. Anna Rose was far from being a walking femme fatale.

Even though she was a precious little sister, Annelize had good judgment.

‘She must be the Crown Prince’s type.’

To think they fell for each other at first sight because they were each other’s type.

It was truly a romance that could only exist in fairy tales.

“Duchess?”

When Annelize didn’t answer, the Crown Prince’s face grew pale in real time.

Unable to hold back any longer, he asked again.

“Let me say again, this is just a question out of pure curiosity with no ulterior motives.”

Sure it is. Annelize scoffed inwardly.

“She doesn’t have anyone yet. That’s good. She’s planning to accompany you as an escort to ensure Your Highness arrives safely at the Imperial Palace.”

“Ah. She learned swordsmanship from Count Solariccen! No wonder. Her movements when striking me were quite extraordinary.”

He rubbed his solar plexus, which was bruised from Anna Rose’s attack, with his hand. There was something tender in that touch.

As his sleeve lifted, rope marks on his wrist were revealed.

‘I’m glad I didn’t stop Anna Rose from tying him up. Looking at it now, the Crown Prince probably enjoyed it too.’

She let her future brother-in-law reminisce about his ‘you’re the first woman to strike my solar plexus’ moment.

Soon there was a knock, and Iskassian snapped back to attention.

“Duke. It’s an honor to meet you.”

“Iskassian Hildegard.”

“Thank you both for your hospitality.”

A brief exchange of glances followed. The Duke nodded.

As soon as he finished the minimal ceremonial greeting, he naturally turned his gaze to Annelize.

Then he approached her and naturally embraced Annelize.

He rubbed his forehead against her hair, not caring about the guest’s presence.

Iskassian turned his head with an awkward expression.

‘Why does he look proud? Unsettling.’

Annelize became anxious like a dog owner discovering their pet returning with something in its mouth.

She guided the Duke to the sofa.

He sat comfortably on the sofa, leaning against Annelize’s shoulder.

“Now that the Duke is here, I’ll show you the token that Her Majesty the Emperor promised.”

Annelize took out the documents she had brought from the Emperor in the capital.

The seal on the letter was definitely the Emperor’s.

It contained the promises the Emperor made for the Crown Prince’s safety.

“It’s about renewing the alliance that the founding Emperor made with the northern lord.”

The content of the alliance between the founding Emperor and the northern lord, that is, the Duke, was simple.

‘The Imperial Family recognizes the Duke’s position and the Grand Duchy as the Duke’s legitimate territory and will not invade it, while the Duke recognizes the Imperial Family’s legitimacy and prevents northern monsters from attacking the rest of the Empire’s territory.’

From the Imperial Family’s perspective, it was a promise with no loss.

On the other hand, from the Duke’s perspective, the contract was meaningless.

‘Even without the Emperor’s promise, the Duke is still the Duke. And who would dare invade the Grand Duchy.’

If they successfully made the Crown Prince the heir, they promised to revise this contract.

In a direction more favorable to the Duke. So that both the Imperial Family and the Duke could benefit.

The Crown Prince nodded.

“As a descendant of Porlnensha Hildegard, I also approve.”

Good. Now everything was finished.

“Is everything done? If there’s nothing more to do, I’d like to leave now.”

“Ah. Wait a moment. I’ve organized the noble families to recruit at the Founding Conference, and I’d like you to look at it together.”

Since she came in a hurry, she couldn’t bring it with her.

‘Would it be okay to leave those two alone?’

Annelize hesitated briefly before leaving her seat.

The distance between the reception room and the room with the documents wasn’t very far.

At most, she’d be back in a few minutes.

‘Surely nothing will happen in the meantime.’

Annelize hurried her steps.

As soon as her figure disappeared, the Duke put on an indifferent expression as if nothing had happened.

His attitude was indifferent as if no one existed before him.

If he were an ordinary noble, he would have been offended by the rudeness, but the Crown Prince didn’t feel particularly bad.

He had grown up hearing the Emperor’s teachings not to offend the Duke, and above all, he was in a very good mood today.

‘Her name was Anna Rose. It’s a name that suits her adorable appearance very well.’

When Iskassian opened his eyes, he wondered if he had come to heaven.

An angel with light brown curly hair was standing by his bedside.

It turned out this wasn’t heaven but the Duke’s castle in the north.

The girl with light brown curly hair was revealed to be neither an assassin nor an angel, but the Duchess’s sister.

‘If she’s the Duchess’s sister, she’ll probably find a better marriage partner than a prince like me with no backing. But that’s okay. At least we can be together until the Founding Conference.’

For now, just watching her made him happy.

For this reason, he was three times more excited than usual.

That was why Iskassian spoke to the Duke first.

He just wanted to have a light conversation, never intending to start an argument.

He just wanted to break the silence and have a conversation as teammates who would face Kukseo together.

Or maybe he just wanted to talk about the cutest person in Iskassian’s life.

“Duke. Have you met Miss Anna Rose?”

“Yes.”

Surprisingly, the Duke didn’t ignore Iskassian’s words.

“She was just like an Anna Rose flower. She was a very cute young lady.”

It was when Iskassian was smiling while thinking of Anna Rose.

“Since her jaw and habits resemble her sister, she can’t help but be cute. But she’s less cute than her sister.”

Since Annelize had asked him to find only her cute, the Duke acknowledged only the parts where Annelize and Anna Rose resembled each other as cute.

Iskassian found himself objecting without realizing it.

“Excuse me? With all due respect, wouldn’t Anna Rose be the one who usually fits the description of cute? I’m not disparaging the Duchess, but she’s closer to a beautiful beauty than a cute beauty.”

Anna Rose was shorter and rounder than Annelize.

For Iskassian, who was smitten, it was an extremely reasonable observation.

The Duke’s body straightened immediately. Even though he was wearing a mask, Iskassian could tell that the Duke was glaring at him.

His body tensed with instinctive alertness.

Though he realized his mistake belatedly, Iskassian didn’t regret it. He hadn’t said anything wrong, after all.

“Your common sense is wrong. Annelize Solariccen is cuter. My wife is the cutest.”

“I think Miss Anna Rose is the cutest. Even if you’re the Duke, I won’t bend my opinion.”

A battle that neither could compromise on had begun.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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