Grand Duke, Please Stop Obsessing Over Your Wife! - Chapter 74

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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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74.

“Count, it’s the first time I’ve seen you since I was eleven. It’s been a long time.”

Annelize waited for them to have a moment to catch up.

The Third Prince briefly explained the circumstances he had experienced.

Count Cullen’s eyes reddened with emotion.

‘He must be happy to see him. He was the one who saw off the procession when the Third Prince departed for the desert kingdom.’

He had properly fulfilled his role protecting the Third Prince in the previous life as well.

So this time too, she decided to entrust him with peace of mind.

“They still don’t know the whereabouts of His Highness the Third Prince. Until then, Your Highness’s survival must be kept secret. While His Grace the Duke and I draw attention in the capital, Count, please protect His Highness.”

“With the Duke’s family’s help, I’ll expose Ramiere Kukseo’s assassination attempt.”

Upon hearing this, Count Cullen asked carefully.

“Then… have you finally decided to ascend to the crown prince position, Your Highness?”

That was a sensitive topic.

Annelize observed the Third Prince’s reaction, ready to defend him if necessary.

However, the Third Prince’s reaction was different from what she expected.

“Yes. I’m tired of running away now. I want to be properly recognized as Her Majesty’s successor.”

Oh my. It was certainly good news, but…

Until just recently, the Third Prince had been refusing the emperor’s position.

But now the Third Prince had the face of someone confident in their decision.

She thought it would take more time. He changed his mind faster than expected.

‘What kind of turning point was there?’

Annelize became genuinely curious.

* * *

A few hours earlier.

Iskasian Hildegard was leaning against the wall, staring at the center of the ballroom.

Anna Rose was spinning around, dancing hand in hand with Count Cullen’s son.

Her hair, prettily tied with ribbons in twin tails, swayed adorably.

Today Anna Rose was so lovely.

Proportionally, Iskasian felt terrible.

‘This is probably what I’ll see someday. If Miss Anna Rose becomes someone else’s wife in the future.’

Even though he knew it, seeing her laughing with another man made his heart shake wildly.

He consciously relaxed the tension in his face.

Finding it hard to keep watching, he escaped to the terrace before the dance song even ended.

Only after coming out to the empty terrace did Iskasian let out a sigh.

‘Anyway, I won’t be able to make anyone by my side happy.’

However, lately he kept having doubts.

His long-held dream of wanting to live alone in a rural village far from the Imperial Palace was gradually fading during his stay at the Duke’s Castle.

It was even more so when he saw the Duke going around announcing new words befitting the Duchess.

Though he had protested that it was high-handed. He was somewhat envious of the Duke.

He expressed his love for his wife boldly. He wasn’t even embarrassed about it.

He was a powerful figure who ruled this North, and someone who could make the Duchess happy.

‘If I too could rise to a position where I could protect my person like the Duke, could I become more confident in front of Miss Anna Rose?’

Like becoming emperor, for instance.

He blankly imagined himself dancing with Anna Rose.

Imagined himself boldly complimenting her beautiful ribbons.

Just then, the curtain covering the terrace opened and Anna Rose peeked her face out.

Iskasian was startled and lost his balance.

Before he could trip over his own legs, Anna Rose pulled his arm.

“Be careful, Your Highness!”

“Ah, Miss Anna Rose? Why did you come here? Aren’t you dancing more?”

She looked puzzled.

“The dance ended, but Your Highness was nowhere to be seen, so I looked around for you. Here, these are the glasses you dropped, Your Highness.”

“Ah… I was just getting some fresh air.”

Iskasian received the glasses in a daze and put them on.

“Your Highness looks handsome even with a wig… Brown hair seems fine too, not just blonde? I guess it’s because you’re Your Highness.”

Anna Rose smiled brightly as she adjusted his wig back into place.

Iskasian swallowed.

No matter what the Duke might say.

In his eyes, Anna Rose was still the most adorable.

“Count Cullen’s eldest son was kind. But I think I have the most fun when I’m with Your Highness Iskasian.”

“…Is that so.”

It seemed just watching wouldn’t be enough after all.

If possible, he wanted to stay by her side.

He wanted to make Anna Rose Solariccen happy.

‘And, like the Duke, I want to boldly tell everyone that Anna Rose is the most adorable and lovely.’

If he could do that, he would gladly bear the responsibilities of emperor.

Iskasian held back the words that had risen to his throat.

There was a mountain to overcome for that.

Confessing his feelings to Anna Rose would come after that.

* * *

“I won’t run away anymore. I want to become someone not shameful to my precious person, and stand proudly.”

Count Cullen let out an exclamation.

“Your Highness! Do you have someone precious to you?”

Iskasian’s blue eyes quickly glanced at Annelize.

‘He’s watching my reaction.’

Of course, that precious person must be Anna Rose.

Iskasian cleared his throat.

“It’s still a secret. I haven’t conveyed my feelings to that person yet.”

Count Cullen was dying to ask more questions immediately.

“Please tell just me secretly! Is it someone you met in the desert kingdom? Or… Your Grace the Duchess, do you have any guesses?”

Since he said it was a secret, shouldn’t she keep it?

Annelize feigned ignorance even though she knew who it was.

“Well. I don’t know either.”

Anyway, this was really good news.

‘I wholeheartedly support Your Highness’s decision.’

“As the Duchess, I will help His Highness the Third Prince’s ascension with all sincerity.”

Of course, I’ll support your love too. Annelize added inwardly.

So this was how it was destined to flow after all.

Actually, it was a bit unexpected.

She thought it would take much longer for the Third Prince to change his mind.

‘Is it okay to make such an important life choice because of someone you’ve known for less than a month? Isn’t it a bit impulsive?’

Just because you like that person?

On the way home after Count Cullen’s party ended.

Annelize called Iskasian aside for a moment.

“Your words about becoming the next emperor, are you sincere?”

Iskasian nodded.

“Yes, I am.”

“You don’t need to rush into such a decision. Emotions can change in unpredictable ways. While I gladly support Your Highness the Third Prince’s decision, I’m also curious about how you came to firm up your resolve. You were hesitating just a few days ago.”

She made it clear that she wasn’t trying to scold him.

Annelize added to avoid misunderstanding.

“I’ve never felt such emotions before. I’m asking out of genuine curiosity.”

The Crown Prince scratched the back of his neck with an awkward expression.

“I didn’t make an extraordinarily unusual choice. Didn’t Count Solariccen also quit his position as Knight Commander the day he first met his spouse?”

“….”

“Father said Count Solariccen looked happy. The Count also… became that way. What I know is that the Count was happy with that choice.”

At least that was true. Mother and father were happy.

Becoming a catalyst for change and giving courage to move forward anew.

That’s what they called love.

“I understand.”

“I don’t think my choice was a momentary impulse. I simply want to be true to my feelings.”

The Crown Prince looked so radiant as he said this.

Annelize suddenly found herself wishing she could experience such emotions too.

She envied him.

“Just like how the Duke likes the Duchess. You already know this well, don’t you?”

“Is that so.”

Annelize just smiled. It was something he could say because he didn’t know about her contract with the Duke.

“Don’t you also like the Duke? I think the reason for affection doesn’t have to be grandiose. Someone could fall in love simply because another person resembles a cute squirrel.”

Annelize asked with interest.

“Did you fall for Anna Rose because she resembles a squirrel?”

Crown Prince Iskassian became greatly flustered and his face turned red.

“I, I wasn’t referring to anyone specific!”

Iskassian broke out in a cold sweat.

“…Please keep this secret from Miss Anna Rose. I beg you.”

* * *

A few days later.

Annelize finished preparations for the Kingdom Conference and met Count Cullen again.

‘Iskassian is scheduled to depart for the capital first with Count Cullen.’

Anna Rose was originally supposed to accompany them, but for some reason Iskassian had declined.

“From the moment we leave Count Cullen’s territory, Crown Prince Iskassian will become my frail second son Horaisho.”

“Understood.”

‘I need to go to Solarichen Estate and bring mother.’

It was regrettable, but they had to part ways temporarily.

Instead of getting into the carriage, Iskassian searched for someone with his eyes.

Having finally found Anna Rose, he walked toward her. Iskassian’s gaze was more resolute than usual.

“Miss Anna Rose. Do you have a moment?”

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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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