Me, a Princess? My Lord! - Chapter 16

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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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Chapter 16

“I greet Your Highness.”

At the pleasant voice, Anastasia raised her head.

“Lawrence.”

“I heard from my brother that you were looking for me.”

Grin.

Even with his back to the sun, his smiling white face shone clearly.

Anastasia quietly looked over the man who would become her fiancé.

‘Hmm.’

Laurence Evan Pretium.

The man called Panther’s greatest beauty.

Beautifully shining silver hair. Under long eyelashes of the same color, vivid and deep blue eyes. Gorgeous yet perfectly harmonious features.

It was a face that would evoke admiration from anyone.

Even to Anastasia, who had quite strict standards for beauty, his face was flawlessly perfect.

She was also quite pleased that Lawrence was a person of Pretium, her most reliable supporter.

‘His reputation is a bit messy, but such things can be cleaned up easily enough.’

Though he was a man who attracted all sorts of scandals wherever he went, according to her investigation, he had no deep or serious relationships. His family register was clean too.

That was enough. She had no intention of engaging in pointless and childish emotional games like love.

‘No matter how I think about it, there’s no better candidate for a husband.’

She had once considered Desion. He was equally handsome, from an excellent family, and had the King’s complete trust.

Recalling his handsome face, Anastasia ground her teeth.

‘I hate arrogance. It’s better if they’re moderately stupid.’

What Anastasia wanted was a man like a gorgeous piece of jewelry. Beautiful and precious, who would make her shine.

In that sense, Laurence Evan Pretium perfectly met Anastasia’s standards.

Anastasia smiled sweetly and parted her lips.

“The reason I asked to see you today is because I wanted to talk about marriage.”

At Anastasia’s words, Lawrence tilted his head slightly. After a moment of silence as if gauging her intentions, he asked carefully.

“Marriage, you say…?”

“I will soon have my debutante ball. After that, I’ll be looking for a marriage partner.”

“That would be so.”

“Father will respect my decision. And I think you are the most suitable partner for me.”

Lawrence frowned slightly.

“So, are you proposing to me right now?”

Anastasia nodded and answered.

“Yes. You could see it that way.”

“Isn’t this the first time we’ve had a conversation alone?”

“Does that matter?”

At Anastasia’s response, Lawrence looked bewildered.

“Doesn’t that matter? You don’t know anything about me.”

Anastasia chuckled and shook her head.

“That’s not true. I know enough about you.”

She held up two fingers.

“Handsome appearance, second son of Pretium who dominates high society. Knowing just those two things is enough.”

Face and family background. She was saying she liked his exterior.

And that scratched Lawrence’s proud self-esteem. He pulled up one corner of his mouth crookedly and answered.

“It seems you haven’t heard the rumors that I’m a playboy.”

“Of course I have.”

Anastasia shrugged and smiled with her eyes crinkled.

“But you don’t have any illegitimate children.”

“Haha.”

Lawrence let out a hollow laugh as if incredulous.

“You seem to have done your background research thoroughly.”

“Though it’s not as good as Pretium’s intelligence network, my abilities aren’t bad either.”

Anastasia looked straight into Lawrence’s eyes and continued.

“That’s why I called you here today. I can clean up your past reputation myself, but any more scandals would be troublesome.”

“Any more scandals.”

“Simply put, there should be no more fooling around with other women. It would be best if you refrained from going out for a while. Spend cozy time with your parents at home, take leisurely walks.”

Lawrence’s expression hardened.

“Didn’t you think I might refuse?”

“Will you refuse?”

“Probably.”

“You’re bolder than I thought. Would you refuse even if it were the King’s command if you didn’t like it?”

“I am refusing Your Highness’s proposal, not His Majesty’s command.”

Their gazes pierced each other. The air around them grew tense.

Anastasia was the first to speak.

“Let’s not make this tiresome. You know the result won’t be much different anyway, don’t you?”

“…”

“Don’t be so haughty. You know there’s no better marriage prospect for you than me. Especially since you’re not even the eldest son.”

Not even the eldest son.

At those words, Lawrence’s face visibly contorted. He clenched both fists tightly.

Then a pleased light flickered across Anastasia’s face.

“It seems I hit the mark.”

Anastasia shrugged, brushing off Lawrence’s glaring eyes.

“Don’t make such a face. I quite like Clovis, but I don’t think he’ll take good care of you after he becomes Duke.”

“…”

“I will inherit the throne someday. What do you think marriage with someone like me would mean?”

At Anastasia’s words, Lawrence’s eyes shook greatly. It was true that because of the displeasure he felt from her, he hadn’t properly considered the proposal itself.

“Men who are needlessly prideful aren’t very attractive to me. You’ll need to remember that fact from now on.”

Anastasia smiled sweetly at Lawrence.

“Think it over well, Lawrence.”

* * *

Meanwhile, at the Rotem Estate, lessons were still continuing.

“I know both Anastasia and Lawrence well.”

“How do you know that man?”

“Since we’re of similar age, we’ve interacted frequently since childhood. We weren’t close friends, but it wasn’t an uncomfortable relationship either.”

Heidi nodded. Then Desion continued.

“Fundamentally, the two of them are incompatible.”

“Are their personalities very different?”

At Heidi’s question, Desion shook his head from side to side.

“They have quite a few similar aspects.”

Heidi’s eyes widened with curiosity.

“Then why…?”

“Both of them enjoy being the center of attention. Wherever they are, they’re only satisfied when they’re the protagonist.”

“Two people with such strong personalities meeting would clash with each other.”

Desion nodded.

“Exactly. Anastasia would want him to be like a precious collectible that makes her shine, but Lawrence would never be content staying in that role.”

“That makes sense.”

“But when it comes to how they move people, the two are completely different. Anastasia doesn’t discriminate between means and methods, but Lawrence doesn’t.”

Desion leaned back against his chair.

“But the two of them will eventually join hands.”

Heidi frowned slightly.

“Why is that?”

“Lawrence has one weakness. The fact that he’s the second son, not the eldest.”

Desion, who had been silent for a moment as if searching through old memories, opened his mouth.

“Clovis and Lawrence are half-brothers. Lawrence is the son born late to the second wife. While the Duke dotes on him quite a bit now, the situation will change once the Duke dies.”

“…”

“Traditionally, not only the position of head of the family but most of the family’s wealth is inherited by the eldest son.”

“From Lawrence’s perspective, that must be frustrating.”

“Viscount Clovis Ervin Pretium is a cold and calculating person, so he probably won’t show any consideration for Lawrence.”

“It seems the brothers don’t get along very well.”

Desion nodded at Heidi’s words.

“The moment Lawrence takes Anastasia’s hand, he immediately becomes the princess’s fiancé. In some ways, it could be considered a higher position than the head of the Pretium family. Lawrence probably won’t be able to refuse that proposal.”

Heidi, who had been quietly listening to Desion’s story, raised her hand.

“But here’s the thing. If Anastasia made an offer he can’t refuse, how do you think you can change that person’s mind, teacher?”

At Heidi’s question, a smile appeared on Desion’s lips.

“Your very existence will make Lawrence consider a different path.”

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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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