The 21st Century Grand Grand Duchess in the Royal Academy - Chapter 10

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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A Twenty-First Century Grand Duchess in the Royal Academy
A Beloved Child
The moment Sung Hyun-guk’s birthday arrived, the publicity department of Castle Group bustled with activity. With Castle Group boasting the top ranking in the business world, many people took interest—for better or worse.
Thus, the staff at Castle Hotel, where the party was held, spared no effort to avoid even a single mistake. The music was tuned not to be too loud, flowers were chosen for their subtle fragrance, and there were countless details to attend to.
Yet despite all these efforts, Sung Hyun-guk’s birthday never escaped the criticism of being frivolous and extravagant. The very obsession with not appearing frivolous somehow lent weight to that very frivolousness.
A self-made billionaire from common birth.
Hyun-guk frowned as he read the newspaper article about himself. The title preceding his name exhausted him. No matter how hard he tried, no matter how high he climbed, he could never shake off the label of commoner origin. Every word was either praise for being exceptional despite his humble beginnings or excuses for his limitations because of them.
It was a status in name only. The nobility’s sense of privilege and chosen-people mentality weren’t overt. There were simply very few nobles to begin with. But that small minority occupied most of the upper echelons of society. There, they solidified their class. They acknowledged those different from themselves while drawing lines, mingled while rejecting.
If only they would despise him openly—then he could fight back.
Hyun-guk swallowed the bitterness and stood before the mirror. He was a man accustomed to their subtle contempt. When he was young, class discrimination was far worse, not better. Indeed, he felt that the higher his status rose, the more intense the nobility’s obstruction and disdain became.
So sometimes he found himself thinking: if he weren’t a billionaire, if he hadn’t encroached upon their domain, would he never have experienced this subtle contempt?
“Father!”
Then a cheerful voice rang out. It was Sung Tae-joo, who had arrived after changing clothes at home. Behind the son, who was smiling broadly while presenting a large bouquet, stood a daughter whose face was the spitting image of his own.
Hee-joo watched her father surrounded by executives, receiving their congratulations. Then she imagined herself standing in that very spot.
Her appearance resembled her father’s, her talents resembled her father’s, and even her personality resembled her father’s—thinking of all this, it felt natural that his position would become hers as well.
Just then, her father’s eyes met hers. His proud smile felt unfamiliar, but he waved as if beckoning her over. Hee-joo held her breath and rose from her seat—
“Sung Tae-joo, what are you doing? Come over here and greet everyone.”
It was Sung Tae-joo sitting behind her that her father had called for.
Hee-joo, who had started to sit back down, changed her mind and walked toward her father instead. He seemed momentarily flustered, but quickly composed himself. It seemed he didn’t want to hear the accusation of being a father who neglected his child on top of the shame of having a illegitimate son.
Hee-joo bowed toward the executives.
“Hello. I’m Sung Hee-joo.”
Awkward laughter erupted among the people who had fallen silent. Then came insincere pleasantries—they’d heard much about the chairman, they didn’t realize his daughter was so beautiful. It was a parade of obvious lies, but watching her father’s expression was entertaining.
The attention and goodwill that people would have wanted to give to a beloved child had been stolen by an unloved one—his expression showed his insides turning.
“You’ve arrived!”
The servants at Prince An’s Residence welcomed Jung-woo. Prince An’s Residence was a place that rarely received visitors. Even when there were family gatherings, it was customary for Wan to enter the Palace, and given Wan’s position, which couldn’t allow private companionship, he had almost no friends.
Because of this, Jung-woo was almost the only outsider who could enjoy the beauty and abundance of Prince An’s Residence.
Following Jung-woo across the central courtyard and onto the veranda, the servants moved busily, carrying figs and crackers that Jung-woo enjoyed, along with flower tea, all the way to the study room.
“I’ll enjoy this.”
Jung-woo, who hadn’t forgotten to express his gratitude, was raising his teacup when—
“You came early.”
Wan entered the study room with an indifferent expression. It was the moment the servants’ chatter fell silent. Every time this happened, Jung-woo felt acutely aware that Wan was a prince of this nation.
Jung-woo had known Wan since he was eight years old. Though he had to use formal speech in front of others, when they were alone, exchanging crude remarks like boys their age was routine. From the moment he was frustrated memorizing multiplication tables to the trivial days when he cried after falling during soccer—he knew it all.
So whenever he felt that Wan was a prince of this nation, he felt oddly estranged. As if the friend he knew wasn’t really him. Of course, such moments never lasted long.
“Ugh, you’re sweet.”
The face from childhood when he was a picky eater and his current face that couldn’t eat sweets weren’t so different.
“Did you exercise at this hour?”
Jung-woo asked, watching the water dripping from his hair.
“It’s hot.”
“It’s October?”
“I’ve been on the phone with Mother since this morning, and now I’m burning up inside.”
“Ugh.”
It seemed I’d been scolded again.
“What is it this time?”
“I don’t know. Father’s making a fuss about me not getting too close to Yoon Irang.”
“Yoon Irang?”
“….”
Wan, who had been speaking so freely, suddenly clamped his mouth shut as if he’d made a mistake. Watching him fidget with his fan, fluttering it nervously, I could tell he was dying to say more—but clearly uncertain whether he should.
“You can tell me. I already know.”
“Know what?”
“That Yoon Irang is the Crown Prince’s designated bride.”
“How did you find that out?”
“Did you forget my father is the Prime Minister?”
“Oh….”
Only then did Wan nod, snapping his fan shut with a decisive sound.
“But are you close with Yoon Irang?”
“Close? Not really. We just exchange a few words here and there.”
The more Wan thought about it, the more irritated he seemed, his brow furrowing.
“Apparently there’s talk if you get too familiar with the future Crown Princess.”
“They’re just being cautious ahead of time.”
“But if you’re going to be family anyway, wouldn’t it be better to be close?”
I couldn’t help but smile softly. Wan looked so innocent you couldn’t draw blood from him even if you tried, and his way of thinking was endearingly warm and simple.
“Hey, could you marry someone you don’t love?”
“Out of nowhere?”
“Our Crown Prince does it. Yoon Irang does it. Without love. Could you do it?”
“I suppose….”
Watching Wan ask with such earnestness, I trailed off. It wasn’t something I’d ever really considered.
“If it’s something you have to do, then you do it.”
But the answer was simple. Wan’s mouth fell open.
“You’re that kind of person?”
“Why? Do you want a marriage for love?”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
Wan was shocked that even Sung Tae-joo, whom he’d trusted, could accept a loveless marriage. He’d known I was a cold-blooded person pretending to be kind, but I never imagined I’d be this devoid of romance. What exactly had made him think I was someone worth learning from?
“Just accept it. Life’s easier when you do.”
“What if I can’t accept it?”
“Then it’s treason, I suppose.”
“….”
Wan fell silent, at a loss for words. As I’d said, the Royal Family’s fate was submission. Preserving the honor and dignity built by our ancestors was our only reason for existence and our sole duty.
But maintaining the royal shrine was Mother’s and the Crown Prince’s responsibility, not mine.
“It’s fine. I can do it. A marriage for love.”
“Dream big, my friend.”
“My older brother gets all of Mother’s love and attention, so she meddles in everything—marriage, you name it. But me? I’m different.”
Wan spoke with an innocent expression.
“Mother won’t care who I marry.”
“Why are you saying such things while eating figs?”
“You’re the beloved eldest son—what would you know?”
“Hey.”
“Don’t make that face. I’m saying this because I’m in a good mood.”
Wan proved his sincerity by breaking into a bright, genuine smile.
Mother had failed to build a happy family, but I was confident I could succeed. If it meant abandoning my duties to the Royal Family for that, I was confident in that too. I would never tell my person to sacrifice themselves for the Royal Family. Never.
If that was the only privilege a second son of the Royal Family could enjoy, then I was truly satisfied.

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