The Abandoned Princess, Yet She Is Loved - Chapter 63

If it was the ability to see the future, he must have been referring to the time when she went to save the bird from her dream without hesitation.

 

“So I started thinking maybe we should go to the capital.”

 

“I, I…”

 

“Think about it. You’d be confused if I asked you to decide right away.”

 

“But Frederick…”

 

After hesitating for a moment, Grace took his hand and laced her fingers through his.

 

“You said you didn’t want to go to the capital.”

 

Grace looked him in the eyes.

 

He didn’t want to live in the capital. Full of political strife and schemes, surrounded by people who didn’t view him favorably, he had preferred to stay in the Winstaine estate.

 

Anthony had even whispered to her that the Crown Prince had repeatedly asked Frederick to come to the capital, but he had refused every time.

 

“If we go to the capital, it would only be because of me.”

 

It bothered Grace that he had brought up going to the capital first—especially since it would clearly be for her sake.

 

“I’m fine with it.”

 

“I feel bad…”

 

For someone who disliked the capital so much to suggest it first—it was clearly a sacrifice.

 

“But I don’t want to see you in pain.”

 

“It’s bearable. It’s not like I’m sick every day.”

 

“They said that unless you learn to control the ability, your body won’t find peace. Otherwise, that power will keep stirring inside you. I don’t want the Duchess of Winstaine to suffer.”

 

Frederick’s firm tone left Grace without anything more to say.

 

“But I should still ask this.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“Are you… okay with this?”

 

Frederick placed a hand on her shoulder and looked deeply into her eyes.

 

“M-me?”

 

“Yes. I’m asking if you’re really okay living in the capital.”

 

Grace thought she understood why he was asking her this.

 

“Your opinion matters most. If you say no, I won’t force you.”

 

“Oh…”

 

“So think it over carefully and let me know. Of course, I hope you choose the path that keeps you healthy.”

 

With that, Frederick kissed the back of her hand.

 

 

‘Do I really want to go to the capital?’

 

In the early morning, while Frederick was asleep, Grace lay awake, staring at the ceiling, deep in thought.

 

After coming down to Winstaine, she had never once thought about returning to the capital. The idea felt completely foreign.

 

‘Winstaine… is nice.’

 

She liked it here.

 

Winstaine had changed everything about her. Once afraid of people, unable to speak properly or make eye contact, she could now smile and talk even with strangers. She had found something she liked—and even received recognition for it.

 

But the capital held no good memories for her.

 

Just thinking about her time with the Reinheim made fear crawl over her skin. She had healed from those memories in Winstaine, where her half-siblings didn’t exist. Would she be forced to see them again in the capital?

 

‘But…’

 

Just like Frederick had said, her physical condition wasn’t normal—and a new thought began to form.

 

‘This ability…’

 

Frederick had said she had an ability, and that it could be developed. She was no longer the helpless person she had once been. Now, she was a duchess, and even Armento, the Elder, had said she had tremendous potential.

 

I’m curious. I want to know what this power really is.

 

A spark of curiosity suddenly flared deep within her. At the time, everything had happened so quickly, but now she remembered—how the power that had poured from her body had protected her from the hunters’ attack.

 

If she could learn to control it…

 

Maybe, like Frederick swinging his sword to defeat enemies, she could do the same.

 

Grace turned her head to look at Frederick. He was fast asleep, unaware of the world.

 

‘If he’s with me…’

 

If she were alone, the idea of going to the capital would be terrifying. But Frederick had taken her hand, looked her in the eyes, and said—

 

“I’ll be by your side. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

 

That must have been the best way he knew how to express himself. He was a good man. Looking at him, Grace smiled softly.

 

She began to feel confident. She could do this.

 

 

“Please step down.”

 

Following the coachman’s words, Grace stepped out of the carriage. Frederick followed close behind.

 

‘The capital…’

 

It was her first time seeing it in person. Grace looked around, scanning the surroundings. Unlike the estate, there were no mountains or farmland nearby—just vast, flat land stretching into the distance.

 

“That over there is the main gate to the Imperial Palace.”

 

Frederick pointed toward a busy area where people and carriages were constantly moving. Everyone looked busy and hurried, as if something important was happening.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

Frederick held out his hand. Grace took it and walked with him toward the palace gate.

 

“You must present your identification.”

 

Two stern-looking guards at the gate spoke. Frederick reached into his pocket and pulled something out—a small badge with a symbol engraved on it.

 

“Gasp…!”

 

The guards’ eyes widened like saucers. At once, they bowed deeply.

 

“P-please go in, Duke!”

 

What on earth did he show them?

 

Grace was puzzled, but in the next moment, her attention was completely captured by the sight of the palace.

 

“So this is the Imperial Palace…”

 

Grace couldn’t close her mouth in awe. The buildings were magnificent and enormous. She had thought the duchy’s manor was grand when she first saw it—but compared to the palace, it was nothing.

 

“This is where we’ll be staying from now on.”

 

“From now…”

 

Grace repeated the words blankly. Living here?

 

Even as she passed through the palace gates, the scene before her didn’t feel real. Inside the dazzling halls, decorated and sparkling everywhere she looked, all kinds of people bustled about.

 

“We’re here to see His Highness the Crown Prince.”

 

After walking for a while, Frederick stopped in front of a door. A man in formal uniform greeted him.

 

“Are you the Duke of Winstaine?”

 

“Yes.”

 

The man entered the room and came back shortly after.

 

“His Highness is momentarily occupied, but he will see you shortly. He asks that you wait in the adjoining sitting room.”

 

“Knew we’d be kept waiting.”

 

Frederick muttered, unimpressed. The man guided them to the room next door.

 

“Let’s sit here.”

 

Grace sat on the sofa in the middle of the room beside Frederick, placing her hands on her lap. Her eyes drifted to the wall.

 

‘That’s a beautiful painting…’

 

Seeing the various landscape paintings hanging around the room filled her with a desire to paint again. The fountain and gardens looked like they were scenes from the palace grounds.

 

“Frederick!”

 

A loud voice suddenly rang out as the doors to the royal sitting room burst open. A young man with bright golden hair rushed in with an enthusiastic expression.

 

“Frederick! It’s been too long!”

 

“Have you been well, in mind and body?”

 

“No, it’s been rough without you.”

 

The man pouted as he came closer and embraced Frederick. Frederick’s expression crumpled, but he didn’t push him away.

 

“You didn’t even reply to my letters. I was so upset. Why?”

 

“It wasn’t the right time.”

 

“Well, you finally got back in touch, so that’s what matters. Most of all, I’m thrilled that you agreed to lead the Imperial Knights.”

 

Ruben’s gaze shifted to Grace.

 

“And this is… the Duchess, I assume.”

 

“Hello. I’m Grace Winstaine.”

 

Grace greeted him the way Dorota had taught her. She felt a little nervous, realizing she was standing before the Crown Prince.

 

“He’s just a silly man. No need to be nervous.”

 

Frederick’s words didn’t exactly erase her nervousness.

 

“Nice to meet you. I’m Crown Prince Rubens. Your husband and I are very close friends. We have a strong bond of trust and mutual support.”

 

In the last sentence, Grace thought she saw a slight twitch in Frederick’s facial muscles—though it might’ve just been her imagination.

 

A maid entered the room and began setting out refreshments.

 

“When will I be able to meet the Lord?”

 

“Just wait a bit. You’re already pressuring me the moment you arrive? There’s a proper order to things. First, we need to hold a grand inauguration for the new Knight Commander, don’t we?”

 

“Is that really necessary…”

 

“That was part of the terms we discussed. You need to meet the knights and greet the people. That’s part of being the commander.”

 

“…Understood.”

 

Frederick sighed slightly as he responded.

 

“Besides, personally, I’ve missed you so much. I have so many things I want to catch up on with you.”