Chapter 18

The Marie Farm is running smoothly, and the children are healthy. It continues to generate profits. Marianne has been experimenting with breeding chickens that lay more eggs. The postal business is also thriving.

Today, she has been poring over old documents, muttering to herself and taking notes. This is the farm’s office.

“What are those documents? They look quite old.”

Prince Alexandre stood beside her desk and peered over.

“These are records of my grandfather’s horses, including their bloodlines, health, and treatments. The records go back three generations.”

“Are they interesting?”

“Yes, they are very interesting.”

“Can you explain them to me?”

“Well, if you could write a note for me.”

“Write another one? What happened to the one I wrote a while ago?”

“It was taken by my father. He said it was disrespectful to have you write such things.”

The prince laughed and wrote a note.

“Marianne’s every statement is free from any disrespect.”

Having done this a second time, he was quicker. Marianne checked the paper and tucked it into her chest.

“Prince Alexandre, are you familiar with the animal weaning ritual?”

“Weaning ritual? No, I’m not.”

“According to zoologists, foxes, swans, and bears all drive away their young once they are sufficiently grown. They do this for important reasons.”

“Oh? What are they?”

“To prevent inbreeding and to secure their territory to prepare for the next generation.”

“Inbreeding...”

“This is a bit difficult to talk about.”

She glanced at the guard and looked down.

“If you don’t mind, I can explain.”

The prince waved his hand, and the guard stepped back.

Marianne confirmed the guard had left and continued, speaking more quietly. The door was left open, and they were alone.

“Animal offspring have a mix of their parents’ blood, so siblings and close relatives have similar blood. When close relatives mate, hidden negative traits can surface, which is one reason animals drive away their young. Therefore, when managing animals, this must be considered.”

Marianne explained the precautions her grandfather taught her for breeding excellent horses.

When trying to breed a champion horse, it’s important to avoid inbreeding.

Aiming for a horse with a strikingly blue coat, which is favored by nobles, can lead to sickly horses or stillbirths if close inbreeding is repeated.

While it’s possible to breed an outstanding horse, problems may arise in the offspring or grandchildren, and the long-term negative effects cannot be ignored.

To avoid the negative effects of inbreeding, it’s important to introduce new blood into good bloodlines.

“I see. Does the same apply to humans?”

Noticing the difficulty in the topic, he asked.

“Well, um...”

Marianne looked down and closed her mouth.

The prince thought of his royal family’s lineage. The royal family has repeatedly married into ducal and marquess families to strengthen their power.

As far as he knew, his mother had five pregnancies, but two ended in miscarriage and one in a stillbirth. Could this be due to inbreeding?

“The system of secondary wives, while emotionally difficult, can introduce new blood and potentially result in healthier children.”

“So, secondary wives are unnecessary if the blood is not too close?”

“Well, theoretically, but even with distant blood, some couples cannot have children, and if there’s a problem with the husband, it doesn’t matter how many wives he has.”

“By the way, why do you dislike the royal family? Is it because of the system of secondary wives?”

Prince Alexandre, usually with a gentle smile, looked at Marianne seriously.

“I don’t dislike the royal family. It’s just that, since I was young...”

“No disrespect. Speak freely.”

“I don’t want to marry someone who dislikes me.”

“Huh?”

“If I’m seen as useful, I might be ordered to marry a noble who would become subservient to the royal family.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Many people who have achieved great things have been ordered to marry into higher noble families. I read the records of royal marriages at the royal library.”

“Wait. How old were you when you read those records? You were already faking illness to avoid my tea parties at six.”

Marianne is now ten years old, and the prince is fifteen.

“I went to the library with my mother, so I was about five. At the time, I visited the library every day and read everything that interested me. After reading those records, I decided it was better to avoid involvement with the royal family.”

“Five years old, and you read the records of royal orders? And how did you come to that conclusion?”

Marianne furrowed her brow slightly, thinking of a clear explanation.

“I can’t live the life expected of a noble lady.”

“You are incredibly talented.”

“Having knowledge doesn’t make me a successful noble lady. The thought of living for decades with someone who is forced to marry me, and who might be disappointed or dislike me, is terrifying. I only have one life, and I can’t bear the thought of living in the same house with someone who looks at me as if I’m a freak or with disdain.”

“Marianne, what kind of thoughts are these?”

This girl, who always seems so confident, has thought of herself as a failure since she was young? Despite being raised with care and protection.

The prince realized he had inadvertently seen the hidden wounds in her heart. He gently placed his hand over her small, white right hand.

“You should be proud of yourself. Don’t belittle yourself.”

Her small hand was very soft and warm. The prince felt a deep affection for it. Marianne looked back at him with a radiant smile.

“Thank you for your encouragement. I’ll be making buckwheat dumplings at the farm soon. I’ll make sure you get the first one!”

“Dumplings...”

“They’re very delicious when added to a hearty soup! Oh, and I’ll add a boiled egg, which you like!”

The prince laughed heartily from the bottom of his heart today.

Thank you for reading.