Chapter 12

Translated by XyeHeart Edited by XyeHeart

Meriel had a fantastic time in Selina’s class.

The only knowledge of this world came from the princess’s memory before she lost her mind. She couldn’t learn after that, no matter how hard she tried.

Fortunately, as a princess, she learned to write letters.

“You’re wonderful, Princess.”

Selina raised her glasses and offered a dull complement. It felt cold, but Meriel shrugged when she realized it was her personality.

“If all of the Academy’s students were like you, professors like me would have an easy time of it.”

“Perhaps Selina became bored with her work because she does not have a student like me?”

“I see what you mean.”

Selina agreed with a nod of her head.

The class, which was being discussed by opening a large book, devolved into a series of questions and answers.

“Selina.”

“Yes, Princess.”

“Why is the Grand Duke known as the Monster Grand Duke?”

So far, Meriel’s most curious question had been this one. It was impossible to ask directly to the Grand Duke, and asking the butlers and maids was ambiguous.

She hadn’t asked since she started class, and she’d been trying to figure out what was going on with Selina, but she felt she could ask now.

“Didn’t you know?”

“No.”

“You have no idea why he’s a monster, but you considered marrying him.”

“To be honest, I didn’t think it was that important.”

“In that case, it doesn’t matter.”

Selina was halfway through a thick book.

For the first time, her face, which had only a dull expression, had a strange expression.

“I was wondering why you’re marrying him.”

“Perhaps it’s because he’s so nice.” Meriel replied.

“Is the Grand Duke nice…?”

“Yes, he’s a nice man.”

Meriel tilted her head as she scribbled in her notebook.

“Right?”

Selina remained silent.

It’s just that she’s wearing the most dreadful expression she can muster.

“The Grand Duke was known as the Monster Grand Duke because he resurrected the fallen Grand Duke family.”

“Then that’s fantastic.”

“The Dustin family disintegrated following the deaths of the senior Grand Duke and his wife, the Duchess. Instead of having a large territory, he was unable to keep the land at the east’s end under control.”

“Oh, the land of the monsters.”

The land of the monsters was the main reason the Emperor couldn’t treat Duke Dustin carelessly.

The land of the monsters, which is said to be home to countless monsters, is said to be an uncharted territory at the island’s eastern end, and a large-scale monster appears once every few years.

It was something the Dustin family had done from generation to generation in order to always win the battle against such monsters and protect the land.

“Without the Grand Duke, the monsters will march helplessly towards the capital.”

“Oh!”

“But Grand Duke Klaus, who was still young at the time, took over the family. After a while, the monsters appeared.”

She seemed to know even if she didn’t listen.

Klaus had to fight the monster before the pain of losing his parents could subside.

“However, Grand Duke Klaus won the battle.”

“Oh, my God.”

“However, it was a significant setback. The Grand Duke was seriously injured, and he lost a large number of troops. But nothing in the Imperial Family helped.”

“……when was that?”

“14 years ago.”

Meriel frowned.

If it was 14 years ago, it was the year the previous emperor died and Meriel went insane. It was the perfect date, just like a script.

“At a young age, he defeated the monsters and kept the territory from collapsing. As a result, everyone began to refer to the Little Grand Duke as a monster.”

“Why the hell…?” Meriel exclaimed.

“Wasn’t he too brave to fight the monsters for his age?”

Selina ruffled her long, flowing hair.

“He put on a mask to hide his scars and lead his aching body so he didn’t appear frail. As steadfastly as the Grand Duke stood in front of them. Isn’t it true that those who call the Grand Duke a monster are more like a monster?”

Selina exhaled heavily. She trimmed her neck and lowered her head, recognizing that she was worked up.

“It was a self-serving explanation. I apologize.”

“Huh? No, after all, the Grand Duke isn’t what you’d call a monster.” Meriel is adamant.

“Oh, that’s…”

Selina averted her gaze. Meriel blinked at her apparent evasive demeanor.

“Why? Is there another explanation?”

“I believe it would be quicker if you asked him yourself, Princess.”

“Huh? Why?”

“I’m afraid I can’t respond…”

Selina sits down and looks at the time. However, she stood up again.

“That’s all I’ve got for today.”

“Selina!”

“Then I’ll see you next week.”

Meriel opened her mouth as she saw Selina flee her study before she could catch up with her.

She leaned back on the sofa, opening the candy that Selina had given her on the way to the palace.

“He’s far superior to the Imperial Knights,” she murmured, thinking of Klaus.

There appeared to be other reasons, but she decided to ask it herself, as Selina suggested.

Meriel, who was chewing candy in her mouth, stood up with her notebook covered.

“Speaking of which!”

Meriel walked out of the study without hesitation. The sun was going down.

Klaus was supposed to be in the fume with the Knights. She mumbled candy and made her way to the mist, where Sebastian led her.

The smoke field was scorching hot. It was a far cry from the smoke and mirrors she had witnessed when no one was present.

The Grand Duke’s Knights were well-known for their rigorous training, but they were also exceptional. Perhaps because of the battle against the monsters, the number of soldiers easily surpassed that of ordinary aristocrats.

“It must be superior to the Imperial Knights.”

Although the two groups of knights never directly fought a battle, the Grand Duke’s Knights would have been better off due to their superior combat experience.

Meriel only spent time with him at breakfast and around dinner time. Kiyan would occasionally appear during the morning official hours.

She took a look at the heat of the air as she entered the mist while still chewing candy, her face protruding from the candy.

“Whoops!”

“Argh!..”

“….”

Strange groans could be heard all over the place. Meriel took a look around and to look for Klaus.

“Pri..Princess! What are you doing here?”

“Ah, Commander.”

“Are you here by yourself?” he asked, looking around.

“Huh? Oh! But…?”

“How come Sebastian didn’t accompany you?”

“Can’t I come alone?” Meriel cocked her head.

For a moment, Bran, the Knight Commander, scratched his chin.

“It’s a place with a lot of men,” he said, surveying those who had ceased training.

“It’s so messed up that there’s nowhere for the Princess to go.”

“You are all great knights who protect the land. It’s only natural that training makes everyone a little messy.”

“Thank you for saying that, but…”

Meriel blinked and raised her eyes to Bran.

Bran, who has a large build, was at a loss for what to do as his unconsciously twitched bulging muscles.

She went to see Klaus, but seeing Bran’s twitching muscles made her shiver.

“Argh! P-Princess!”

Bran was terrified as she pressed her fingers against his swollen chest muscles. Meriel’s eyes widened as she was taken aback by his out-of-the-blue reaction, and he wept as he looked behind him.

“Hey, you can’t do this!”

“I just want to touch it…” she answered innocently.

“Well, you can’t…oh, no!”

“The Commander’s muscles wiggle so much that it almost begs to be touched.”

“I’m going to die!”

“It won’t kill you to touch your muscles, Commander.”

Meriel pushed the candy to one side of her cheek before reaching out again.

Unfortunately, she was unable to reach Bran’s swollen muscles this time.

It was because her hand was snatched in the middle.

“Do you have these bad habits?”

Klaus was soaked in perspiration. He frowned harshly, his gaze fixed on Bran’s body and her grasped hand.

“How do you manage to touch a man so easily?”

Klaus clenched her hand as if she didn’t understand.

Bran took two steps back, agitated.

Meriel responded while swiping the candy from her left cheek to her right.

“I’m just curious.”

“Do you stroke any man’s body if you’re curious?”

“I just touched him. I didn’t stroke him.”

“That’s what it is.”

“Sometimes I think you see everything I do as lewd.”

“Lewd..! What the hell!”

Meriel shifted her candy back to her left cheek. Klaus averted his gaze from Meriel’s greasy, candy-glistening lips.

“It hurts…” she said, motioning to her hand, which was being held by him.

Meriel’s brief words startled Klaus, and he let go of her hand.

“What brought you here?”

“I’ve come to meet with the Grand Duke.”

“……what do you require of me?”

“I have a question for you.”

“Can’t you just ask for it at dinner?”

It wasn’t long before it was time for dinner. As she looked up at the darkening sky, Meriel smiled.

She wanted to respond, ‘I need to see you right away.’

Of course, she desired an answer as soon as possible, but she wondered if that was possible.

If she responded in this manner, he would blush and be embarrassed.

“…However, you must not come here alone.”

“The commander also said that, but why?” she asked innocently.

“It’s a place with a lot of men.”

“They’re knights,” she replied, perplexed.

“When the princess arrives……”

“Hmm..?”

“They’ll become distracted.”

Meriel looked at the knights who were staring at her while swinging their swords.

Klaus turned and stared at them as she waved to them.

Flinching knights swung their swords and closed their eyes.

Meriel burst out laughing as the images appeared to be watching a ridiculous play.

“Kick…”

“Whoops……”

Klaus, who was dressed in a lot of seals, sighed as she grinned while chewing on the candy.

Translator’s Note:

Sorry for not posting this chapter last week, I’ve been too focused with my school research and it really stresses me a bit. So to compensate the followers of this novel, I’ll be posting three(3) chapters this week. (“,)

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