Prologue

There’s no such thing as a blessing in disguise. Could we find a more accurate phrase now?

Scheuer was taken to a rather crude reception room, but she could deal with this much, after all how many people could see their favorite character right before their eyes?

“That’s why Young Lady Nataly came from the South to the North.” His gaze eyes captured her; her slips trembled slightly when she met his blue eyes.

On the other hand, he displayed no emotion. As if matching this, even the monochromatic scenery outside the window behind him seemed to indicate brutality.

This background was, however, still nothing short of a garden of flowers for Scheuer. She opened her mouth while hugging the chicken sticking out of her robe. “You’re really, really Grand Duke Raygrein Blaine, aren’t you?” She couldn’t believe that the visage she’d always imagined was standing right in front of her. Prior to this, she’d only seen him through letters and the novel, but now he was a figment of reality.

A deep voice responded to Scheuer’s question: “Yes.”

He must have been uncomfortable but responded to an uninvited guest without showing any signs of surprise. His face was unreadable as if it were a painting and even his posture was ramrod straight.

Scheuer took the chicken out of her robe with trembling hands and then asked. “Do you like eggs?”

“…Since when does a rooster lay eggs.”

“Then, do you like chicken dishes?”

“…”

“Oh, you don’t have to worry. The merchant who rented the carriage to me gave it to me as a gift on the way here.” Even at Scheuer’s talkativeness, he remained silent.

In that quiet, only a rooster’s small cry was heard.

Her lovely favorite character kept a cold expression even in this situation. He didn’t seem to be agitated, so it could be said that his patience was excellent. His face—frozen like the northern winter—felt very alien… as if he were a person without blood flowing through his veins.

However, perhaps due to his handsome appearance, even the coolness seemed perfect in Scheuer’s eyes. She put the chicken down and rubbed her hands. “Grand Duke, may I hold your hand?”

“What do you want with it?”

“Oh! Or an autograph would be great too. Even better if you put a thumbprint on it. I’ll keep it as a family heirloom forever.”

Raygrein stayed silent as a statute. Instead, his piercing gaze swept up and down her body. In return, Scheuer winked relaxedly, but there wasn’t even a slight change on the man’s face. As he continued to observe her, she twisted her body shyly.

“Since when has the Grand Duke been so handsome? If I hug you once, I won’t mind dying.”

“Take her away.”

The knights immediately grabbed hold of her. Surprised Scheuer stirred in their arms and before she knew it the rooster wandering on the carpet was picked up as it flapped around. “Wait, wait! Hold on! Okay, alright, I’ll really get to the point.” She hurriedly took the ring out of her pocket and held it out to him. “Your Grace, please marry me.”

At these words, Raygrein finally stirred as his eyes widened.