The Unattractive Princess' Marriage - Episode 13

“Hehe, I found you.” Zealot is good at finding people. Sophina sometimes couldn’t bear it, unable to vent her frustrations to her Kazak people, or even to Anna, who believed their marriage was going well. So, when she would wander off to be alone, he would quickly find her.

“I’m sorry, for disappearing without a word.” “It’s alright. I know you’re in a difficult… troublesome position. You need to let off some steam.” “…You were about to say ‘troublesome,’ weren’t you?” “Uh.” When she inadvertently laughed at his grimacing face, his forest-green eyes gently softened. Then, he would offer her the baked goods and candies he held. While she felt like he was treating her like a child, she was always completely soothed by it.

After that, Zealot would say “See you later” and disappear, but if Sophina was found by someone else, he would reappear from somewhere. She realized then that he was trying his best to respect her desire to be alone.

“Um, is it alright? Are you overdoing it?” “No, Zealot never gets tired.” After a while, it became common for Sophina to spend time with Zealot after he found her. She loved the way his eyes would widen for a moment, then he would smile shyly. She also really liked that she didn’t have to put on airs when talking with him. “I know you’re working hard. It’s not just me.” Despite appearing to be thinking of nothing, he would carefully choose his words and offer warm encouragement. He would pat her head. Each time, Sophina would think: “If only I had fallen in love with someone like this.”

“The barrel of that pen, it’s a Torsha horn from Hydeland, isn’t it? I heard they were popular but disappeared from the market.” “It’s a gift. They were overhunted and almost extinct, but hunting was regulated, they were protected, and recently, they’ve even succeeded in domestication. The local people shared the first harvest with me.” “Then it’s truly a special pen. Both Torsha and the local community were saved by you, Lady Sophina.” Birdner is so perceptive of people’s feelings and so good at conversation that it makes her envious. As someone from a merchant family, he’s well-informed about the world, and perhaps because he has three older sisters, he’s also well-versed in women’s hearts. When she’s happy, he voices it and shares her joy, and when she’s anxious, he empathizes and calms her. He notices what she wants to be praised for and brings it up, and gently steers away from topics she doesn’t want to touch. Even Anna doesn’t notice, but it’s not uncommon for him to sense when Sophina is feeling down and discreetly lend a hand to cheer her up. Each time she noticed this about him, she thought: “If only I had fallen in love with someone like this, I could have lived by finding small joys.”

It was when she was going to a tea party with guards and accompanied by Birdner. Despite having impeccable manners suitable for any occasion, she suddenly realized that Zealot absolutely never approached tea parties or evening gatherings.

“Is Zealot not good with those kinds of gatherings? What about Birdner?” “Ah, I’m bad at meaningless conversations, not being able to enjoy delicious food, and clothes that I’ll get yelled at for dirtying or tearing… Oh, I only like dancing.” “I quite like them. It’s interesting to see the trends of dresses and such, and it’s fun to talk to various people. Conversely, I’m not good at dancing.” She felt at ease with them because they would honestly say what they liked and disliked, without pretense or vanity. She always thought that if her partners were people like them, she would have been able to breathe a little easier.

“Oh, incredibly cute.” “Is that a new dress? Wow, it’s really lovely.” Smiling, both of them spoke such words as if it were natural. Her mother valued inner beauty over external appearance. Sophina agreed, but she realized that it was still pleasing to hear such compliments. Even more so when she understood that their words were genuine reactions. Once she was able to honestly accept their words, she also realized that she herself had been fixated on appearances, and it felt as if a small weight had been lifted from her heart.

“You don’t have to force a smile like that…” “That face is cute too, but don’t overdo it.” Both of them weren’t fooled by Sophina’s forced smile. At first, she panicked, thinking she had been training for it for so long, as her mother had instructed. But then she realized that no one else still noticed, only these two. Ah, this is because of these two; they pay so much attention to me, and she felt a sense of relief. At the same time, she realized why her husband never noticed anything and gave a bitter smile. She often thought, “If only I could have fallen in love with people like this, I would have been happy.”

In the Kazak Royal Palace, events were held about once a month. Today, in early summer, it was the Water Moon Banquet, scheduled to be held by the pond in the North Palace.

Sophina, already feeling summer fatigue from the heat of Kazalena, sighed as her dress was being adjusted in her room. “Anna, you don’t have to be so particular.” “No, it’s because His Royal Highness Feldric so kindly gifted it to you, Lady Sophina.” Without taking her eyes and needle off the dress, Anna shook her head, adjusting the details with a serious expression.

Sophina was about to think, “What’s the point?” but then shook her head slightly. “…” She let them do as they pleased, gazing at her reflection in the mirror. The lustrous dayflower-colored dress was of a quality unimaginable for Sophina in her homeland, carefully tailored to beautifully showcase her slender figure. Partially layered over it was a translucent fabric woven with very fine silk threads, reflecting the surrounding light with her movements. Adorning her décolletage was a necklace of pearls, diamonds, and aquamarines, also a gift from Feldric. Perhaps it was shortened to suit Sophina’s height, but it was intricately crafted, and the moment she opened the box, the ladies-in-waiting, including Anna, cheered. Her loosely wavy brown hair was intricately braided with elegant gold and silver chains. “…” Suddenly, a cynical feeling welled up, and for a moment, her childish face in the mirror twisted as an adult’s would.

“Hello, Sophina.” When she moved to the reception room after getting ready, Feldric arrived at the same time. His sun-like golden hair and eyes, a mix of gold and green, were far more striking than the jewels Sophina wore. His white, blue, and gold evening wear was simple, as if to emphasize his perfection. “You’ve exceeded my expectations in a good way, Sophina. Truly beautiful. Despite my best efforts in choosing them, the dress and accessories pale in comparison to you.” He smiled, offered Sophina compliments that sounded like they were from an etiquette book, then took her hand and kissed the back of it without asking. Seeing this, Anna happily blushed and exited the room. “Well then, shall we go?” (He’s deceiving me again… But I’m just as guilty.) Seeing Anna off with an awkward feeling, Sophina linked her arm with Feldric’s as prompted and headed for the venue.

They parted ways with the guards, including Birdner, at the entrance to the North Palace and quietly proceeded along the royal-only passage leading to the venue. “Can’t you look a little happier?” As the people around them disappeared, Feldric’s true feelings finally emerged, and Sophina let out a breath. “I’m honest by nature, Your Highness. However, I thank you for the dress and the jewelry.” “You are my wife now. If you appear as you did at the wedding celebration, I will be disgraced.” “I understand. And if I add that I am overwhelmed by Kazak’s wealth, will that be a perfect score?” Suppressing her sadness, she smiled. “Given how perceptive you are, have you ever considered why you can never win against me in Otellet?” (He’s irritating…) Sophina inadvertently twisted her mouth, and Feldric chuckled softly. “Showing your true feelings on your face is generally a virtue, but as a Crown Princess, it’s a disqualification.” “I’ll act properly once we enter the venue.” She was supposed to be accustomed to thoroughly controlling her expressions, but she felt nervous next to him and became particularly blunt.

Feldric’s presence had become even more refined since they first met seven years ago, and because of it, Sophina disliked herself even more when she was beside him. She wasn’t lamenting her appearance. “Come on, hold on properly.” It was because she constantly found herself happy to be by his side, to have him offer her his hand like this.

After greeting their Majesties, the King and Queen, and finishing a dance with Feldric, Alexander seemed to have arrived at the venue. The crowd surrounding them thinned slightly, and in that momentary lull, Sophina temporarily removed her plastered-on smile.

Alexander, having finished his greetings to their Majesties, turned towards Sophina and Feldric. At that moment, the human wall between Feldric and him parted like a receding tide. Feldric, seeing him walk straight towards them along the created path, spoke to him with a concerned tone. “Hello, Alex, isn’t Phil with you today?” She felt a brief pang of jealousy, realizing he was still concerned about her, and again felt increasingly disgusted with herself. “Is she unwell? I’ve been hoping to have a proper conversation with her sometime.” Behind the words she used to cover up, Sophina made excuses to herself. (I need to know her. As the Princess, I need to understand the personality of the next mistress of the Foldelic family, who is also Feldric’s supporter. That’s all.) “No, it’s due to work commitments. Your kind words are greatly appreciated.” He seemed intent on ignoring Feldric’s words, but he met Sophina’s gaze. Then, with a wry smile, he said, “My wife is also looking forward to talking with you, Princess Sophina,” as if to reassure her. At that moment, his unapproachable aura completely changed, and Sophina’s face softened into a smile.

“Princess, this is my brother, Superius, who is currently in the Nisteis earldom, and his wife, Alexandra, my cousin. They were in the territory until yesterday and returned to Kazarena yesterday.” “Congratulations on your marriage, His Royal Highness Feldric and Princess Sophina. We apologize for the delay in our greetings and congratulations.” Then, he introduced the similarly-featured man and woman behind him. “If you are ever troubled by someone against your will, please do not hesitate to use these two. They are better than anyone at chasing people away.” “Mainly my wife. To the extent that people run away just from seeing her face for a while afterward.” “The way you put that! What if the Princess misunderstands?” “It’s true, isn’t it? Everyone turns on their heels when I open my mouth.” Seeing Alexander’s brother and his wife, with her pouting and glaring at her husband while he laughed joyfully, Sophina again felt a slight tightness in her chest. They spoke their minds, yet they were genuinely warm. She envied the atmosphere that showed their mutual affection. If only she could have a marriage like this—the longing for a relationship beyond her reach welled up again.

“By the way, my brother here is His Royal Highness’s long-time nemesis.” “If necessary, I’ll even chase him away for you, Princess.” “…Still as brazen as ever, Alex, Superius.” “Thank you for telling me something wonderful.” “You shouldn’t encourage him either.” By joining in Alexander’s siblings’ teasing of Feldric, she managed to force a laugh.

“How are your guard knights, Princess?” “You know them?” “Yes, they helped me in the past too. Hehe, aren’t they fun?” “I also know them. Those two are His Royal Highness’s favorites, you see.” She understood the reason why the Countess knew them, who were commoners, but she had no idea why Alexander’s brother was smiling mischievously. As Alexander called out, “That’s right, Rick,” Sophina glanced at Feldric, and their eyes met for a moment. “Not particularly. I just think they’re so foolish they need a bit of education. It’s always good to have more usable people, after all.” Feldric averted his gaze, muttering with an exasperated look, and the three of them chuckled in their own ways.

(Favorites? What could that mean…?) “…!” Sophina hastily stopped her thoughts. Knowing she was going against her mother’s teaching to always keep thinking, she didn’t want to be disturbed any further.

She secretly glanced at Feldric’s profile as he continued talking with Alexander and the others. (The man who wanted to marry me for convenience, to use the Kingdom of Hydeland, and perhaps even to weaken the power of the Crown Prince of Hydeland…) Sophina lowered her face to hide her expression, her brow furrowed slightly.

She didn’t want to admit it. But if she didn’t, the truth would make her even more miserable—Sophina’s first love still continued. The person Sophina was truly in love with was nothing like the people she wished she could love, and he would never look at Sophina in the future. “…” Sophina let out a dry laugh, then put her social smile mask back on and raised her head again.