The Crown Princess’ Circumstances - Chapter 4: Marriage Contract (4)

Marriage Contract (4)

Franz gazed at the wish written just below the final paragraph for a while before speaking calmly. His voice trembled with a touch of excitement.

“Is this really what you wish for?”

“Yes.”

Gerania nodded, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. Her face, the most vibrant one he had seen so far, radiated brightness.

Franz couldn’t comprehend why anyone would call her ordinary.

Even though he had seen her only a few times, she captivated him so.

“I thought you would wish for something more extraordinary.”

“That’s extraordinary enough.”

“You know how to make a wish for yourself…”

“It’s a wish enough for me. It’s just her lifelong dream coming true on a grand scale.”

Gerania’s wish was concise.

[Reformation of the education system. However, all matters related to this are entirely delegated to Gerania Vichen.]

It was a simple yet, not an easy wish.

“What are you thinking? Can I hear a preview?”

“It’s straightforward.”

With a cheerful smile, Gerania revealed her thoughts.

“There could be many things, but… I want to build many educational facilities. So that even the poor can receive an education.”

“If your ambition is so great, it will be quite impressive, although not without challenges.”

While the term “educational facility” might refer to academies or universities, there were barely more than ten academies in the kingdom. Moreover, except for nobles or extremely wealthy commoners, admission was nearly impossible and not in high demand. Nobles usually had private tutors for education.

What about universities? The only universities in the kingdom that could be called universities were the seminary and the universities run by the temple. Even that, the education period was long, and the tuition was too high, so many people couldn’t even afford it.

To reverse such a landscape required a bold ambition, and Franz absentmindedly stroked his chin, lost in thought.

“Providing education to the less privileged…”

“It’s not just the nobles who possess intelligence. The more people we have, the higher the possibility of discovering talents.”

While she spoke, Gerania glanced at him fleetingly. Education, thus far, had been a domain reserved for the nobility. Most nobles considered commoners to be inherently inferior to them. He knew that his words might be considered radical.

What if they dismissed it with nonsense?

“It certainly sounds convincing.”

She was prepared to hear a bruise but received an unexpected reply. Gerania widened her eyes.

“Are you convinced?”

“Didn’t you say that you would create a different country than before? We shouldn’t just consider it the way it is now.”

In a languid voice, Franz replied as he casually skimmed through the contract in his hand.

It was already dark outside the window as the day had set entirely. The purple-tinted darkness clung to the windowpane, peering into the glowing interior.

Rereading the contract, Gerania suddenly spoke.

“I never expected that you would propose the first or second one.”

He didn’t intend to address the part she was about to mention, but she caught on first, to his surprise. Instead of coercing her to reveal, he simply asked.

“It’s for personal reasons.”

And with those words, Franz tightly sealed his lips. He had no intention of prying open what she was reluctant to share, so he handed her a ribbon. Franz rolled the contract into a scroll and tied it neatly.

There was something that didn’t sit well with him, and his expression wasn’t pleasant. We had agreed on everything, so why is he acting like this? Franz asked quietly while staring at Gerania, who looked at him with a puzzled expression.

“Although it’s not written in the contract… Can we agree on one more thing?”

“What is it?”

Gerania, who held her share of the contract preciously, said. Franz didn’t hesitate.

“My name.”

“Huh?”

“How long do you want me to call you ‘Your Highness’?”

It seemed like the title bothered him, considering how he ran his fingers through his handsome forehead. However, she didn’t have anything else to call him.

“But you, Your Highness, call me ‘Your Lady.’”

“Didn’t I call you by my first name?”

Oh, really? Now that Gerania think about it, he did call her by her name quite often, except for formal titles like ‘Your Highness.’”

‘…Why does that make me feel so awkward?’

“We have plenty of Princes in the palace, and it will get tiresome.”

He seemed to emphasize the word ‘tiresome.’

“You know you’re one year older than me, right?”

“Well, I guess so.”

Even though she now knew his age, she couldn’t bring herself to say it. It was a bit surprising. He didn’t seem particularly older, but judging by his demeanour, he seemed much more mature.

“Then, calling me by my name might be a bit uncomfortable for you.”

“Oh, no.”

What was so difficult about calling someone by their name? Despite waving his hand, Franz’s expression remained serious. He waited for her response, even though it seemed strange that a man who spoke so casually about the contract now appeared to be struggling with something.

“Gerania.”

“Yes?”

Startled by her sudden use of her name, Gerania hesitated momentarily. She couldn’t bring herself to say it, even though it was just his name. Franz, on the other hand, looked at her curiously.

“Why that expression?”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s as if I’m asking you to do something like devouring you.”

“Devour me?”

As if wondering what that meant, Gerania spoke, but a moment later, she realized the meaning behind his words, and her face turned bright red.

Even Franz let out a faint cough, seemingly embarrassed by his own words.

“I mean something like that.”

“Oh, that’s right.”

“…So, do you have no intention of calling me by my name?”

Gerania swallowed her saliva at the gaze so intense, she wondered if she would be crushed. She didn’t know why this was so tense. After taking a deep breath, she spat out her words slowly.

“F-Franz?”

Though she stumbled a bit.

“Yes, Gerania.”

A smile spread across Franz’s lips. It was the most satisfied expression she had seen from him so far. Why? Placing the emerging questions deep in her heart, Gerania took her share of the contract.

With her soft chestnut hair, fresh green eyes reminiscent of the forest, and unremarkable facial features far from the glamorous beauties desired in high society, she emanated a gentle and tender aura.

She was a gentle, affectionate, and delicate-looking woman.

Even with her strong will, could she really endure the life of the palace? He proposed the marriage, believing she could handle it, but now, a strange unease washed over him. Franz chuckled quietly, as if finding it amusing.

At this point, there’s no point in undoing the contract. He would never do that.

“Whatever you may think, you might find me even more bothersome.”

The word ‘bothersome’ seemed to carry a lot of meaning. Gerania playfully said with a hint of mischief.

“Can I cancel the contract now?”

Though it was only a little, there was some sincerity mixed in the question.

“No, you can’t.”

His firm voice left no room for doubt.

Seeing him sign the contract, he clearly had a plan all along.

Now that the matter was settled, Franz stood up, and Gerania followed suit. As he extended his hand to bid farewell, she hesitated momentarily before finally taking his hand in a gentle shake.

Her hands were small and smooth, with barely any calluses. And his were surprisingly large and warm. Franz found it strangely intriguing to hold the hand of such an unexpected and unusual person. With a light shake, they completed the gesture, almost like a formal handshake.

Franz felt unfamiliar with the small, soft hand being held in his grasp. Gerania smiled softly.

“I’m counting on you.”

And so, the contract was sealed.