Chapter 174 I Agree
Perhaps at the beginning, His Majesty the King allowed her to pass her title to her future husband simply so that Anne would have a chance to remarry after her divorce, and wouldn't be gossiped about because of being married for the second time.
This world is unfair to women. If Anne didn't have enough resources, even as Duke Skoda's daughter she couldn't avoid being pushed aside by others. But if she herself was a duke, and her future husband could also inherit the dukedom, that would be different.
Just like when Anne married into the Titan family—the power gap was meant to protect her from harm. But after the Virlet family's massacre, the Titans thought she had no one left to rely on, and that's when they showed their true colors. Still, it was the best solution most people could think of at the time.
When Anne held power in her hands, then others would definitely fall over themselves to treat her well.
It's just that Rolf had calculated everything, except he never expected Anne would run off to the eastern battlefield, and even earn military merit, taking over the position of Ivy Knights commander from the Kivara family.
At this point Anne had already reached a very high position, so her husband couldn't be chosen so casually anymore.
Rolf gave her three months to find the right person—someone who wouldn't compete with Anne for the duke title, who'd support him in protecting the Empire's peace, and who'd help Anne manage the Virlet family and its territories smoothly.There was more than just Friedel who fit this description, but Anne asked herself honestly - if she had to choose, Friedel was definitely the most suitable and least likely to make her resistant.
However, Anne still had one question: "What if you meet a woman you like in the future? What then?"
"Whether this marriage is arranged by His Majesty or not, it concerns the Virlet family's future. Once we're united, there's absolutely no possibility of divorce. Could you really bear to let the woman you love be just a mistress?"
Friedel took a deep breath. The woman he loved - wasn't she right in front of him? Just now he had explained his feelings to Anne, but Anne didn't believe him.
But as long as he got past this hurdle, Friedel believed Anne would be willing to marry him. Then after marriage he could slowly explain, gradually open up Anne's defenses. Friedel was confident that Anne would eventually accept his feelings.
Thinking of this, Friedel tried hard to recall his feelings three years ago when he heard Anne was getting married. Even though so much time had passed, and he had seen with his own eyes that Anne no longer cared about Holden, his heart still felt a stabbing pain.
Friedel smiled bitterly, touching his aching heart as the sadness on his face became almost tangible. "I once had someone I liked, and I asked her mother to let her marry me."
Anne was stunned. She had never heard anyone mention that Friedel had such a romantic history, and never expected that the ice-cold Friedel had actually loved someone. "What happened after?"
Friedel lowered his head, seeming to sink into memories. "Later I was sent to the eastern battlefield to take over the Lion Knights. Not long after, I heard news of her marriage."
"Ah... how could that be?" Anne looked at Friedel with some surprise. "I remember you were very popular. How could anyone refuse your proposal?"
Friedel shook his head helplessly. "I don't know, but that's what happened. The girl I loved most married someone else, didn't wait for me to marry her, and I'll never love anyone else again."
Anne asked softly, "Lord Friedel won't choose those noble ladies His Majesty arranged because of her?"
Friedel nodded. "Yes, I don't want to waste anyone's time, but I can't not marry. Anne, I know you're not that willing to remarry, but I've already explained my brother's thinking to you. This is the best choice. Maybe we can't develop love, but we have the bond of going to battle together. We won't get along too badly. Compared to marrying a man you don't know, I really am your best choice."
Seeing Anne still considering, Friedel couldn't help but speak up, "You're hesitating so much - is there someone else in your heart? If not, then give me an answer. Agree or disagree, it's up to you. I'll only ask this once."
That's what he said, but Friedel would never accept Anne's refusal.
Sure enough, hearing Friedel's words, the expression on Anne's face finally became determined. She took a deep breath, stared into Friedel's blue eyes and said word by word, "I'll marry you."
"But I need to make things clear in advance. After marriage, I won't live on your estate long-term. This isn't just because I need to handle the Virlet family's territorial affairs, but more importantly, I need to prepare qualified heirs for the family's future."
Friedel smiled at Anne's agreement, and even when she said she wouldn't often stay on his estate after marriage, he couldn't suppress his grin—he just nodded seriously. "What you say makes sense."
Even if Anne wasn't on his estate, that didn't mean he couldn't stay at the Virlet manor!
Seeing Friedel didn't object, Anne couldn't help but smile too. She continued, "Second, I won't stop you from taking mistresses. After all, I know royalty generally plans to have mistresses. If your mistress has children, I'll treat them as my own children too."
The smile on Friedel's face faded considerably. He looked at Anne somewhat unhappily. "I won't take mistresses."
Anne nodded. Although she thought Friedel was a good man, hadn't Holden also said when he married her that he would only love her for his whole life?
Men can't keep the promises they make when they're deeply in love, so why expect a man without feelings to give such a commitment?
"It's fine, I'm just mentioning it. If you have mistresses, please don't let them run in front of me. I don't have such a good temper that I'll tolerate others provoking me."
Friedel felt somewhat helpless. He knew that whatever he said now, Anne wouldn't believe him. He could only set this topic aside for now. Future matters - Anne would have plenty of time to see for herself.
But speaking of marriage, another person's image floated up in Friedel's mind. He lowered his head and took a sip of the now completely cold tea, feeling he should still tell Anne about this. "I've remembered everything you said. I also have something I should tell you in advance."