Chapter 213 Why I Have No Impression of You
Friedel still remembers the proud and satisfied look on Duke Skoda's face, as if having a daughter like Anne was the most fulfilling thing in his life.
Seeing Anne still so spirited now, Friedel smiled helplessly, "Since you're confident, then I'm relieved."
"But my mother suddenly announced our engagement just now. I wonder if she'll come looking for you again about this later."
Anne laughed, "I think Selyma is quite interesting actually. Besides, I'll be staying in the capital for a while, so I should get to see her unwilling expression in person."
Friedel imagined that scene and felt it would definitely be interesting. "If you'd like, I can take you to Atarat Manor to see her."
"Let's talk about it later."
Anne thought of the painting Shatoya had brought her earlier and suddenly stared at Friedel with a meaningful look. "Speaking of which, I heard you grew up by Queen Mother Smith's side, so you must know my mother, right?"
Friedel nodded. There was nothing to hide about this.
"Yes, I was raised by Queen Mother Smith herself. Most of the time when Lady Sophia came to the palace for audiences, she would run into me. From what I remember, Lady Sophia was very gentle and beautiful, and she even cared about my studies. When she heard I was going to train at the military camp, she suggested I could serve under Duke Skoda."
"But later I spent more and more time at the camp, so I didn't see Lady Sophia much. The last time was at..."
He glanced at Anne's expression. "At Duke Skoda's funeral. We never met again after that."
Anne pressed her lips together. "A few days ago, my mother's former personal maid came to Virlet Manor to seek refuge with me. When she came, she brought one of my mother's paintings. But that painting was never finished, so my mother never had it framed."
"It's quite strange - in that painting, there's me, and there's you." Anne stared at Friedel, looking somewhat puzzled. "But why do I have absolutely no memory of you? In fact, before this, I always thought our first meeting was at the military camp!"
Friedel frowned. He recalled those memories related to Anne, and after a long while, carefully chose his words and said slowly, "Maybe it's because I didn't talk much back then and just stayed by Queen Mother Smith's side as a little follower."
"I remember you often held that little wooden sword Duke Skoda made for you, playing and fighting in the courtyard with your brother and the princes. I didn't join in, so it's normal that you have no memory of me."
"You even remember my little wooden sword..."
Anne was somewhat surprised. That little wooden sword was specially carved for her by her father in his spare time and accompanied Anne through almost her entire childhood. It wasn't until her father commissioned a top master to make her the sword Excalibur Destiny that the little wooden sword was put away in the corner of a cabinet with her toys.
"Yes, because I saw it several times, so I remembered it."
Friedel lowered his eyes. He thought for a moment, then spoke up, "But about what I mentioned earlier - now that my mother has announced our engagement, I should go arrange the wedding-related matters."
"As for things like the betrothal gifts, I originally planned to arrange them myself, but Queen Mother Smith and the King also want to help me arrange things together, so we'll probably need to go to the palace to see them. Then there's the wedding venue, decorations and such - we'll probably discuss everything together then."
Anne glanced at Friedel, feeling like he was deliberately avoiding her questions and unwilling to talk much about his past.
But Anne didn't really mind. Her marriage with Friedel was a mutual arrangement to begin with - she needed to put His Majesty's mind at ease, and Friedel also needed to deal with His Majesty's arranged marriage. Now that the two of them could talk peacefully together, whether they lived together in the future or stayed in their respective territories, there wouldn't be major conflicts.
As for those things Friedel was unwilling to mention, Anne didn't want to interfere too much.
The two talked for a while longer about their thoughts on the wedding arrangements before Anne finally stopped the carriage and returned to the Virlet family's residence with Elisa.
Elisa was somewhat worried that Anne's provocation of Princess Kirenya might bring retaliation. She had been following Anne all day, but her status was just that of a maid after all. In such occasions, if the master didn't give orders, maids weren't allowed to speak - otherwise it would be embarrassing for their master. So although Elisa was angry, she still held back.
Anne wasn't worried though. She repeated to Elisa what she had told Friedel, and also shared what Friedel had told her today. Elisa was quite surprised after hearing it. Back when Lady Sophia brought Anne to the palace, she hadn't been by their side, so she never imagined that Anne had met Friedel so early.
"This is simply fate."
Elisa looked at Anne with a smile. "If Miss Anne marries Lord Friedel, I think Lord Skoda and Lady Sophia would be very reassured. After all, according to what Miss Anne just said, they watched Lord Friedel grow up too."
Anne thought about it and agreed, then laughed out loud.
That evening, Dr. Pascal arrived late. The little old man had a stern face as he looked Anne up and down, finally snorting, "Fine, your taste isn't bad this time. You found a decent man."
After saying that, Dr. Pascal furiously cursed out everyone from the Titan family.
Anne felt somewhat helpless. Facing an elder like Dr. Pascal, she could only bow her head and listen to the scolding. Finally, she smiled and handed the tired Dr. Pascal a glass of water. "Alright, anyway I've said what needed to be said. I've made it clear that I have nothing to do with the Titan family anymore. If they dare spread rumors again, I won't be polite to them."
Dr. Pascal finally nodded with satisfaction. He waved his hand, signaling his servants to carry a box in front of Anne. Anne looked at it with some surprise. "What's this?"
"Hmph, in a place like the Eastern battlefield, what good things could you have for skincare? You're still young - if you end up with scars, won't that be ugly as hell?"
Anne's mouth dropped open in shock. "Are all of these medicines for me to take?"
After getting Dr. Pascal's confirmation, Anne didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He was determined to make up for all the damage she suffered on the battlefield. And based on past experience, there would definitely be plenty of topical beauty treatments and bath medicines too - he was basically trying to stuff her into a medicine jar.
But Anne understood this was Dr. Pascal's way of caring for her - others couldn't even enjoy this treatment.
She smiled helplessly. "Thank you so much. I'll definitely use them properly."
Dr. Pascal glared at her. "Don't think I don't know you're just humoring me. Let me tell you, I'll be watching to make sure you use all these things. Don't even think about secretly wasting them."