Adopting the Male Protagonist Changed the Genre - Chapter 61

Due to the mask, the prince could not read the expression, so his gaze turned to the demeanor and gestures of the duke.

Cedric dropped sugar cubes into the tea that the prince had personally served him.

Was he complaining that he didn’t like the cup?

However, soon the duke began to sip the sugary liquid as if it were nothing.

“…….”

It seemed he wasn’t complaining; it was just a matter of preference.

The prince cleared his throat and continued speaking.

“As you know, my father is very pleased and has entrusted this matter to me. So, before I grant this sacred marriage, I would like to ask you one thing.”

“Please ask.”

While a considerable dowry would flow into the north, it was a welcome matter for the royal family that a central noble, who benefited from the royal court, was forming a connection with the north.

Moreover, being able to tarnish the financial power of the Blanche family, which had now risen to the forefront of the noble faction, was even better for the prince.

Thus, the prince was treating the engagement as a secret, using the fact that Sybel Blanche had not yet formally succeeded the family.

Therefore, Mikhail had to express his strong support for this engagement as the prince while pretending to be dissatisfied in order to uncover the Grand Duke’s true intentions.

However, he set aside his identity as the prince for the first time in a long while and asked,

“Grand Duke, have you met Lady Blanche before?”

Cedric seemed taken aback by the unexpected question and briefly closed his lips tightly.

Technically, they should have been meeting for the first time today.

As far as the outside world knew, Cedric had secluded himself in the north for over four years after becoming a grand duke and had never left the north before that.

Additionally, the most famous socialite, Belinda Blanche, had traveled to the south but had never been to the north.

Considering these circumstances, Cedric answered plainly.

“It’s a personal matter, so it’s difficult for me to respond.”

“I see… But you must answer this question. If I’m not satisfied with your answer, I intend to postpone my approval of the proposal for as long as I can.”

The prince continued with a bright smile,

“What do you think of Belinda?”

* * *

After leaving the Crown Prince’s palace, Penadel carefully observed the silent Cedric. Although Cedric was famous for his lack of expression, making it difficult to read his true feelings, Penadel had been attending to him since Cedric was just a toddler, always following him around and calling him “young master.” Even with the mask on, gauging Cedric’s mood was easier than predicting tomorrow’s weather.

“Your Grace, what did the Crown Prince say to trouble you so?” Penadel asked as Cedric, changing back into his regular knight’s attire in the carriage, didn’t respond but instead asked a seemingly unrelated question.

“Penadel, why did you remove your mask?”

“My skin is sensitive, and if I wear something like this all day, I’ll get a rash. Besides, who still wears these masks all day nowadays?”

“…”

“Don’t tell me… Your Grace, have you been wearing the mask the entire time you’ve been in the capital?”

The rule to wear an iron mask outside of the northern region was an old tradition, one that had been largely forgotten. In reality, while crossing the borders of the north, knights would wear masks in front of the officials checking their entries, but most knights would immediately take off their masks and enjoy their freedom upon entering the capital, where there was no danger of encountering monsters and thus no risk of being transformed.

But it seemed the stubborn Grand Duke was adhering to a regulation from Penadel’s great-grandfather’s era.

“…There were times I removed it,” Cesare replied defensively.

It was true, after all. When he had to conceal his identity for some reason, such as when he was visiting an orphanage to find a particular child, he would remove the mask.

Seeing his lord’s hesitant expression, Penadel slyly suggested, “This is a good opportunity. Why not reveal your face to Lady Blanche and explain the truth? Seeing your face might help soothe her anger, I’m sure.”

“……”

Alright, first things first, it was confirmed that Lady Blanche had never seen his face. Penadel, sensing Cedric’s uncharacteristic hesitation, continued to prod him.

“Your Grace, you will tell Lady Blanche the truth, won’t you? You’re getting married in a few months. Better to rip the band-aid off quickly—tell her the truth today.”

Cedric, by nature, did not relish deceiving others. Why, then, would he go to such lengths to deceive Lady Blanche and pose as her bodyguard? Penadel wanted to believe there was a personal reason behind it. Perhaps Cedric thought he could no longer serve as her guard if he revealed his identity as the Grand Duke.

But Cedric seemed to be thinking of a long-term plan rather than an immediate reason.

“Would it be too strange to keep wearing the mask even after the marriage?”

“Why on earth would you do that?”

“Lady Blanche…”

Blanche?

“She seems to place a lot of importance on appearances.”

“……?”

“When I visited her with the proposal, she asked about my appearance several times.”

“……?”

“So maybe it’s better if she never sees my face. Yes, since I never intended to lead a normal married life, I might as well spend the next six months in the forest, catching up on postponed cleaning…”

“Your Grace, wait, hold on a moment!”

As soon as Cedric mentioned the forest, Penadel snapped out of his stupor. What crazy idea is this madman thinking of now!

“Your premise is flawed. Even if you continue to wear the mask, she will recognize you, as she was introduced to me as You today. And as I’ve mentioned countless times before,” Penadel declared solemnly, as if he had discovered the only weak point in the enemy’s defense, “You, Your Grace, are quite handsome.”

“I appreciate your personal opinion,” Cedric replied, unfazed.

But Penadel wasn’t ready to give up. “Why are you acting like this? This is your last chance to tell Lady Blanche the truth. Face her without the mask. It’s a problem you can’t avoid forever.”

“Removing the mask would go against the regulations…”

“Ah, why are you so rigid? Actually, come to think of it, you were always an old soul even as a child. Your Grace, it’s not against the law for a Northern Knight to take off his mask outside the North. It’s just a custom, that’s all.”

Cedric found himself momentarily speechless, as Penadel’s arguments were irrefutable. Penadel was right; the truth couldn’t be hidden forever. Perhaps it was best to reveal the truth now that Penadel was here.

Rationally, it made sense to return to his original identity, go back to the North with Penadel, and appoint another to guard Lady Blanche.

Penadel made one last appeal. “Your Grace, you are handsome. Very handsome! So please, take off the mask and meet Lady Blanche!”

Cedric, stubbornly gazing out the window, muttered defensively, “…You’re being insolent.”

“Insolent, my foot! Just take off this lid already!”

Penadel, finally reaching his breaking point, exploded.