Episode 47: Tea Party (5)
What kind of new concept imprisonment hope speech is this again? Even scarier was the fact that his imprisonment remarks seemed like they might actually come true. I lightly frowned and brushed away his hand.
“Don’t say such creepy things.”
“My apologies.”
Even though I retorted sarcastically, it only made me feel more uncomfortable.
“What’s especially unsettling is that this guy is not only handsome like an angel but also a smooth talker.”
Could I be imprisoned without even realizing it if I just set my mind to it? Would such a situation arise?
“No, but then again, wouldn’t it be kind of happy if I didn’t even know I was imprisoned?”
As I ruminated with Percy, time passed. Just as I finished clearing my plate, Percy asked at the perfect timing.
“Have you had enough to eat?”
I wanted to thank him, but as usual, blunt words came out of my lips.
“Don’t bother asking each time.”
As if not caring at all, Percy smiled and shook the bell on the table.
“If you like being bothered, I should bother you more.”
At the sound of the bell, the dining room door opened, and the butler entered politely. Percy briefly instructed him.
“You may bring the people in now.”
“Yes, sir.”
I widened my eyes at his words.
“People?”
The attendants who came in immediately began clearing the tableware from the table. Then, various items were placed on the now-clean table.
It was clothing and accessories.
‘Shopping? Right here? In the dining room?’
I looked at Percy incredulously, and he calmly replied as if it were nothing special.
‘The tea party is nearby, so I’ve called in something simple. It’s the first time introducing my fiancee, so I can’t afford to be sloppy.’
In other words, it was about preparing for the upcoming tea party with Lady Granier a few days later.
‘No way, is this really happening?’
Things were changing rapidly right here in the dining room where I was sitting quietly, not even in the parlor.
Percy responded with a sly grin as I pouted my lips like a goldfish.
“It’s because your ankles are weak.”
“….”
Wasn’t it because I had been dragged around wearing high heels and ended up hurting myself?
Anyway, before I could gather my thoughts to refute him, a clothing store unfolded in the dining room. The dress designer who carefully selected and brought all these items greeted me politely.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”
“Ah.”
I received the greeting as a matter of course, but inwardly, I was utterly bewildered.
“Can clothes be made this quickly?”
If I asked on what basis she chose those clothes, it would be rude since she probably didn’t know much about me, right?
As I blinked, trying to suppress my curiosity, she spoke with a professional demeanor.
“We have selected and completed dresses from pre-sewn dresses due to lack of time and tailored them to fit Your Highness’s size. Please forgive our rudeness.”
It wasn’t just understanding that was needed but also gratitude. No, to have a new dress made in such a short time. How flustered must she have been?
Despite the sudden need for a dress like a bolt from the blue, the dresses she brought into the dining room amounted to seven.
Placing a hand on my waist, I tilted my head and asked.
“Do I need to try them on?”
“I suppose that would be necessary to determine accurately.”
Lady Granier’s tea party was nearby, and we urgently needed one dress to wear that day. So, it would be best to try them on and choose the one that suited me the most….
“Why are you here?”
Glancing casually beside me, I found Percy nonchalantly folding his arms and grinning. I fixed my gaze on him and spoke firmly.
“Why are you here? Aren’t you going out?”
Shouldn’t you leave so I can change my clothes?
But Percy’s response was carefree.
“I’m not leaving. I have a hobby of playing with dolls.”
Lies! You said you weren’t interested last time!
As I was grumbling, the designer who witnessed our exchange intervened.
“Your Highness, Princess, you need to change your clothes.”
Percy brazenly replied to the designer.
“Her Highness is such a broad-minded person that she doesn’t care about the mere presence of a man.”
“That, that’s…”
The designer’s eyes shook as if there was an earthquake. Her gaze seemed to be asking me:
“Even if His Grace is here, can you really take off your clothes?”
‘No way!’
I was infuriated. The selection window, which hadn’t appeared frequently lately, came to mind. But…
▶ (Take off the clothes)
▶ (Leave)
Oh, here we go again! A pointless multiple-choice!
‘Why don’t you just curse? Why is it always binary choices?’
Moreover, for the first time in a while, all the options were actions. I furrowed my brows in contemplation.
‘Should I leave? No, should I just take off one layer? But then, won’t I be too embarrassed to stand up? But why can’t I imagine Percy Stewart being embarrassed?’
As I hesitated, I subtly glanced at the options.
‘Or should I wait for another choice?’
I thought it might be better to wait for a more extreme option to appear. At least then, I could speak rather than act.
And as I waited, a little later, the option that came up was:
▶ The option will be automatically selected. 5, 4, 3…
It’s been a while, automatic selection!
‘Darn it! They don’t even give new options at times like this!’
By this point, it was clear. The system had personality too. I closed my eyes belatedly and, determined not to choose the automatic option, was about to speak when…
“Sienna.”
A deep voice echoed in my ears. I raised my head dazedly.
Percy, who had approached me unnoticed, enveloped my cheeks with his large hands. Then, locking eyes with me, he whispered softly.
“I’m sorry for teasing you so much.”
As his handsome face drew closer, my heart raced. But regardless of that, my blood pressure rose.
“You were teasing me!”
How embarrassed was I!
“And as part of my apology, may I commit another rudeness?”
“W-What?”
“I want to kiss you.”
His well-defined lips approached as if to reject my refusal. I pushed against his chest with all my might and yelled.
“Don’t be ridiculous!”
Even if I enjoy your company and physical contact, do you think I’ll just laugh and respond with a smile after being teased this much?!
* * *
After much chatter and commotion, at the end of the doll play, I arrived at the venue of the tea party invited by Lady Grania, wearing a coral-colored dress with rich ruffles on the chest like a mermaid line.
As soon as Lady Grania saw me getting off the carriage, she flattered me.
“Oh my, Your Highness. You look so beautiful.”
“It’s a matter of course.”
Nowadays, it was nothing to say such flattering words. As I arrogantly raised my chin and replied, Lady Grania smiled kindly.
“It’s not just empty words. The deep coral color suits Your Highness’s fair skin very well. Did you pick it out yourself?”
At her words, I naturally recalled the events of when I chose the dress. While changing clothes, Percy insisted that I must see myself after changing, even though we were leaving the restaurant.
– Your fashion sense seems to be a mess, so I want to choose it myself.
– How rude to say that!
– So, would you like to wear high heels with the yellow dress you wore when we first met?
– …..
After saying that, there was nothing more to say. Frankly, I didn’t realize it was strange at the time. If I had known, I wouldn’t have been scolded by the maids. Anyway, I didn’t choose it. I sighed through my nose and omitted the words.
“I’ll have no comment.”
Then Lady Grania casually hit the nail on the head.
“Oh my, oh my. It seems the Duke has chosen for you!”
“….”
Do I really wear my heart on my face? Why does everyone guess so well?
Does Percy truly believe my ankles will snap if I wear high heels, as he always selects low-heeled shoes for me? Today’s shoes, chosen by him again, were low-heeled pumps. Feeling like I was walking on well-manicured grass, I headed towards the tea party venue with Lady Grania. Lady Grania chatted away, her cheeks flushing.
“The Duke is so affectionate towards you, Your Highness. I was surprised when I heard.”
“You don’t have to emphasize it.”
“I can’t help it. I’m not a noble.”
When in private, she seemed quite comfortable addressing Percy Stewart. But her words were true. Not inheriting the title, she might stir up gossip by addressing Percy so casually.
‘But she’s the only one who knows Percy’s childhood.’
Unconsciously, I found myself staring at Lady Grania. She smiled widely, her chubby cheeks dimpling like a beaver’s.
“Is there something you’d like to ask me?”
“Well….”
I want to ask! But can I?
It was a moment of hesitation for me. The choices floated up as if waiting.
▶ Boring. I just want to sleep.
▶ Why bother asking if you won’t answer?
‘Ugh, I hesitated for nothing.’
If I had known it would turn out like this, I would have just said anything I could think of.
In the end, with tears in my heart, I chose the latter.
“Why bother asking if you won’t answer?”
