MLIIWTFL Chapter 145

 

 

 

 

“So today, even if we’re together, we probably won’t have much time to talk. Even though we’ve seen this play before, we still need to focus on it to write a review, and I’ll have to take notes in between.”

 

“…Well, since it’s work, I guess there’s no choice….”

 

“I’m really sorry.”

 

Ezkhiel nodded, looking even more upset. It seemed he had taken Letticia’s resigned tone as disappointment over not being able to focus on their date because of work.

 

I wasn’t happy about the misunderstanding, but I couldn’t refute it either. No matter how flawed he was, he was still the Crown Prince—I couldn’t exactly explain that I was only doing what he ordered because I had no other choice.

 

“Then, would it be alright if I help?”

 

At that moment, Judith joined the conversation.

 

“I already know the original novel this play is based on, including its plot. I can watch the play now and offer my insights. That way, Sir Bright can think of this as a date instead of work and spend more time with Letticia, right?”

 

Judith grinned, but Ezkhiel quickly shook his head in alarm.

 

“A-Absolutely not! How could I dare push my work onto Your Highness?”

 

“Your Highness, I appreciate your offer, but that would be taking Ez’s job away from him.”

 

“Taking it away? I’m just giving advice. Sir Bright, you’ve already seen this play, haven’t you? You can write down everything you remember now, and then I’ll add extra details after I watch it. That way, my brother won’t have any complaints.”

 

“But… still….”

 

“Besides, as a fan of this novel, I don’t want to miss the chance to share my knowledge with my brother.”

 

Seeing Judith’s expression, Letticia immediately gave up on trying to stop her.

 

That was the face of someone obsessed with something, dying to share what they knew.

 

Whenever Sister Mari or Chloe made that face, trying to stop them only made things worse.

 

Letting a passionate fan talk when they wanted to was the best approach—something Letticia had learned from a young age.

 

Gently taking Ezkhiel’s restless hand, she reassured him.

 

“Ez, just follow Her Highness’s suggestion. She’s only offering information, so all you have to do is organize it. That’s no different from gathering research material, right?”

 

This way, Ezkhiel could improve the quality of his review, Judith could share her knowledge with Matthias to her heart’s content, and Matthias could use that knowledge to impress Ariette. Everyone would be happy.

 

And besides, I hate that Ez has to consider helping that guy’s date as part of his work.

 

Now that Letticia had laid it out so clearly, Ezkhiel had no choice but to follow Judith’s suggestion. He placed a sheet of paper on the table in the box seats and began writing his review.

 

Watching him from the side, Judith quietly asked Letticia,

 

“Why would my brother ask for a theater review? What’s going on?”

 

“I’m not sure. Maybe he’s developed an interest in plays?”

 

“That can’t be it. When I asked him to see this play with me, he said he wasn’t interested.”

 

“…Then I have no idea either. I doubt he suddenly decided to be generous and let Ez enjoy cultural activities.”

 

Saying that, Letticia glanced down at the audience below the royal box seats. The theater was packed, most likely due to the rumor that Judith was attending. The audience consisted entirely of nobles or, at the very least, newly wealthy individuals.

 

As many of their gazes turned toward them, Letticia looked back at Judith and asked,

 

“Would you like me to draw the curtain if you’re uncomfortable?”

 

“No, it’s fine. The more people who see you and Sir Bright together, the better.”

 

“For now, it should just remain an unofficial story until a decision is made.”

 

“Ugh… That means I won’t get to hang out with Lenny for a while.”

 

Slightly sulking, Judith quickly changed the topic.

 

“Then today, I’ll just have to be satisfied with hearing about your romance. Where have you two gone on dates so far? Who confessed first? How far have you gotten?”

 

“Y-Your Highness…!”

 

“Ez confessed first. I was going to do it, but he asked me to let him be the one to confess. Isn’t that cool?”

 

Ezkhiel was so flustered that he nearly dropped his pen, but Letticia remained completely unfazed—if anything, she sounded proud as she answered.

 

Judith, blushing with excitement, clasped her hands together.

 

“Sir Bright has a romantic side after all! So, what about your dates?”

 

“We haven’t had many private dates yet. If you count the times before we got together, I helped him shop at Sharon Jewelry, and we had lunch together in Faymont.”

 

“Do you have any places planned for dates? Since you love horseback riding, are you going somewhere to ride?”

 

“We definitely have to go before it gets too hot. But I also really want to have a picnic in the park.”

 

Ezkhiel’s ears burned red as he listened to his lover and the princess chat excitedly about their relationship.

 

It was embarrassing and overwhelming, but more than that, he was deeply touched and grateful. Even in front of the princess, Letticia proudly introduced him as her lover, subtly boasting about their relationship.

 

As she spoke with Judith, Letticia stole glances at Ezkhiel, secretly confirming that her “Boost Ezkhiel’s Self-Esteem Project” was going well.

 

At least thanks to this distraction, the temple had been spared from arson today.

 

***

 

Once the play began, their conversation ended, and they focused on watching.

 

Ezkhiel, ever diligent, couldn’t bring himself to do a half-hearted job on the task Matthias had assigned him, so he observed the play carefully.

 

Judith, as a fan of the original novel, focused on how faithfully the play adapted the story.

 

And Letticia, holding Ezkhiel’s hand, contemplated what to do next.

 

‘If Matthias has already met Ariette, then I need to get Ez out of there first…’

 

The way Matthias tormented Ezkhiel in the original story was infuriating even to recall. It was bad enough that Letticia had seriously considered taking Ezkhiel on an extended honeymoon when Ariette made her debut in the fall—just to keep him away.

 

However, telling Ezkhiel to quit his job as an aide would never be a good choice, considering his current self-esteem.

 

Ezkhiel, who saw himself as insignificant, had only begun to regain his confidence thanks to his position.

 

Even if I offered him a job at Sharon Jewelry instead, he’d just think he was relying on me to survive.

 

He was already struggling with his self-esteem in terms of attractiveness; if he lost confidence in his abilities as well, there would be nothing Letticia could do to help him.

 

As she debated what was best for her beloved, the play ended, and it was time to leave. Judith suggested that Letticia take Ezkhiel’s carriage back with him.

 

“You finally got to meet up, so wouldn’t it be nice to share a ride together?”

 

“That would be lovely. Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness.”

 

“If you’re grateful, you have to visit the palace again and tell me more later.”

 

With that, Judith boarded the imperial carriage. Letticia immediately linked arms with Ezkhiel and walked toward his carriage. Their affectionate display stirred murmurs among the onlookers.

 

“That man with Lady Sharon—isn’t he Sir Bright, the Crown Prince’s chief aide?”

 

“I heard she came with Her Highness. Why is she leaving with him instead…?”

 

“But where’s their chaperone? Why are they alone?”

 

Hearing the whispers, Ezkhiel stiffened momentarily before gripping Letticia’s hand more firmly.

 

For a nobleman and a lady to ride alone in a carriage without a chaperone was practically a public declaration of their romantic relationship.

 

When he had visited the Sharon mansion, Patrick had told him their relationship would be used in the family’s business promotions, so Ezkhiel had already braced himself for this. But that didn’t make it any easier.

 

At the very least, I won’t embarrass Letty.

 

Ezkhiel had never been good at bluffing or pretending to be strong. The best he could do was keep his back straight and meet people’s gazes without avoiding them.

 

Fortunately—or unfortunately—Letticia naturally attracted attention. As a result, Ezkhiel’s presence was somewhat overshadowed, making his effort to appear composed seem more natural.

 

Once they were safely inside the carriage and it started moving, Ezkhiel finally relaxed. Letticia gently placed her hand over his.

 

“Ez, are you okay? You were really tense.”

 

“I’m fine. It’s just… there were so many people staring….”

 

When Ezkhiel tried to sit up straight instead of leaning back, Letticia shook her head, silently telling him to relax.

 

“If you’re dating me, this will probably keep happening. I’m sorry, but I hope you can get used to it.”

 

“I was prepared for this, but I’m still not sure I can handle it well.”

 

“It would be weirder if you were confident about it from the start. More importantly, should we head straight to my house, or would you like to stop somewhere first?”

 

Letticia wanted to spend more time with Ezkhiel, knowing their chances to see each other would become even rarer now that they were officially together.

 

Understanding her feelings, Ezkhiel hesitated before carefully suggesting,

 

“…Then… would you like to stop by my place for a bit?”