“What if someone in the royal family doesn’t like you? Is that really your biggest concern?”
Crave chuckled as if he couldn’t believe it. Britia found it even more bewildering why he had such a funny reaction. Wasn’t that a natural concern?
“Of course, they’ll like you!”
“What are you basing that belief on?”
As Britia widened her eyes, Crave clicked his tongue and looked at her with a pitiful expression.
“Who raised you? Who would dare to let go of Britia Lockhart, whom I raised with all my heart and soul, without liking her?”
“I have no memory of being raised by you.”
She drew a firm line, but Crave ignored what she said and continued with what he wanted to say.
“Our Tia grew up to be a lovely lady, didn’t she? Did she cry and apologize for not being able to buy meat when she saw her younger brother whining about wanting to eat meat in our poor household? Absolutely not!”
Crave let out a self-satisfied laughter.
“She’s a woman who goes out with a bow and quiver on her back and proudly brings back two rabbits. That’s how I raised her!”
“Once again, it wasn’t you who raised me like that.”
When Britia denied it emphatically, Crave deliberately lowered his voice and sarcastically covered his mouth with his fingers.
“What I want to say is, Duchess Turas, if the emperor doesn’t like you, he still has to believe you, don’t worry. Hahaha.”
“After hearing these words, what can I say to reassure others? If things go badly, shoot them out with a bow and arrow.”
As Britia expressed her bewilderment, he smiled widely and raised both thumbs up.
“I’m not telling you to actually shoot him, but if it comes to that, at least give him a heads up. We’ll have to run away from this country without leaving a trace. Ho ho ho.”
“…It felt foolish to pour out my serious concerns to you.”
“Are you realizing that just now, Duchess Turas? You’re truly more foolish than I thought. Oops, the word ‘foolish’ slipped out without me even realizing it. Please forgive me generously.”
He winked and pretended to be cute, but Britia couldn’t tolerate that sight any longer and turned her head away.
“You’re the most annoying person in the world, Crave Lockhart.”
“Oh, even if you’re angry, please say that I’m less annoying than Marcus Beaumex. I don’t want to be a man who annoys you more than him.”
With a warning gaze and without saying a word, Britia silently cautioned him. Finally, he lowered the hand that had been covering his mouth and shrugged his shoulders.
“But Tia, at least confront it head-on. You don’t know what might happen to both of us if you don’t.”
His intentionally soft and high voice returned.
“So what if someone doesn’t like you? Even if you get married, you won’t come out well in the North.”
“What if I oppose that marriage altogether?”
“Then go convince Sig, who is impatient to marry you because he wants to. If he wants to take our child with him, he should do that much!”
Insisting that he was the one who raised Britia Lockhart, he claimed that she was his own creation.
“If his beloved nephew protests and demands approval for the marriage, even the Emperor will have a headache and consent.”
Britia took a deep breath and leaned back against the backrest, looking at him with a sigh.
“Crave, you could become a son-in-law of the royal family. Aren’t you burdened or afraid?”
“Are you afraid? Oh, how timid you are, our Tia.”
With a dismissive tone, he mockingly claimed to be the owner of the smallest heart among the Lockharts, causing Britia to narrow her eyes at him.
“Not at all. I hope the wedding of the two of you comes soon.”
‘Why is he so eager to bless the marriage of us two?’
“I want to carry the crazy dog and the royal family on my back and succeed. Wow, just imagining it gives me a thrill! I love it so much! Tia, when will you get married?”
Britia’s eyes welled up with emotion at his words, hoping for a quick marriage.
“Instead of saying that, tell Sig to introduce you promptly. It’s better to strike while the iron is hot, you know.”
“If it’s the first strike, I’ve already done it today.”
Britia glanced at the viscount’s reaction for a moment, then pouted her lips.
“I met someone who happens to be Duke-nim’s brother.”
“…The Crown Prince?”
“It turns out he was the organizer of today’s play. He clearly said it would be at his house, but it was held at the palace.”
‘Well, the Crown Prince’s house is the palace after all.’
Still, Britia expressed her disappointment about not being informed in advance about it, mentioning a matter that she had momentarily forgotten.
“The Crown Prince didn’t like you when he saw you today? Is that why you’re worried?”
According to her words, even though the Crown Prince noticed that she had lied because of her hesitations, he willingly gave her a chance to deceive him.
‘Why are you worrying so much when he’s already being gentle and careful?’
“Tia, I’m really looking forward to the day you get married.”
* * *
The next day, Britia headed to Scanders Manor on the outskirts. It was to rectify the lies she had told before the Crown Prince asked her to come for tea.
Scanders Manor was not as extravagant as Slanford Count’s estate, but the mansion grounds were three times larger. In addition to the main mansion, there were several other buildings on the property. The young maid of Scanders, seeing her coming to meet Kyra, guided her far beyond the main mansion.
Finally, after such a journey, she arrived at a small two-story house that looked slightly run-down compared to the main mansion and other buildings.
“I’m here to meet Miss Kyra.”
Britia thought that the maid had made a mistake because it didn’t seem like Kyra would be here. However, the maid turned around and left, saying that the young lady was indeed here.
“Britia.”
Britia, who had been staring blankly at the maid’s retreating figure, saw Kyra leaning out of the second-floor window and calling her.
“I’ve been waiting for you.”
Hesitating for a moment at the request to come up, Britia opened the door and entered the house. The interior felt cluttered, and Britia soon found out why. Some furniture was adorned with gold, giving a luxurious feel, while others were too shabby or worn-out, lacking unity.
Canvas, paper, and brushes were scattered here and there.
“I put them up for sale, but I haven’t sold them yet. Can you clear some space and have a seat?”
Kyra said as she looked at Britia, who was sprawled on the sofa in a splendid dress.
“You put them up for sale?”
Britia asked.
“I can’t afford to paint without selling them, you know.”
Kyra, who had personally brewed the tea using the water she had placed on the fire, handed Britia a cup. The whole sequence of actions was so natural. Britia looked down at the tea in the cup and pressed her lips together.
“Do you live here?”
It could be mistaken for a studio. However, there seemed to be too many clothes and household items neatly arranged.
“It’s messy, isn’t it?”
Kyra didn’t deny Britia’s question.
“Don’t misunderstand. I deliberately arranged it like this. I don’t want to have a haughty attitude by being too organized. It’s difficult to breathe when you’re in a place that goes against your own beauty and isn’t tidy.”
Leaning against the wall, she looked around the house.
‘Why does she live alone in a place like this?’
Questions popped up in Britia’s mind.
“Our parents were strictly focused on our elder brother. Buying me a debutante dress was the last support they gave me. So, if I want to survive, I have to do things like this, right?”
However, Britia stopped herself from asking as she suddenly remembered what Kyra had said.
“I’m sure you have many questions, but you didn’t ask.”
“We all have our reasons.”
Britia said cautiously and observed Kyra’s reaction.
“I was going to slap you if you tried to pry, but it’s a shame…”
Surprised, Britia widened her eyes and quickly turned around. As she did, Kyra approached her with a stern expression. Britia clenched her fists and showed her determination not to stay still.
“Have you been in fights? You’re clenching your fists.”
Kyra muttered and leaned against the sofa, pulling out a painting that had been leaning next to it. Britia finally thought that Kyra was getting to the main point by showing her painting skills.
“Weren’t you going to show me the painting?”
However, Kyra, in an uncharacteristic manner, hesitated and held the painting in a way that Britia couldn’t see it. Sometimes she would act confidently in front of others, or when she wasn’t, she would fidget with a slightly relieved expression. Kyra was one of the two.
But now, as she showed a slightly embarrassed look, Britia doubted her own eyes.
“Well, I started drawing it yesterday, so it’s not finished yet. It wasn’t a serious attempt; it was just to warm up my hands. But showing you this, if I don’t show it, the conversation won’t start…”
The tension increased, and Britia had more questions.
“Okay, show it to me.”
Britia nodded her head, and Kyra furrowed her eyebrows slightly before turning the painting around to show it to her.
“I can’t exactly say what it is since I don’t have talent for painting, but…”
It was a painting with a slightly old wooden chair under a large tree. Britia carefully looked at the painting and slowly moved her lips. Kyra waited for her response, anxiously biting her nails.
“You draw better than I expected. I feel relieved.”
Seeing Britia smile, Kyra exhaled the breath she had been holding, thinking that it might not be a complete lie to the prince.
“Is it okay?”
Her voice came out hoarse, as if she were excited.
“If you’re just saying it out of pity, then don’t. Honestly evaluate it. It’s important to me.”
“Well, I wouldn’t go so far as to show you pity and understanding.”
Although it sounded cold at first, Kyra hugged her painting, beaming brightly, and even rolled her feet and lightly jumped in place before sliding down the wall with a swoosh.
“What’s this? Such an adorable reaction that doesn’t suit you?”
To be so delighted with just one compliment about her painting.
Unfamiliar with her pure reaction, Britia winced.
