【Chapter 16】
‘I didn’t hear anything. Yeah, I didn’t hear anything at all.’
As I entered the reception room with quick steps not typical of me, a large man smiled innocently at me.
“Karinen, have you been well?”
“Oh my? Is that you, Sir Tregosnan?”
First of all, I don’t know why this gentleman came from the Faroy family, but it was a good opportunity.
‘The meeting of the original male and female protagonists!’
We should quickly light a fire between them and send them off engaged. I glanced at Theodore while looking at the documents he handed over and couldn’t help but smile.
‘Theodore must have fallen in love with Lafesch at first sight.’
How did I know? Well, my gaze was fixed on him without any interest in which part I was looking at or examining him.
‘By the way, brother-in-law’s relatives are strangely intertwined.’
Since he was going to become my brother-in-law anyway, I didn’t pay much attention, but as I carefully examined the documents, I felt like I knew why Theodore had come. Apparently, Count Tragosan was related to Marquis Celeste through a distant relative on the in-law side.
‘Was it like that in the original?’
As I was lost in thought, Theodore spoke to me.
“Oh, come to think of it, I heard from Gideon. He said you’re helping with the wedding preparations.”
“Yes, my sister is so busy these days, so I’m filling in for her.”
“You’re trusted, aren’t you?”
It was not surprising that Theodore was amazed. It was common for sibling rivalry to begin when there were three or more older brothers in a noble family.
‘However, it’s already certain that our household relies on the abilities of my older sisters.’
Sister Elga, the eldest daughter, inherited our mother’s abilities and became a knight. The next dukedom would be hers.
Sister Juellla, the second daughter, with her intelligence and business sense, made our household the top in the empire after just five years. The top is already hers.
‘And the love of my sisters belongs to me.’
I just need to enjoy being loved and the overflowing wealth. I receive gardens, farms, and even islands as birthday presents, so why bother creating trouble for myself? That’s why I just smiled and said this.
“Of course. We are family.”
Theodore, who had just uttered a small exclamation, turned his attention back to Lafesch. He had gained some courage and started to speak, but her response was unexpected.
“Looks like you enjoy tea. If you have time next time, would you like to have some together?”
“No, I can’t sleep well if I drink tea.”
“Uh… What you’re having right now is…”
“This is herbal tea.”
“That……”
It was red. We were all just tea from the same pot to begin with, but Lafesch said it without any hint of embarrassment.
“Herbs, tea.”
“Yes… Oh, by any chance, do you enjoy opera? If you have time next time…”
“No, thank you. I have a fear of closed spaces, so I hate it. I’m a bit old-fashioned.”
It was an incredible iron wall. Theodore, who was surprised by the conclusion that allowed no rebuttal, even spoke out.
“Oh, no. It’s just a matter of personal taste. I didn’t mean to say it’s old-fashioned.”
“Okay.”
Oh my, I never thought there would be a day when I would feel sorry for Theodore.
‘I never intended to forgive you for teasing me as a raccoon.’
After Theodore left, I cautiously asked Lafesch.
“Lady Lafesch, do you happen to dislike Sir Tregosnan?”
“Yes.”
Wow, how firm.
“I like a man who will only look at me and be devoted to me for a lifetime.”
I felt that Lafesch spoke as if she was convinced that Theodore was a womanizer, just like I did.
“How does lady Lafesch know that? Can you tell just by looking at someone’s face?”
When I asked her that, Lafesch seemed visibly taken aback. It was a completely different image from the one she had presented before, with her stony expression and ironclad resistance to Theodore.
“Oh, yes, that’s right. I had a feeling that might be the case. Ohoho… you could say it was a premonition.”
“I see. You must have good intuition.”
“Well, sometimes things just seem to fall into place.”
“Intuition is important.”
“Yes, it is. Well, you’re right.”
But why are you sweating so much, Lafesch?
I looked at Lafesch with narrowed eyes. But she remained fixated on the documents and didn’t say anything more.
💧
The imperial family’s tea time comes every week. The Emperor, the Crown Princess, and Esadien sat around a round table, quietly spending time together.
“Recently, our baby hasn’t been showing up. Did he say she won’t come anymore?”
The Emperor, who was sipping on the iced lemon tea that was served to alleviate his loss of appetite in the summer, suddenly changed the subject.
“I’m sorry, but who are you referring to as ‘our baby,’ Your Majesty?”
It has been twenty years since a baby was born into the imperial family. After a moment of hesitation, Esadien gave up and asked, and the Crown Princess answered with a shrug of her tongue.
“Of course, he’s talking about Minuelle. As expected, you….”
Baby, baby. Of course, even though her build is small and her skin is as soft as a peach, to call her a baby….
“Ahem.”
Startled by the Emperor’s cough, Esadien suddenly straightened up, realizing that he had been unintentionally thinking of Minuelle.
“She won’t be able to come for a while because she’s busy preparing for the Second Princess’s wedding.”
As soon as he heard Esadien’s response, the Emperor raised his head.
“Have you seen such a dull fellow?”
“Excuse me?”
“If she can’t come from there, shouldn’t you go and show your face? How many times have you visited the Grand Duchess’s estate, Esadien?”
“I have been there once to pay my respects when she’s sick.”
The Emperor and the Crown Princess both faced each other and let out a sigh, as if they had made up their minds.
“Of course, it was something you had to do! And besides, didn’t the servants urge and push to visit? You haven’t been there since, have you?”
Esadein remained silent and bowed his head. The Emperor always knew everything. A sigh of lament poured out like a nagging complaint over his lowered goatee.
“I thought so. Esadien, do you not know the reason why you seem to be trapped in the Imperial Palace?”
The Emperor, who cleared his throat, spoke.
“Remember this. There is no unilateral relationship in this world. No matter how lofty a mind is, it will wear out if it only pours out. “
“I will keep that in mind.”
“You seem to understand, which makes me happy. Now go out and take the carriage.”
“Excuse me?”
Surprised, Esadien lifted his head which had been bowed down all the time. The Emperor and the Crown Princess were laughing with amused expressions on their faces.
‘From the beginning, you were going to send me to the Grand Duchess’s residence.’
A bead of sweat ran down Esadien’s spine.
“I didn’t even write a letter to visit in advance……”
“It’s a surprise visit, my dear. Besides, you were clearly struggling alone for days, so we couldn’t help but intervene.”
Hahahahaha!
Recalling the sound of the emperor’s laughter ringing out, Esadien stepped into the entrance hall of the Grand Duchess Karainen’s residence. The butler, who was just as surprised as Esadien, hesitated before him. However, the butler was an expert in dealing with all sorts of guests, including unexpected ones. He soon regained his composure and cautiously spoke to Esadien.
“I humbly ask. Lady Minuelle was busy and just started her meal, but if the Prince is also not yet had lunch, would you like to join her?”
Although he didn’t feel particularly hungry since he had just had tea a little while ago, Esadien readily nodded his head. He didn’t want to disrupt Minuelle’s meal.
“Okay.”
As he entered the reception room on the first floor, Minuelle was on a rather large terrace attached to it. As he followed the butler into the reception room, Esadien’s eyes were immediately drawn to Minuelle’s profile, with her chin resting in her hand, basking in the sunlight. Seeing her with closed eyes and a languid smile, the embarrassment he felt because of the tyrannical Emperor disappeared as if evaporated.
‘I see you’re doing well.’
As he got closer, he could hear a rustling sound.
“Stop playing with your feet and focus on eating.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Before I tickle you.”
“If you tickle me, I won’t be able to eat anymore.”
Someone was standing across from Minuelle. It was a face he recognized.
‘Did she say he was a Priest?’
It seemed quite natural for them to play around and joke with each other.
“His Highness the Third Prince has arrived, Lady Minuelle.”
“Huh?”
Who came here?
Minuelle’s face, with widened eyes, greeted him with a joyful smile. In the brightly shining sunlight, the grip on Esadien’s hand loosened.
“Esadien!”
As soon as she called his name in excitement, Minuelle jumped up. But the next moment, she stumbled over her clothes and wavered, causing Esadien to reflexively take a step forward. However, Ramande was faster. He quickly grabbed her and supported her, causing Esadien to stop in his tracks.
“……”
Esadien’s eyes were fixed on Minuelle’s arm and Ramande’s hand, which were tightly wrapped around her waist.
“Again, again. What would you have done without me?”
“It would have been a disaster. How could I live without you, Ramande?”
“Ha, you’re good with words.”
Both Ramande and Minuelle were calm, as if this was not the first or second time this had happened. Despite reminding himself that they were childhood friends, for some reason, Esadien couldn’t help but be bothered by the hand.
“Oh, how surprising. Esadien! Wow! Is this a dream?”
Fortunately, Minuelle quickly broke away from Ramande and came to Esadien.
Normally, she would have rushed to him and hugged him as soon as she saw him, but it was quite hard to believe, so he stared at her face.
“I would have gone to greet you if you had sent a message in advance.”
“I’m sorry. It was a sudden visit.”
Minuelle buried her face in Esadien’s chest and lifted her head.
“No, it’s okay. I really wanted to see you.”
After hearing her words ringing from his chest, it felt like his arms were finally full. Esadien’s lips softened. He lifted his hand and gently stroked Minuelle’s back as he asked.
“But, Minuelle… Have you become thinner again?”
“Your Highness, please tell the young lady to increase her meal portions.”
As the butler started to murmur beside her, Minuelle hurriedly objected.
“No! I eat a lot, and well!”
“I see. Alright, just finish what you have on your plate for now.”
Esadien’s tone was unusually gentle. While pouting, Minuelle hugged his arm tightly and returned to her seat.
“It’s an honor to see you again, Your Highness.”
Ramande’s gaze, which rose from Minuelle’s arms, collided with Esadien’s eyes in the air.
“Nice to see you again, Priest of Flendena.”
For a moment, they exchanged a somewhat uneasy glance, but then they exchanged a very ordinary greeting. The butler, who had not noticed the tension that had passed by, spoke to Minuelle again.
“My Lady, please take your time and eat slowly as the Prince will also be joining us for the meal.”
💧
Thank you for reading!
