Chapter 41

“A wish?”

 

It was quite a good proposal for me. However, I couldn’t immediately give Freyer an answer. As I hesitated to reply, Freyer asked me again.

 

“Is it unwelcome?”

 

“It’s not unwelcome, but…”

 

I thought hard about what Freyer might ask me to do with a wish. The only area Freyer could ask me for a favor in was related to the trade association. If he asked me to quickly acquire an item for the association, I could do that.

 

“Are you truly fine with just that?”

 

“That’s all I need. Are you accepting the proposal?”

 

“Yes! That’s great.”

 

Freyer reached for the mana stone storage box on the table and said, “Then, in exchange for the wish, I will deliver the mana stone I acquired to the Imperial Family.”

 

My intention was never to exchange the mana stone for a wish. I grabbed his hand, which was moving toward the mana stone, to stop Freyer’s action.

 

“I was going to give you a wish out of gratitude because you spent your time and money for me!”

 

Freyer stopped in that posture, staring intently at our intertwined hands on top of the box.

 

“I apologize. I was being too hasty…”

 

I quickly pulled my hand away.

 

“This is an item I acquired to help you. It’s useless to me, so it doesn’t matter.”

 

“That can’t be right…! If you keep it, there will surely be a use for it.”

 

It was a top-grade mana stone that others would be desperate to possess. The amount of money it would fetch if sold was incalculable, so the idea that it was useless was unbelievable. Freyer stroked his chin and said, “In that case, let’s consider it as having exchanged the mana stone for a wish.”

 

Freyer put the mana stone box into his pocket without listening to me.

 

“So, you don’t have to attend the state council meeting. I will deliver this mana stone to the Crown Prince.”

 

The Crown Prince had specifically told me to attend the state council meeting with the mana stone. From my perspective, it was a good thing that he offered to act as my proxy for the meeting. However, the one-sided favor made me suspicious.

 

“What is your reason for helping me like this?”

 

“I have been looking forward to the hunting festival for the first time in several years.”

 

I clapped my knee. It was the autumn hunting festival, held after a long time due to a rich harvest. Since the Emperor’s reward for the winner was exceptional, it made sense that Freyer would be interested.

 

It made sense if he acted for the sake of the hunting festival rather than to help me. The state council meeting was only a few days away, and since the Imperial Palace was like Freyer’s own home, he could deliver the mana stone to the Crown Prince faster. Putting the pieces together, his actions were to prevent the postponement of the hunting festival.

 

“Then, although it is a bother, I will ask this favor of you.”

 

I bowed my head in gratitude.

 

Grumble-

 

Just then, a sound like thunder and lightning rumbled from my stomach. Freyer quickly turned his face away but couldn’t hide his shaking shoulders.

 

‘Ugh, how embarrassing.’

 

He was definitely laughing after hearing the rumbling of my stomach. My face turned scarlet like a beetroot.

 

‘It’s past lunchtime…’

 

My internal clock was quite accurate, both in my previous life and this one. I fanned myself with my hand and rolled my eyes. Freyer took out his pocket watch and checked the time.

 

“It’s about the time to get hungry. Now that I think about it, I haven’t eaten anything today.”

 

An empty stomach! I, on the other hand, had eaten breakfast and a snack.

 

‘Even if I starve, our dear Freyer shouldn’t starve…’

 

Looking at him like this, Freyer’s cheeks seemed a little hollow and haggard.

 

“It seems our conversation is finished, so how about having a meal before you leave?”

 

Freyer nodded his head. I took the positive response and got up from my seat.

 

“I will immediately order a meal to be prepared.”

 

…I was about to say that, but Freyer quickly grabbed hold of me.

 

“Let’s eat out. I know a good restaurant.”

 

And just like that, I was led out of the drawing room by Freyer’s hand.

 

 

***

 

 

Derek, who followed Freyer later, was bewildered upon arriving at the Baron’s residence. After that, an even more perplexing event occurred. Derek was questioned by the employees guarding the entrance of the Baron’s residence.

 

“Greetings? I am Derek, the escort knight of His Highness Freyer. I didn’t expect such a welcome…. Haha.”

 

“Fr-Freyer? Isn’t that the name of His Imperial Highness the Second Prince?”

 

“You are saying that the guest who visited the mansion is His Imperial Highness Prince Freyer, the Second Prince?”

 

“And His Highness entered the mansion without even announcing it?”

 

Derek covered his forehead at the reaction of the employees. It was natural that the Imperial citizens didn’t recognize His Highness, as he had rarely revealed himself as the Second Prince.

 

“Did he perhaps enter the mansion without permission….”

 

The employees nodded. The iron gate of the mansion was wide open, which seemed a bit odd, but he never imagined that to be the truth.

 

“Our Prince is not normally this rude. I sincerely apologize on his behalf.”

 

“Since the Knight is apologizing, we will accept it for now. The safety of the young mistress is our top priority. Please contact us in advance next time so this doesn’t happen again.”

 

“Yes. Next time, I will certainly contact you in advance, even if it is just through me.”

 

“We would be grateful for that, Sir Derek.”

 

Norman withdrew his suspicious gaze and nodded. Winnie was still agape at the news that the guest who visited the Baron’s residence was a Prince.

 

“His Imperial Highness the Prince.”

 

The sound of the drawing room door opening was heard. Freyer appeared from there, holding Lilithia’s hand. Winnie, with wide-eyed disbelief, looked back and forth between their faces.

 

“Your Highness. Where are you going this time?”

 

Derek sighed deeply, blocked Freyer’s path, and asked. Freyer spoke resolutely and led Lilithia along.

 

“We are going out to eat. Do not follow.”

 

Lilithia seemed mentally flustered by the situation, unsure of what was happening.

 

“Your Highness! Let’s go together.”

 

Derek hurriedly bowed to the butler and followed Freyer. Winnie, who was watching them, muttered softly.

 

“They were holding hands again……”

 

Winnie covered her flushed face with both hands and exclaimed.

 

“Is spring coming soon for our young mistress? I don’t know!”

 

 

***

 

 

Led by Freyer’s hand, I arrived at a seafood specialty restaurant called ‘Lumière Ju.’ When the lavish array of seafood dishes unfolded before my eyes, I found it hard to regain my composure in the midst of the enchantment.

 

‘Look at that scallop steak! It looks so delicious. Is this a dream, perhaps?’

 

I pinched my cheek once and clearly felt the sting.

 

‘I heard this is a place that is difficult to visit even with a large sum of money…’

 

The Empire was unique in that only the southern region was bordered by the sea, making it difficult to find seafood in the central capital. This was the only place in the capital where one could enjoy seafood dishes. Lumière Ju was a popular restaurant with reservations fully booked for a year.

 

“Lobster!”

 

The brightly cooked claws looked incredibly appetizing. These were dishes I couldn’t easily afford to eat even in my previous life. My heart was pounding quickly with excitement.

 

“Lilithia. Let’s finish the admiring and start the meal.”

 

I instantly snapped back to reality. It seemed Freyer had been watching me the whole time.

 

‘How embarrassing…’

 

“Dig in.”

 

As Freyer picked up the fork and knife on the table, I followed him and picked up my cutlery.

 

The enormous scallop steak was sliced smoothly. I opened my mouth wide and took a bite of the steak. A deep ocean wave crashed inside my mouth as the scallop steak melted.

 

“I’m happy…”

 

What else is happiness? A delicious meal was enough happiness.

 

“You seem to genuinely enjoy eating.”

 

“When I eat delicious food, unwanted thoughts don’t enter my mind.”

 

With delicious food and delicious alcohol, the stress that had complicated my mind disappeared. What always comforted me was a glass of beer after work and delicious food.

 

‘It feels like I’ve been rewarded for stopping the episode where Freyer gets injured!’

 

As I looked at my plate to taste the steak again, a slice of scallop steak was placed on it.

 

“Watching you eat is pleasant.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Feeling much more at ease, I took a large bite of the steak Freyer offered, without any suspicion.

 

‘Mmm, it’s delicious!’

 

It was a taste that sent shivers through my body. I knew I would want to eat it again, but I felt regretful as the food diminished. I felt a gaze fixed on me, and when I raised my head, Freyer stood up from his seat.

 

“Where are you going?”

 

Freyer wiped my mouth with his long thumb.

 

“It’s messy.”

 

I awkwardly fumbled with my face. I had been so engrossed in eating that I hadn’t even realized something was on my face.

 

“Th-Thank you.”

 

“Let’s eat together often in the future.”

 

My mind, which had been captivated by the steak, was brought back to reality by Freyer’s words.

 

I had encountered Freyer unintentionally, but if I lingered around him, Freyer might remember me. Today had to be the last day I appeared near him.