Chapter 16

‘I didn’t hear anything. Nope, I absolutely heard nothing.’

Striding unusually fast, I entered the drawing room to find a large man beaming innocently at me.

“Lady Karnian, have you been well?”

“Oh? Lord Tregosnan?”

I didn’t know why this guy had shown up claiming to represent the Faroi family, but hey—what a perfect opportunity.

The fated meeting of the original male and female lead!

I’ll get sparks flying between them and get them engaged as soon as possible.

While glancing over the documents Theodore had brought, I stole a look at him—and couldn’t help but chuckle.

‘He must’ve fallen for Lapheche at first sight.’

How do I know? Because he was staring at her the whole time, completely oblivious to what I was reading—or even that I was watching him.

‘Still… what an odd connection to my future brother-in-law.’

Since Theodore was bound to become a son-in-law anyway, I hadn’t paid it much attention. But as I looked through the papers more closely, I finally understood why he’d come.

His maternal side was from the Celeste barony—Lapheche’s family—and his paternal side was from the Tregosnan County.

‘Wait… was it like this in the original too?’

I was still trying to recall when Theodore snapped out of it and addressed me.

“Ah, come to think of it, Gideon mentioned that you were helping with the wedding preparations.”

“Yes. My sister is so busy that I’m managing things in her stead.”

“You must be quite trusted.”

His surprise was understandable. In most noble families, the moment you have three or more sons with big egos, it’s a constant power struggle.

‘But in our house, my sisters’ abilities are beyond question.’

My eldest sister, Elga, inherited all of our mother’s martial prowess. The ducal title would be hers.

My second sister, Juela, used her sharp mind and talent for commerce to build our trading company into the empire’s best in just five years. That business was already hers too.

‘Their love? That’s mine.’

I just had to quietly bask in that love and enjoy the overflowing wealth. On my birthdays, I get gifted manors, farms, even islands. Why stir up unnecessary trouble?

So I smiled and said simply, “Of course. We’re family.”

Theodore looked a little awed, then turned his attention back to Lapheche. Seemingly encouraged, he finally started speaking to her.

“You must like tea. If you ever have time, perhaps—”

“No. I have trouble sleeping when I drink tea.”

“Uh… but what you’re drinking now…”

“This is herbal tea.”

“It’s… red.”

It all came from the same pot anyway, but Lapheche replied without the faintest hint of shame.

“Herbal. Tea.”

“…Right. Ah, do you enjoy opera by any chance? If you ever have time—”

“No. I’m claustrophobic and hate enclosed spaces. I guess I’m a bit rustic.”

A total stone wall. She shut him down so definitively that Theodore was left more flustered than when he started.

“N-No, of course. That’s just personal preference, not rustic at all! I didn’t mean it like that…”

“Yes.”

Oh dear. I never thought I’d feel bad for Theodore of all people.

‘I was never going to forgive him for calling me a raccoon, but…’

After Theodore left, I carefully asked Lapheche, “Miss Lapheche, by any chance… are you not fond of Lord Tregosnan?”

“No.”

Whoa. That was… blunt.

“I want a man who’s devoted, who’ll only ever look at me.”

Well, I mean—I want that too. But Lapheche said it like she was certain Theodore was the type to cheat.

“How can you tell something like that? Can you tell just by looking?”

At that, Lapheche clearly panicked. The cold, indifferent woman who’d been fending off Theodore so decisively was suddenly gone.

“Oh, um, well. I just had a feeling. Hohoho… a hunch, you know?”

“Is that so? You must have sharp instincts.”

“S-Sometimes they turn out to be right.”

“Instincts are important.”

“Yes. Y-You’re right.”

Then why are you sweating so much, Lapheche?

I narrowed my eyes, watching her closely—but she kept her gaze fixed on the documents and didn’t say another word.

* * *

The royal family’s weekly tea time.

The Emperor, the Crown Princess, and Esadien sat around a round table, enjoying a quiet moment together.

“These days, our little darling doesn’t seem to be around. Has she decided not to come anymore?”

The Emperor, who had been sipping lemon tea—apparently worried about losing his appetite in the summer heat—suddenly broke the silence.

“Whom do you refer to as ‘darling,’ Your Majesty?”

It had been twenty years since a baby was last born into the Imperial family. After a moment of consideration, Esadien gave up trying to guess and asked. The Crown Princess clicked her tongue.

“Obviously, he means Minuelle. Come on.”

Darling, huh? Sure, she was small and had skin as soft as a peach, but still… calling her little felt a bit much.

“Ahem.”

Startled by the Emperor’s clearing of his throat, Esadien snapped back to attention, straightening his posture.

“She said she won’t be able to visit for a while because she’s busy preparing for her second sister’s wedding.”

As soon as Esadien gave his answer, the Emperor shook his head.

“Have you ever seen such a clueless boy?”

“…Pardon?”

“If she can’t come, then you should go show your face. Esadien, how many times have you visited the ducal estate?”

“I visited once recently to check on her while she was ill.”

The Emperor and the Crown Princess let out a synchronized sigh and exchanged exasperated looks.

“That was a visit you had to make! And even then, didn’t you only go because people pushed you into it? You haven’t been since, have you?”

Esadien silently lowered his head. His Majesty always seemed to know everything.

Over his bowed head, the Emperor’s sigh morphed into a stream of gentle scolding.

“I knew it. Esadien, I understand why you live as if locked away in the Prince’s palace.”

Taking another sip of tea, the Emperor continued.

“But remember this: no relationship is one-sided. No matter how noble the feeling, if you only pour it out and never receive anything back, it will wear away eventually.”

“…I will keep that in mind.”

“I’m glad you seem to understand. Now, all that’s left is for you to get in the carriage and go.”

“…Pardon?”

Esadien snapped his head up in surprise.

The Emperor and Crown Princess both wore matching expressions of amused satisfaction.

‘So they planned to send me to the ducal estate all along…’

A bead of sweat trickled down Esadien’s back.

“But I haven’t even sent a letter ahead…”

“That’s why it’s called a surprise visit, my boy. Besides, we know you well enough—you’d just spend days agonizing over it and then give up. We had no choice.”

The Emperor’s boisterous laughter echoed in Esadien’s mind as he stepped into the grand foyer of the Duke’s residence.

Just as surprised by Esadien’s unexpected visit was the butler of House Karnian, who hesitated for a moment.

But a seasoned professional who had welcomed countless guests, the butler quickly regained his composure and spoke politely to Esadien.

“Forgive this lowly one for asking, but Lady Minuelle has just begun her meal due to her busy schedule. If Your Highness has not yet had lunch either, would you care to join her?”

Though Esadien had just had tea a short while ago and wasn’t particularly hungry, he nodded readily. He didn’t want Minuelle’s meal to be disturbed because of him.

“Let’s do that.”

Minuelle was on a rather large terrace connected to the first-floor parlor.

As soon as Esadien entered the parlor following the butler, his eyes were drawn to Minuelle’s profile as she sat basking in the sunlight with her chin resting in her hand.

Just seeing her serene smile, eyes gently closed, made all the confusion stirred up by the Emperor dissolve without a trace.

‘Looks like she’s been doing well.’

But as he approached, he began to hear the murmur of conversation.

“Stop playing with your feet and focus on eating.”

“Nope.”

“Unless you want me to tickle you.”

“If you tickle me, I’ll eat even less.”

There was someone sitting across from Minuelle. A familiar face.

‘That priest, wasn’t it?’

The way he joked with Minuelle looked far too natural.

“Lady Minuelle, His Highness the Third Prince has arrived.”

“Huh?”

Who showed up here?

Minuelle’s eyes widened in surprise before a bright smile spread across her face. Bathed in sunlight, she practically glowed, and Esadien unconsciously relaxed the hand he had clenched tight.

“Esadien!”

Minuelle called out his name happily and jumped to her feet. But in the next instant, she stumbled—apparently having stepped on her own hem—and Esadien reflexively stepped forward.

But someone beat him to it: Ramande.

Ramande swiftly caught and steadied her, and Esadien came to an awkward halt.

“……”

His eyes locked onto Ramande’s hands—firmly supporting Minuelle’s waist and arm.

“Again, again. What would you do without me?”

“I’d be doomed. How could I live without you, Ramande?”

“Honestly, you’ve got such a silver tongue.”

The two were clearly used to this kind of thing—entirely at ease.

Esadien reminded himself they were childhood friends, but for some reason, he couldn’t stop fixating on those hands.

“Oh my gosh, Esadien! Is this a dream?!”

Thankfully, Minuelle soon stepped away from Ramande and came running toward Esadien.

Normally, she would have embraced him the moment she saw him, but perhaps out of disbelief, she simply stared at him for a long moment… then finally threw herself into his arms.

“If you had sent word, I would have come out to greet you.”

“Sorry. This was rather sudden.”

Minuelle shook her head, her face still buried against his chest.

“No need. I’ve missed you so much.”

Her voice, muffled against his chest, made him feel like his arms were finally full again.

Esadien’s expression softened. He lifted a hand and gently stroked her back.

“But Minuelle… have you gotten thinner again?”

“Please, Your Highness, tell the Young Lady to increase her meal portions,” the butler interjected immediately, as if waiting for his cue.

“I have been eating a lot! Really!”

“Alright. For now, just finish your meal.”

For Esadien, that was an uncharacteristically gentle tone. Minuelle pouted but clung to his arm as they returned to the table.

“It’s an honor to see you again, Your Highness.”

Ramande’s eyes followed from where Minuelle had clung to Esadien’s chest, rising slowly until they met Esadien’s.

“Likewise, Priest of Plendena.”

Their gazes briefly locked in a charged silence—but only for a moment. Outwardly, they exchanged the most cordial of greetings.

Unaware of the tension that had just passed between the two men, the butler once again addressed Minuelle.

“My Lady, since His Highness will be joining you, please take your time with your meal.”