Chapter 52
At that moment, Eiela’s eyes met Franz’s. The humiliation from yesterday came back to him, so Franz deliberately looked at her indifferently before turning his head away as if he didn’t know her.
“Why is he being so cold?”
Eiela was briefly flustered but then remembered the dramatic effect they had talked about not long ago.
“Ah, I see!”
She decided not to be upset, thinking this too must be part of the plan. From Franz’s perspective, however, her carefree calmness was enough to make his chest feel tight with frustration.
With a look as if she didn’t understand what was wrong, Eiela sighed inwardly. What on earth was going on?
Queen Elisabeth lifted her teacup and carefully observed Franz’s expression. Her son, who rarely revealed his true feelings, didn’t look as detached or indifferent as usual today.
She smiled to herself, curious about which young lady had caught his interest for once. Following her gaze, she saw two graceful young ladies glowing with charm. One of them was even a familiar face.
“Oh, I thought I’d seen her before—she’s the daughter of Viscount Clarence who just made her debut. They say she’s the flower of this year’s social season.”
At the queen’s words, Franz lowered his gaze, and Elisabeth immediately instructed a servant to bring the ladies over.
“You’re not planning to introduce every debutante of the year to me, are you?” Franz asked with concern.
The queen chuckled like a girl.
“Oh my, that’s not such a bad idea.”
Such was her bold, motherly nature.
“I’ll have to decline such a favor, Mother.”
Elisabeth’s lips curved into a pleased smile.
“My rule is to never repeat the same mistake twice.”
That was Franz’s philosophy as well. He took a sip of tea with a composed expression, though the fragrant flavor somehow tasted bitter today.
When the ladies arrived, Queen Elisabeth welcomed them with a broad smile.
“Welcome, Lady Clarence. Lady Linton.”
“We greet Your Majesty the Queen,” Laura Clarence and Bernie Linton said politely.
“Eiela Clarence, eldest daughter of Viscount Clarence, pays her respects to Your Majesty.”
“Louisa Clarence, second daughter of Viscount Clarence, pays her respects to Your Majesty.”
Louisa gave a composed greeting, while Eiela also bowed politely as she had been taught. Yet, she seemed flustered at being unexpectedly called, her trembling eyes revealing her nervousness.
“Lady Louisa, you are still as beautiful as ever. This is the first time we’ve met since your debut, is it not?”
“Your praise is too much, Your Majesty.”
“And Lady Clarence… you look familiar somehow. Have we met before?”
Though Eiela’s charms were different from Louisa’s, there was a strange resemblance between the two. If she were groomed properly, she would be no less a beauty than her younger sister.
“Eiela debuted three years ago, but due to poor health, she hasn’t been active in society, Your Majesty,” explained Laura Clarence.
“Oh my, is that so? How unfortunate.” Elisabeth’s expression softened with pity.
“She has grown much healthier now. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty.”
“I’m glad to see you well,” the queen said warmly, smiling kindly at Eiela.
But Franz, who knew the truth, smirked inwardly.
“For someone supposedly in poor health, her rosy cheeks, dewy skin, and red lips don’t seem very convincing.”
Eiela, sensing his cynical gaze, felt a pang of guilt. Though nervous, she oddly found her unease easing thanks to the prince’s presence.
“We meet again, my lady,” Franz suddenly spoke to her.
Everyone looked at them in surprise.
Most shocked of all was Queen Elisabeth. Never before had Franz initiated conversation with a young lady—Eiela Clarence was the first.
Though startled by his unexpected behavior, Eiela forced a smile and replied calmly,
“It’s been a while, Prince… no, Your Highness.”
She had almost called him “prince” as she usually did, but quickly corrected herself.
Franz gave her a brief nod with a faint smile before politely greeting the others as well.
Those who had been stunned accepted Franz’s brief explanation that they had met at the Academy. Since Eiela had never appeared at balls or even gone out much except for the Academy, it was a reasonable explanation.
The atmosphere beneath the pergola was tense beneath the surface, though outwardly peaceful.
Queen Elisabeth wore a serene smile. Franz’s unusually softened demeanor piqued her curiosity. She could almost guess what was going on.
Unlike the unreadable Franz, Eiela revealed more than she realized. Each time their eyes met, she quickly looked away, while Franz seemed amused rather than displeased.
“Oh my. It seems they’re not even at the starting point yet…”
Behind her teacup, Elisabeth’s lips curved upward.
She couldn’t make hasty conclusions, but it was clear Franz was interested. What a shame to be the only one privy to such an entertaining sight.
“Franz, Lady Clarence says this is her first visit to Grenville. Why don’t you give her a tour? Oh, but I recall she has not been in the best of health…”
Eiela looked at him with wide eyes. So it wasn’t her imagination—he did look somewhat unwell. Was it because of the rain yesterday? She felt a stab of guilt.
“Oh dear, Your Highness… what happened?” asked Laura Clarence with concern.
“He went for a walk in the forest yesterday and was caught in the rain,” the queen explained sympathetically.
Eiela lowered her head, certain it was her fault. Meanwhile, the ladies continued their chatter.
“Ah, you mean Humphrey’s Hill, connected to the upper gardens of Grenville. I’ve heard of it, that it’s far more beautiful than even the lower gardens.”
“Such a sudden shower yesterday—His Highness must not have had time to take shelter.”
“Still, it’s fortunate he hasn’t fallen seriously ill. Isn’t that right, Franz?”
The queen smiled warmly at him.
“Indeed. I was feeling stiff from sitting too long anyway.”
As he stood, all eyes naturally turned toward him.
“Would you grant me the honor of accompanying your two lovely daughters on a walk, Lady Clarence?”
He was courteous and elegant, his graceful gesture and charming smile making refusal impossible.
Laura Clarence returned his politeness with a smile.
“If my daughters agree, of course I have no objection.”
She glanced at them. Louisa beamed.
“It would be our great honor.”
Franz turned his gaze to Eiela, who this time neither panicked nor looked startled.
“…It would be an honor,” she said softly, trying to keep her voice calm.
As the three walked together, murmurs of envy rose from the surrounding young men.
“Franz, are you serious right now?”
“What, trying to catch two birds with one stone? No, right? Please tell me no.”
“You heartless fellow!”
Franz’s lips twitched slightly in amusement. The more people told him not to, the more he wanted to.
Unbothered by the envious stares, he walked leisurely, savoring the garden’s beauty alongside the two ladies.
Meanwhile, the men watching could only feel bitter. They lacked his perfect looks, and none could compare to his wealth either.
When they had walked far enough from the pergola, Franz asked Eiela,
“Don’t you dislike occasions like this?”
Eiela hadn’t expected such a personal question. Louisa, even more surprised, turned to her sister in astonishment.
Eiela whispered, “I’ll explain later,” then looked at Franz.
“With weather like this, it feels wrong to stay indoors.”
“True. If you had stayed home, your hands would be raw again, wouldn’t they?”
“Wait, why is he taking it in that direction?”
Eiela shot him a playful glare.
“That’s not what I meant.”
Embarrassed, she protested, and Franz chuckled quietly.
“Do you know my sister well?” Louisa asked, watching the two with curiosity.
“Of course I do.”
“What?”
“Excuse me, what do you mean…?”
Both sisters looked at him in surprise.
“She was the smartest at the Academy.”
Louisa tilted her head, then exclaimed, “Ah!” as if it made sense.
“What? She actually believes that?”
Eiela stared at him in disbelief. By the numbers, her grades hadn’t been outstanding enough to be called the “smartest.”
“What exactly are you doing right now?”
As she looked at him in protest, Franz smiled mysteriously and added,
“And she’s beautiful too.”
