MVH 148

-148-

“That’s, um…”

“Um?”

“Well, it’s just that…”

“……”

Uncharacteristically, Lucious couldn’t give me a proper answer. Since he was struggling, I had no choice but to speak up myself. From the way he looked, it seemed he truly didn’t perceive Rayel as a man.

Of course, it wasn’t like I would ever have improper feelings toward Rayel, but still—he is biologically a man. Isn’t that something Lucious should at least be wary of? Or does he just dismiss it because Rayel is the “brother” he admires and trusts so much? This man, honestly…

“Lucious, I know how much you admire, trust, and like His Majesty. I also think he’s an incredible person. But Lucious, if I keep praising His Majesty like this, do you really feel only proud and nothing else?”

“…I do feel proud, but I also dislike it.”

“Exactly. Remember before, when I praised His Majesty, you didn’t like it either? Back then you were so quick to show your jealousy—so why can’t you be just as alert about what really matters? Are you fine with me showing my defenseless side in front of His Majesty?”

“Absolutely not. Impossible. Only I should ever see your defenseless side.”

When I pressed him firmly, Lucious finally shook his head with a grim face, as if realizing something important. And to think he could be so decisive this quickly… Really, he leaves me no choice. Since he’s my husband, I’ll forgive him just this once.

I tightened my grip on his hands and pulled him toward me. He obediently stepped closer, looking at me with a tense expression.

“I feel the same way. I only want you, Lucious, to see me at my most defenseless. I’m your wife, your woman alone. You understand what I mean, don’t you?”

“…Yes. I was far too careless. I’ll be more mindful from now on.”

“Good.”

I had practically spelled it out for him, but at least he understood. When he squeezed my hands firmly in return, I felt reassured and couldn’t help but smile.

Releasing his hands, I looped my arm through his once more and quickened my pace. We shouldn’t keep Alexandra waiting too long.

“Welcome, Tiana. And Lucious, Brother.”

When we entered the parlor, Alexandra rose from her seat with a bright smile. As she came forward with open arms, I hugged her warmly before greeting her with genuine joy.

“Alexandra, how have you been?”

“Of course, I’ve been well. It was tough working on His Majesty Rayel’s and Lady Werner’s wedding attire, but I managed to finish everything safely.”

“That’s a relief. You must’ve been exhausted.”

“Exhausted is an understatement. You can’t imagine how much I suffered from His Majesty’s unreasonable demands. I’ll definitely make sure he pays me back for this ordeal.”

“Make him give you the very best.”

Her fiery glare showed just how much effort she had put in, likely spending countless nights without sleep. No wonder she was ready to hold a grudge.

Still, the thought of Rayel and Angelica’s wedding attire being finished piqued my curiosity. Maybe I’d get a sneak peek.

“Your Grace, Your Ladyship, welcome. Please, don’t just stand—take a seat.”

“Oh, thank you.”

As we exchanged greetings, the head maid entered with attendants carrying trays. One caught my eye immediately—a teapot and teacups adorned with delicate blue roses. I had never seen them before.

Judging by the design, they must’ve come from Angelica’s family, but it was a brand-new style. A new release?

I couldn’t take my eyes off it even as I sat down, and Alexandra noticed, chuckling as she said:

“Judging from your gaze, Tiana, I’d say you’ve taken quite a liking to that teapot and teacup set. Gorgeous, isn’t it?”

“Yes, very much. Is it a new Werner design? I haven’t seen it before.”

“That’s right, it’s new. But you couldn’t have seen it anywhere—this is the only one of its kind in the entire world.”

“What do you mean?”

The only one? As in, they only made one piece? Something so beautiful?

An item of such quality should be produced for collectors at the very least. With that stunning design, it would sell out in an instant.

“You’re not saying they only made one and won’t sell any, right? That would be such a shame—it’s too beautiful.”

“No, no. It is new, but this isn’t for sale.”

“Huh? Then what is it? A display piece for the showroom?”

“Not that either. Hehe.”

“……?”

If it’s not for sale or display, then what…? I looked at Alexandra, baffled, and she smiled brightly as she revealed:

“It’s a gift from Lady Werner to you, Tiana.”

“What? To me… a gift?”

“Yes. This is a one-of-a-kind teapot and teacup set, made just for you.”

“My goodness…”

I was stunned. My own personal teapot and teacup set? And a gift from Angelica herself?

Seeing my surprise, Alexandra explained further:

“Apparently you helped His Majesty Rayel with his proposal. Thanks to you, Lady Werner received such a beautiful proposal that she wanted to repay you somehow.”

“Really? But I don’t think I did anything worth a gift.”

“Oh, you did. I heard the way you suggested the proposal was simply brilliant. If I were proposed to like that, I’d be deeply moved and happy too.”

“Hm…”

Hearing that stirred something inside me. So this was why Angelica sent me such a gift. But honestly, that proposal idea wasn’t even mine…

‘I just told him what happened in the original story.’

It felt wrong to receive such a gift for something I hadn’t truly thought up myself. I even felt a little guilty toward Angelica.

“Lady Werner said you gave her such a precious memory, so she wanted to give you something equally special. I helped a little, too.”

“You did, Alexandra?”

“Yes. You love blue roses, don’t you? You often drink Roland’s Blue Rose Tea, so I thought a matching teapot and cup set would be perfect.”

“Ah…”

“She must have found inspiration from that, because she came back with this stunning design. If it weren’t meant as your gift, I would’ve bought it myself.”

Even Alexandra’s eyes lingered longingly on the set. Yikes—if I wasn’t careful, she might steal it.

Regardless, this was a gift Angelica had carefully prepared for me. There was no reason to refuse.

“It’s truly beautiful. I almost feel unworthy of accepting it.”

“Please accept it. Lady Werner put a lot of thought into it. She also said she’s grateful to you for being so kind and considerate to her until now.”

“I hardly did anything. If anything, I’m grateful to have made such a wonderful friend in Angelica.”

“She told me to pass on her thanks for that, too. She said she’s grateful you accepted someone like her as a friend.”

“Oh, Angelica…”

Someone like her? What nonsense. There’s no one else like her.

At first, I was only interested in her because she was the ‘heroine’ of the original story. But as I came to know her, I realized she was far more than that—she was Angelica herself, a genuinely captivating person.

That’s why I wanted to be her true friend. Now, like Alexandra, she had become someone irreplaceable to me.

Although Angelica still kept a little distance in how she treated me, we were far closer than before. And with a gift like this, maybe I had truly won her heart.

“She originally wanted to give it to you herself, but wedding preparations have her so busy. And with His Majesty calling on her almost daily, she simply had no time to visit. So she asked me to deliver it.”

“I see. Oh, that reminds me—His Majesty mentioned she’d be joining him for lunch today as well.”

“Really? That explains why their head chef seemed so busy earlier.”

“You know His Majesty’s head chef?”

I asked curiously. I didn’t expect her to know Rayel’s chef. Alexandra nodded.

“Of course I do. His Majesty went through a lot to bring him here. I’ve even eaten his cooking a few times when I visited His Majesty’s palace.”

“I see. What kind of person is he? His Majesty said he’s very proud of his skills but also a bit stubborn.”

“Drek? That’s the perfect description. He absolutely refuses to cook dishes he dislikes, and he won’t cook for people he doesn’t like either. He’s picky and biased—no one but His Majesty would dare hire him.”

“I see.”

So Rayel’s words had been accurate. The more I heard, the more I wanted to see him in person. And since he was preparing today’s lunch, maybe I’d get the chance.

“Thank you for delivering this gift, Alexandra. I’ll make sure to thank Angelica myself.”

“Good. But don’t I deserve a little something for delivering it?”

Her eyes sparkled mischievously, flicking toward the teapot and cups. Smiling, I replied:

“Of course you do. How about after lunch, we use this set for tea together?”

“That’s more than enough. It’ll be lovely.”

Satisfied, she smiled happily.

Before long, lunchtime drew near. Rising from her seat, Alexandra said:

“Lunch should be ready by now. Let’s go. Lucious, it’s been a while since you’ve eaten in my palace, hasn’t it?”

“Yes, it has.”

“The cooks at your estate must be wonderful, but today you’ll have to settle for mine. They actually suit my tastes quite well.”

As she said this casually, I suddenly felt puzzled. His Majesty had specifically told me his head chef would prepare today’s meal. Did Alexandra not know?

Lucious and I exchanged a confused glance. I quickly called out before she could leave.

“Alexandra, wait. Did you not hear? His Majesty said his head chef would be preparing today’s lunch.”

“What? Really?”

“Yes. He told me himself, when he heard Lucious and I were coming.”

“I’d only heard that you two were visiting—I had no idea His Majesty’s chef would be cooking! Truly? Drek is making lunch?”

“That’s right.”

“My goodness, what a surprise! That Drek cooking for anyone other than His Majesty… I’ve only ever had his food once myself.”

“Really?”

Even Alexandra, who often visited Rayel’s palace, had only eaten Drek’s food once. And now I was about to eat it twice in one day. Was I using up all my luck this year at once?

“In that case, we can’t just sit here! We must get ready.”

“Get ready?”

“Ready to eat Drek’s food. If you’re late to the table, he’ll get angry about the timing being ruined.”

“…He’s that strict?”

Good grief. That man was lucky he hadn’t been executed for insulting royalty. Still, if his food was that good, perhaps they tolerated him.

“Come on, Tiana.”

“All right.”

Excited, Alexandra hurried out of the parlor. I was about to follow when Lucious suddenly caught my hand.

At the same time, he closed the wide-open door and locked it.

“Lucious? Why did you…”

“……”

“Lucious…?”