Chapter 9
Could his reaction just now have something to do with killing my younger siblings?
It was a strangely nagging thought.
“We’re about to have some sandwiches. Do you have any plans, Your Highness?”
Theo stepped forward naturally and made the suggestion.
Thanks to that, the tense atmosphere loosened a bit.
Demian asked again,
“But aren’t there only three sandwiches?”
Theo smiled faintly.
“I’ll give Your Highness my sandwich.”
“Then what will the young duke eat?”
“There should be a food stall nearby. I can buy something there.”
Indeed, near the lakeside there were food stalls for tourists, and if one didn’t mind walking a little further, they could even get a sandwich from a nearby café.
Demian nodded, satisfied with Theo’s answer. We returned to the picnic mat we had spread earlier.
When we opened the picnic basket the maids had prepared, there were only three sets of cutlery and glasses.
They probably didn’t expect anyone else to join. Theo glanced at the awkwardly placed glasses and said,
“We’ll need to go to a nearby café; there aren’t enough glasses.”
“And the cutlery is also insufficient, so a café is better than a street vendor.”
I nodded. If we were going, I’d have to handle it myself.
Since we had asked to be picked up in the evening, no servants from the duke’s household were around.
Luckily, it was a popular picnic spot, so the shop wasn’t far.
But then Demian pointed to the royal guards a few steps away.
“Shall we ask them to fetch it?”
He raised his hand as if about to give an order, but Theo quickly stopped him.
“Oh, no. It’s not that far; I’ll go myself.”
It wouldn’t make sense to send an elite guard responsible for protecting royalty to fetch sandwiches.
So, would he go with Estelle?
Ever since this situation with Demian nearby began, Estelle had been flustered—dropping her fork on the plate and making small mistakes.
Although being with Demian was uncomfortable for me, it was the right thing.
I hoped I could somehow provoke a reaction from him by talking about Estelle.
As I mentally prepared to be left alone with Demian again, Theo cheerfully added,
“I’ll go with sister.”
What? I almost dropped my fork this time. Looking at Theo, he was grinning and pointing beyond the hill.
“I’ll be back shortly.”
Leave Demian and Estelle alone together? I quickly assessed their expressions.
This was completely unexpected behavior from Theo, who always prioritized Estelle’s feelings.
Neither of them would be pleased. And since I didn’t know why Demian had reacted the way he did toward Estelle, I couldn’t leave the two alone.
“No, you should go with Estelle.”
I smiled at Theo. Unfortunately, my oblivious little brother didn’t catch the hint.
Theo didn’t even think of taking Estelle; he just stared blankly at me, still standing.
To make matters worse, Demian spoke up.
“Rose, go ahead. I’m fine.”
What a carefree expression. You may be fine, but I, the observer, am not.
I considered insisting more but realized all three were watching me.
Estelle looked slightly frightened but wasn’t as pale as I expected.
She said to Theo,
“Don’t forget any glasses.”
“I won’t.”
Watching their conversation, I met Demian’s gaze. He had been looking only at me, and in a soft voice said,
“Rose, be careful.”
Could I really leave Estelle behind in this situation?
But if I wanted to refuse, I needed a convincing reason—and I didn’t have the quick wit to come up with one.
Hesitantly, I replied,
“…Alright.”
“Why is that?”
As soon as we moved a bit away from the mat, I poked Theo in the side. Caught off guard, Theo grabbed his side.
But he didn’t scream—he was a knight. Frowning, he asked,
“What were you thinking, sister?”
“What about me?”
“If you were planning to call His Highness, you should have told me first!”
Theo glared at me with a look full of resentment. I was taken aback.
“Why would I…?”
Would I call him while we were just playing around? Estelle had come because she wanted to.
I couldn’t continue my defense and fell silent.
Right now, to Theo, I had suddenly become a naive sister swept up in illusions of love.
If I said something like that in this tone, how would he react?
He was already suspicious, wondering if something had happened or if Demian was threatening me.
He would be sure that advancing the wedding wasn’t my idea.
Then it might not be my father in danger, but Theo.
I quickly corrected my words.
“Do I really need to explain everything? Yesterday, I just said we’d go on a picnic, and that His Highness could come if he wanted. That’s all.”
But I didn’t want to become someone foolish, so obsessed with love that she ignored her family.
I managed to offer a compromise. Theo raised an eyebrow.
“Really?”
“That’s why we only packed three sandwiches.”
Theo nodded in understanding. I quickly changed the subject.
“By the way, is it okay to leave His Highness and Estelle alone?”
“Why?”
“Just… Estelle is still a commoner, and it might be uncomfortable for His Highness.”
Theo glanced subtly at the area behind us and casually said,
“It’s fine. Estelle will need to learn how to interact with royalty eventually.”
“But…”
“She attended your wedding, so she’s had etiquette lessons. She was praised for her manners when greeting you. And Your Highness is the most generous and gentlemanly among royalty.”
I just wanted to say: He’s the one who’s going to kill you! But all I could do was open my mouth slightly.
Theo added casually,
“Of course, we can’t know what he’s thinking.”
I sighed. There was nothing more I could say, so I tapped Theo’s shoulder lightly.
“…Alright, if you’re going to be the future Duchess of Moore, you should make an impression on the royals.”
Theo’s face immediately flushed red. I sighed again.
Fortunately, the nearby café wasn’t far.
Carrying sandwiches and glasses, we returned to the lakeside.
In the distance, I could see black hair and silvery hair gently swaying in the breeze.
Completely opposite, yet strangely similar in feel.
I couldn’t hear what they were talking about, but the mood wasn’t as bad as I had feared.
As we got closer, their conversation became audible.
“Ah, I see!”
Estelle clapped her hands. Her voice was bright.
‘…What are they talking about?’
From the distance, I couldn’t make out their words.
Pausing, Theo muttered,
“What are they talking about?”
Theo didn’t hesitate. He walked ahead, and I followed behind.
When we reached the mat, Estelle spotted us and greeted us.
“Sister, Theo!”
“Estelle.”
I naturally said her name first, then met Demian’s gaze.
Trying not to seem awkward, I added,
“Demian, have you been waiting long?”
“I wanted to see you.”
Demian responded naturally. I had nothing more to say, so I smiled and sat beside him.
Estelle covered her mouth and tapped Theo. She chattered brightly.
“You two really suit each other!”
What conversation did they have to become this close? My mouth felt bitter.
Forcing a smile, Theo asked,
“So, what were you talking about?”
“First love stories.”
Demian said this while pouring raspberry juice into our glasses. The juice in the transparent crystal glasses looked redder than usual.
“First love…?”
Theo glanced at me, unsure how to react, his face stiff.
Demian chuckled softly.
“Yes, Rose. We were talking about you.”
He reached out and grabbed a strand of my hair. Thankfully, he seemed to think I was jealous.
I quickly exhaled and placed my hand over my chest. Then I smiled brightly.
“That was surprising.”
I kept my words brief, afraid a lie would feel like a tongue cramp.
Fortunately, Estelle began speaking passionately.
“It was such a wonderful story! I also want to experience that kind of love.”
Now Theo was flustered.
“What story was it?”
“Well…”
Estelle glanced briefly at Demian. He smiled faintly and cut in.
“I told her how I fell for Rose.”
I widened my eyes. Theo asked,
“You fell for her?”
“Yes, twenty years ago.”
Twenty years ago… That was when my mother was alive, long before any engagement talk.
Had I even met Demian around then? I couldn’t remember—it was too early in my life.
“May I ask when exactly you fell in love?”
