Chapter 31
“It’s in Agreement”
“Of course, Duke. The tea party is still in full swing.”
“Duke, we’ve been waiting for you.”
I spoke politely, as if I had never been uncultured, while Daymond straightened his posture and welcomed Cedric.
The maids had prepared a seat for Cedric from the start. There was an empty chair between Daymond and Nanessa, directly across from me.
Just as Cedric took a step forward, Nanessa called Yuri over.
“Yuri, would you come here? It would be uncomfortable for the Duke to sit between us. Duke Daymond, is that all right?”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Yuri immediately stood and moved when Nanessa spoke.
Maids who appeared out of nowhere quickly rearranged the spot where Yuri had been sitting. In front of Cedric and Yuri, new glasses, empty plates, and dessert cutlery were placed. Tea was poured into the cups, and the maids withdrew.
“We were just talking about the heat, Duke.”
Nanessa said softly to Cedric. He responded politely with a short acknowledgment and sipped his tea. After that, a very courteous, light conversation took place between Nanessa and Cedric.
“Did you finish all your work?”
“Yes, Princess.”
I asked Cedric, while at the same time Nanessa subtly spoke a few words to Yuri. She murmured something mixing words like “hand,” “rudeness,” and “coming of age.”
I turned my attention back to Cedric. I had long known that when Daymond’s group started talking among themselves, it was hard to join in.
Daymond’s friends often laughed at contexts I couldn’t understand or steered the conversation in directions I couldn’t follow.
Even today, Yuri smiled while talking about wizards, age twenty-one, coming of age, and things I had no idea about. Daymond added comments mixing words like “eyes,” “fun,” and “teasing.”
Experience had taught me that trying to follow Daymond’s group would leave me isolated. I looked into Cedric’s cherry-colored eyes in the dimming garden.
“You must have been tired handling urgent matters this evening, Duke.”
“It wasn’t difficult.”
The conversation of Daymond and his friends had already moved far beyond comprehension. The three of them laughed heartily together. Daymond’s friends, as always, seemed genuinely happy.
It had always been like that. No matter how much I focused, the conversation was never interesting to me, yet they laughed loudly at what they found fun.
It was clear that what bound Daymond’s group together was more than just the nickname “Troublemakers.” Even in today’s conversation, unrelated words like “slingshot,” “mushroom,” and “piano” were scattered throughout.
I leaned slightly toward Cedric so that my voice could reach him better. I placed my palm near my mouth and spoke clearly.
“Tonight’s dinner was truly excellent, Duke.”
“Is that so?”
Cedric leaned slightly toward me as well.
“The dishes were perfectly Lundra-style.”
“The chef will be pleased to hear that.”
I lowered my voice slightly, as if sharing a secret.
“No one expected to taste authentic Lundra cuisine here in Owen. We made sure they experienced it properly!”
Cedric smiled.
“Did we?”
“Yes! Truly! Everyone must have been secretly surprised.”
I nodded emphatically. Cedric’s cherry-colored eyes met mine quietly.
I whispered the names of the delicious dishes so that only Cedric could hear.
He listened attentively and occasionally nodded or replied softly, “Indeed,” in agreement. Encouraged, I went into more detail about the food.
The paprika in the chicken soup was perfectly cooked, and the plum dessert was incredibly smooth.
Then followed a stream of “Indeed,” “Yes, I think so too.”
Occasionally Yuri would pop out from their conversation to push a plate of cookies toward me, then turn to Cedric and smile. Today, I thought, she really seems unbothered.
The next day, we decided to visit the newly opened botanical garden.
“It’s better not to go outside. Princess Daisy recently suffered from heatstroke, so even with Yuri’s magic, it’s safer to avoid direct sunlight.”
Nanessa said in a clear, precise tone.
Yuri’s magic still made me feel comfortable, but I wasn’t going to insist on seeing every outdoor area. Besides, I didn’t even know what a botanical garden was.
Early in the morning, my brother and his friends had arrived at the Duke’s residence, parked the rented carriage on the main road, and were making a commotion without even getting out.
Nanessa stayed silent, Yuri nearly dozed off, and Daymond excitedly shared his plans.
We had stopped in front of the Duke’s house entirely because of Daymond.
He had rushed the group, arriving much earlier than scheduled, so Sir Mathis and Sir Diego hadn’t caught up yet.
Through a maid, we learned that Sir Mathis and Sir Diego were quickly approaching.
I stayed outside the carriage, both to wait for the knights and to delay getting in as long as possible.
From the knight’s area, I saw Sir Mathis and Sir Diego walking toward our carriage.
But they weren’t alone—Cedric was with them. Two knights behind Cedric saw us and bowed respectfully.
“Good morning, Duke Daymond.”
Inside the carriage, only Daymond gave Cedric a brief greeting. Everyone else was still seated, making it awkward to get out.
Daymond and Nanessa leaned slightly through the open carriage door.
“Good morning.”
Cedric greeted them. Nanessa, looking slightly uncomfortable, inclined her head in response.
For Nanessa, who valued principles and etiquette above all, there could hardly be a more awkward moment than having to sit in a carriage and simply bow to a foreign duke.
“Good morning, Duke.”
“Yes, good morning, Princess.”
“Well… we are—”
I slightly turned and looked at Daymond and Nanessa leaning out of the narrow carriage door. Both, having received the highest-level cultural education in the Kingdom of Lundra, looked extremely awkward.
“I’m going out today with my brother.”
“I see.”
Cedric spoke formally, expression calm as usual.
Between dawn and morning, suddenly facing the house owner on the main road, unable to get in or out of the carriage, with princes and nobles standing in front of me—this awkwardness seemed only to affect the people from Lundra. Nanessa’s eyes, though composed, flickered nervously.
“Well… yes. As you know, while my brother is staying in Owen, we plan to tour Arcen’s city sites when we have free time.”
Having received an equally advanced cultural education, I continued speaking as naturally as possible.
Cedric waited for confirmation or a signal to go, but we couldn’t announce that we were starting the tour without leaving the carriage.
“What kind of sites will you visit?”
It seemed Cedric hadn’t noticed our awkwardness. I thought he was simply indifferent, but perhaps he just lacked the sense of social awareness. I adjusted my understanding of him.
“We’re going to the botanical garden today. We heard there’s a large one in Arcen.”
“I see.”
I began worrying about my older siblings leaning out of the carriage, both physically and mentally.
I decided I would speak up, even if it seemed a bit impolite, and later apologize to Cedric for any rudeness.
Just as I opened my mouth, Daymond’s voice came from inside the carriage.
“Duke Daymond. I know this is sudden and may be impolite, but would you join us for the outing? Since we are all foreigners, your presence would be very helpful.”
Daymond suddenly invited Cedric.
I was the only one taken aback. Before I could respond, Cedric quickly accepted.
“I would be happy to help. Thank you for the invitation, Prince Daymond.”
Thus, the five of us went to the botanical garden.
