Chapter 8
It was obvious Caroline must have said something like, “Why are you two together?”
I glanced at her briefly, then leaned slightly to the side and spoke to the Crown Prince.
“I was taught not to interrupt when others are talking. I apologize for my poor upbringing, Your Highness. Have you been well all this time?”
“…?”
“Oh—perhaps you don’t understand what that means. My apologies. I used an unnecessary foreign phrase due to my lack of education. Though this is our first meeting, has everything in the imperial family been peaceful?”
“…?”
I deliberately greeted him in a way he wouldn’t understand.
Lloyd frowned and flicked his hand dismissively.
Brat. You should’ve just stayed quiet.
Snorting inwardly, I turned my attention to Pere.
I needed to keep her focused on me—so she wouldn’t think about anything else.
“Sister, sister! How was that bread last time? It was really good, right? I know you like espresso with cookies, but when it comes to coffee—a latte! And for bread—salt bread! That combo can’t possibly taste bad. It’s my absolute favorite, so I hope you liked it too.”
“Elly.”
Why are you interrupting, Caroline?
I looked at her as she came all the way to our table.
She even left the Crown Prince behind—wasn’t that rude?
But he didn’t seem to care at all, just calmly drinking his tea.
Looks like he was already very lenient with her.
Unlike how he treated Pere earlier.
“Didn’t you get my letter?”
“Ah, I did. I was going to come, but something came up on the way.”
“What happened?”
“I’m on a date with my sister right now, so can I tell you later?”
“Since when are you close with the duchess—”
“You sure talk a lot. Why is that?”
Pere suddenly cut her off, glaring.
She’s definitely low on sugar…
Why hasn’t the staff brought the food yet?!
I nervously glanced toward the stairs, worried she might explode—
but oblivious Caroline replied,
“I’m sorry, but I have something to discuss with my friend.”
“She’s my friend right now. Are your eyes just for decoration?”
Caroline’s face stiffened instantly.
Meanwhile—
I was already staring at Pere with sparkling eyes.
She called me her friend!!!
“What happened? Did it occur on your way to my house?”
Caroline ignored Pere and asked me again.
Pere let out a dry laugh and spoke loudly enough for her to hear.
“It’s quite amusing for a baron’s daughter to summon a viscount’s daughter like that. Why? Because our Elly used to be a commoner?”
Caroline’s face turned pale.
“Regardless of her origins, she is now part of a viscount’s family. And you—a mere baron’s daughter—think you can order her around?”
Oh my god, she said “our Elly”!
I was deeply moved.
Though… the way she emphasized my background could also sound like she was mocking both me and Caroline.
I understood her usual blunt style—
But others might misunderstand.
Then—
“Duchess, that’s enough.”
Lloyd spoke from behind.
Pere’s expression instantly sharpened, like an angry cat.
Why is he interfering now?
I glared at him internally.
“Your Hiiiighness!”
My sudden shout startled everyone.
Even though I absolutely shouldn’t have—
I cut him off.
I couldn’t just sit still while he kept criticizing Pere.
(Also… I was pretty sure Pere would back me up if he got angry.)
“Forgive my boldness, Your Highness, but I believe conversations among young ladies should remain among ourselves.”
I spoke in an exaggerated, dramatic tone—like something out of a fantasy drama.
Pere, who had been watching me with disbelief, suddenly burst out laughing.
It was the first time I’d seen her laugh so openly.
My eyes widened—
and then I ended up laughing too.
“Lady Brencia, are you mocking me?”
Lloyd said coldly.
He couldn’t openly criticize Pere, so he picked on me instead.
But—
Who did he think my sister was?
“That’s enough, Your Highness.”
Pere shot back immediately, mimicking his tone.
YES! That’s it!
Seeing her in action, just like in the novel—
It was beyond satisfying.
Lloyd glared at her like he wanted to kill her.
Right now, he couldn’t openly mistreat her.
That only happens later, when his power becomes absolute.
But today—
He seemed more aggressive than usual.
Probably because Caroline was here.
“You started this over nothing.”
“Me?”
“You made it sound improper for a baron’s household to invite a viscount’s daughter.”
“Is it not improper? You didn’t even send a formal invitation. You just casually told her to come.”
Pere glanced at Caroline.
Her face stiffened again.
“My father has invited you to our estate before.”
“And that is the same situation?”
“You’re saying it’s not?”
“It seems your judgment is clouded, Your Highness. My father’s actions and this situation are entirely different.”
“At the core, it’s the same—you’re deliberately harassing Lady Caroline. Do you think I didn’t notice when you used your father to summon me, just to keep me from meeting her?”
Pere’s face froze.
“…A scheme?”
She looked like she might cry.
I couldn’t take it anymore.
I stood up abruptly.
“Your Highness! I have something to say to you!”
Caroline looked shocked.
Pere blinked, her tears disappearing as she asked,
“What do you mean?”
But I ignored them and stared straight into Lloyd’s blue eyes.
“If you don’t speak with me now, you will regret it later.”
A cold look settled over his face.
Still—
He agreed.
After signaling Pere that it was okay, I followed him into a private room at the back of the café.
The room was soundproofed with magic, often used for confidential matters.
“So—what is it that I would regret not hearing?”
Lloyd asked as soon as he sat down.
He clearly seemed uneasy about leaving Pere and Caroline behind.
Probably worried Caroline might be mistreated.
Though right now, he only held mild interest in her—
which is why he agreed to come with me.
Now what?
Honestly, I hadn’t planned this far.
I only brought him here to remove him from that situation.
So—
I just stared at him silently.
As if I had something very important to say.
“What is it you wish to tell me, my lady?”
Lloyd asked, slightly frowning.
