CHAPTER 67……..
Like a puppy drenched in water, Reichardt trailed behind me, nervously glancing my way over and over.
“Your Highness, are you angry?”
“Of course not. Why would I be angry at the Marquis Minor?”
“…Your behavior doesn’t seem to agree with that…”
As he said, I was indeed sulking and refusing to even look at Reichardt’s face.
‘But I really couldn’t help it.’
‘He’s looking for the dice, isn’t he? I know that.’
Jeron’s words kept circling in my mind, and I ground my teeth.
Dice.
Having been born and raised in the Estie Empire, and especially as a “princess,” how could I ignore that word?
It was another name for the “Alea Guild.”
Why would the Marquis Minor know the secret slang used among royalty?
‘Is there some connection between Alea and Jeron Idrea?’
I tried to think it over, but unfortunately, in my life before reincarnation, there was hardly any contact with the Idrea Marquis family.
That meant I needed someone’s advice. I was about to consider hiring the guild when I looked back at Reichardt, who was still nervously following me like a restless child.
“Maybe I don’t have to hire them after all…”
“Huh?”
At my sudden words, Reichardt blinked. Then he pointed at himself with his index finger and tilted his head.
“What would you want me to do, Your Highness? It sounds tempting, but given my status, I cannot enter the royal household as a servant—”
“No, I didn’t mean that, Marquis Minor.”
“Ah… I thought you wanted to hire me and keep me close.”
What a breakdown of character settings…
‘Was Reichardt always like this? And why does he actually seem a little disappointed?’
If it were anyone else, they would have thought, “Are you belittling my noble status because I’m royalty?”
But Reichardt’s reaction was so unexpected that I was momentarily at a loss for words and stared blankly at him.
Our eyes met, and I noticed his lake-like blue eyes sparkling in the sunlight.
Almost forgetting the situation, I was about to gaze at him blankly, but I caught myself and cleared my throat.
“Marquis Minor, may I ask you something?”
“Any question from Your Highness is always welcome.”
“Do you know much about Marquis Jeron Idrea?”
The mood dropped like cold water being poured over it.
“…Jeron Idrea, you mean?”
At the same moment, a subtle twitch appeared on Reichardt’s face. Usually quick to answer, this time he remained silent for a long moment before finally speaking.
“That bastard—no, why do you ask about the Marquis?”
“I’m curious.”
“Cu-ri-ous…”
“Everyone in the empire knows that the Marquis Minor and the Marquis are academy classmates. You two seem quite close. What does he do in his free time?”
“I don’t know.”
“Still sword training—right?”
“I already said I don’t understand what the Princess means by this question.”
“Oh… you’re not close to the Marquis Idrea?”
He answered quite coldly.
“Not at all. He is more like an enemy. Our paths are completely different, so we don’t get along.”
“But the Marquis seems to get along well with you—”
“Your Highness.”
Rarely cutting me off, he bluntly denied it.
“The Marquis only bothers me out of his own interest. We don’t really interact.”
“I see…”
I nodded with an unknowingly gloomy expression. Seeing that, his expression noticeably stiffened and he looked anxious.
“Your Highness… why are you suddenly so interested in the Marquis Idrea?”
“There’s a reason. It’s nothing for you to worry about.”
“Not something to worry about… so you’re telling me not to worry about you, Your Highness?”
That’s actually easier for me.
‘To keep the Empress and her faction in check, I need the head of the Alea Guild more than anything.’
Especially now, with all eyes on me, it must not become public that the First Princess Lirien is looking for the head of the Alea Guild.
If that’s discovered, the Empress would ensure my death.
Moreover, Reichardt’s family, the Dukes of Eliett, are neutral. I must be careful.
‘There really isn’t anything for Reichardt to worry about.’
But maybe because I drew a subtle line, the usually pleading look on Reichardt’s face became colder.
From following me closely to suddenly turning his back, he started walking back the way he came. I tilted my head in confusion.
“Marquis Minor?”
He answered when I called.
“Since Your Highness personally told me not to worry, I’ll be going now.”
“Huh?”
“Although I knew you were very cautious, Your Highness, to draw such a strict line even between people who help each other means I haven’t earned your full trust yet. I will work harder.”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden…?”
Surprised, I tried to grab him, but Reichardt was the first to dodge my hand and lowered his eyes sorrowfully.
“I have a lot on my mind, so I’ll be going. Please forgive my rudeness. I’ll see you at the next tea party.”
“No, Marquis Minor, please listen to me…”
I don’t know what you’re thinking to make that face.
He looks like a puppy abandoned by its owner, even pathetic.
I watched him walk away weakly and muttered meaninglessly.
“What’s wrong with him, really…?”
Are you in puberty?
“Hey, what are you doing standing there spaced out?”
“…Isabel.”
“You’re not playing hard to get anymore?”
After Reichardt left, an unwanted guest came to interrupt my solitude.
Frowning deeply, she approached slowly, clearly annoyed, closing the distance.
“Do you know who you’re messing with?”
That trivial question just added to my stress. I sighed softly and averted my gaze, then asked.
“Surely you’re not lost. And I doubt you came here because you missed me. So do you have something else to say, Second Prince?”
“…How do you know that?”
You followed me around blatantly and still don’t know?
‘Sometimes I wonder why I let a fool like you get the better of me. It’s almost unfair now.’
I clicked my tongue at the memory of my past frailty, then looked straight at Isabel.
“So what do you want to say—no, what is it?”
“….”
When I asked, Isabel, who was talkative just moments ago, suddenly bit her lip and shut her mouth.
I knew it.
It looked like she was forced to apologize but hated the idea of actually saying it.
She gave me a sulky look.
After a long pause, she clenched her fist as if struggling alone, then muttered shamefully.
“At that time, I…”
“…”
“I…”
“Mi?”
“….”
What’s ‘Mi’?
I tilted my head and sneered. Then her face turned bright red and she suddenly yelled.
“Ah, I’m sorry!”
Her angry voice echoed across the garden. She turned her head and glared at me with moist eyes as if ready to kill me.
Our eyes met, and I smirked.
“Is that how you apologize?”
“Stupid…!”
“I wish you meant that properly, but I’m busy. The banquet is going on. I have to tell the First Prince I got a proper apology from you, and also—”
“No need!”
“Really?”
“….”
“Are you sure you don’t want my testimony?”
As expected, pushed by Dmitri, Isabel came to apologize but quickly averted her gaze and bit her lips nervously. Dmitri must have pressured her harder than I thought.
I smiled gently as if understanding, and said to Isabel,
“If you want to speak yourself, then do so. I respect your choice.”
Though Dmitri would believe that, I doubted.
Just as I was about to turn my back, Isabel grabbed me desperately and finally let out the voice she had been holding in.
“Wait…!”
I turned at her voice. She trembled all over, lowered her head, and muttered faintly.
“You… tell… my brother for me…”
“What?”
“I’m begging you. He won’t believe me…”
It would’ve been so much better if she’d been honest from the start.
Seeing Isabel’s nearly exploding face, making a request for the first time, I raised the corner of my mouth.
“Alright, big brother.”
But by the time I returned to the banquet hall, Isabel was already gone.
The party ended. When I returned to my room, Ilia came up and handed me a cold glass of tea.
“Did you enjoy the party?”
“Yes.”
“I see.”
Despite my dull response, Ilia calmly handed me something.
“What’s this?”
“A report Lord Sorcie sent to Your Highness. Would you like to read it?”
Ah, has it been that long already?
“Yes.”
When I reached out, the report in Ilia’s hand quickly passed to me. I tapped the report lightly with my finger and sighed softly.
[First Princess, the Empress has begun showing interest in me. She sent a letter.]
Finally!
The Empress had started taking an interest in Orca Sorcie.
‘Soon, I’ll invite him to my palace to try and sway him.’
A new pawn to watch my back.
I smiled slyly.
“Who would just go along quietly?”
I hid Lord Sorcie’s report deep in the desk drawer and leaned back.
“I need to call my grandfather.”
He would have the answers about Alea, and about Jeron Idrea.
And…
“…what about Reichardt?”
Thinking of Alea made me think of Jeron, and thinking of Jeron made Reichardt’s abandoned expression flash again.
I shook my head, eyes shut tight.
‘I want to keep my friendship with Reichardt, even if not an engagement.’
But that expression was definitely disappointment, right?
“Does ‘don’t worry about it’ really hurt that much?”
I was just trying to save him time by not having him worry about unnecessary things.
Before reincarnation, Reichardt never looked at me like that. The future him was cold, hiding emotions and preferences.
That’s why it’s so confusing.
It’s strange and unsettling to see emotions filling his gaze.
I gathered my scattered thoughts with a reluctant expression and slowly turned to look out the terrace window.
The sky was clear and bright, just like his eyes.
I quickly turned back and shook my wrist.
“Bring me some stationery.”
Ilia, standing by the door, nodded and closed the door to get the stationery.
Shortly after, Ilia returned, and I took the stationery and picked up a fountain pen.
The letter would be addressed to—
Marquis Jeron Idrea.
[When should I come?]
The reply arrived immediately.
[Please visit the Idrea family mansion in three days, Your Highness.]
“You came quickly.”
“Huh? What do you mean, Your Highness?”
Ilia tilted her head as she handed me the schedule.
“I got a reply from the Marquis.”
“Oh! They asked you to visit the mansion?”
Ilia didn’t know exactly what I was planning, but she knew I was struggling to survive the Empress’s schemes.
I smiled and shook Jeron’s reply at her.
“I should get the answers I want in three days.”
“You must be happy. You waited two days for his reply! Now all that’s left is for the Princess to sleep peacefully.”
I smiled
back and nodded.
