CHAPTER 129………………………………..
When Esther made a face that seemed to say, “What kind of nonsense is that?” the Crown Prince laughed cheerfully.
“You don’t speak your thoughts aloud, yet your expressions reveal everything you want to say.”
“…Is that a complaint?”
“No, that’s why I like it.”
“If everything shows on the Crown Princess’s face, there’s nothing good about that.”
When Esther pointed out the flaw, he fell silent for a moment before bursting into laughter again.
By the time Esther was left speechless at his carefree laughter, he shrugged his shoulders.
“It doesn’t matter. Even without speaking, I feel like you could manipulate others however you want.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Just… it seems that way. You look like a well-raised noble lady, but sometimes you don’t.”
The Crown Prince crossed his arms and spoke with a meaningful tone. When Esther frowned, he nodded slightly.
“I’d like to talk more, but we’ve already arrived. How about continuing the rest downstairs?”
Was there anything left to talk about?
Even so, Esther accepted his escort and got out of the carriage obediently.
Just as she was about to enter the shop, a young soprano voice rang out nearby.
“Oh? Your Highness… and Miss Surtr?”
Hearing a familiar voice, she turned her head and saw someone staring wide-eyed. Esther briefly closed her mouth.
“Charlina…”
One of the ladies she had met at the banquet.
“…and Sid.”
Next to her was Sidereus escorting Charlina.
Sidereus looked slightly startled, eyes wide, while Esther chose to remain silent.
As expected, Esther stayed quiet for a moment, flustered by the unexpected pairing in an unexpected place.
She slowly moved her lips and furrowed her brow slightly.
“I didn’t expect you two to be here.”
“From the Empire…”
As the two tried to greet them, the Crown Prince waved his hand. Charlina and Sidereus straightened their bent posture.
“No need, no need. What kind of greeting outside… We came out quietly, you see.”
With that many guards behind them, they came out “quietly”?
Esther opened her mouth to say something, then shut it again.
Here, somehow, her common sense felt utterly useless. Seeing the Crown Prince only made it more so.
“I’m already tired.”
All she had done was accept a meal invitation, and yet she felt drained to the core. Esther frowned in annoyance.
“Esther, you came to eat too?”
“Yes.”
“I see.”
Sidereus, who she expected would cling and add a few more words as usual, simply closed his mouth. In fact, Esther was the one caught off guard by that.
“You came to eat too? With Charlina?”
“Yes, she said it’s delicious.”
“That’s surprising. Well, enjoy it.”
As Esther nodded obediently to turn away, the Crown Prince lightly grasped her wrist.
“Let’s go together, Esther.”
“Yes.”
Sidereus and Charlina followed them inside.
“Welcome, guests.”
“All right, two seats, please.”
“Ah… are the two of you also with them?”
“No, we know each other, but we didn’t come together.”
“All right, please wait a moment.”
The staff glanced at the two and, blushing, hurried off to ask someone something.
Gradually, they looked troubled and eventually wore a distressed expression, indicating they hadn’t gotten a good answer.
Esther could easily read other people’s emotions. By observing their expressions, she could see their thoughts, desires, and intentions clearly.
“Sidereus is transparent too.”
However, she couldn’t sense exactly what he was thinking.
Still, she knew precisely what he wanted. Being so attentive at her side left no doubt.
“So this is over now?”
If he had let go, that was a relief.
Yes, it was a relief.
But she couldn’t understand why her eyes kept noticing Sidereus and Charlina holding hands.
Esther deliberately straightened her back and looked ahead.
“Is this how it feels when a child falls in love?”
She wasn’t sure.
Maybe it was. Perhaps. Esther shook her head lightly and watched the staff approach with a frowning expression.
“What should we do, guests? There’s only one four-person table left. One group will need to wait or share…”
As expected of a famous dessert shop, it was so packed with couples there was hardly room to step.
“How long would the wait be?”
Sidereus asked, and the staff glanced around slowly before replying with a helpless look.
“About an hour, I think.”
“Hmm.”
The Crown Prince crossed his arms, appearing to contemplate, then spoke.
“I’m fine with it, but if Esther doesn’t mind, how about sharing the table? I didn’t rent the entire shop today because I wanted the real date experience.”
He clicked his tongue as if troubled. Esther surveyed the crowded shop and nodded.
There was no need to make anyone wait an hour when a four-person table was available.
“All right, then we’ll share.”
“Yes! Understood, please follow me.”
The staff’s expression brightened as the Crown Prince confirmed.
Esther accepted his escort and sat down. Sidereus escorted Charlina and sat beside her.
Suddenly, a chilling sensation brushed one side of her heart.
“What’s this?”
The unpleasant feeling was unfamiliar to Esther.
Her life had been extremely peaceful lately, which made it stranger.
She quietly watched Sidereus take care of Charlina, exactly as he had done for her before. Of course, the Crown Prince was looking after her in return.
“Esther.”
“Yes.”
“Would you like to choose what to eat?”
He slid the menu toward her. Only then did she manage to draw his attention from Sidereus.
Esther carefully read through the menu. Everything looked delicious, but she couldn’t decide what to order.
“Hmm…”
“These are said to be good,” the Crown Prince said, leaning close and pointing with his finger.
So close that she could feel his breath. Esther furrowed her brow slightly, then laughed at his intention.
“Humans are cute, then as now.”
Knowing this was the Crown Prince’s playful trick, she obediently nodded and studied the menu.
“Then I’ll let you choose for me.”
There were too many options for her to focus, so she willingly left the decision to him.
“All right? Then I’ll choose.”
As he took the menu, his finger brushed her hand lightly, like a tickle.
“So now he’s going to get closer physically.”
Esther swallowed a chuckle and nodded obediently.
“Sid, what do you think of this?”
Charlina asked in a voice as clear as a bell. Her cheerful tone made Esther briefly close her lips.
“Sounds good. This and this are also famous, so let’s try them.”
“Right!”
Esther listened quietly to their conversation, frowning, unsure why she was reacting this way.
She turned to see the Crown Prince looking at her meaningfully, chin resting on his hand.
“Why?”
“Just… I think you’re really beautiful.”
“…Ah, yes.”
Esther responded reluctantly to his frivolous remark. Frivolous, yet not entirely empty.
He reached out and lightly brushed her cheek.
Bang!
At the sound, the table shook violently. Looking up, she saw Sidereus standing rigidly.
“Why?” the Crown Prince asked. “Duke Agreas, there was just some dust on Esther’s cheek.”
He snapped his fingers for emphasis. Sidereus scoffed.
“I just had to go to the restroom. What are you talking about?”
“I’m just explaining.”
“I’ll be right back.”
Sidereus glanced at the Crown Prince and rose from his seat. Esther watched him briefly, then turned back.
The pleasant aroma teased her senses.
“I’m hungry.”
“Right?”
Charlina said with a smile.
“I also wanted to come because this place is famous, and Sid recommended it first.”
“Really?”
“Yes, he’s so kind. I’ve never met a man so considerate in my life.”
Esther stayed silent at the compliment. Her stomach churned strangely.
She still didn’t know why.
