~Chapter 70~
At that time, Mathias and Johann were on the third floor.
They were standing on the terrace in the Crown Prince’s private space, watching their daughters.
“…Finally, our Lucia has arrived,”
Mathias said with a soft smile on his face.
“Congrats to Lady Lucia for hosting her very first tea party.”
“She used to be such a tiny little thing, but now she’s grown up so fast.”
Mathias looked a bit emotional.
“Sigh… next comes her debut into society? Time really flies, it’s kind of frustrating.”
He let out a big sigh.
“If she ends up dancing with young noblemen, I bet you’ll be freaking out.”
“You think you’ll be any different?”
“…Didn’t consider that,”
Johann replied, caught off guard.
“Kids grow up in the blink of an eye.”
Johann fell silent, like a statue.
“Don’t be so down. It’s only natural for children to grow up and leave their parents’ arms.”
Mathias patted Johann’s shoulder.
“…I know, but letting go isn’t easy.”
“…True.”
Both of them looked down at the kids in the garden with gloomy expressions.
“That’s why we need to make the most of our time with them now.”
“Exactly.”
Then the two of them got caught up talking for a long time.
The topic?
Nothing but endless bragging about their daughters.
—
Around the same time, Leah was heading to the east annex.
‘I should try making some potion again. It’s been a while.’
Isabella had given her the lab they used when Leah made Penelope’s treatment potion.
> “Leah, I heard you’ve been making potions in the small room next to Raphaella’s.”
“Yes.”
“From now on, use the proper lab in the east annex.”
Isabella placed the lab’s key in Leah’s hand.
“…Are you sure that’s okay?”
Leah’s mouth opened in surprise.
> “Of course. And take any ingredients you need, as much as you want.”
It was part of her thanks for curing Penelope, but Leah was still very grateful.
Just as Leah was about to leave through the main lobby, someone blocked her way.
“Oh? Long time no see.”
It was Prince Florian.
‘…No one said the princess was coming today. What’s he doing here?’
This looked like trouble.
“…I greet Your Highness, the noble light of the heavens.”
Leah held back a sigh and bowed politely.
“You seemed to be walking very cheerfully.”
Florian came closer, barely acknowledging her greeting.
“Where were you headed?”
“…Just out for a walk in the garden.”
“Hmm, I see.”
“And what brings Your Highness here? Her Highness the Princess isn’t here today…”
“I don’t follow my sister everywhere, you know.”
He winked at her.
It was the kind of smile that might make other women swoon—but not Leah.
“I’m running an errand for my mother today.”
His crescent-shaped eyes sparkled.
“She had a letter to send to the Duchess, and I had free time, so I said I’d go.”
“…I see.”
He must really have a lot of free time if he’s doing errands for the staff.
“But I heard the Duchess went out with her daughter for a bit?”
Ah, right—she mentioned visiting a countess who was sick.
“So I said I’d take a walk and just came back from the garden… and then, look who I ran into.”
“…”
Okay… and what am I supposed to do with that info?
Leah looked uncomfortable.
“Well, I already took my walk, so I can’t exactly ask you to join me now…”
Leah let out a small sigh of relief.
Thank goodness, he’s not being pushy like last time.
Especially since no one else was home right now.
“Aw, are you that happy?”
Florian teased with a sly grin.
“…”
Ugh, guess it showed.
“When dealing with royalty or nobles, you need to learn to hide your expressions, Leah.”
He raised a finger like he was teaching a child.
“Didn’t the Duke teach you that?”
“…I’m sorry, Your Highness.”
“As long as you get it. So, can I ask you something real quick?”
“Huh?”
“I’ll let you go after. Don’t make that face.”
He mimicked her stiff expression.
“…What’s the question?”
She just wanted to get to the lab already.
“Well, it’s kind of personal… Do you still have feelings for the Duke?”
She did not expect that.
That’s not just “kind of” personal—it’s very personal.
“He left you, didn’t he? Most people would hate someone like that, but you don’t seem to.”
And what does that have to do with him?
“…It’s in the past. I don’t resent him anymore.”
“So that means you still have feelings for him?”
Florian sounded annoyed.
“…He’s the head of the Blumehardt family and engaged to the Princess. I couldn’t possibly feel anything for him.”
Seriously, what kind of answer is he trying to get from me?
Leah grumbled to herself.
“Really? So you’ve got no feelings for him at all?”
He gave her a weirdly meaningful smile.
She really wanted to ask, What does that have to do with you?
But something told her she’d better not.
“Good. That’s all I wanted. You’re free to go.”
He finally let her go.
Leah walked out of the lobby as fast as she could, thinking, Ugh. Just my luck today.
—
Meanwhile, Lucia’s first tea party ended very successfully.
“I wonder if everyone had a good time at my first tea party.”
“It was wonderful, Your Highness.”
“Yes, I think it’ll be one of the happiest days of this year.”
The young ladies all chimed in.
And they meant it.
“I was happy to try the delicious palace desserts, thanks to Your Highness.”
“Really?”
Lucia handled her role as host perfectly, even though it was her first time.
She’d clearly gotten over her earlier bad mood and treated everyone kindly.
“I might’ve made some mistakes, but I’m so relieved everyone had fun.”
Lucia smiled in relief.
“Well, please get home safely, everyone.”
The young ladies all bowed and said goodbye.
Raphaella was about to do the same when—“Lady Blumhardt.”
Lucia stopped her.
“…Yes!”
Raphaella was startled and accidentally raised her voice, quickly covering her mouth.
“You must’ve been upset earlier, but you handled it really gracefully. Thank you.”
“Oh, I…”
Raphaella was flustered by the unexpected gratitude.
“If it were me, I would’ve grabbed those girls by the hair, tea party or not.”
Lucia clenched her fist dramatically.
“I was surprised at how mature you were.”
“…Thank you.”
Raphaella blushed, caught off guard by the praise.
“If it’s okay with you, would you like to chat a bit more in the sitting room?”
“I’d love to, Your Highness.”
Lucia took Raphaella to her private parlor.
> “Thank you so much for helping me earlier, Lucia.”
Raphaella bowed her head once they sat on the couch.
“If someone’s rude to the Duke’s daughter, how could I just sit back?”
Lucia frowned hard.
“If it weren’t my tea party, I would’ve just—ugh.”
She mumbled something under her breath.
“…You were amazing.”
But Raphaella didn’t catch that. Instead, she gave a thumbs-up.
Her cheeks were rosy pink.
“I was just copying my mom and dad.”
Lucia fiddled with her skirt, embarrassed.
“You still looked like a hero from a fairytale to me.”
Raphaella held her cheeks with both hands.
“…Ugh, Lady Blumhardt. I know this isn’t proper, but!”
Lucia suddenly stood up.
“Can I pinch your cheeks just once?”
“Um, go ahead!”
If the Crown Prince asked, getting your cheeks pinched was no big deal.
Raphaella eagerly leaned forward.
“…Oh my gosh, they’re so soft and squishy!”
Lucia didn’t hold back and smooshed both cheeks.
“I wish I had a little sister like you.”
Lucia had always wanted a younger sibling.
Especially a cute one like Raphaella.
But with her mom’s weak health, she couldn’t ask for one.
> “Your Highness, please calm down. Lady Blumhardt might be uncomfortable.”
Lucia’s lady-in-waiting came over and gently tried to stop her.
“Okay, okay. But she’s just so cute!”
“Your Highness.”
The maid tried again.
“…I wish I had an older sister like you.”
Raphaella spoke up shyly.
She really liked Lucia—her vibe was different from Penelope’s, but just as great.
“Really? Then… how about we become sworn sisters?”
Lucia got so excited she mixed formal and casual speech.
The maid sighed quietly and stepped back.
“I’d love that.”
Raphaella smiled brightly and nodded.
She didn’t really know what sworn sisters meant, but she understood “sisters,”
and that meant being like family.
Hehe.
“Then we’re sisters now, so let’s speak casually, okay, Raphaella?”
“Okay!”
“To celebrate becoming sisters, can I give you a big hug?”
Lucia couldn’t resist and hugged Raphaella tightly.
