Chapter 70
I couldn’t understand why. I just didn’t like the thought of her meeting another man.
Duke Creyman spoke as if making an excuse.
“He’s a very busy man. Unless you arrange an appointment in advance, it’s hard to see him.”
“Hmm. Well, if he’s the kind of person who invents things like this, I suppose he would be busy. I really wanted to meet him, that’s unfortunate. What’s his name?”
At the crown prince’s question, Duke Creyman reluctantly answered.
“Ciela. Baron Ciela Feyrunt.”
“Ciela Feyrunt…”
As the crown prince repeated the name, there was a knock at the door and Rick entered.
“Master, a guest has arrived.”
“Can’t you see I’m with His Highness the Crown Prince? Send them away.”
Duke Creyman, already in a sour mood, replied coldly. But at Rick’s next words, he froze on the spot.
“Well… the one asking to see you is Lady Feyrunt.”
“Feyrunt? You mean Ciela Feyrunt?”
It was the crown prince who reacted to that name.
Startled by the prince’s sudden response, Rick nodded hesitantly.
“Yes, that’s correct, but…”
“Rick Henamun.”
At the duke’s voice calling his name, Rick looked at him. The duke was glaring as though he would kill him. Overwhelmed by his sheer presence, Rick faltered. He wondered if he had made some mistake, but nothing came to mind.
Amidst the heavy atmosphere, only the crown prince seemed delighted.
“What a fated coincidence! For her to come here personally!”
Strictly speaking, not to see you, but me.
The duke barely suppressed the retort rising in his throat.
“What do you think, Duke? Shall we invite her in as well?”
The crown prince spoke excitedly. Duke Creyman wanted to refuse, but he had no pretext.
With no choice, he sighed and said,
“…Bring her in.”
Even though nothing had happened last time, the coachman was still terrified of Duke Creyman. So I got off at the main gate and conveyed my business through a knight.
The one who came to fetch me was Rick. When I said I had come to see the duke, Rick looked troubled.
“The duke is currently entertaining a guest.”
“Ah, I should have sent word ahead. I apologize.”
“No need. I’ll report it at once, so please wait here for a moment.”
With polite manners, Rick showed me to a seat. I nodded and sat down on the lobby sofa.
While I looked around the mansion’s interior, Rick returned.
“His Grace will see you. However, the guest wishes to meet Lady Feyrunt as well.”
“Wants to meet me?”
I blinked in surprise at such unexpected words.
“Who is it?”
“His Highness the Crown Prince of the Western Kingdom.”
I stopped in my tracks at his reply, then asked again in disbelief.
“…Who did you say?”
Seeing my reaction, Rick explained again.
“His Highness Crown Prince Cesar of the Western Kingdom. He is here regarding the teabag business and seems to have a strong interest in you as their inventor.”
“…I see.”
I hadn’t imagined such a situation, and though flustered, I soon nodded.
After all, if it were truly someone I must not meet, the duke would already have blocked it.
‘I am a little curious about what kind of person he is.’
“This way. My lord, Lady Feyrunt is here.”
“Show her in.”
From beyond the door, I heard the duke’s voice. Once permission was given, Rick opened the door.
“Please go in.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Nodding briefly, I stepped forward.
The reception room was as spacious and tidy as ever, the faint fragrance of tea drifting like a breeze.
The first person I spotted, of course, was Duke Creyman. He always stood out wherever he was.
“Hello. Sorry for dropping by unannounced.”
“You are always welcome. Though… today, perhaps it would have been better had you come a little later…”
“Pardon?”
As I tilted my head at his cryptic remark, the man sitting opposite him suddenly sprang up and approached me.
“Oh! So you’re Baron Ciela Feyrunt!”
“Ah, yes. I’ve heard of you. You are His Highness the Crown Prince of the Western Kingdom…”
“My name is Cesar Elias. Please, just call me Cesar.”
“Ah… yes, Your Highness.”
What is with this man?
I blinked, bewildered by a type of person I’d never encountered before.
He was so forward that it was disconcerting.
“Since fate has brought us together, may I have the honor of a handshake…”
“Your Highness, your tea is getting cold.”
The duke suddenly cut him off, making the crown prince glance at him in displeasure. The duke calmly sipped his tea and spoke.
“Tea loses its flavor once it cools too much. Since we are in the tea business, we should at least serve you the best quality.”
Then he turned his gaze on me. His aura felt different from usual, making me tilt my head slightly.
“You should take a seat as well.”
“Ah, yes. I should.”
I couldn’t remain standing forever, so I moved toward the sofa. Reluctantly, the crown prince also returned to his seat.
I hesitated for a moment in front of the sofas.
‘Where should I sit?’
There were only two sofas, occupied by the crown prince and the duke.
When our eyes met, the crown prince sparkled at me as if urging me to sit beside him.
The duke, on the other hand, quietly sipped his tea.
‘No matter what, it feels more proper to sit by the duke.’
My hesitation didn’t last long. After excusing myself, I sat beside the duke.
The crown prince looked at me with regret, while the duke’s demeanor softened slightly.
“In any case, the timing is remarkable. We were just talking about Baron Feyrunt.”
“About me?”
What on earth could these two have been saying about me?
When I looked at the duke, he explained on my behalf.
“His Highness was curious about the inventor of the teabag.”
“I see.”
“Teabags have sparked a storm of new tea culture in the Western Kingdom. It is nothing short of a revolution.”
The crown prince eagerly added.
I hadn’t expected such an overwhelming response, and I was left a little dazed.
‘I had actually come to ask about that myself.’
Judging from the crown prince’s reaction, it seemed whatever I imagined, the reality exceeded it.
“That being said…”
The crown prince suddenly grabbed my hand tightly.
Startled by his unexpected action, both the duke and I looked at him.
“I want to recruit you.”
“…Pardon?”
Did he just say what I think he said? I stared blankly, unable to process it, until the duke intervened.
“Your Highness! That is the first I’ve heard of this.”
The crown prince responded smoothly.
“As far as I know, Baron Feyrunt is not formally under Duke Creyman’s household.”
“Even so…”
“I understand your house oversees the business, but this is a personal proposal to Baron Feyrunt. I do not believe it is a matter you should interfere in.”
Gone was the frivolous sparkle; the crown prince now spoke sharply.
And he was right.
Aside from the orphanage sponsorship, I was not formally affiliated with anyone.
‘But an abrupt recruitment offer?’
Though flustered, I tried to keep calm and asked,
“What exactly do you mean by recruitment?”
I felt the duke snap his gaze toward me.
Meanwhile, the crown prince brightened and answered.
“I intend to start a private restaurant business. It has nothing to do with the kingdom—my own personal venture. I would like you to be my partner in building it.”
In other words, it was a proposal for a joint venture.
When I didn’t answer right away, the crown prince added a few more words.
“Of course, I’m not asking for a decision right now. I’ll be staying in the Empire for about a week. You can decide by then. Here is the contract. All terms will be tailored entirely to your benefit.”
Saying that, the crown prince handed me a document envelope. I accepted it in a daze.
“I truly hope this will be the beginning of a wonderful partnership with you, Baron Feyrunt!”
Then, turning to the duke, he added,
“Well, I’ve met Baron Feyrunt, so I should be going. Thank you for the excellent tea.”
At his words, the duke rose to his feet.
“I’ll see you to the main gate. I’ll return shortly, so please wait here.”
“All right. Then, safe travels back, Your Highness.”
“And you as well, Baron. I’ll call on you in a week. I look forward to your answer then.”
“Your Highness, this way please.”
Even as he was being ushered out, the crown prince continued to press his case.
Before leaving, the duke gave me a look I couldn’t quite interpret.
Left alone, I tilted my head.
The duke seemed a little strange today.
