CHAPTER 68………………..
“I’m sorry. My father still isn’t used to crowded places.”
“I understand. It’s something anyone might struggle with.”
Theodore answered generously, adding a compliment on purpose.
“Still, seeing you at your father’s side is a fine sight.”
“Really? I’m glad you think so.”
Claire smiled brightly as she held Franz’s arm.
“I want to be a daughter who gives her father strength. That’s why I always try my best.”
Just as Theodore looked like a man deeply smitten, Claire deliberately displayed her filial devotion.
To others, it would seem as if she were trying to secure her position for her father’s sake.
“You’re undoubtedly someone the marquis can be proud of.”
“Thank you, darling.”
At that sickeningly sweet address, Franz nearly fainted in shock again.
Claire gripped his arm tightly and whispered,
“Be quiet.”
His lips quivered in protest, but under his sister’s stern gaze, he shut his mouth.
“Our seats are over there. Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
“……”
Following after Claire, who so readily went along with Theodore, Franz thought sourly,
Since when did the three of us become “we”?
I certainly never agreed to it…
He had much to say but couldn’t, and so sat silently at the front table.
“His Imperial Majesty the Emperor, Her Imperial Majesty the Empress, Her Highness Princess Melissa, and His Highness Prince Roderick!”
Upon the red carpet that led to the dais, the imperial family made their entrance.
Everyone’s eyes immediately turned toward them.
The emperor, as always, wore a sharp and irritable expression, even on his daughter’s birthday. Beside him, the empress smiled with elegance.
The princess, dressed in a gown embroidered with golden thread and adorned with fresh blossoms, radiated beauty and joy.
The prince escorted her with the confident stride typical of a young man.
People turned their bodies toward them and bowed their heads. Claire and Franz were no exception.
Only Theodore alone held his head high, staring intently at his uncle’s family.
Once on the dais, Melissa received a glass from her maid.
Seeing this, the guests likewise picked up the glasses on their own tables.
Then, with a delicate ring of glass against glass, Melissa tapped her goblet with a crystal rod, gathering everyone’s attention.
Clink.
“Thank you, everyone, for coming today.”
Melissa leisurely swept her gaze over the crowd and continued her short greeting.
“Thanks to you, I’ll have a happy birthday. We’ve also prepared some lighthearted events, so I hope you all enjoy yourselves.”
The guests raised their glasses high in response.
Then the banquet began, with delicious dishes brought to each table.
Oh, my drink’s empty.
During the meal, Claire noticed her glass had run dry. Looking around, she saw no attendants nearby, making it awkward to call out.
Then she spotted rows of filled glasses on a table behind them and rose to her feet.
“I’ll just grab a new drink.”
At once, both Theodore and Franz spoke.
“I’ll fetch it for you.”
“I’ll go instead.”
The two froze, staring at each other, then simultaneously turned back to Claire.
“I should be the one to go.”
“No, it should be me.”
Intense blue eyes like the summer sea clashed with calm green ones like dawn’s grass.
This time, both men spoke directly to each other.
“She’s my partner, so I’ll go.”
“No, I’m her father, so I should go.”
Their words carried an undercurrent of strength, neither looking away.
Watching their standoff, Claire cut in cleanly.
“Neither of you. I’ll go myself, so please keep eating.”
Without waiting for an answer, she walked off.
She soon reached the drink table and scanned the glasses for something she liked.
I hope they have non-alcoholic champagne…
Spotting the very thing, she brightened and reached out.
Tap.
A large, rough hand bumped against hers. Reflexively turning her head, Claire’s eyes went wide.
So did the man’s.
“Uh…?”
“You… Lady Ravello, right?”
Claire nodded, and the man’s face lit up.
“I never expected to meet you here, Lady Ravello.”
“I’m just as surprised, Young Master Grime.”
“You remember me. I’m honored. Tristan Grime.”
He cheerfully reintroduced himself.
He was the young heir of a western marquisate, the very man Claire had met months ago when she and her father raised funds for the capital.
Back then, their territory had been starving from monster attacks, and he had wept in gratitude for their aid.
“I’ve kept up with your news in the papers. You’re our savior, my lady, and I’ve long wished for a chance to thank you again.”
“You already did more than enough back then. How is your territory now? Are things better?”
“Thanks to the Edelworth herbs you provided, we drove out the monsters. People are no longer starving and are living safely.”
“I’m relieved to hear that.”
Claire smiled warmly in genuine relief.
Tristan, his cheeks suddenly flushing, extended his hand for a handshake.
“It’s truly a joy to see you again.”
Just as Claire was about to accept his hand without thinking—
“What’s taking you so long to choose a drink?”
A familiar voice sounded behind her, and a large hand seized Tristan’s instead.
The grip was crushing, as if to shatter his bones.
“Y-Your Highness the Crown Prince!”
Tristan’s face paled from pain, and he bowed his head in a rush.
With his other hand, Theodore drew Claire closer by the shoulder, his gaze icy as he swept over Tristan.
“And what business do you have with my partner, Young Master Grime?”
“Ah, I—I was just…”
“We’ve met before,” Claire quickly explained for the stammering Tristan. “It’s been a while, so we were just exchanging greetings.”
Theodore glanced down at her, then released the handshake and took the glass she was holding.
Muttering lowly, he said,
“This is exactly why I said I’d go.”
“Pardon?”
“…Nothing. In any case, you needn’t greet people with a handshake. Just keep it to words, and short ones at that.”
He stressed the last part like a warning.
Under Theodore’s unyielding stare, Tristan bobbed his head quickly, as though tucking his tail.
“Let’s go.”
Theodore gently guided Claire back with his hand on her shoulder.
Looking at his somewhat stiff expression, Claire thought to herself,
He looks just like he’s jealous.
Impossible, of course.
But the taut set of his lips and the slight hardness in his eyes felt so real it bothered her.
Oh… this must be acting too, right?
Since they were playing the role of a sweet couple, it was natural for him to show jealousy if she were seen with another man.
Convinced this was the case, Claire felt relieved that she hadn’t overreacted.
She might have made a fool of herself if she had treated it as real.
He really is talented at acting. Even I was fooled for a moment.
Glancing at Theodore, whose expression had softened back at their seats, she steadied herself.
When the banquet ended, the outdoor hall shifted into a place for conversation.
Like at any other party, people scattered to chat in groups. The ever-springlike forest provided a pleasant, leisurely backdrop.
At first, the three of them enjoyed the banquet together.
“Marquis Ravello, how about we have a word?”
“I’ve long had an interest in you, Marquis.”
“I hear you’ve never abandoned your magical studies—might you need an investor?”
One after another, people approached Franz, eager to speak with the new Marquis Ravello, until before long, he was pulled away.
Left with Theodore, Claire sipped her champagne and pondered.
Since he was doing his best, she ought to play her part too. But when would be the most effective moment to do so?
Just then, she noticed some unwelcome faces and frowned.
The Duke of Muton’s family.
She had sensed their presence faintly upon entering, but seeing them directly soured her mood.
Right before her gaze could meet Evelyn’s, Claire naturally turned her eyes away.
Best not to cross paths.
If they exchanged words, it would only end in a quarrel.
Claire had no intention of causing a scene at someone else’s birthday party. But the other side seemed to think differently.
“It’s been a while, Your Highness. I wonder if you haven’t missed me.”
Evelyn couldn’t resist and proudly approached the two.
“I’ve been doing wonderfully, but Your Highness doesn’t look well. Is it the company that makes you uncomfortable, or perhaps your companion failing to serve you properly?”
She rattled off her words without pause, casting a sidelong glance at Claire—making it clear exactly who she meant.
