TVDML 22

22.

The tea party Mom prepared for us had its own formality.

At least on the surface.

The cute little table set in the greenhouse was decorated like a tea set meant for dolls—adorable and dainty.

The part Mom put the most effort into was the three-tier dessert tray.

“Wow. Mom, this is really pretty!”

How much would this cost in Korea?

You’d have to go to a high-end dessert café to see something like this.

But now I can enjoy this at home!

Didi and I rested our chins on the table together.

It was such a tall table that we had to stand on tiptoes just to see what was on top.

So fancy!

“Right? Actually, I bought this set thinking I’d use it when our Lala was older, but here we are using it already! I’m so happy you like it, Lala,” Mom said, clearly delighted.

She helped Didi and me into the chairs across from each other.

“There. This is more comfortable, isn’t it? We still have time before Camilla arrives.”

I nodded.

The high chair was so tall that my feet didn’t reach the floor.

Hard to climb into and even harder to get down from?

Still, it was so pretty.

When I become an adult, I’ll drink tea at tables like this every day.

I’m being completely serious.

“You two look so cute sitting there.”

Today, Baldwin was wearing a lovely pink dress.

You know that saying: when something looks even prettier when dressed up, it makes you want to keep doing it. That’s exactly how I felt.

Baldwin, won’t you look at your big sister?

Don’t you want to know just how far your sister is willing to go for you?

Hmm? Come over here.

Maybe sensing my thoughts, Baldwin gave me a wary look.

That seriousness from a few days ago was completely gone.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” I asked, tilting my head playfully.

“You’re just so cute. Even cuter today, somehow?”

“I’ve always been cute.”

“Wanna go get a new dress?”

“No.”

Baldwin shook his head firmly.

My hobby was dressing Baldwin up in every color of dress imaginable.

Every time my favorite character wore a cute outfit, I felt euphoric.

When that happened, I’d forget all about the fact that he was cross-dressing.

If it looks good and is pretty, that’s enough.

Baldwin jumped down from his chair, apparently trying to escape from me.

Mom laughed out loud, and Baldwin fled the scene.

Just like a cat running from an overly affectionate owner.

My baby kitty!

No, not that way—this way! Into my arms!

Before I could go catch Baldwin, Camilla arrived.

“Camilla!”

“Huh, Lala! What is all this?”

“I asked Mom to prepare it because I wanted to have tea with you.”

I swung my feet as I spoke.

Camilla politely greeted my mom.

“Thank you, ma’am.”

“Oh my! Our Camilla has become such a refined young lady. That means you deserve to sit at this table.”

Mom lifted her up and helped her into a seat.

“Well then, I’ll leave you two to your secret talk. I’ve got a tea appointment with Rudella.”

Wait, I wanted to be there too…!

Mom waved her hand and left us behind.

Tch. I’ll have tea with Didi next time.

Three times!

But for now, talking to Camilla came first.

Ahem. I turned to Camilla with a serious expression.

“Hmm? Lala, is there something you want to say?”

“Ah, well…”

I had to break it to her gently that Baldwin, her future husband, had been temporarily intercepted by Aintz. I needed to phrase this carefully.

If I didn’t word it right, Camilla might misunderstand the whole situation.

Ugh, what kind of melodrama is this?

Two male leads fighting over the female lead… Anyway! This isn’t how it’s supposed to be.

Okay, Laila, what are you going to say?

“Uh, Camilla… about Didi…”

“Yeah?”

Camilla nodded.

After hesitating for a long while, I finally spoke very carefully.

“Well… Didi has temporarily! Really, just temporarily! gotten engaged to Crown Prince Aintz… Do you know what an engagement is?”

Because of me.

“Oh, of course. My brother got engaged recently! But wait, engaged? Is that true? That’s something to celebrate, Lala!”

What?

That’s not the reaction I expected… Hmm, is she just too young to get it?

Right. The story hasn’t started yet, so they haven’t fallen in love with each other.

I nodded and asked Camilla a question, just to test the waters.

“Still… Camilla, didn’t you say you liked Rudella because he’s pretty?”

“That’s different.”

Camilla hit the mark just like I had before.

“Liking someone, thinking they’re pretty, thinking they’d make a good husband, and thinking they’re a good friend—those are all different things. Lala… don’t tell me you didn’t know that?”

Uhh…?

No, I do know that—how do you know that?

“My brother told me. You shouldn’t confuse those feelings. If you do, you might end up hurting someone.”

“You… understood that?”

“Of course, I’m mature!”

Camilla crossed her arms proudly.

“Besides, my brother is engaged!”

Her nose was practically in the clouds.

Okay, wait a minute. It’s good you’re not confused, but…

“So then, you don’t like Rudella?”

“Of course not. Rudella’s like a pretty cake. Nice to look at, but that’s it.”

Camilla wagged her finger.

Oh no. Now I was the one flustered.

Then what about Baldwin? I was planning to marry you off to him!

No, get it together, Lala. You’re not ten years old.

They’re ten years old. Kids’ feelings can change in ten years.

Besides, Baldwin’s still cross-dressing right now.

I haven’t even told Camilla about that yet.

If the story goes as written, they’ll fall in love. Their love was fated…

I refuse to let their happiness be ruined because of me.

Laila. Don’t jump to conclusions just yet.

You’ve confirmed that Camilla doesn’t dislike Baldwin—that’s enough for now.

While I was thinking that, Camilla said,

“I like Laila more than Rudella.”

“Huh?”

“How about you, Laila? Do you like Rudella more, or me?”

Camilla’s eyes sparkled.

Other than childhood, it had been ages since anyone asked me such a tricky question.

Choosing between the male and female lead?

This was on par with the infamous, “Do you like Mom or Dad more?” question—super hard mode.

For Laila Lorobante to survive happily, I had to like both the male and female lead.

“I’m your favorite, right? Hmm?”

I awkwardly nodded and smiled.

Of course, Baldwin is my favorite in front of Baldwin, and Camilla is my favorite in front of Camilla. That’s how it works.

Laila suggested Camilla stay and spend more time with Baldwin, but Camilla gently declined.

‘I really want to, but I have to head back today. My brother’s fiancée is coming!’

Actually, Camilla had already accomplished her goal for today, so she had no regrets about leaving.

She had just enjoyed a lovely tea time alone with the adorable and charming Laila.

‘How can someone be that cute?’

Camilla let out a long sigh.

For some reason, Laila seemed to want Baldwin and Camilla to become close friends.

But sweet little Laila didn’t know that Camilla already knew Baldwin’s true identity.

Baldwin was surrounded by an inexplicable magical aura.

Camilla, being the most perceptive of the Royster children, could sense it.

But the magic surrounding Baldwin wasn’t the usual protective kind cast on children.

Curious, Camilla had observed him closely and discovered he was actually a boy.

It was something only Camilla could have figured out.

After all, she had inherited secret techniques passed down in the Royster family.

But for Laila’s sake, Camilla chose to keep that fact to herself.

“You seem to be in a great mood, miss,” the maid riding in the carriage with her said.

Camilla normally came home from playdates with other kids feeling gloomy and drained, unwilling to do anything.

But whenever she came back from seeing Laila, it was like a flower had bloomed on her face—she smiled so brightly.

Seeing her like that warmed the maid’s heart, too.

“Yeah! I feel like I just pulled something dangerous away from a good friend. Even if it’s only temporary.”

Camilla had also sensed that Baldwin had his eye on Laila.

So for whatever reason, the fact that Baldwin was now engaged to Aintz, even temporarily, was a welcome development.

A bit of distance between the dangerous schemer and Laila—definitely something to be happy about.

“Really, miss? You must truly care about Miss Laila.”

“Yeah. Laila is warm. Being with her makes me feel so happy.”

The maid smiled warmly.

Camilla was so happy today, she was swinging her legs and even humming a little tune.

“Then why are we going home so early today?”

“Because I’m going to tell Mom and Dad that I want to get engaged to Laila! We like each other the most!”

“…Pardon?”

The maid’s eyes widened in shock.