Chapter 105: It Can’t Just Be That

A cold wind blew through the terrace, making my hand, which was touching the floor, feel cold. It was chilly for autumn weather.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince?”

Feeling the chill, I looked up to see Arthur standing with his back to the bright terrace lights, extending a gloved hand toward me.

“Oh dear… The wounds have healed, but your beautiful dress is ruined. Here, take my hand.”

He lowered his eyebrows and extended his hand further toward me.

I stared at his hand for a moment but chose to stand up on my own.

“Your Highness, thank you for your kindness, but I can stand up by myself.”

Arthur, who took in my curtsy as I gathered my skirt with both hands, slowly withdrew his outstretched hand, curling one corner of his mouth.

“Hmm. It would be nice if you just took my hand. Then I could help you more…”

“It’s all right.”

“I could persuade Rosetta for you, you know?”

“You, Your Highness…?”

“Don’t you want to reconcile with Rosetta?”

Had he overheard my conversation with Rosetta? Or…?

The Crown Prince tilted his head slightly, smiling. The words asking if it was he who mentioned the real saintess were stuck in my throat.

“On the day Rosetta was chased by the beastmen at Pins Square, how did Your Highness happen to be there?”

“……”

No, it’s certain.

Without even asking, it must be the Crown Prince.

“I was suddenly curious about that.”

No matter what answer I give here, I can’t avoid the Emperor’s scrutiny. I made an excuse as a last resort.

“It was a coincidence.”

“A coincidence?”

“Yes.”

Arthur’s smile became more pronounced. His brilliant golden eyes narrowed.

‘I have to be careful. I can’t be fooled by that clean smile. Let’s get out of the terrace first.’

“Your Highness, thank you, but I will resolve the issue with the Crown Princess on my own.”

I bowed my head and moved toward the terrace entrance, but Arthur quickly caught my arm.

“Your Highness?”

“I told you before, didn’t I? I’m always okay. I said I’d wait for you…”

“!”

“Seeing Rosetta standing next to me, how did that make you feel?”

It must have been a soft and gentle voice. However, the tone pierced my mind. Contrary to his words of waiting, persistence was evident in his voice. My head suddenly throbbed, and I barely managed to respond.

“…You two seemed well-matched.”

“Is that all you feel?”

“Yes.”

It can’t just be that… Arthur’s muttering sent chills down my spine.

“Your Eminence, be honest. It must bother you that Rosetta is by my side. Didn’t you keep glancing my way at the reception?”

“I was just worried because Rosetta, who suddenly disappeared from the ducal residence, appeared as the Crown Princess.”

Because you took Rosetta and made her the Crown Princess! That’s why I looked at her!

“It’s too late to regret not becoming the Crown Princess now.”

“That’s not it, Your Highness!”

“Consider yourself lucky that I’m a generous man.”

The more I talked with him, the more it felt like the conversation was missing the mark. I met his smiling eyes directly and spoke firmly.

“No, Your Highness. I only looked because my maid suddenly disappeared and then appeared as the Crown Princess. You must be tired from the wedding today. I’ll take my leave now.”

“Is that truly… all there is?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Even while talking with Arthur, my eyes were on the terrace entrance.

At that moment, I clearly saw Xavier walking briskly from the banquet hall towards the terrace. Arthur noticed the direction of my gaze and closed his mouth.

“……”

For a moment, Arthur seemed to regain his composure, flashing his characteristic crescent-moon smile and stepping back.

“I apologize. I must have been excited to see Your Eminence after so long.”

“Yes, then.”

I passed Arthur and headed for the terrace entrance, but he called out to me in a clear voice from behind.

“Aren’t you curious about the Crown Princess’s future actions? How she will act? I am really looking forward to it.”

“……”

I didn’t stop walking and climbed the stairs to the entrance. As I opened the door leading inside, I saw Xavier standing on the stairs with a serious expression. He had come to fetch me since I hadn’t appeared for a while.

“Xavier, let’s go.”

“Sure.”

Xavier gave a slight nod to the Crown Prince from a distance, wrapped his arm around my shoulders, and led me out of the terrace.

Arthur remained there, watching the two of us with a subdued gaze.

＊

Facing Rosetta and the Crown Prince had left me mentally exhausted, making my body feel limp and my head ache. It felt like warm air was coming from my nose.

Due to my rapidly declining condition, I got into the carriage to return home earlier than planned. Xavier suggested staying at a nearby luxury inn, but I wanted to go home and rest, even if it took about two hours by carriage.

I unknowingly fell asleep, and when I opened my eyes, we were already in front of the grand mansion of the ducal estate.

“Yuria, are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

As I shook my disheveled hair and tried to get up, I noticed a soft blanket on my knees.

‘Did Xavier cover me with it?’

Xavier responded to my gaze with a warm look and extended his hand. With my half-awake mind, I took his escort and got off the carriage.

Supported by Xavier, I barely climbed the stairs and entered the mansion, greeted by the servants.

Once we reached the top of the stairs and the servants were out of sight, Xavier examined me with a worried face and asked.

“What did you talk about that left you like this? Even if just a little, could you tell me what conversation you had with the Crown Prince and Princess?”

“Are you curious?”

“Yes. I was worried when I saw the Crown Prince go to the terrace. Should we talk later if you’re not up to it? Are you unwell?”

“No. I’m fine.”

I swallowed briefly and opened my mouth. My throat felt scratchy.

“Rosetta seems to hate me.”

“Hate you?”

“His Highness said he would mediate between us.”

“At the victory banquet, the Crown Princess seemed to like you and even blocked my way to talk to you. And now she hates you?”

“Yes. Rosetta isn’t at fault. My actions hurt her. But I didn’t mean for it to happen. Everything just suddenly changed. Yes, suddenly…”

The hallway echoed with my voice.

“……”

I saw my own frowning face reflected in Xavier’s silent eyes.

He probably couldn’t fully understand the meaning of my words. Knowing that, I continued to talk as if confessing.

“I was just trying to survive. That’s not wrong, is it? But Rosetta said she won’t forgive me. She said she’d take what’s mine and left.”

“Yuria.”

“If you think about it, Rosetta is acting like this because of me… Oh, what am I even saying? I’m sorry, Xavier.”

I clutched my head with both hands. Xavier brushed my hair, which had fallen over my forehead, back.

“You’ve done nothing wrong.”

“…….!”

“Even if you say otherwise, my wife is someone who tries to ease the suffering of the beastmen, even a little. Moreover, you’re one of the few who truly care for the maids. I believe that someone like you wouldn’t act recklessly. Even if you did, don’t worry. I won’t leave you.”

“Xavier.”

“I’ll ask Maya to prepare warm water, so soak yourself and then lie down comfortably on the bed. I won’t disturb you. I’ll go out and buy your favorite macaron set.”

“Thank you. I was craving something sweet anyway.”

“Good.”

Hearing my response, Xavier called Maya loudly to help me. He kissed my forehead gently and went back down the stairs.

“Albert! Has Viscount Rexton left?”

“Yes, Master.”

“If I want to meet him and go together, time is tight. Tell the coachman to prepare the carriage. Hurry.”

“Yes.”

Xavier really went out to buy macarons. As I watched him leave through the front door, Albert approached and urged me.

“Go in and rest.”

“I will. But why is Xavier looking for Viscount Rexton?”

“Oh, it seems they plan to go to the Macaron Café together.”

“What?”

Not only a drink errand but also a macaron errand?

“He said it would be embarrassing to go alone because of the people.”

“Ah…”

That café is a popular spot, always bustling with people. If Duke Xavier suddenly appeared there alone, his photo might end up in tomorrow’s newspaper gossip column.

“I kind of want to see that photo.”

As instructed by Xavier, I soaked in hot water and lay on the bed. I felt like the fatigue was relieved, but my face kept heating up. My throat also hurt.

“Oh, my lady. You have a fever.”

“A fever?”

“You must have come down from the capital quickly because you were sick.”

“Is that so? No wonder the wind felt a bit chilly.”

“Wait here. It’s a big deal if the lady has a cold!”

Maya exaggeratedly waved her hands as if the world was ending and went to the kitchen. She quickly made an ice pack, placed it on my forehead, and hurriedly went downstairs to call the doctor.

Before long, I could hear the surprised voices of the servants from the third-floor bedroom.

“Oh my! Our lady?”

“She’s sick?”

I can’t live like this. The entire ducal residence will know I’m sick.

The ducal residence was in an uproar regardless of my intentions.