Chapter 24
"I was discourteous. My apologies, Young Lord Melance von Jeremier."
Trinia enunciated his full name with deliberate precision as she glared at him as though she wanted him dead.
Melance snorted at the blatant hostility in her eyes.
"If you don't want to apologize, then don't. What is this ridiculous display?"
"Did you ever intend to accept my apology in the first place?"
Her voice dripped with sarcasm.
Melance didn't even blink.
Only contempt filled his violet eyes.
"Well, I suppose Her Highness doesn't like me either. It would be strange for you to like me, Young Lord."
"I'd rather not speak to you at all, but do you truly have no intention of reflecting on your own behavior? You have no manners whatsoever."
Trinia's face flushed bright red.
The Grand Duke's heir had struck exactly where it hurt.
"M-manners, you say?! Then is it proper manners to treat me like this when I gave birth to the Empire's only prince?"
"You're saying something strange. Even though you gave birth to a prince, your title hasn't changed."
"W-what did you say? Ha!"
Trinia snapped back in disbelief.
But Melance answered with the same calm expression and tone.
"Trinia."
The low voice instantly drew her attention.
At the end of that gaze, Riena's golden eyes were burning like those of a furious beast.
"What are you doing?"
"W-well, Young Lord Melance always treats me this way whenever we meet. And besides...!"
"So that means you're allowed to be rude to the heir of a Grand Duchy?"
That wasn't the presence of a seven-year-old child.
Facing those blazing golden eyes, Trinia could barely open her mouth.
Even breathing felt difficult.
"I-I'm sorry...."
"Apologize directly to him."
The hand clutching her skirt trembled faintly.
"You don't want to? Then I'll have no choice but to tell His Majesty about this. And Grand Duke Jeremier as well."
"I'm... sorry, Young Lord...."
For Riena's sake, Melance merely gave a slight nod.
Then Riena growled again in a low voice.
"Mind your behavior. Learn to separate personal feelings from official matters."
After saying only what she needed to say, Riena and Melance swept past Trinia so sharply that the woman's dress fluttered in their wake.
Even after their footsteps disappeared, Trinia remained frozen in place.
You're nothing but an Imperial Princess. Once my prince becomes Emperor, I'll start by gouging out those two eyes that dared glare at me.
Trinia swallowed her curses, tears gathering in her eyes.
"I apologize. I think I only caused trouble."
"Trinia was the one who caused trouble. Why is the Emperor's mistress even crossing paths with the heir to a Grand Duchy in the first place?"
By proper palace etiquette, a mistress was supposed to live as though she didn't exist.
Trinia was only able to move around freely because the benevolent Empress allowed it.
"With Her Majesty the Empress here, why does His Majesty keep someone like..."
Melance stopped himself.
He seemed to realize that saying more might hurt Riena as well.
"Who knows what Father is thinking."
A bitter smile appeared on her lips.
I really don't know anymore.
By now, preparations for her Crown Princess investiture should have been underway.
Yet the Emperor seemed almost as though he were waiting for the prince to grow older.
Knowing Father, that's entirely possible.
That would explain why he kept taking Trinia's side and allowing her to run wild like this.
Riena's expression brightened slightly once they returned to the library.
But she remained much quieter than usual.
Melance, meanwhile, pressed his lips together, looking strangely restless.
"Young Lord? Are you feeling unwell?"
"No. Put those eight books back."
"Yes!"
"Young Lord, your hands and eyes really are fast. You're almost as efficient as His Highness the Grand Duke!"
"I still have a long way to go. Finish the books over there, then you may all rest."
"Thank you!"
The moment they sensed they might actually leave work on time, everyone's hands began moving faster.
Romi eventually returned carrying picnic baskets in both hands.
"You've been waiting, right? I brought desserts for everyone to share. I thought regular food might leave a smell in the library."
The workers gradually drifted toward Romi.
"Wow... as expected of a maid serving Her Highness!"
"Your skill is incredible. You could work as a dedicated dessert chef for the Imperial Palace."
"This is exactly the hour when I start craving something sweet. Thank you!"
Everyone sampled the desserts one by one and immediately began praising them.
Among them was an especially adorable pink strawberry dessert shaped like a bear.
A long pair of fingers picked it up.
Melance.
Romi's lips parted as she stared blankly at the strawberry dessert.
That's Her Highness's favorite.... I can't exactly tell him to put it down.
Melance carried the treat straight toward Riena.
Romi's lips twitched as she watched.
Oh my, how sweet!
She covered both cheeks with her hands.
She was witnessing the Imperial Princess's budding romance in person!
"Weren't you only coming to look around? You don't have to work this hard. Eat this first."
"...Are you trying to feed me like a pet?"
"Pardon?"
Melance froze in horror.
Feeding the Imperial Princess like an animal?
