IARV 29

chapter 29

Before the dishes were served and the meal began, Claude raised the matter that needed to be addressed.

“Julian. Why are you so late? A promise is not something to be broken lightly.”

Since she was his only younger sister, Claude spoke gently, without putting force into his voice.

Julian immediately replied, her eyes glistening as though on the verge of tears.

“I’m sorry. Lady Eva offered to help me dress up, and I was so glad that I accepted… and it made me late.”

Excuse me? Me? You’re saying I offered to help you? Not that you forced me into it?

“I’ve been away recuperating for so long that I don’t have a single close friend among the ladies. I couldn’t refuse Lady Eva’s kindness.”

Oh wow, she’s really spinning a story here. Surely he doesn’t actually believe this, right? Eva looked at Claude, unable to hide her disbelief.

“I see.”

It worked on him—perfectly.

“I’m glad the two of you have found a bond of friendship.”

Friends? If I had to choose between being friends with Julian or with five-year-old Chase—five times over—I’d take Chase without hesitation.

“But still, you should apologize for being late.”

Claude signaled with his eyes toward the Lawrence couple. Julian then gave her apology without even looking at them.

“…I’m sorry for being late.”

“Not at all. At our age, even waiting can be a pleasure.”

“That’s right. We’re simply grateful that Lady Eva invited us to such a precious meal.”

Countess Lawrence, sitting next to Eva, placed her hand over Eva’s.

“Not at all. It’s I who should thank you for forgiving my rudeness at the party.”

“Rudeness? I can hardly imagine you being rude, my lady.”

Claude had hoped for this question, and Eva was ready with her answer.

“I said something inconsiderate, forgetting Lady Lawrence’s pain. I hesitate even to bring it up again…”

Eva trailed off, apologetically. The Countess, however, smiled and answered for her.

“We had long struggled to have children. But someone misunderstood and thought we had adopted.”

“I sincerely apologize once again.”

Her mouth said the words, but her eyes flicked toward Julian—who still refused to look at the couple at all.

“It’s quite all right. When a man and woman marry, people naturally assume children will follow.”

“Well, we have even been considering adoption lately.”

At that moment, Julian’s eyes darted sharply toward the Countess.

“Oh, husband, don’t say such things. That’s only his idea. I don’t want to adopt. At my age, raising a child would be too much.”

The Countess denied it with a laugh, and Julian turned her face away again. Eva quietly observed her reaction.

“These days, I hear many adopt not children, but adults. Perhaps that’s worth considering as well.”

Claude continued as he began on the food before him.

“That does sound like a good idea. If we do bring someone into our family, I hope His Highness will look kindly upon them.”

The Count made a gentle joke, and Claude answered with a practiced smile.

“If she is a good lady, of course.”

“Oh my, Your Highness, do you take an interest in young ladies? I had thought, since you are not yet married unlike the other princes, that you were uninterested.”

At that, Claude’s eyes naturally turned to Eva.

“I am still a man. Of course I have an interest. I’ve even seriously considered a proposal once.”

He’s going to milk that one incident for his entire life, isn’t he?

Eva stubbornly pretended not to notice Claude’s gaze, focusing intently on the food before her.

Claude smiled faintly at her evasiveness, until his eyes caught sight of Rye.

To others, Rye seemed the same as always—silent, saying nothing—but Claude could read the emotions in him.

Rye was seething with anger, so tense he could not even lift his utensils.

“A proposal to His Highness? That woman must be quite bold.”

“Yes, a very remarkable woman indeed.”

Now Rye was outright biting his lip. What was he so furious about in the midst of light dinner conversation?

The answer came quickly. Rage simmering in every part of him, Rye lifted his eyes briefly toward Eva across the table.

Just that glance eased his anger slightly. It wasn’t deliberate—it was instinct, the natural pull of looking at the one you love.

Claude’s eyes narrowed, having noticed Rye’s feelings.

“Your Highness, are you well now? You collapsed that day—I was terribly worried.”

Count Lawrence asked Julian with genuine concern.

Julian’s expression momentarily stiffened, but feeling Eva’s gaze, she quickly forced a smile.

“Thanks to your concern, I’m perfectly recovered. Thank you.”

“That’s a relief. When you collapsed, I felt such pain in my chest, I can’t explain it.”

The Countess sighed in relief as well. Julian’s expression grew stiffer under their concern.

“…Thank you.”

“But you still look a bit pale today. Are you truly all right?”

“Yes, please don’t push yourself.”

As their worried gazes converged, Julian’s face really did go pale—just like the time she collapsed at the party.

“I said I was fine. Must you keep repeating yourselves just to hear the same answer?”

Her sharp tone instantly chilled the atmosphere. The Lawrences froze, wondering if they had misspoken.

“Julian, they’re just worried for you.”

“I already said I’m fine.”

“Is that the attitude of someone who’s ‘fine’?”

“Y-Your Highness, please. It’s all right. The Princess has every right to feel that way.”

The Countess quickly interceded, embarrassed by the tension. The couple said no more.

The table fell into uneasy silence.

“The next course will be served now.”

Just then, the main dish arrived, easing the mood slightly.

“Freshly prepared lamb, caught earlier today.”

The sight of the perfectly sauced meat made Eva quickly reach for her utensils.

“Wait.”

Julian called the servant placing the dish.

“The Countess cannot eat strongly scented lamb, so please change her dish—”

She suddenly stopped herself mid-sentence, realizing her slip. But Eva had already seen.

“Oh my. I didn’t know Her Highness was aware of my tastes. Did we dine together before your retreat, five years ago?”

The Countess asked nervously, worried she had forgotten such an event.

Julian’s face faltered, unable to hide it any longer.

It was certain—she had memories from her previous life. But why go to such lengths to hide it?

Could it have something to do with my death?

Eva’s doubts about Julian only deepened.

“Ugh!”

Julian clutched her chest instead of answering. Here we go again. I don’t buy the whole “sickly act” anymore.

“Are you all right?”

“Your Highness!”

“Julian!”

But to everyone except Eva, the act worked perfectly. All eyes turned to Julian in worry.

Must be nice, having an illness as your shield. Some of us didn’t even get attention when we died.

“It seems you’re still unwell. Julian, let’s end the meal here.”

“But will it be all right? With the Lawrences and Lady Eva here, I’d hate to ruin things again.”

Her eyes filled with tears, threatening to spill at the slightest touch. Was she a princess or an actress?

“If it will make you more comfortable, we shall take our leave. Come, dear.”

“Yes. We wish you a swift recovery, Your Highness.”

The couple rose first, out of consideration for Julian. Then Julian fixed her gaze on Eva.

Her eyes clearly asked, Why aren’t you leaving too?

Eva gripped her fork and knife harder, silently declaring she had no intention of rising.

When the Lawrences had finally departed, Julian suddenly leaned her head onto Rye’s shoulder.

“Your Highness?”

“Rye, I feel dizzy…”

Fine, fine, I’ll leave. I already confirmed Julian has her past memories. No point staying. Better to save my eyes from watching this performance.

“Your Highness, I too should return—ah!”

Pretending to shift back, Eva deliberately loosened her grip and dropped her knife. She intended to feign dizziness and make an early exit.

She didn’t expect dramatic concern—just hoped to be dismissed quickly.

“Lady Eva, are you unwell?”

“Are you feeling faint as well?”

Both men leapt to their feet at once. Rye’s sudden movement even pushed Julian aside.

“Y-yes. I suppose I’ve been overtaxed with worry lately.”

Startled by their overreaction, Eva quickly pressed her temple and feigned dizziness.

“Then perhaps we should end the meal here.”

Claude looked between Rye and Eva, his expression complicated.

“Rye, escort Julian.”

“…What?”

“Julian isn’t well enough to go alone. You should help her. I’ll see Lady Eva home.”

Just as Claude had read Rye’s emotions earlier, Rye now understood Claude’s intent.

Claude was asking him—What are these feelings you have for Eva?

Rye did not avoid his blue eyes. He answered directly.

“Is that an order, Your Highness?”

Never before had Rye questioned, let alone refused, a royal command. But standing beside Eva, he was openly resisting.

“Ah, I’m fine. I can go alone.”

Eva just wanted to escape the strange tension. It wasn’t like she’d asked to be escorted—why were they making such a fuss among themselves?

“In that case, Rye, you take me.”

Julian grabbed Rye’s hand and gave it a little shake, even though he wasn’t looking at her. How shameless.

The two men only stared coldly at each other, saying nothing.

“Rye Castro, that is an order. You will escort Julian.”

Claude’s voice hardened further. Rye’s eyes grew even more resolute.

“…I cannot obey that order.”