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Chapter 41
So then, the moment when the heroine meets Vincent should be…
How many people could remember whether it was a few days later or months later in the novel’s timeline?
At least I remembered the order of events, which was a relief.
Around the time the Molton family’s incident was drawing to a close, Vincent was supposed to save the heroine Sylvia, who would be in danger.
Absolutely.
I clenched my fist without realising it, making a silent vow, when I noticed someone loitering near the garden.
It was Charles, the attendant.
“My lady!”
I turned to Vivian.
“Bring him in.”
Vivian scampered off and returned with Charles.
“My lady, hello. Were you out on a walk?”
“Yes. What is it, Charles?”
“His Highness the Crown Prince has requested that you join him for tea.”
Meeting Vincent wasn’t exactly comfortable, but since we lived under the same roof, it wasn’t something I could avoid.
I answered calmly.
“All right. When and where?”
“In about an hour, if you would go to His Highness’s office.”
“His office?”
I voiced my surprise at the unusual place, and Charles gave me the reason.
“His Highness seems very busy at the moment. Oscar Corban has also been coming and going constantly…”
Why would he summon me to his office, with even his aide, Oscar Corban, present?
“Fine. Tell him I’ll see him in an hour.”
“Yes.”
I expected him to leave right away, but Charles lingered, hesitating.
“What is it?”
“Well, I just wondered… how your health is.”
“Oh, so you heard.”
It seemed Charles had caught wind of what had happened at the Duke of Royce’s residence.
After all, what was supposed to be a simple outing had ended up taking several days.
“Yes, but are you truly all right? I was very worried.”
“Thank you for your concern. But as you can see, I’m perfectly fine.”
“In that case, next time I’ll bring something good for your health—”
Charles stammered, but before he could finish, Derrick suddenly cut him off.
“That’s enough, Sir Charles. You should return to His Highness.”
Why was he acting like that?
Did he know what Charles was about to say?
Charles’s face fell in dismay, but Derrick added coolly.
“Sir Charles, remember in what capacity the lady is staying here.”
Charles said nothing more.
He bowed deeply to me and trudged out of the garden.
I looked at Derrick, but he feigned ignorance and asked me instead.
“Will you continue your walk?”
“No, I think I’ll head inside now.”
“Very well. Allow me.”
Derrick naturally offered his arm.
It was strange.
This was the Crown Prince’s garden, only a short walk from my room.
It felt too close and safe for an escort to be necessary.
Of course, it wasn’t impossible, but it was the sort of thing young couples, eager to cling to each other, might do.
I didn’t say that aloud, and to spare Derrick any awkwardness, I placed my hand lightly on his arm.
“Will you be coming with me to His Highness’s office as well?”
“I can only escort you nearby.”
“Why?”
“Once you cross a certain distance, anyone approaching His Highness—except his sworn guards—must disarm. I will be patrolling the area instead.”
“…I see.”
I glanced sideways at Derrick.
What I’d felt from Charles earlier, I was now feeling from Derrick as well.
Or was I just being too self-conscious?
Well, having some degree of affection isn’t a bad thing.
As long as it didn’t go too far.
With that thought, I accepted Derrick’s escort back to my room.
There wasn’t enough time to sit and rest before the meeting, so I went straight to the vanity.
“Vivian, just my lips will do, right?”
“Yes, just a moment.”
Vivian approached with a little pot of gloss and a brush.
She touched up my faded lips gently, then murmured with care.
“My lady, it seems you’re quite popular.”
So she’d noticed too.
If even someone standing at my side could sense it, then it wasn’t just my imagination.
“What do you mean by that?”
“…No, it’s nothing.”
Vivian straightened up and capped the gloss.
This time she began to tidy my hair.
“Hmm? What do you mean, nothing?”
I pressed again.
Vivian bit her lip, then finally whispered.
“Sir Charles and Sir Derrick both take such care of you. It feels… You know, like that.”
I met her eyes in the mirror.
Her violet hair caught the light with every stroke of the comb, curling more neatly.
“Vivian. You know never to say things like that in front of them, or anyone else.”
“Of course. But… my lady already knows, don’t you?”
“Well… a little. But it’s just a passing feeling.”
“For something fleeting, it seems—”
I cut her off and rose from my seat.
“Let’s go. Time is already slipping by.”
Half an hour had already passed during our conversation.
Vivian must have sensed I didn’t want to continue, because she dropped the subject.
Though the Crown Prince’s private bedroom and office were nearby, the actual working office was farther away.
The west wing was mostly living space, while the east wing was for business, where many outsiders came and went.
That was why I’d dressed a bit more carefully.
As soon as I stepped out of my room, Derrick followed.
Worried he’d offer his arm again, I quickly walked ahead.
We passed through several doors, then crossed the bridge that connected the east and west wings.
The shift in atmosphere was obvious.
Where the west was calm and quiet, the east was busier, livelier, even chaotic.
I suppose this is just someone’s workplace.
I felt glances as I passed, but no one stopped me.
Everyone seemed preoccupied with their own duties.
“It feels like a company.”
Did the Crown Prince really have that much work?
Still, finding his office wasn’t difficult.
If I simply followed where Amelia’s feet had once carried her, it was there.
Before I came into this world, Amelia had practically visited daily, despite not living here.
Come to think of it, though I’d lived here for quite some time now, this was my first time actually visiting the Crown Prince’s office.
That was almost absurd.
As I ventured deeper into the east wing, fewer people appeared.
Derrick stopped here.
“I’ll wait. Please go on.”
I gave him a small nod and walked slowly down the short corridor.
Why am I nervous? It’s only tea.
Knock, knock, knock—
I rapped gently on the door.
No response.
Maybe I’d knocked too softly.
I tried again, louder.
Still silence.
What?
He summoned me, and then he wasn’t here?
At a time like this, Amelia would have simply barged in.
Waiting outside felt pointless.
Since he’d told me to come here, it should be fine.
I pushed open the door and peeked inside.
The office was empty.
“What, really no one?”
Where had they all gone?
I stepped cautiously inside.
Though Amelia’s memories held the room’s layout, it was my first time, so
