CATBP~24

Chapter 24

Somewhere in the crown prince’s palace, Lucas thought he could hear the chirping of sparrows and frowned.

Chirp chirp!

The sparrow’s cries grew louder.

<I called you separately because I was worried you and Faye wouldn’t be able to have a proper conversation if it were just the two of you.>

Helen’s voice had changed.

<We’ve always spoken together in threes, haven’t we? Most of the time, I was the one guiding your conversations.>

<I can handle it on my own.>

<Truly?>

<……>

<Seems like you know that’s not the case.>

Helen had smiled faintly. He could still picture her parted lips, revealing her white teeth.

<I could spell out for you every single thing to say, just like before, but this time I won’t.>

<Why not?>

<Because you won’t grow that way.>

<……>

<So today’s task is this: have a proper one-on-one conversation with Faye.>

Chirp, chirp, chirp!

The sparrow cried even louder, as if mocking him.

…So noisy. Damn sparrow.

Lucas blamed the poor bird.

Yes, just as she’d said, he had failed to sustain conversations.

It was always others who initiated and made an effort to talk more with him.

That was possible for them; before he reached his current status, Lucas had lived with his head down, trying not to be noticed.

To him, staying up all night doing paperwork was easier than conversing at a child’s level with his young nephew.

“Uncle, what would you have said if I’d told you I didn’t want to make up?”

Faye asked while staring down at his empty mug.

<You like Faye. Even if it’s awkward and uncomfortable, express yourself honestly, as your heart tells you. That’s better than forcing out hollow words.>

<Smiling though… oh no. Not yet. Practice more in front of the mirror.>

<And, try moving your lips about family interests!>

Lucas blinked slowly as Helen’s chatter echoed in his head.

“I would’ve told you to do it anyway.”

“Even if it worsens relations with the imperial family?”

“Yes.”

Lucas wasn’t ignorant of the family’s political interests, which even his young nephew knew.

But neither family interest nor the title of Duke of Igaluk mattered to him.

He only became duke because, when Faye’s mother died, he was the only direct heir able to succeed as a Divine Beast’s vessel.

Though the position had been forced on him, he fulfilled his duties as family head because someday his young nephew would inherit it.

And when that day came, it would be best if the duchy weren’t at odds with the imperial family.

But if Faye had to swallow injustice for that sake…

Lucas clenched his fist. Blood surged in his chest. Do as your heart dictates, she’d told him. His lips curled into a sharp, icy smile.

“Our house is not one that bows and breaks before the imperial family. Not to the point where you’d have to bear everything and bend yourself.”

Lucas’s large hand came down over Faye’s head.

“Value yourself.”

It was an awkward, almost mimicked gesture, his hand moving slowly.

But the touch was sweeter and warmer than hot chocolate, and Faye nodded hard.

Lucas was about to withdraw his hand when a tiny one caught him.

“……Keep patting me.”

“……”

“Just for one minute. Please?”

Golden eyes looked up at him, shining with yearning.

“…Fine. I’ll do it.”

“Hehe.”

Faye nestled into his uncle’s arms.

Lucas kept stroking his head until Helen entered the drawing room.

I took Frederick to the drawing room.

He apologized to Faye sincerely.

He kept my request—no crying and throwing a tantrum to force forgiveness. And, on top of that, he pinky-swore with my favorite that he’d “never do it again.”

After the promise, Frederick burst into the tears he had been holding back.

This much is fine, I thought with a faint laugh.

Then Frederick called out to me in a choked voice.

“Duchess, thank you.”

“No, Your Highness. Instead of thanking me, please just get along well with Faye from now on.”

So well that, later on, if Faye ever asked, he might even be willing to share his blood with him.

And better still—if someday they both fell for the same girl, he’d remember today and willingly step aside for his brother.

“And things worked out because Your Highness apologized sincerely.”

If the apology hadn’t been real, it wouldn’t have reached him.

Especially since my favorite, being a Divine Beast, was more sensitive than normal people.

Had the young prince tried to fake his way through, Faye would have known instantly.

“…Not Your Highness. Call me Rick.”

“…Pardon?”

“Call me Rick.”

The nanny holding him let out a surprised “Oh my,” then smiled softly.

“His Highness rarely allows people to use a nickname. It seems the Duchess has won his favor.”

I blinked at Frederick.

When our eyes met, he buried his face into the nanny’s shoulder. The tips of his ears were red.

“…Rick, Your Highness.”

“…Drop the ‘Highness.’”

“Rick.”

“Hehe.”

Rick giggled happily.

When he cried, he was the very image of a troublesome toddler. But smiling, he was quite cute. Though, of course, my favorite was still more adorable.

The nanny soon left with Rick to prepare him for the banquet.

I walked over to where Faye sat beside the duke.

“Did you have a good time with Uncle?”

“Yeah!”

“You do look happy.”

I patted my favorite’s head gently.

Yes, I was jealous of the duke. That was exactly why I did it.

Sniffle. I wanted my favorite to only be close with me.

The ugly feeling rose with tears, but I wouldn’t let myself be overtaken by that devilish temptation.

If Lucas’s death could be prevented, I would eventually have to go live my own life.

So I had to think of the time when I’d no longer be by my favorite’s side.

“How long are you going to stand there?”

“I’m going now. Right now.”

We had to hurry too, to prepare for the banquet.

Faye followed the maids into another room.

Left alone with the duke, I tapped his shoulder lightly with my fingertips.

He raised an eyebrow, silently asking why I was poking him.

“Wasn’t so hard, talking with Faye one-on-one, was it?”

“…No.”

I whispered, so he whispered back, voice lowered too.

I found that amusing and smiled.

“Who spoke first?”

“I did. Though, to be honest, most of the longer conversation started because Faye asked me.”

“I see. Then next time, I’ll assign you homework—start the conversation yourself and keep it going for at least five minutes.”

“Do as you like.”

He pulled one corner of his lips into a smile.

“Sounds like you’ve gained a bit of confidence?”

Tch. Annoyingly smug.

I narrowed my eyes, then quickly stepped back—just far enough so he couldn’t easily grab me.

Then, clapping my hands, I praised him.

“Good work today, Lucas.”

“…Hmph.”

His eyes reddened faintly as he snorted.

Guess he really finds it humiliating to be treated like a kid, I thought gleefully.

I skipped quickly into the room that had been prepared for me.

Inside, Sally and other maids were waiting to help me change.

After finishing the makeover and stepping out, the first thing I did was look for my favorite.

I had to see him in his fancy clothes!

“…Oh.”

The moment I saw my little gentleman in his navy formal suit, I forgot to breathe.

My favorite was my oxygen; just looking at him was enough to make me breathe.

“Faye, are you secretly a dual citizen?”

“Huh? Nope?”

“No way. You totally look like you’re half Celestial and half Kailuma Empire.”

Or maybe half Fairy Kingdom instead?

Celestial or fairy? I frowned at the eternal riddle, hand on chin.

“Then are you half Celestial and half Kailuma Empire, Auntie?”

That would make us the same dual nationality, wouldn’t it?

“Yup! Correct! As expected, you noticed right away since we’re the same.”

“Hehe! Of course I noticed! Auntie, you’re dazzling!”

“The maids deserve the credit.”

My golden hair had been braided and coiled neatly at the back, adorned with a delicate floral hair vine.

The pale-blue gown I’d chosen earlier with Sally highlighted my figure just enough while remaining elegant.

With subtle makeup, my face looked livelier and sweeter than usual.

I’d thought “Helen’s” beauty was already perfect, but the maids had proven there was another level above that.

“Nope. Auntie, you’re dazzling every day!”

Sure, Helen’s face was naturally beautiful—but still, hearing my favorite’s compliment sent my mood soaring.

Soaring enough to sprout wings and fly.

When I stayed quiet, my favorite pouted, assuming I didn’t believe him.

Seeking an ally, he turned to the duke.

“Uncle, Uncle! Auntie’s dazzling, right?”

“….”

“Uncle?”

“….”

“Auntie, Uncle froze on the spot.”