KMPEG 58

Chapter 58

“Why is that duke leaving without even having dinner?”

At Sophie’s question, Alexander replied in a tone like he was humoring a child.

“Sophie, the duke has important matters to handle. He has to go and take care of some tax issues.”

“Really?”

Sophie glanced at Duke Martino, who was standing there looking completely out of it.

“But he should still eat dinner. Being hungry is the worst. Sophie hates being hungry.”

“But the duke is busy, you know?”

Sophie puffed out her cheeks and looked at Alexander. Beside him, Michaela was glaring at Sophie like she wanted to kill her.

Watching the three of them made me feel like I was already getting indigestion before even taking a bite.

Ugh. My head hurts. I’m already full just from watching this. Why am I seated so close to them?

Sophie spoke again in a voice dripping with sweetness.

“Your Highness, you’re the kindest, most warm-hearted man in the world. Sophie would be so happy if the duke stayed to have dinner with us. It wouldn’t feel right to send him away without eating.”

Alexander’s expression softened—like he was watching a cute puppy’s antics. He pointed at Duke Martino.

“Duke, stop. Our Sophie wants to have dinner with you, so stay and enjoy the banquet.”

“And, Your Highness, can’t you take care of those boring tax issues too? Today’s such a nice day. You should just have a good time with Sophie.”

Sophie reached out with both hands and took Alexander’s hand. You could practically see his heart melt.

I glanced at Michaela—her eyes were blazing with insane jealousy.

Yikes. It’s like she’s shooting bullets from her eyes.

Sophie didn’t even look Michaela’s way.

Alexander gave an exaggerated sigh, leaned back in his chair, and said,

“Well, since Sophie asks so nicely, I can’t help but change my mind. Duke Martino, forget about the tax issue for now and take your seat.”

“…!”

All the guests were shocked, and Duke Martino looked like he couldn’t believe what he’d just heard.

The maid serving him quickly reset the table, and the duke hesitated before slowly sitting back down.

No one dared to say anything. People just glanced around, reading the atmosphere.

It was surprising enough that Alexander changed his command so suddenly—but even more shocking was how much influence Sophie clearly had over him.

Sophie… she might be more dangerous than I thought.

I glanced at her. She must have felt my gaze because she turned to me and gave me a pure, innocent smile.

Why does that smile give me the creeps?

I wanted to change seats—preferably to the far corner. Sophie might act like a sweet, naive girl, but in just a few minutes, she had done what no noble dared to do.

And more than that—she openly demonstrated her influence in front of other nobles, using it to strengthen her position, all in a perfectly natural way.

This woman is scary. And Michaela’s no better. I just want to go home!

13. Reunion

—Clap!

“Alright! Let’s begin the banquet.”

Alexander clapped once, and as soon as he finished speaking, maids came in carrying food.

—Creak.

Just as they placed the first appetizer on the table, the banquet hall doors swung open.

“You’re finally here!”

Alexander jumped to his feet, grinning, and spread his arms toward the person entering.

Everyone’s eyes turned toward the newcomer.

“Everyone, let me introduce my old friend—Tiago!”

…?

Tiago?

Alexander walked right over and slung an arm over Tiago’s shoulder. The nobles all stared, surprised by Alexander’s casual familiarity. Tiago, as always, looked relaxed and confident.

Alexander gestured toward the “Prince’s Guest” seat.

“Tiago was a little late because he was carrying out a task I gave him. Perfect timing, though! Have a seat. Let’s begin the banquet.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The only people not shocked were Tiago and Alexander. Everyone else sat wide-eyed like startled rabbits, but no one dared ask questions.

Tiago? What’s he doing here?

Then I remembered—when I last saw him a week ago, he’d said he was “on his way to the palace.”

Right, and he was dressed up that day too.

Things were starting to make sense. Maybe Tiago was the reason I was invited here.

Did he ask for me to come?

But then why invite Charlier, Leo, and Frederic too?

I kept glancing at Tiago, but I wasn’t the only one. Every woman in the room was looking at him with keen interest—even Michaela’s gaze softened when it landed on him.

Wow… Tiago, you really know how to grab attention just by showing up.

Some people just naturally win hearts without trying. Tiago was one of them.

The meal began. The hall was so quiet you could hear the faint clinking of cutlery.

Tiago picked up his knife and fork.

Oh.

Our eyes met.

—Thump.

Oh no… my heart. Not now.

Just making eye contact made my heart drop to my stomach. I quickly looked away, trying to hide it.

Dangerous man. What kind of influence does he have to be the prince’s honored guest?

I still couldn’t trust him completely—and I had to find out why he brought me, Charlier, and the rest of the Shyro group here.

“Lady Delphine.”

“…?”

It was Alexander calling my name.

I almost choked on my bread, but managed to swallow and turn toward him.

Those cold eyes… scary. Like he wouldn’t care no matter what happened.

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“Is the food to your taste?”

“Yes, it’s very delicious.”

I kept my answer short and polite, eager to get back to my plate. But then I accidentally locked eyes with Tiago again.

His gaze was warm and steady—almost like he was cheering me on.

Alexander didn’t seem particularly interested in my answer.

“I’m glad to hear it.”

“Your Highness!”

Sophie, sitting to my left, jumped into the conversation.

“I especially love this pâté. Fresh liver tastes the best.”

Phew. Thank goodness. This might be the first time I’ve been happy for someone to cut into a conversation. Yes, Sophie—take over the talking. I’ll just stay quiet and eat.

Alexander’s attention shifted back to Sophie, and they chatted happily, as if the rest of us didn’t exist.

Meanwhile, Michaela was sitting beside them, holding back her fury. Just watching her was enough to make me lose my appetite.

Don’t look. Just focus on the food. This is bad for my mental health.

I turned back to my plate. Every dish was a masterpiece, some unlike anything I’d ever seen before—flavors bursting in my mouth like fireworks.

Yeah… just enjoying this food is enough to make me happy.

For a while, I focused on eating. Charlier, Frederic, and Leo were all silent too.

The only voices in the hall were Sophie and Alexander’s.

When everyone finished their appetizers, the maids cleared the plates and brought out the main course—steak.

As soon as her plate was set down, Sophie exclaimed,

“Wow! Beef steak—my favorite! Thank you for the meal!”

Her lack of manners made a few nobles frown. Then, with an innocent expression, she added,

“Oh? But Michaela doesn’t like beef steak, right, sister?”

Everyone except Tiago and Alexander stared in shock. Sophie had just openly pointed out Michaela’s dislike in front of everyone—and called the future empress “sister” on top of it.

Oh my god… Sophie, please. If you just stayed quiet, you’d be halfway to victory by now.

The atmosphere froze. Michaela glared at Sophie like she might leap across the table and tear her apart.

Alexander broke the tension, pressing a fork into his steak.

“Is that true? Michaela, you don’t like beef steak?”

“I… No… I like it, Your Highness.”

Michaela cut off a tiny piece—barely the size of a thumbnail—and put it in her mouth. But it was obvious she was forcing herself.

I bet what she really wants to slice up right now is Sophie’s neck, not the steak.

The hall was now thick with hostility instead of silence.

No matter how hard I tried to ignore it and focus on my food, Sophie kept dropping little bombs in conversation.

Sophie… please. I just want to enjoy this amazing food without getting indigestion.

And so, the rest of the meal continued with Sophie making more tactless comments.

Please. This food is too good to waste by choking on it.