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CHAPTER 57
Damn, at least this counts as exercise.
But surely he’s not planning to come with me every day, right?
Lying down and looking up, I couldn’t see Vincent’s face clearly because of the backlight.
The sunlight was too bright, and I couldn’t open my eyes properly.
I wasn’t sure if the glare was from the sun or from his dazzling looks.
I raised my hand to shield my eyes and tried to catch my breath, but suddenly my body was lifted off the ground.
“Y-Your Highness?”
Vincent had picked me up from the ground just like that.
“Yes.”
“W-What are you doing?”
“Look, the knights are coming out. It’s almost time for their group training. You’d be in the way lying here, wouldn’t you?”
“…Ah.”
When I opened my eyes and looked around, the knights were indeed coming out one by one to warm up.
I realized I must have been in the way.
And among them, I spotted a familiar face.
Vincent set me down on a large rock under a tree, and at that moment, Derek saw me and widened his eyes.
“My Lady?”
His guard duty usually started around nine in the morning, so he must’ve come for training before work.
I’d heard that when Derek wasn’t around, the Crown Prince’s palace was guarded by other knights who filled every corner.
Not just knights, but magical barriers were also in place, and even the entire Imperial Palace was under tight security—some said it was even safer than during the day.
Anyway, Derek, who had spotted me, came running over but quickly stopped when he saw Vincent beside me and bowed.
“Your Highness.”
“Yes, Derek. You can focus on your training. I’ll look after the Lady.”
“……”
Even after hearing the Crown Prince’s order, Derek didn’t immediately leave.
He kept glancing between me and the training field.
“Sir Derek, go on. I’ll see you later at work.”
I waved and smiled, and only then did Derek give me a polite bow before returning to his position.
“……”
Vincent looked displeased watching him.
Is he annoyed because Derek seemed to listen to me more than to him?
I couldn’t really blame him. Derek served the Crown Prince, whose rank was far higher than mine.
Then, a knight who seemed to hold a higher rank appeared, spotted Vincent, and hurried over.
“Your Highness, what brings you to the training grounds?”
“I had some business nearby. This is my fiancée, Lady Wentworth.”
I tried to stand for the introduction, but Vincent pressed lightly on my shoulder, signaling that I didn’t need to.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Wentworth. I am Baron Russ.”
I greeted him politely while still seated.
“I’m Amelia Wentworth.”
Right after the introductions, Vincent gestured toward the training area.
“Baron Russ.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“The weather’s nice today. How about we increase the intensity of training a bit?”
“Pardon? Oh… it’s not exactly light as it is, but well, I suppose we could.”
Baron Russ seemed surprised by the sudden suggestion but didn’t dare refuse.
After all, he wasn’t the one who’d be sweating.
“Please do. The knights’ stamina directly affects the safety of the palace.”
“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll raise it by about one and a half times.”
“Make it double.”
“…Ah, well.”
“That sounds better.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
When the Crown Prince says double, you double it. What else can you do?
What a scary man.
I shivered at Vincent’s petty revenge. I should never make him my enemy. Too late for that, though.
Satisfied, Vincent looked back at me with a much lighter expression.
I flinched under his gaze.
“Let’s go, Amelia. Can you walk?”
“O-Of course!”
My legs were trembling, but I jumped up, pretending to be fine.
Vincent offered me his hand.
“Don’t push yourself.”
“……”
It felt awkward, but refusing his hand here would be too embarrassing.
And knowing him, he’d remember it forever just to tease me.
So I placed my hand in his.
His hand was large and warm as it closed around mine.
“Let’s go.”
Before I knew it, I was being led by the hand, following Vincent back toward the Crown Prince’s palace.
When I glanced back, Derek was watching us.
I’m sorry, Sir Derek. Hang in there!
Vincent didn’t let go of my hand until we reached my room.
“Wash up and meet me again.”
“Again… oh, okay.”
Now that I thought about it, I still didn’t know why he had come to find me that morning.
When I stared at him in curiosity, he asked,
“What is it?”
“N-Nothing. See you later, then.”
Tap—
When I entered the room, Vivian was tidying my bed.
I was about to dive onto it, but Vivian blocked me.
“No, my Lady! I just changed the sheets!”
“Ahhh, Vivian, I’m dying. Just a little, please?”
“No, no. I’ve already filled the tub, so go take a bath first! When you’re done, I’ll give you a massage.”
“Oh, really? Fine.”
Defeated by my fifteen-year-old maid, I went straight to the bath and sank into the warm water.
After washing up and receiving a thorough massage from Vivian’s firm hands, I changed clothes.
Every time I wore Amelia’s clothes, I thought the same thing—her taste was extravagant.
Even her loungewear was covered in frills and lace.
As I rested, Charles appeared.
“My Lady, His Highness requests your presence in the dining room.”
“Huh? For breakfast?”
“Yes, please follow me.”
“Wait, then I should change—”
“His Highness said to come as you are.”
Perfect. I was too tired to change anyway.
Throwing on a cardigan, I followed Charles reluctantly to the dining room.
That room was usually reserved for dinner, and only when eating with Vincent.
Seeing it in the morning felt strange.
Vincent was already seated.
“Welcome.”
I stared at his face for a moment before my eyes moved to the food.
Omelet, salad, fruit, milk, grain drink, chicken steak, and several types of bread.
More than my usual meal, but still a fairly simple brunch.
I sat down in the chair Vincent pulled out for me, giving him a curious look as he sat opposite.
He smiled when our eyes met.
“You seem interested in fitness. Eating well is just as important as exercise for building stamina.”
“That’s… true.”
I nodded weakly, and he smiled as he gestured for me to eat.
I picked up my fork and reached for the salad bowl filled with fresh greens.
The crisp, tangy flavor filled my mouth, gradually restoring my appetite.
After eating for a while, once I was about full, Vincent spoke.
“Amelia.”
Munch munch.
“Yes?”
This omelet was divine. Buttery and soft, it melted the instant it touched my tongue.
As I admired my empty plate, Vincent handed it to a servant.
“Listen while you eat. What would you think about starting work in my office from today?”
The grape I was about to eat froze midair as I stared at him.
“Of course, I won’t force you. But for someone of your status—”
“I’ll do it. But you’ll pay me, right?”
“…What?”
“How much?”
“Well—”
“Does it include overtime pay?”
Vincent blinked at my barrage of questions, then suddenly laughed.
“I’ll tell Oscar to pay you generously.”
“Oh, I’ll look forward to it.”
“But… do you need money?”
At his serious question, I nodded hard. Who doesn’t need money?
Sure, living in the Crown Prince’s palace meant my housing, meals, and entertainment were covered.
But with no personal funds, I felt trapped—not to mention I might need to escape someday.
The Duke of Wentworth apparently gave Amelia an allowance before, but she’d always spent it all.
And since moving into the Crown Prince’s palace, even that had stopped.
I was, in short, completely broke.
I smiled sweetly at my new employer, Vincent.
