🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 45
There are days when you want to add a little variation to peaceful routines.
For Psyche, today was such a day.
She suddenly thought of arranging flowers, something she didn’t do often, and planned to send decorated vases—one to the Grand Duke and one to Angela.
“Miss Psyche, it seems there’s a visitor in the glass greenhouse.”
Mari, who was ahead of Psyche, suddenly stopped. Psyche followed her gaze.
And, a beat later, a woman’s face with a gentle smile appeared in her view… sharp, like a thorn.
Her light brown hair fluttered in the wind. Standing in the middle of the flower bed, she tucked a stray hair behind her ear and smiled shyly.
“…Is it…? I… better not….”
Clink.
The pin in her hair fell.
Without hesitation, a man bent down and picked it up.
The woman’s soft eyes curved, her cheeks lifted, and she smiled as she accepted the pin.
Her face flushed slightly, as if the conversation itself made her happy.
The man’s back looked familiar—black hair, broad shoulders.
“…Is it really you, Sir Aster?”
It seemed she hadn’t imagined it.
“Yes, there is a visitor in the garden.”
Psyche watched them, then spoke slowly. Her voice was calm, almost emotionless.
No, it sounded cold, even angry in its detachment.
“Shall I announce your visit?”
Aster was not known for humor.
“If you prefer, I can guide them to another part of the garden.”
What kind of conversation makes her cheeks flush like that?
“It seems the guest came with the Queen of Argos.”
Psyche realized she was seeing Aster speak to someone else for the first time.
“…Miss Psyche?”
“Yes.”
Mari’s voice called again, and Psyche regained her focus.
“If they are the Queen’s guests, they are also mine. I should greet them properly.”
Since the guest accompanied Angela, she was also Psyche’s guest. Psyche had to make sure they felt comfortable.
“Yes, I understand.”
The thought that had crossed her mind was uncharacteristic, even a little embarrassing.
Psyche looked at the two of them. Aster moved his lips slightly, as if joining the conversation.
‘He doesn’t speak much.’
He usually listened more than he talked. So when Psyche spoke, she often led the conversation.
Psyche straightened her thoughts and smiled. Too many unnecessary thoughts only made her head feel cluttered.
Her only concern was to gracefully host the guests.
Mari approached them first and announced Psyche’s presence.
Psyche walked forward, greeting them warmly.
“I happened to stop here and heard there is a guest from the Kingdom of Argos.”
The conversation between the two stopped, leaving space for Psyche’s gentle voice.
As she held the position of fiancé, the young lady visiting from Argos could not greet first.
When the girl’s golden eyes turned to her, Psyche smiled softly. Regardless of personal feelings, she had to attend to her guest.
“I am Psyche Clement. Please, rise.”
The young lady recognized Psyche and bent her knees slightly, smoothing her skirt and bowing.
“I am Clea Narsen, visiting with the Queen of Argos’ delegation. Sorry for the late greeting; I did not know you were here.”
“…It is a rare honor that you have come. May your days in the Grand Duchy be peaceful.”
Psyche greeted with a smile. Clea nodded slightly.
“Actually, I will be staying here for some time. The Queen asked me to accompany someone she wanted to introduce.”
“Ah, I see. It’s quite cold here, so please feel free to ask if you need anything. I will help as much as I can.”
“Thank you, Miss.”
The young lady bowed in gratitude.
“It is only natural to welcome a precious guest from the Grand Duchy.”
Psyche held her hand, though her heart felt a little tangled.
‘Here to be introduced…’
For a young lady of marriageable age, an introduction often meant an engagement.
Could the person to be introduced be… Aster?
Psyche remembered how close Angela and Aster seemed.
Her gaze shifted to Aster. He acknowledged her silently, lowering his eyes.
A strange feeling rose in her chest—like losing a treasured object.
‘Why am I feeling this?’
Still, she laughed softly to cover her complicated emotions.
Later that afternoon…
“So, the person to introduce… was me?”
“It is an honor, Miss Psyche.”
Clea bowed politely.
“I see. I thought Miss Narsen came to propose.”
“I have a fiancé I grew up with. This is not a proposal, but thanks to the Queen, I have a good opportunity to visit.”
Psyche smiled awkwardly. Clea’s eyes sparkled.
“This is a perfect chance to become closer with Miss Clement.”
“I am even more honored to hear you say that.”
“You can call me by my first name. Please, call me Clea.”
“All right. I’m Psyche. You can call me that too.”
Clea shyly said, “Miss Psyche,” and when Psyche responded quietly, her face blushed.
“The Grand Duke will be happy every day…”
“Huh?”
Clea added after a pause:
“To live seeing such a beauty every day, not in a gallery, but in real life.”
Psyche’s ears burned as she listened to the praise.
