Chapter 56: Chapter 56

"Do they think I’m the kind of person who can be won over with sweets or something? Seriously!"

"Is it so hard to at least ask, ‘Are you okay? Were you surprised? How have you been?’ Is basic decency or manners too much to expect? Just one or the other would’ve sufficed!"

He’s never exactly been a model of decency, but he’s gotten worse since the hunting competition.

I think I know why.

It’s probably because I asked, “Hey, do you… like me?”

We were fine as long as we stuck to our roles as fiancés, but bringing up emotions must’ve annoyed him.

His newly frosty demeanor screams, Don’t forget this is just a business relationship.

…But if that’s the case, he shouldn’t have kissed me!

Just thinking about it again made my irritation flare up. I wanted to kick a palace wall.@@novelbin@@

And then, out of nowhere, a coquettish laugh broke the silence.

“Ahaha! Your Highness, don’t say things like that. You’ll make me expect too much.”

“I’m saying it because I want you to expect it. No matter how much you look forward to it, it still won’t compare to the splendor of the stage you’ll stand on that day.”

“It’s not just my stage, though. The other ladies… no, wait, we’re still talking! If you’re going to be like this, I’ll just leave!”

Followed by exaggerated kissing sounds—loud and deliberate—and her sugary, lilting voice that didn’t sound like she had any intention of actually leaving. Whoever they were, they were the kind of people I had no desire to ever associate with.

This is a public place, isn’t it? Historically, the palace wasn’t just the royal family’s residence; it also served as an educational and social hub for the nobility.

I decided to ignore them and move on as quickly as possible.

“Haha, gotcha!”

“Oh, Your Highness! You’re only quick when it’s something like this!”

...And then, right in front of me, a nauseatingly affectionate couple burst out of a tearoom, blocking my way.

I didn’t recognize the woman.

The man, however, was the Second Prince—Percival.

So much for pretending I didn’t see them.

Under Percival’s sharp, flickering gaze, I gave him an awkward curtsy.

“Your Highness, I hope this day finds you well.”

“…Ah. You’re a daughter of the Redfield family, aren’t you?”

“Yes, Doris Redfield, the third daughter.”

“Right, the youngest one with the ridiculously beautiful sister!”

Percival snapped his fingers. His dismissive tone was irritating enough, but did he have to phrase it like that?

This coming from the man who danced with my sister during the hunting competition!

The woman nestled against Percival’s side and playfully poked his chest.

“Your Highness, is it really proper to talk about other beauties in front of me? I’m not sure I can allow it.”

“Ah, but such beauty is like a natural disaster. Haven’t you seen it yourself? Surely, you can let it slide just this once?”

“Honestly! Is this really the time for that kind of talk?”

No, this isn’t the time for you two to be disgusting in front of me either.

As my patience steadily dwindled, Percival finally turned his attention back to me.

Hurry up and either end this conversation or excuse yourself! I can’t just leave while you’re standing here!

“Did you come to visit my brother?”

“Yes, Your Highness. I was relieved to see him in good health.”

“We were surprised too. With talent like that, it seems like he would’ve been better off being born into a mercenary family rather than the royal one.”

“…”

“I’m joking. You can laugh.”

Of course, I didn’t laugh.

Percival, unbothered, gave the woman a nudge toward the tearoom. She giggled as she walked back inside.

“Doris Redfield. Is your sister doing well?”

“Yes, she is in good health, Your Highness.”

“That’s good to hear. Do both of you sing at all?”

“Sing?”

“There’s talk of holding this summer’s charity event as a concert. Naturally, the front row should be filled with young ladies, don’t you think? It’d be a good opportunity for you.”

Good opportunity, my foot! I’m suddenly reminded of the library director who suggested our librarians dress up and perform pop dances because we were “so pretty.” The mere thought gave me chills.

…But this is a different context. Calm down.

After all, noblewomen in this era genuinely used performances like plays or choirs to raise money at charity events.

“Well, I’m not very skilled, but I’ll ask my sister.”

“Do you really need to ask? Doesn’t Natalie love any event that lets her stand out?”

No, she doesn’t.

Let me make that perfectly clear.

Natalie doesn’t love events that make her stand out. She loves events she can control. There’s a big difference.

But I can’t exactly tell the prince that.

“I’m not sure, Your Highness. There are many things even sisters don’t know about one another.”

“True. Even between brothers, there’s much we don’t know. Like the moment one of them suddenly reveals an unexpected talent.”

“Haha… I suppose I’ll just have to rely on my sister.”

“Please do. And what you saw today—”

“—was nothing but Your Highnesses.”

“I like that answer. Farewell, then.”

Percival gave me an insufferable wink before returning to the tearoom. Through the closed door, I could still hear the woman’s shrill laughter.

“Did you enjoy chatting with a cute young lady?”

“Enjoy? Hardly. I’d rather spend my time watching your performance.”

“You can’t stop me from practicing and then complain about wanting to see me perform…!”

For the love of all things holy, can these two just stop?

I quickened my pace, desperate to escape the lingering echoes of their voices.

Of course, I told my sister everything.

“You danced with the Second Prince at the hunting competition, right? Just so you know, if he starts courting you, be cautious.”

Grace replied without hesitation.

“Any man who approaches me is 95% trash, so I never had any expectations for their character, dear sister.”

“…”

“Remember this: life is all about choosing the prettiest trash.”

“I don’t want trash at all, though…”

“Most humans are trash, dear.”

That’s… a bit too cynical, don’t you think?

But then she handed me a cake, seemingly prepared just for me, and I quickly shut up and focused on eating.

After the hunting competition, my parents had very mixed feelings about our results.

Grace, at least, returned as the queen of the event, exactly as they’d hoped.

“Natalie, so who was the man who brought you the most game?”

“I don’t know. I just told them to leave it and get lost.”

“...”

“You said all I needed was the laurel wreath, didn’t you? Why?”

If I were a parent, I’d be pulling my hair out too.

Unable to take it anymore, I told my parents that Natalie had danced with the Second Prince. Their reaction? Even more lukewarm than before.

“Now, of all times?”

“I heard his previous engagement fell through because of a mistake on his part… Suddenly looking for a fiancée domestically doesn’t exactly scream promising.”

From what I’ve gathered, the Second Prince’s reputation in high society is more flash than substance. Sure, he’d offer a stable life, but that’s about the extent of his appeal.

What bothered me, though, was:

“Still, for Natalie, even a scandal involving him would be more than she deserves.”

The fact that my parents seemed to hold that jerk in higher regard than my sister.

Meanwhile, the way they looked at me grew more complicated.

“The prince hunted a monster and dedicated it to you?”

“It wasn’t a dedication!”

“Oh, don’t be silly. It’s all in how you frame it!”

I had expected them to scold me for clinging to someone so disconnected from the Blue Atrium, but it seemed the rumors of him taking on a monster had started to shift his reputation.

Of course, there were still clear limits to that.

“Even so, don’t shut the door on other opportunities. Nothing’s set in stone yet.”

What other opportunities? No one’s going to suddenly start paying attention to Doris Redfield, who’s gone unnoticed for over twenty years.

Especially not with a fiancé like that.

The thought of it made me furious, so I stabbed my fork into the cake and ate aggressively while my sister spoke up.

“Are you planning to participate if the charity concert happens?”

“No, absolutely not.”

“You’re quick to answer. But if the Crown Princess attends, you might not have a choice.”

“Even though I’m just a fiancée?”

“Of course. If, as you say, the engagement doesn’t fall apart, there’s only one outcome.”

“...”

She wasn’t wrong.

I’m one of the people involved in this engagement, but I have the least say in it.

And the other person involved—Tristan—has no feelings for me and is simply enduring it.

This engagement is going to end in marriage.

No matter how much that prince despises me, he’ll marry me.

Knowing that is the only reason I’m enduring all of this.

But do I really have to keep pretending everything’s fine and smiling at someone who, when I visit out of courtesy, blatantly shows how much he dislikes me by putting on some empty tea-drinking act?

A wave of sadness suddenly welled up inside me.

And then…

“Wait a minute, Doris! Are you crying?”

“What? Ah, no, no, I’m not!”

“Your eyes are already brimming with tears. Don’t lie! Drop the fork!”

My sister snatched the fork from my hand and grabbed my hands tightly.

“Doris Redfield. Look me in the eyes.”

“Yes…”

“Be honest with me.”

With her fiery, stunning eyes locked on mine, she asked:

“Is there a problem with your engagement?”