Jealousy

In the reading room, Nickolai received every details about Dacia daily life. Cooking, cleaning and having a good relationship with the servants. She live with a complete opposite of what she used to do. Squandering money, excessive spending, bullying others and flattering the queen. Now, she just happily living her life, secluded in her own courtyard and have less interaction with the queen. Even if she gone to meet the queen, she will notify him first and it was never her initiative to see the queen.

She also reported to him every single conversation she had with the queen. She follows through the contract. This arose his wariness about her.

It like she is a completely different person.

To confirm his suspicion, he even ordered his guard to investigate her background the day after Dacia was gone. What she had been doing in the town that she used to stay. To check if she's really is Dacia Wickson.

But after receiving report from his dark guard, all of that telling him that she's indeed the same person. Yet, Nickolai doesn't seem to be satisfied with the result.

How can a person can be so different, and yet so similar?

"Keep on watching her. If anything suspicious going around her, report to me immediately." Nickolai order.

"Yes, your highness." The dark guard obeys then soon left the room.

Meanwhile, Irene in her room recalling back her conversation with the queen whilst having tea with her.

"Hosting a tea party??" Irene was surprised to hear this from the queen.

"Yes, it's about time you have a gathering and social activities with all the young ladies in this kingdom."

"But I still need time, your majesty. I don't think I'm ready to meet other people." Irene try to make excuses.

"Nonsense! Seeing you able to handle that old cranky Marquis, I believe you can also handle all the bunch of young ladies. I'm counting on you, Dacia." The queen said, as she drinks her tea gracefully.

Remembering that she will have to host a tea party and had to invite all the noble ladies, Irene then wrote down a report to the crown prince.

Before the day of the tea party, Irene goes through the procedure and used the budget that has been allowed to host the tea party. After inviting all the noble young ladies, Irene focus on food that needs to be served.

Now the day has come, Irene welcoming every guest that arrive at the tea party.

Everyone was complimenting her and thanking her for the invitation.

Irene respond to them kindly, with a smile.

Soon after, Alma arrived.

Sure enough, all eyes are looking at her and Alma.

All the noble ladies knew the strained relationship between the two of them.

Some were worry and some were excited to see a free show or maybe a cat fight which mostly they thought Dacia will initiate, due to her past behaviour.

Irene can guess what the guests are thinking. She then gave a smile towards Alma as she welcome her.

"Welcome, Lady Alma. Come join us for tea."

"Thank you, your highness." Alma said.

The tea party rather going well. As all of them having an idle talk and gossiping.

Irene just listen in silent while they all talk.

Soon the dessert and appetizer is served.

All of them were amazed with the cute decoration of the food. For they never seen such food as this.

"What is this, your highness?" One of the young lady asks.

"It is a pudding. And this is a cranberry cream cheese."

All of them tasted it.

"Wow, it so sweet."

"It's very chewy."

All the young ladies voice out their opinion about the food. With a result, that they found it very satisfying. Even Alma seem to enjoy the food.

"I need this recipe right now. Your highness, please let us meet this chef of yours." One of the noble ladies requested. Even others have the same request.

"Well...actually, I make them myself." Irene told them the truth.

With that, everyone was surprised.

"Your highness, you are simply talented."

All of them bombarded her with compliments and flowery talks except Alma. It makes Irene feels awkward. She didn't know how to respond. Irene could only smile politely and nod her head.

Not only the noble ladies get to tasted the dessert and appetizer, the servants in her courtyard also enjoy tasting it.

Some maids who are walking while carrying the tray talks about the food.

At that time, they saw the crown prince and his assistant happened to passed by the area.

"Greeting, your highness." All the maids stopped talking and greet him with respect.

Nickolai took noticed the food on the tray.

"What is this?" He questions.

"To answer you, your highness. This is a dessert and appetizer that is made by the crown princess." The maids answer him.

Both Nickolai and his assistant was surprised.

Nickolai came to know another of Dacia's skills.

He was drawn towards the food. Even looking at it, looks appetising. Nickolai resisting the urge to taste the food.

"Who are this for?" He questions again.

"It is given for the servant by the crown princess, your highness." The maids reply.

"When will the crown princess send one for me?" Nickolai couldn't help but asks. That question makes his assistant raises his brow in surprise.

Hearing this, both of the maids looked at one another.

Then one of them answered.

"We...haven't yet received such order from the crown princess, your highness."

There's a hint of disappointment and dissatisfaction in his heart, when he realises that Dacia didn't have the intention to send one for him.

Nickolai was about to leave in anger, but then changed his mind few minutes later.

"Where's the crown princess?" He appears in front of the maids again.

"The crown princess is currently attend to her guests, your highness." The maids said.

Nickolai then turn away from his previous destination and walks towards the tea party. His assistant had to follow suit. Seeing the crown prince is going to meet the crown princess, both of the maids couldn't help but giddily smiles.

Irene is busy giving out the recipe of the pudding and the cranberry cream cheese. All of them took interest in the recipe aside from Alma, who sit on the corner, calmly drinking her tea.

Their previous bad impressions about Irene has changed to good, after getting to know her and seeing the way she interacting with them. This make them want to build a good relationship with the crown princess.

"Did the crown prince already tasted this food you've made, your highness?" Other ladies asks in curiosity.

"What a silly question. Of course the crown prince has tasted it before us. They're husband and wife. Her highness must want her beloved husband to taste her food first." One of them said, half-jokingly.

Just when Irene about to give her answer, Alma intervene.

"The crown prince doesn't like sweet."

All of the ladies look at Alma, surprised. While Alma just smile innocently.

"If I remember correctly, the crown prince isn't a sweet tooth of a person." She stated again.

"Lady Alma..." One of the young lady beside her nudge her arm, signalling her to stop. But Alma ignored it and keeps continue.

"I'm simply telling the truth. I've grown up with the crown prince since a child. He never eat anything sweet."

Everyone looks at one another then turn to look at Irene. The lively atmosphere just now turn to be bland, because of Alma remark. However none could refute since she's the crown prince childhood friend, and it unlikely what she said is untrue. For they never seen the crown prince eat such food that is sugary in any occasions. But at the same time, they are worried of offending the crown princess, if they end up agreeing to it.

However, Irene already know what Alma said is true. The male lead indeed doesn't like eating anything sweet. The novel had mentioned that. But what confuses her, is why does Alma need to point out this matter in front of everyone?

To provoke her?

To tell everyone that she knows the crown prince better than his wife?

This is so ooc.

The villainess was supposed to be the one creating trouble with other characters, who's helpless.

But now is totally the opposite. It seems that Alma is the one who tries to trigger Dacia.

If she was the real Dacia, she probably would flipped out. Fortunately, she's not. And she rather not make enemy with any character in this world. So she tries to change the subject.

Just as Irene tries to lighten up the atmosphere, someone interjected.

"Who said I don't like sweet?"

All of them look towards the person.

It was the crown prince. His assistant are also beside him.

Everyone was caught in surprise with his sudden arrival, as they then bow their head to greet him.

Irene who was also shocked to see him, bow her head slightly.

What is this male lead doing here?

"Well, why are you so sure I don't like it?" Nickolai questions Alma.

Everybody else didn't dare to say anything nor move their head. Irene also didn't want to interfere.

"Am I wrong, your highness? When we were a kid, you always refused to eat anything sweet. You even banned the royal chef from serving you dessert." Alma said confidently.

Nickolai nods his head hearing that.

"Yes, indeed. I dislike eating anything sweet." He said.

Alma smile widely hearing his answer.

Just when she thought, he's agreeing to her, Nickolai continues his word.

"But that doesn't mean I dislike my wife food."

Hearing that, all the ladies were surprised. Even Irene couldn't believe her ears.

Nickolai walk towards her, that makes Irene subconsciously took a step back.

Once he's in front of her, he stop.

Irene didn't dare to move nor make eye contact.

She saw his hand reaches down to her plate. Taking her half eaten cranberry cream cheese.

Following his hand, she unexpectedly see him taking a bite of it.

Her eyes widen.

Everyone gasp in surprise.

Nickolai lick the crumb on his lip. Tasting it.

He then drew out a charming smile. All the young ladies blushes and amaze to see such mesmerising sight. While Alma looking hurt, and Irene still give a blank stare as she couldn't process what just happened.

"It's delicious." Nickolai said. He turn to Irene.

"I would like to enjoy eating some at my reading room. Hope my dear wife could kindly send one for me." He said.

Finally told her his wish, Nickolai nods his head towards the ladies as he then leaves the tea party with his assistant.

As soon as they leave, all the ladies squeal with delight.

They didn't expected to see such a lovey dovey scene between the crown prince and crown princess.

Now, the atmosphere turn back lively as all the ladies bombarded Irene with questions about her relationship with the crown prince, leaving Alma depressed in her own thoughts. While Irene head becomes more messy and chaotic.