Chapter 19
After dancing with Lucy, Bartholomew saw no reason to remain in the banquet hall and strolled through the palace gardens.
As he caught his breath in a quiet, secluded spot, someone called out to him.
“Prince Bartholomew!”
It was Lucy’s voice, now strangely familiar.
When he turned around, Lucy was running toward him, holding the white puppy in her arms.
“Thank you so much!”
Lucy threw her arms around Bartholomew in a tight hug.
Trapped between them, Cerberus barked loudly: “Woof!”
Bartholomew stiffened at Lucy’s sudden embrace.
“Thanks to you, Prince Bartholomew, I was able to successfully get through the royal banquet.”
“I see. Well, for now…”
“And I was even invited to dine with His Majesty the Emperor for the first time!”
Lucy raised her head and looked up at Bartholomew.
Her amber eyes sparkled.
Her cheeks were flushed like flower petals, and her radiant smile was full of life.
She was genuinely happy.
All thanks to him.
“If it weren’t for you, Prince Bartholomew, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything.”
A faint smile tugged at Bartholomew’s lips.
“I see. I’m glad I could be of help.”
They smiled at each other.
Realizing he had smiled unintentionally, Bartholomew quickly snapped back to composure.
He applied slight pressure with his arm, gently pushing Lucy back.
Lucy obediently stepped away from his embrace.
Then she noticed Cerberus’s nose mark clearly on Bartholomew’s chest.
“Oh, right. This puppy was a gift from His Majesty the Emperor.”
“This little dog?”
Bartholomew looked puzzled; it was a common puppy, not a rare jewel or treasure.
“His name is Cerberus!”
“Cerberus?”
And the name seemed entirely mismatched.
Thinking this, Bartholomew looked at Cerberus.
Sensing his gaze, Cerberus narrowed his eyes.
As if reading his thoughts, he wrinkled his nose and let out a small growl.
“Cerberus! Don’t growl. It’s because of this person that you and I were able to meet.”
Lucy scolded Cerberus gently.
Then she offered Cerberus to Bartholomew.
“Try holding him. He’s the fruit of our efforts together.”
Bartholomew thought Lucy’s words might be misinterpreted but said nothing.
Still, he didn’t immediately take Cerberus, instead just staring at him.
Lucy tilted her head.
“Are you perhaps afraid of dogs or dislike them?”
Bartholomew shook his head.
It was simply unfamiliar to him, being the first small dog he had ever encountered.
“If not, please hold him. He’s like a soft, chewy rice cake.”
Soft, chewy rice cake? What was that?
Bartholomew didn’t fully understand Lucy’s words but reached out his hand.
As Cerberus tried to wrinkle his nose again, Lucy shushed him.
Bartholomew held Cerberus in his arms.
His posture was awkward, as if cradling a newborn.
But he began to understand why Lucy had urged him to hold the puppy.
The little dog was soft and warm.
Bartholomew stroked Cerberus’s head as if entranced.
Cerberus let out a low growl but had no intention of biting.
Bartholomew carefully stroked his back and gently rubbed his soft belly.
“……”
“……”
Lucy felt a little embarrassed.
She had only asked him to hold the puppy briefly, yet Bartholomew was lost in petting him as if in a trance.
“He’s cute, isn’t he?”
“Cute?”
Bartholomew’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Not so much cute as… calming.”
“Pardon?”
Lucy watched Cerberus, who was still wrinkling his nose and baring his tiny teeth.
Anyone could see Cerberus clearly disliked Bartholomew, yet Bartholomew felt comforted as he petted him.
“Petting Cerberus seems to ease the tightness in my chest.”
Bartholomew looked at Cerberus with genuine curiosity.
However, displeased with the attention, Cerberus barked and snapped at Bartholomew’s hand.
He barely bit him, only nipping the sleeve after Bartholomew twisted his wrist.
“Cerberus!”
Startled, Lucy lifted Cerberus out of Bartholomew’s arms.
She raised the puppy to her eye level and said sternly,
“Prince Bartholomew is my friend. You mustn’t behave rudely.”
Cerberus let out a disgruntled whine.
“Prince Bartholomew, are you alright?”
“I am fine.”
He smoothed his sleeve and replied calmly.
He showed no fear of a tiny puppy’s little nip.
“So… how can I ever repay you?”
Lucy held Cerberus in her arms and looked at Bartholomew.
“I owe you a great debt, Prince Bartholomew. Is there anything you need my help with?”
At that moment, she felt she could even pretend to pluck a star from the sky if he asked.
At the same time, she worried he might refuse and think, we’ve settled the debt; no need to interact further.
Knowing Bartholomew, he could very well act that way.
Yet unexpectedly, he spoke.
“If that is truly the case…”
He hesitated for a moment, then continued.
“Please allow me to meet Cerberus occasionally.”
Lucy’s eyes went wide.
‘He must really like Cerberus.’
The calming effect of a pet was indeed remarkable.
“Of course! Prince Bartholomew, you are always welcome.”
Lucy’s cheerful reply earned a nod from Bartholomew.
“Then, since my business here is done, I shall take my leave.”
“Wait!”
Lucy called after him as he turned to leave.
“Actually…”
She cautiously glanced at him before continuing.
“His Majesty the Emperor wishes for you, Prince Bartholomew, to join us for dinner as well.”
“Me?”
Lucy nodded, wearing an apologetic expression.
She felt that simply making him dance at a crowded banquet, despite not being socially inclined, had already been a huge burden.
And now, being asked to dine with the Emperor himself… would he even be able to refuse without risking injury?
“I wish you could rest as well, but His Majesty’s invitation is practically an order…”
Lucy trailed off.
Indeed.
It was an invitation from the Emperor himself.
For an ordinary person, this would be considered a tremendous honor.
The Emperor had personally invited Bartholomew to the dinner.
Bartholomew felt conflicted.
He hadn’t expected to be alone with the Emperor.
He hadn’t even gotten permission from Duke Faraday to attend the royal banquet.
What would Duke Faraday say if he knew Bartholomew had dined alone with the Emperor?
Already, his head began to ache at the thought.
Then he remembered the extreme measures he had yet to use.
Why should I care about the one who caused me pain?
For a moment, he entertained the thought.
It was the first time.
The first time he had felt defiance toward Duke Faraday.
Maybe it’s because of this woman before me.
Since meeting Lucy, Bartholomew had slowly begun to change.
He was feeling various emotions and behaving differently from his usual self.
“Since it is His Majesty’s invitation, I should of course attend.”
“Really?”
Lucy brightened.
‘Perfect!’
When the Emperor first invited her to the dinner, she had been apprehensive.
She had worried her negative stats might cause trouble during a private meeting with the Emperor.
But with Bartholomew by her side, it was like having a reliable ally present.
“Prince Bartholomew, do you remember the curse I mentioned?”
“I remember.”
“You may have noticed, but when I deal with people who are not you, I become…”
Lucy carefully chose her words, hesitating.
“My intelligence drops.”
“……”
“I can only answer in short phrases because of the curse.”
Bartholomew recalled how Lucy behaved around others.
No wonder her words now sounded convincing.
“So, when dining with the Emperor, if I appear troubled, could you speak on my behalf?”
Seeing Bartholomew’s stern expression, Lucy quickly added,
“I’ll let you pet Cerberus as much as you want, anytime! No, I’ll even let you become Cerberus’s dad.”
“……Please do not speak in that manner.”
“Huh?”
Bartholomew let out a small sigh.
“I understand. If I can help, I will.”
