Chapter – 12
“I was a bit hesitant, but I specially asked the chef. And he readily made it for me.”
“Anna, do you feel hesitant too?”
“Oh my, have you already shaken off that gloomy mood? And now you’re teasing me.”
Though she said that, Anna didn’t leave until Psyche finished all of her ice cream.
Psyche handed her the empty plate and said,
“You don’t have to watch out for the people of the Duke’s house. I was brought here from the royal palace, yes, but I’m still the mistress of this mansion.”
“That’s true…”
“You’re my maid and my person. So there’s no need to watch anyone’s expression.”
Psyche’s mood lifted, and she smiled warmly.
“You were so impressive when you shouted at Lady Tilly to be careful with her words last time. Someone like you… worried about the kitchen staff?”
“I was just too angry then, that’s why I intervened. Even now, thinking back, I feel wronged and angry.”
“I couldn’t even utter a word to her.”
Anna made a pouty face, as if to say, who are you kidding?
“You couldn’t utter a word? Who was it that let someone in with a smiling face, even when they were yelling? That was like spitting in her face while smiling. I didn’t know you had such a bold side, Ma’am.”
Though Anna said it playfully, Psyche was actually referring to her past life.
For four years, whenever she encountered Lady Tilly at social events after regaining her viscountcy, Psyche had been so terrified that she couldn’t utter a single word in response.
Yes, things are a little different now. Even if it’s just a few words back and forth.
Psyche forced a small smile, and Anna spoke cheerfully.
“If that lady dares to be rude again, I won’t just sit still.”
“Hmm. And if you don’t sit still, what will you do?”
“You’ll see when the time comes.”
Anna shrugged nonchalantly, and Psyche couldn’t help but laugh.
Talking with Anna made the events with Icali last night feel almost dreamlike.
Strangely, recalling Icali’s face made Psyche’s heart ache a little.
To shake off the feeling, Psyche held Anna close and chatted with her until lunchtime, gradually lifting her sinking spirits.
While chatting about trivial things with Anna, time flew by.
Psyche went to meet Hans and talked about what had happened in the square yesterday.
Although still uneasy about her husband’s right-hand man, he was less intimidating than her husband.
“So, Sir Warren invited me to the salon again. I think he’ll probably attend it himself, so…”
“I see. Well, any noble with even a bit of acquaintance with the Marquis’ family will likely attend. I heard it’s been prepared for months.”
To be invited to such a carefully arranged event… Psyche found it hard to understand the intention behind the invitation.
“I understand that you may not be able to avoid attending, Ma’am.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to refuse?”
When Psyche asked cautiously, Hans pretended to think it over.
“I’ll speak to the Duke first. If you attend together, there shouldn’t be any trouble.”
“…Attend the salon with the Duke?”
Psyche’s expression turned sour.
“Why waste time assuming his thoughts? Even if I’m capable, I cannot know the Duke’s heart. If he’s free, he could attend.”
“Hmm.”
“Don’t overthink it. Ask him. If it works out, we’ll prepare for you both to attend. It’s customary for couples to attend salons together.”
Though Hans said that, Psyche still looked displeased.
Even four years ago, she hadn’t asked Icali to attend social events with her.
Each time, he either didn’t respond or used being busy as an excuse to stay in his office.
After numerous proposals and rejections, he would sometimes just look at her coldly with eyes that had gone icy.
I just hope his annoyance doesn’t fall on me this time.
That was Psyche’s honest feeling.
“But Ma’am.”
“Hmm?”
When Psyche looked up, Hans gazed at her quietly.
“Are you alright? You met Sir Warren alone.”
“Huh?”
“My fault. I didn’t realize it would be a short distance. Next time, when you go to a café, you should take an escort. And it would be better if you didn’t interact with Sir Warren or Lady Tilly at all.”
Psyche blinked in surprise.
“Ah… thank you for looking out for me.”
“It’s nothing. But that woman holds a grudge against the Duke, so you never know what she might do to you.”
Hans sincerely seemed relieved that she returned safely and smiled gently.
“You should head downstairs for lunch, Ma’am.”
“Yes, thanks for listening.”
It was already lunchtime. Hans escorted her to the dining area.
As they went down the stairs, Hans spoke again.
“Forgive me for asking suddenly, but did you have ice cream with macadamia nuts this morning?”
Psyche rolled her eyes in surprise.
“That already reached your ears?”
“This mansion is under my control, after all… By the way, you really do like nuts, Ma’am.”
Psyche’s face turned bright red, and she whispered an embarrassed explanation.
“…Doson is famous for its nuts, but if you think I like them just because of that, that’s a prejudice. I just happen to like them personally.”
“Haha, I didn’t mean it that way.”
Psyche glanced sideways at the cheeky aide, trying to smile.
She started to argue that Doson produces more than just nuts, but then stopped.
When Hans opened the dining room door, Icali was already sitting there.
Thanks to recent experiences, Psyche was no longer as surprised to see him there.
His black hair slightly covering his eyelids and his firm build were accentuated by the thin shirt he wore.
The afternoon sunlight illuminated his face, more beautiful than any sculpture.
Psyche paused, then composed herself and entered the dining room.
Hans closed the door behind her, and the room became surprisingly quiet.
Icali seemed to have finished his meal already.
A single piece of chocolate sat on his plate as dessert, but he took a few sips of water and immediately stood up.
Without a word, he left the dining room.
Hans, who had entered with Psyche, widened his eyes.
“Uh, Ma’am, that’s… the Duke is very busy, so…”
“I’m fine.”
Psyche responded casually to Hans’ flustered words and looked at the steward.
“Serve the meal as it is.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“Hans, you should follow the Duke.”
Hans seemed to sigh, nodded, and quickly left the dining room.
Psyche remained alone to eat.
In fact, she felt more at ease not having to dine with Icali.
If he continued to act kindly, or if he unsettled her with incomprehensible words, she couldn’t be sure of her own emotions.
Last night, when Icali had stared at her as if there was something left unsaid, Psyche’s heart had fluttered uncontrollably.
Whenever their irreconcilable feelings clashed, Psyche felt her chest tighten.
She silently wished that in this life, Icali would continue to ignore her, treat her as if she were invisible, and show no interest at all.
At some point,
Psyche recalled the day when Icali completely stopped entering the palace.
Once a playmate of her older brothers, Icali gradually appeared less often after turning nineteen and never came after his coming-of-age ceremony.
Contact became almost nonexistent.
At that time, Psyche thought it was simply because of age.
Pouting, she muttered,
“I don’t understand. If my brothers are older, they could just play with me, right? They don’t even contact me. They know how long I wait. It’s so unfair.”
“Ah, Your Highness. How can men and women be friends? Especially when you’re a princess.”
Anna chuckled as she spoke to the young Psyche, whose cheeks were puffed out in a sulk.
Though still young, the princess who had once followed Icali had now become a proper adolescent girl.
Her chubby cheeks had slimmed, and she inherited the beauty of her late queen mother.
Furthermore, she even had a crush, which made Anna especially pleased with her appearance.
Anna carefully braided her hair and said,
“And besides, you don’t want to be friends with the prince. You like him.”
“T-That’s true!”
Psyche’s eyes widened.
Since turning nineteen, Icali had grown into a dignified and handsome prince, unattainable in presence and beauty.
It was natural that Psyche still had feelings for him.
Anna dressed Psyche in a lavender dress to comfort her.
“Moreover, he’s of age now, so he’s naturally even busier. There will be many events in the Empire as well.”
“That’s true, but…”
Psyche’s face fell.
To anyone, she looked like a lovesick adolescent girl. Anna chuckled.
