Chapter 17
“Whaaat? Patrick, we used to be close! Now that I’ve become a princess, you’re pretending not to know me?”
Princess Amelia puffed out her cheeks in an adorably exaggerated protest, but Patrick found it impossible to take his eyes off Prince Evan, who sat before him like a venomous serpent.
“Haha… How could that be? Of course I remember. It’s simply that Your Highness’s position has changed, so it is only proper that I show you the appropriate respect.”
A maid poured reddish-brown tea into the cup before Patrick.
He took a quiet sip and simply listened as Princess Amelia chattered away.
“Brother, brother! Did I ever tell you? Patrick actually came all the way to the Somel territory once and stayed for six whole months. There was this little valley near our castle back then…”
As far as Patrick was concerned, he was grateful that the excited First Princess kept the conversation going on her own.
In a situation like this, taking the initiative to lead the discussion was a bad idea.
There were far too many opportunities to give Prince Evan the wrong impression—or hand him an excuse to use against him.
Besides, Patrick still had no idea what the prince’s true intentions were.
His father, the Marquis, seemed to share the same opinion and carefully chose his words.
“Indeed, that did happen. Your Highness was very young back then, yet you’ve already grown into such a fine young lady.”
“Oh, Marquis, don’t tease me.”
The girl’s cheerful laughter echoed through the warm midday garden.
Patrick tried to smile naturally to match the atmosphere, but it wasn’t easy.
He could clearly feel Prince Evan’s gaze fixed on him the entire time.
Like prey standing before a predator, every muscle in his body instinctively tensed.
What exactly is he thinking?
Why arrange such a bizarre gathering?
What is he hoping to gain here?
Apparently unaware that only Patrick had noticed the strange tension, Princess Amelia continued talking happily.
“Oh! Since we’re already on the subject… how about I let the two of you in on a little secret? Just a tiny one. But it’s a secret, so only you two are allowed to know.”
Putting on a mischievous expression, the princess raised a finger to her lips.
A secret…?
Judging by her excited tone, it sounded like something significant.
Neither the Marquis nor Patrick reacted hastily. They simply maintained polite smiles and waited.
Unable to contain herself any longer, Amelia finally blurted it out.
“Brother Evan has prepared a surprise present for my upcoming thirteenth birthday!”
“Oh? A present… What kind?”
“He’s going to find me a wonderful fiancé! Well? Weren’t you both completely surprised?”
Patrick barely managed to suppress the emotions threatening to spill onto his face.
“…Indeed. Thirteen is certainly the perfect age to become engaged.”
Apparently dissatisfied with the rather flat reaction from the Marquis and his son, the princess puffed out her cheeks again.
“What is that supposed to mean? I’m finally getting a fiancé! Why do you both look so unimpressed?”
Prince Evan… finding a fiancé for the First Princess?
What exactly does that mean?
Does Duke Somel—Princess Amelia’s father—even know about this?
Has Evan finally extended his influence into House Somel?
Or… could it be that, just like everyone else, the Second Prince has decided to abandon his own younger sister, whose usefulness has vanished, in favor of the First Princess, who is likely to awaken as the Saintess…?
Would that mean House Roengreen is about to be pushed aside by House Somel?
No…
If that were truly his intention, there would have been no reason to flaunt such an insulting fact so openly in front of the head of House Roengreen.
Seeing Patrick remain silent, lost in thought, the Marquis smoothly stepped in with a smile.
“How could we not be surprised? It’s simply that we’ve watched Your Highness since childhood. To think you’ve already grown old enough for marriage discussions… it leaves us with rather mixed feelings.”
“You should be congratulating me.”
At the princess’s gentle scolding, both the Marquis and Patrick offered polite congratulations.
Princess Amelia gave them both a reproachful look before turning toward Evan.
Her expression practically asked,
“I did well, didn’t I?”
Evan gave a small nod, as though granting his approval.
Immediately looking proud of herself, Amelia rested her chin on one hand, making no attempt to hide her confidence.
“So? Aren’t you curious who the lucky gentleman is—the one who’ll spend his future with me?”
Patrick glanced toward his father.
Despite the awkward situation, the Marquis of Roengreen—a powerful magician with immense pride and dignity—didn’t let the slightest trace of displeasure show.
“I am indeed curious. Which noble family’s son will receive such an honor?”
“Hmm…”
After studying him for a moment, Amelia curled her lips into a sly smile.
“Nope. I won’t tell you after all. Marquis, just like everyone else, you’ll find out at my birthday party. I’ve suddenly decided I don’t want to reveal it.”
She declared it with an exaggerated pout.
Patrick noticed the muscles in the smiling Marquis’s jaw tighten ever so slightly before relaxing again.
He swallowed nervously.
“That’s unfortunate, but it can’t be helped.”
Apparently Amelia had expected an apology instead, because she pouted even more.
Truthfully, Patrick himself had his own suspicions.
According to information gathered by the Magic Tower’s intelligence network, Prince Evan had recently been making secret contact with the Temple.
While the Pope, priests, and Holy Knights were forbidden from marrying under religious law, there were a handful of high-ranking priests from noble families who were exempt from the vows of celibacy.
Could Evan be planning to pair Princess Amelia with one of those noble-born high priests?
A connection to the Pope would only strengthen Amelia’s political influence.
From Duke Somel’s perspective, it would be an excellent marriage alliance.
“Hmph. How boring. Marquis, you were never any fun before, and you still aren’t.”
“My apologies.”
It was then that Prince Evan, who had quietly observed everything until now, finally spoke.
“So, Patrick… what did you think of my sister?”
“…Excuse me?”
He’s asking that?
Now?
Patrick, who had spent the entire meeting anxiously observing the situation, was completely caught off guard when everyone’s attention suddenly shifted toward him.
His unusually genuine reaction—nothing like the polished composure expected of a high-ranking noble youth—actually seemed to surprise Evan.
“Why do you look so startled? You seemed lost in thought, so I assumed you were reflecting on your meeting with her.”
The Marquis immediately stepped in with an easy explanation.
“Haha… I believe Patrick is simply embarrassed because Your Highness hit the mark.”
“Embarrassed? It’s the first time they’ve met since the engagement was arranged. That’s only natural.”
Princess Amelia leaned forward with bright green eyes, clearly eager to hear his answer.
The Marquis and Prince Evan both chuckled softly.
Patrick tried to laugh along with the other men, but somehow the corners of his mouth only trembled uncontrollably.
“So… when do you intend to answer my question? Or was there perhaps some poison mixed into Lord Roengreen’s tea to keep his mouth shut?”
“Certainly not.”
“Please forgive me, Your Highness. I was merely… considering how best to answer.”
The boy quickly lifted his teacup and took a sip.
Something churned violently in his stomach, as though it might rise into his throat at any moment.
But this was no time to lose his composure.
Carefully choosing each word, he continued.
“On my way to the capital, I learned that Princess Katrina had returned. Before entering the Imperial Palace, I asked my father to request a private audience with Her Highness. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much time available, so we were only able to take a brief walk around the palace together.”
It sounded less like an impression and more like a formal report to a superior.
But under the circumstances, it was the safest answer Patrick could give.
He couldn’t appear overly enthusiastic about meeting the princess.
Nor could he accidentally imply that he looked down on her or treated her with disrespect.
“We didn’t have the opportunity to speak very much, but Her Highness seemed to be an exceptionally warm and unpretentious person. Next time… I intend to bring her a cake from Liberté Patisserie.”
“A bakery? That child prefers baking cakes herself.”
Listening quietly, Prince Evan tilted his head as if the matter were completely ordinary.
“Princess Katrina bakes cakes herself?”
The Marquis immediately picked up on Evan’s casual remark and asked with mild curiosity.
Patrick barely heard him.
What…?
She really bakes cakes herself?
With those tiny little hands?
He had assumed Katrina’s repeated offers to bake him a cake were simply childish nonsense and had done his best to pretend he hadn’t heard them.
But…
Patrick’s eyes widened ever so slightly.
