The Beloved Fiancee Is Likely to Be the Villain - CH 23.1

Back at the royal palace, Harold and I reviewed the future scenario of “Otohoshi”.

Attracted by the heroine’s earnestness, the Crown Prince engages in a private, casual conversation, but when his fiancée sees them, the harassment becomes more direct.

The ninth chapter was mostly about what the protagonist endured.

The climax of the story was the coming-of-age party in chapter 10. The Crown Prince publicly disclosed his fiancée’s deeds and broke off the engagement, thus tying the knot with the protagonist.

Hopefully, Lord Domenic’s search will bear fruit by this date.

At the coming-of-age party, Miss Ulysses would probably take some action against Elizabeth.

As it stands, we could denounce Miss Ulysses and defend Elizabeth’s honor, but we couldn’t reach the Duke of Druids, who was behind it.

“I have heard that although they are searching the workshops one by one, the results are not encouraging.”(Harold)

“I’m know.”(Vincent)

No one will honestly admit guilt when suddenly asked if he or she performed a forbidden spell at their place. We will have to start by checking for suspicious transactions and other irregularities, and then gradually move on to the next level, looking for any craftsmen who might be acting strangely.

Today, I had an idea of what she wanted to do based on the information I had received from Miss Margaret and from the way Miss Ulysses was treating Raphael.

Miss Ulysses was playing the role of the “Star Maiden,” if not perfectly. And she was trying to make the novel happen.

If there was a positive aspect to her acting out the scenario, it was the certainty that she would eventually be united with me – that she would become Queen. This was what Raphael was talking about when he was with Miss Ulysses. He observed her more carefully than he did with other girls. He was really invested in his job.

If that was the case, then it was the Duke of Druids who gave her the magic stone and whispered to her, “You are the Star Maiden.”

…… but for what purpose?

I was scratching my head in frustration, and beside me Harold was raising his eyebrows at me. I wasn’t sure if I was being too harsh or too rash.

The Duke of Druids was a troublesome character and a snooty man, but never thought that he was just a small-time player. I didn’t think he would try such a roundabout scheme that against the Royal family that, if successful, would be a big deal.

“I’m exhausted. ……”

I tossed the book and headed for the closet. Harold took the lead and opened the heavy door.

It was almost time to eat.

I was about to instruct him to change from my school attire to something more comfortable.

But suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

Harold answered immediately and returned after hearing what was going on.

He put his hand on his chest and reported me what the servant had said.

“His Majesty the King has asked Your Highness to be on time for dinner. He has invited the Duchesse de La Montlivre.”

“…… let me put on the winning dress I bought the other day.”

I deeply regretted scratching my hair in a fit of emotion a few minutes earlier.

*******

I managed to finish getting ready and ran to the dining room, where I found Elizabeth. She was standing cross from me, next to where my mother would normally sit. There was special dishes prepared for Elizabeth.

Elizabeth did not take her seat, but remained standing, waiting for me to come.

“Thank you for inviting me.”(Elizabeth)

Her golden curls were loosely tousled over her shoulders, and the rest of her hair was pulled back with a ribbon. Although she was not wearing a formal evening gown but a simple dress, it enhanced Elizabeth’s beauty to the fullest. She was still graceful enough to appear in front of me, the Crown Prince. Her dress is a light purple mermaid line without jewels, but richly decorated with lace and ruffles.

I was truly glad that I had bought the dress for the competition. The monotone jacket with a single point was as pretty as Elizabeth, who was the epitome of loveliness.

“I am so glad you came.” I said to her. “It’s nice to see you.”

“I called her.”(King)

When I tried to make it look like I had called her, without understanding what was going on, my father easily revealed it to me.

“I’m sorry for the urgency, Miss Elizabeth, but my son has something he wants to talk to you about.”

Father glanced at me as he said this.

I knew from the implied look in his eyes that this dinner was prepared for me – of course, it was a reward for me for inviting Elizabeth, but he was also trying to give me some hints about the commotion at the school.

“I am in awe of your words. I have always wanted to meet you, even if I was busy and could only catch a glimpse of you.”(King)

Elizabeth gave a soft smile to my father and me. Father was silent, probably because in his heart he is thinking, “Elizabeth is a real angel …….”

But after one heavy cough, Father pulled out the chair and stood up.

“Sorry, I have some business to attend to, so I will leave you now.”

He was probably lying. He was actually having dinner in his room because he did not know what he would do if it was discovered that he had shared dinner with Elizabeth while my mother was not around.

Of course, Elizabeth, who was unaware of such royal backstage affairs, kept bowing her head to the back of my father until he passed through the door.

“Then, please sit down. We will eat, too.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Excuse me, Your Highness.”

At my words, the serving began.

When I asked her to tell me about her friends, Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled and she told me about her friends.

That one was kind, that one was good at math, that one was very good at making pastries. Everyone was lovely and fashionable,……, and Elizabeth was prettier when she talked. I couldn’t say that out loud, though. I am sure she will laugh at me and say that I am a stupid fiancée.

“Liza must have a lot of friends.”

“They are all very kind to me.”

” I envy you, Elizabeth. Because all of your friends are so unique.”

“Thank you, …….”

Should I talk about Raphael? No, what about Harold and Edward?

I opened my mouth to compliment them, as Elizabeth did, but all I got was a dry laugh. Harold’s gaze pierced the back of my head as if he wanted to make a hole through my head.

I coughed and changed the subject.

I said, “Oh, by the way, are you friends with the Druids, the Dukes of Utah?”

“Yes …….”

She said yes, but did not follow up any other sentence. Elizabeth’s shapely eyebrows furrowed. It was unusual for her to be so openly dissatisfied about any topic.

I thought this was probably because I asked her father’s acquaintance, but I was wrong.

“We give seasonal gifts to Utah. My parents are co-working with Duke…… Druid.”

She choosed her words before speaking which in summary meant she had practically no interaction with the Druids. But her expression was stiff. She was someone who was very good in hiding her unease so seeing such uncomfortable expression on her face made me puzzled and curious at the same time.

“What’s going on?”(Vincent)

“……”

“Liza, is there something you can’t tell me?　…… then I’ll have to ask someone other than you.”

As I said it, I felt inside me that this was a completely threatening line. It would only make Elizabeth more wary. But I couldn’t find the right words.

I finally realized that it was not only out of consideration for my mother that my father had left. He had left for our privacy.

You can’t speak ill of another family in front of the King. Neither Elizabeth nor her father, the Duke, would be the kind of person who would complain on someone who was fortunate enough to have ties to the Royal family.

What should I say to Elizabeth to make her understand?

What I want from Elizabeth was not to put ugly rumors in the Royal family’s ears but the reason of her unease.

“…… Sorry. I didn’t mean to threaten you. It’s just that it’s hard for me as your fiancé to not know if there’s something that makes you uncomfortable …….”

After much thought, what came out was just the honest truth.

Elizabeth looked at me with a sigh.

“I am sorry, Your Highness Vince. I did not mean to conceal anything from His Highness.”

“No, I’m sorry too. If you don’t want to tell me, you don’t have to.”

If I got down on my knees and asked my father for help, he would tell me that it was me who was being rude for not having heard her.

Elizabeth looked straight at me from the other side of the table as I nodded my head in agreement and encouragement.

Her unadorned, strong gaze made my heart thump.

“I’m sorry, but please don’t think that I have bad feelings for you.”

“All right, I promise.”

Elizabeth’s serious expression made my heart beat strangely. The fact that Elizabeth was so sure means that there ws a fact that will shock me as well.

I laughed softly so as not to show my nervousness, and to show that I had the capacity to take it all in. In fact, I wanted to cover my ears and shout, “Wait a minute…!” But Elizabeth gave me the courage to do so, and so I would hear her out.

I put all my strength into keeping a smile on my face, and Elizabeth’s modest lips pursed before slowly opening them.

She started talking rather slowly, “Duke Druid once asked me if I would marry his eldest son, Master Lars.”