“If you knew I’d be here, shouldn’t you have dressed more flamboyantly to compete with me? Mysterious, you are. I thought this yesterday, but you don’t have even a trace of displeasure toward me on your face, even though I’m sticking around your husband. But it also doesn’t look like you’ve given up... What are you thinking?”
“If you’re saying this while fully aware of your own actions, then I must let you know that I feel similarly—though you’ve taken a liking to my husband and are pulling him along without worrying about how others view you, you also aren’t showing any sort of hostility toward me, his wife. It would make more sense if you were to harbor animosity toward me and try to show me that you’ve won.”
I didn’t mince words, which made the princess’s eyes widen. Perhaps she hadn’t expected me to be so frank. She chuckled. “I took you for the quiet, spaced-out type, but it seems I was sorely mistaken. You observe others well.”
“I’d say the same goes for you, Your Highness.” I chuckled with her, then picked up my teacup.
I’d wondered how this tea party would turn out, but as it was, this princess really had no intention of fighting with me. Despite my direct words, her mood hadn’t soured at all. Her previous wild behavior faded into the background in favor of her actual composure and sharp wits. With a person like this, it was best to speak your true feelings instead of trying to hide them.
I set my cup down. “Why have you called me here today? I’m sure it has something to do with my husband, but as far as I can tell, you aren’t here for a women’s battle.”
“A women’s battle?” She paused. “I see. I suppose that’s how you’d view it.” She then continued to chuckle. “I wanted to apologize to you. No matter how you look at this situation, I’m the one at fault. I’ve done nothing but be rude to both you and the lieutenant. I’m sorry.”
I didn’t know how to react to her bowing her head and apologizing. Though I’d felt no hostility from her, I hadn’t expected her to apologize. It was like she was a different person than she’d been at the ball. Yet somehow, I felt satisfied with this outcome. This must have been her real self, rather than the wild persona she’d put on before. This was the impression I’d gotten from her in Lavia.
“No, I...” I scrambled to find a response. “I didn’t think you were genuinely trying to steal my husband from me, though I’m sure onlookers felt differently. There’s another reason you’re doing this, yes? If it’s all right with you, I’d like to hear it.”
I tried to pry for an answer, but Princess Mira evaded the question. “No, I’m actually very jealous of you. I’m sure you’re living a happy married life, being tied to the one you love.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond to this either. It didn’t feel right to say, Yes, of course!
“I’m even envious,” she continued. “This may just be an offhand comment, but knowing that you have something that I cannot truly vexes me.”
Her lovely face laughed bitterly. She might have been a person envied by all, but even she was bearing with pain and speaking her truth. I wondered what she was holding inside.
“Your Highness, please tell me if you’re worrying about something. This may be presumptuous of me to say, but I wish to help you. Is there anything I can do for you?”
Those deep blue eyes bore into mine again. This person was older than me, much more beautiful than me, and her status and position were way above mine. She was a woman I couldn’t possibly compete with, yet her gaze made it seem like she was the one looking up at me.
She envied me, and that fact was hurting her. This was the cause of the confusion that had been plaguing me regarding her. My assumption that she was above me and I was beneath her had been wrong. To this princess, I was the target of jealousy.
But, why? Because Lord Simeon loves me? Because she wants to steal him away, yet cannot? That would be the natural train of thought in this situation, but I didn’t think that was even remotely the case. The princess’s envy was different from that typically aimed at rivals in love.
“Your Highness.” Ambassador Van Rail spoke softly. He’d been watching our exchange silently. “Why don’t you consult with Mrs. Flaubert? I can guarantee that she is someone you can trust. I also want to know what you’ve been thinking. You’ve never been the sort of selfish person who acts rudely and causes trouble for others.”
Having this cool, refined, and slightly mischievous old man kindly offer advice would make any woman swoon. I’m swooning myself! He was as attractive as always.
However, Princess Mira shook her head with a tight expression. “No, I only want to ask Mrs. Marielle to stay silent about this. The lieutenant will evidently not fall for me no matter what I do. Once his mission is over, I’ll send him back to you. Until then, whatever you see or hear, please don’t say anything. Just allow it.”
“Your Highness.” The ambassador’s voice carried a hint of warning.
“I’m sorry.” She gritted her teeth. “I’m well aware that this is a selfish request—that what I’m saying is rude. I’m also apologetic toward the lieutenant, but...I promise this will only last until I return home, so please turn a blind eye. I beg you kindly.”
That was how the princess asked this of me. As expected, she wouldn’t open up to me so easily, since we’d only just met. I decided to accept her request. After all, I couldn’t refuse the crown princess of another kingdom.
“Understood. I wasn’t upset or anxious about this to begin with, so there’s no need to worry. I can tell that you have unavoidable circumstances. Let’s be sure to explain as much to my husband as well.”
I’d thought the princess would be happy about me saying this, but her reaction betrayed my expectations yet again. A bit of displeasure appeared on her beautiful face. “You’re very...at ease about this. You must be confident that you’re loved.”
Oh, did she interpret my words as bragging? If I were her rival in love, then naturally she’d take offense to them... But am I really her rival in love?
The princess stood without waiting for me to respond. All traces of emotion had vanished; she made her next announcement almost coldly.
“Thank you very much. I’m relieved you’ve approved. I hope you’ll cooperate from here on out. I’ll think of something to thank you with.”
“Oh, no. You don’t need to do that.” Was she rejecting me because she no longer wanted to chat? I stood as well, feeling a bit disappointed on the inside.
The princess rushed to finish her farewell and then headed outside, followed by me and the ambassador. We all went to the entrance to see her off.
However, there, a bit of a problem arose. Once we were outside, a man came running toward us. I thought I recognized him, then it hit me. This was the man I’d seen at the ball—the one who’d looked worried or sad.