Jessie watched Octavia. For just a moment, her gaze—which had been uneasy—turned perilous. But she quickly clasped both hands in front of her chest, bowed her head, and looked up at Octavia. “But, sister...”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Um...”
“I’m fine.”
“But,” protested Jessie.
“I’m fine.”
Jessie was silent.
“I...am...fine.”
Sounding the words out one by one seemed to communicate to Jessie that Octavia did not wish to continue their conversation any further.
Suddenly, Jessie’s expression turned to one of appraisal. She was, as ever, a docile girl of meager endurance. “Are you quite sure you wish to maintain that attitude? You’re sure you won’t regret it? Edward is a prince, and His Highness is Her Majesty’s younger brother. Her Majesty the Queen will herself be my mother-in-law one day!”
“Congratulations.”
Jessie received Octavia’s heartfelt blessing with a vacant expression. Then she turned bright red.
“Why, I never! You’ll regret this! Even if you apologize afterwards, I won’t forgive you—” Jessie looked like she was about to turn and storm off, but then she froze. She took a step back. For the first time, she was aware of Raven, who was standing behind Octavia. Her eyes widened, and she began to fidget as if in a panic.
Seeing this, Hat snorted. “I suppose he does have a nice face, at least. His status is also desirable. If he knew to what extent, he’d never shut up.”
Raven did certainly seem to possess all the qualities that Jessie might find attractive. Moreover, Octavia realized, Raven—frivolous as he was—would probably fancy a girl like Jessie, too.
At that moment, a gloomy feeling suddenly came over Octavia. She was surprised at herself. Hmm?
While Octavia stood perplexed, Jessie addressed Raven, her cheeks flushed. “I beg your pardon for subjecting you to such an unsightly scene—I am Jessie de Reine. And, er, who might you be?”
“He’s my assistant.” Without delay, Octavia stepped in between the two of them, blocking off Raven behind her back.
Jessie scowled. “I wasn’t speaking to you, sister. Erm...”
“Octavia.”
Octavia thought Raven had called her name more politely than usual. That’s what she thought, at least, until he grabbed her by her shoulder and pulled her back. She looked up in irritation, right into Raven’s grinning face.
His was a shining smile that seemed to contain a sweet venom.
“Let’s go into the waiting room.” Then, practically dragging Octavia behind him, Raven opened the door the servant was standing by.
“Ah,” gasped Jessie. “Wai—”
For the briefest moment, Octavia thought she had seen Raven shoot Jessie a disparaging glance. Before she could be sure, he closed the door behind them. What she did know, without needing any confirmation, was that he had shut Jessie out. In short, he had ignored her.
At Octavia’s suspicious look, Raven inclined his head meaningfully. “I haven’t done anything bad.”
But judging from his expression, he was clearly enjoying himself. He was probably aware that he had hurt Jessie’s pride.
“Well, I’m just glad they were separated before any complications could spring up,” said Hat.
“I suppose so,” Octavia agreed. She nodded in resignation. Perhaps it was only the shock of their sudden departure, but the gloomy feeling in her chest from earlier had cleared.
“What a cute sister you have.” Once again, Raven’s words stirred up those complicated feelings in Octavia.
Smack dab in the middle of the room, there was a table with cabriole legs, surrounded by sofas. Raven sat down on one.
“You—” Octavia broke off. “Do you understand the gravity of the situation you’re in? Jessie—she’s, well...very good at telling on others.”
“That’s not a compliment, Octavia,” muttered Hat.
“I’m a marquis. Ignoring an earl’s rude daughter won’t cause any problems for me.” Raven spoke calmly, pouring water into one of the glasses that had been prepared for them.
Octavia sat on the seat opposite Raven and admonished him. “Jessie is Edward’s fiancée. That reasoning won’t necessarily wash.”
“Ah, that’s right. Now that you mention it, I suppose she is. So there’s a prince involved as well. Curses! Why, I should have dressed up a little more for today.”
“Huh?” Octavia looked Raven up and down, surveying his outfit. His high-quality, well-tailored jacket—with only one lapel embroidered—clearly showed off his sense of fashion. It was a smart outfit, with obvious attention paid to the color of the tie, waistcoat, and even cuffs. And with the silky hair that framed his face, and his long lashes...
Even nibbling on a biscuit, he managed to look beautiful.
Octavia was the one with sartorial problems. After all, Ann was always complaining, telling her to straighten out her dress.
“Is what you have on lacking in some way?” Octavia asked.
“I’ve only seen him once, at a soiree, from a distance, but I’m the shorter one out of the two of us. He has a better physique, too.”
After a pause, she said, “I think you’re right, but what of it?”
“I need to make an effort.” The sentiment was commendable, but Octavia didn’t sense any urgency from Raven. Quite the contrary, as he licked off a biscuit crumb that was stuck to his finger. The faint smile that appeared on his face was an expression of overwhelming dominance.
“With that attitude,” said Octavia, “you look more like an evil emperor than a con man.” She rubbed her arms, where goosebumps had stood up.
Raven smiled in delight. “Oh, but I’m your assistant, remember?”
Octavia was starting to feel like her greatest challenge wouldn’t be her relatives or His Highness, the queen’s brother, but rather keeping Raven under control. Octavia was beginning to nurse a headache when a knock finally came upon the door. A voice from behind the door informed them that the preparations for their audience were complete, and they rose to their feet.
They were shown to a chamber that looked more like a meeting room than a space for an audience. Underneath a chandelier was a large, round table, which encircled the area over which the chandelier hung. In the part of the room farthest back from the entrance was a seat upon a dais, surrounded by a gauze curtain. It was the queen’s seat, which overlooked the round table. But there was no sign of the queen herself.
As Octavia and Raven were directed to sit on the left side of the round table by their guide, a voice came from behind.
“Marquis Osvard.”
The voice was familiar to Octavia, although she had never heard it say that name before. She turned around to look at the speaker. It was Edward. It had been three months since she had last seen him, and his hair, which had been cropped short before, had grown a little longer. But why had he called out to Raven? Had he called the wrong person? Before Octavia could seek confirmation, Raven moved.
“It is an honor to be spoken to by you, Your Highness, Prince Edward.” Raven placed a hand on his chest and bowed gracefully. At the moment, the person with the highest status in this room was Edward.
Raven’s deference made perfect sense, but Octavia was still shocked, to be honest. So he does have some common sense. He was capable of acting like a proper noble, after all. She’d forgotten he even could, since recently all she had seen him do was stick his nose into other people’s business in the name of “fun.”
Raven’s head was still bowed. With a calm expression, Edward said, “Let’s dispense with the formalities.”
This, too, was a normal step in proceedings. Jessie was clinging to Edward from behind; each time Octavia’s eyes met her sister’s, Jessie smiled triumphantly. Failing to understand why, Octavia looked back in puzzlement.
“And what might you be doing here?” asked Edward. “Did Octavia make some request of you?”
“No, Your Highness. Right now, I am helping her—I’m her assistant.”
“Assistant?”
“Yes. I couldn’t help but be charmed by her skills as a detective.” In stark contrast to Edward, whose face was full of suspicion, Raven maintained a serene smile.
After a moment, Edward said, “I’ve heard the rumors about you. That you’re exceptionally skilled, and you manage your estates superbly.”
“Thank you very much.”
“You must have assets, too. Surely there’s no need for you to act like a common laborer. In spite of that... Well, if you’re obligated to her in any way, I’ll hear you out. Octavia is a selfish woman, after all. Indulging her would be folly.”
For just a moment, Raven clammed up. But before Octavia turned to look at him again, he was smiling again.
“Incidentally, please excuse my rudeness from earlier, Jessie.”
Jessie blinked in surprise at hearing her name spoken so suddenly. Raven’s demeanor toward her was quite different from earlier. Now, he smiled sweetly and bowed to her.
“I am still young and inexperienced, you see, and do not yet fully understand what behavior is appropriate for a nobleman in a private setting. Just now, a captivating young lady suddenly appeared in front of me—naturally I was nervous, and I couldn’t manage even the simplest of greetings to my own satisfaction,” sighed Raven. “Were your feelings hurt in any way?”
“Well... No, not at all. I also find such encounters...difficult.” Jessie emerged from behind Edward, her cheeks a deep shade of crimson.
Edward was clearly annoyed by this exchange, but neither Raven nor Jessie gave him so much as a glance.
“I hope you haven’t come to dislike me already,” said Raven, inclining his head mischievously.
Jessie shook her head hurriedly. “Of course not. Please, let us get along well.”
“I’m glad, though it would appear to be about time for our audience.” Raven added, almost whispering, “Let’s continue this later.” Those last words sounded rather intimate.
Jessie turned bright red.
Edward stepped forward to hide her behind him, speaking roughly. “Why, you! Jessie is my fiancée!”
“I’m well aware of that. And what of it?”
“What, you say! You were flirting with her just now, weren’t you?! Don’t tell me that you got closer to Octavia in order to get closer to Jessie—”
“I don’t think a mere greeting warrants such an overreaction. It’s not as if you’re a virgin yourself.”
For a moment, silence completely dominated the room. Octavia too was at a loss for words. She had never heard an insult like this before.
“Excuse me,” said Raven. “Only a slip of a tongue. Let’s go, Octavia.”
Leaving Jessie and the flabbergasted Edward with a snicker, Raven turned on his heel. Octavia hurried after Raven.
“Raven,” she cautioned, “what you said just now—that was really going a bit too far!”
“Don’t worry. Your sister is very kind. I’m sure she will comfort him. There was nothing bad about what I said.”
“You meant to insult him, didn’t you?! Apologize now! Besides, everyone has to start with their first time.”
“Octavia, you just casually rubbed salt in the wound,” said Hat.
At that very moment, the Earl of Reine arrived. “Edward, Your Highness, apologies for the wait. Oh, and Jessie, too. What’s the matter?”