Oh my goodness! I thought I was used to beauty from being around Lord Claus, but she is terrifyingly gorgeous!!!
Jeanette had heard that Princess Meltia’s parents—the king and queen—doted on her endlessly. Seeing the girl for herself, Jeanette could understand why. Just one glance at the beautiful princess shot right through Jeanette’s heart. Even though Meltia had a blank look on her face, as though everything was the same as usual for her, she still looked pretty. Gracefully, she sat upon the chair that had been prepared for her. Even that gesture made her seem like some kind of precious being.
While Jeanette trembled from emotion, Claus smiled his usual gentlemanly smile. Then, he elegantly lowered his head. However, before he could say anything, an older woman who appeared to be Meltia’s main lady attendant spoke up.
“The princess hates being made to wait! Please begin the play at once!”
Meltia herself didn’t move a muscle. She simply stared at Claus in silence.
“Very well,” he replied.
Claus gave a signal, and the play began. Jeanette stood to the side, keeping a careful eye on the princess. Even during the performance, Princess Meltia’s eyes often strayed to Claus. One moment she’d be expressionlessly gazing at the actors, and the next she’d turn to look at Claus instead. A funny scene that usually resulted in a burst of laughter and applause played out, yet Meltia didn’t so much as smile. She only kept glancing between the actors and Claus. During the final reunion scene, the very same thing kept happening.
She seems more interested in Lord Claus than in the play, Jeanette thought. However, because of Meltia’s blank face, it was impossible to tell what she was really thinking.
Once the play ended, Jeanette sent the actors a vigorous round of applause. The princess’s face still didn’t so much as twitch, as unexpressive as if she were a doll. Did she not enjoy it?
As Jeanette grew anxious, Claus smiled and approached Meltia.
“Was the play not to your liking?” he inquired.
The princess’s large eyes slowly settled on Claus. She then gently shook her head in denial. The head maid stepped forward.
“Her Highness says that the play was interesting.”
“Then could you please applaud the actors?” Claus requested. “I believe that your commendation would mean the world to them, Your Highness.”
Meltia pondered for a while. Finally, she very slowly clapped her hands. The maids accompanying her all followed suit, albeit more energetically. Jeanette and the actors breathed a sigh of relief.
The head maid once more spoke up solemnly.
“The princess would like to have a meeting with you, Count Guivarch. Would you please follow me?”
“Very well.” Claus nodded, and the maid turned around and began walking away. Jeanette wasn’t sure what to do, but Claus grabbed her hand. “Come on. Let’s go together,” he whispered.
Jeanette replied in a low voice as well.
“Um, but...didn’t she only request you, Lord Claus?” Even she could sense that the princess wanted to speak to him alone.
But Claus winked mischievously.
“It’s fine. They’re not looking this way right now, so they won’t notice.”
“That’s so childish...”
“And if you can’t go with me, I’m going home.”
“Are you even allowed to do that?!”
“It’s fine. Besides, this isn’t a gentlemen’s club. Wouldn’t it be strange for anyone to forbid me from bringing my fiancée along?” Claus pointed out. “I’ll be meeting with a princess. I’m sure she’ll feel more at ease with another woman present rather than being alone with me.”
“I suppose...” Despite her doubts, Jeanette ended up following Claus as he pulled her by the hand.
Once they made it to the designated room, the maid turned back around. “This is the princess’s tea roo— Oh?” She finally noticed Jeanette.
Jeanette shrank back like a child caught doing something naughty. Claus, however, didn’t hesitate in the slightest. He looked at the maid with a confident smile on his face.
“Well... So be it. Please go inside,” the maid instructed.
Sh-She let it go! Jeanette thought with relief as she and Claus stepped into the room. Wow! It’s so bright in here!
As soon as they entered, the first thing she noticed was that the room was full of sunlight. Most of the walls had been made from glass. The sunbeams pooled inside, and since most of the furniture was white, the room was almost as well lit as any greenhouse.
The princess was already inside. She was reclining on a white sofa, with a fluffy white cat next to her. The attire she wore seemed to be made from soft, flowing fabric. The pale arms that peeked out from underneath looked so thin it was as if they could snap at any moment.
“The princess felt dizzy during the play, so she will speak to you from this position,” the head lady attendant explained.
Jeanette turned to look at Meltia. I was distracted by her beauty earlier, but...now that I look again, she does seem a little pallid.
The pale, fairylike princess slowly nodded at her maid’s words. Her light blue eyes gazed at Claus before stealing a glance at Jeanette.
Claus stepped forward to greet the princess.
“I’d like to thank you once again for inviting me here. I am Count Claus Guivarch of House Guivarch. This is my fiancée, Jeanette Roussel.”
“I-It’s an honor to meet you!” Jeanette hurriedly curtsied.
Meltia narrowed her eyes, and her shapely lips slowly opened.
“Why did you bring that girl with you? She’ll get in the way.” In a voice as soft as a bell, the fairylike princess spoke in a sharp, haughty way that didn’t fit her appearance.
Huh?! For a second, Jeanette almost thought somebody else had spoken. She quickly turned to look at the head maid. Yet the woman’s lips were tightly shut, so it couldn’t have been her. Was that actually Princess Meltia...?!
Claus’s smile stiffened too.
Meltia’s next words only added salt to the wound.
“I wanted to speak to Lord Claus. What kind of impudent woman would ignore that and shamelessly follow you all the way here?”
There was no mistaking it. No matter how hard Jeanette looked, these hateful words were coming right from the adorable princess’s mouth. She felt disoriented but quickly tried to apologize.
“I’m so sor—”
“I’m so sorry, Your Highness,” Claus interrupted. “I made her come with me. If you’re going to punish anyone, it should be me.” He covered Jeanette with his arm, as if to shield her.
Meltia watched this display apathetically. After a moment of silence, she finally responded.
“Oh, whatever.” She looked beautiful even as she was reclining, and a pleasant scent drifted from her all the way to her guests. Yet simultaneously, she was acting incredibly pompous. “You’re definitely Claus Guivarch, right?”
“Yes,” Claus affirmed, smiling. He didn’t seem confused at all—he was being just as refined as usual.