Chapter 73 (2/2)

Clink!

It hit the floor and made a huge metal sound. The servants nearby walked towards me to pick it up.

Suddenly, Lucretius raised his hand.

“No need.”

At his order, the servant left quickly.

Why? What was he doing?

I was stunned. Royal families didn’t pick things up from the floor. It was a rule apparently.

The servant should have come to pick it up and hand me another fork, but Lucretius stopped it.

Why? What did he want? Did he want me to pick it up myself? Why?

Was he making fun of me?

I started to sweat. Why was I so nervous? I felt anxious.

While I contemplated picking up the fork myself, he suddenly stood up.

“Huh?”

He walked towards me.

W, what was he doing? Should I stand as well?

“Huh?”

He stopped in front of me and kneeled.

“…”

While I remained quiet with shock, he stood up again. In his hand was the fork I dropped.

Huh?

While I stared at him in surprise, he smiled proudly and tried to place the fork back on my side of the table. Then suddenly, he seemed to realize something. He turned towards the servants and ordered.

“Get me a new fork.”

“Yes, your highness.”

The servant quickly moved to bring him a brand-new silver fork. Lucretius took it and smiled at me in satisfaction.

“I can’t let my wife use a dirty fork!”

He made sure the fork was clean. Then suddenly, he kissed it lightly.

He then placed it on the table for me.

Huhhhh?

What the hell? Now I couldn’t use the fork. Was he trying to bully me somehow?

He said to me, “Now that I see you up close, you look fine. I’m glad.”

He then returned to his chair.

What was with him today?

But then… He was always this weird.

I became annoyed.

Without thinking, I ate a piece of lamb and pumpkin. It tasted great.

Suddenly, I realized I used the fork! It was the one that man kissed!

My face became red. I felt like I was going to explode.

Lucretius asked me, “It looks like you want to tell me something.”

“P, pardon?!”

I shouted in surprise. My voice rang throughout the giant hall.

I tried to look like nothing was amiss, but it didn’t work.

He wasn’t that stupid.

“…”

“…”

After a long awkward silence, the snake finally showed its teeth.

He grinned at me. His lips were smiling, but his eyes weren’t.

“I see that there really is something.”

I continued to sweat. What should I do? Should I pretend nothing happened? Should I lie?

Suddenly, I realized something.

Why should I be so anxious? I didn’t do anything wrong! In fact, I worked my butt off to make something happen!

Besides, even if I did like another man, it wasn’t a big deal! It wasn’t like Lucretius was my boyfriend….

Oh, wait… He was my legal husband…

Hmm…

Well, I didn’t do anything wrong anyhow.

I decided to tell him.

“It’s something to do with the favor I asked recently.”

“Wait.”

He raised his hand to stop me.

“Please leave, everyone.”

As soon as he ordered, the maids and the servants left in a hurry.

Soon, in the giant hall was just me and him.

“Now, let’s hear it.”