Chapter 35 (2/2)

“Huh? No. I was surprised that I could have a good conversation with him. I find he is very discerning in some respects. Don’t you think so, Lars?”

“Gosh, don’t say that.”

I tilted my head when Lars wiggled his eyes at Allendis’s sarcastic compliment.

Did anything really happen between them? Allendis was too calm for that. If something bad had happened like Lina said, Lars would not have sat on his hands. Well, it was not a big deal, I thought. They could ignore any slight differences in opinion.

I stopped getting lost in idle thoughts like that when I saw Lina coming in with a teapot and a mug of hot water. I took out well dried leaves and brewed the tea. Allendis was reading the book I took out while Lars was staring at him in frustration. I poured tea in their cups and put a piece of white cake in my mouth.

While I was enjoying the taste of the cream that melted like snow, I raised my head when something came to my mind.

“Allen.”

“Huh? Why, Tia? ”

“Remember the letter you sent me? What was that special gift that you mentioned would be delivered to my house? You mentioned something white, warm and sweet. ”

“Oh, haven’t you figured it out yet? Well, I’m a bit disappointed to know that.”

“Huh? What is the answer? ”

“Well, of course it’s me. As you know, I’m a warm and sweet guy, with fair skin.”

“See! He is crazy, man. What ridiculous bullshit are you saying…”

“Oh, was that what you meant?” I smiled at Lars who was looking at Allen scornfully and Allen was grinning at me without paying any attention to Lars at all.

“Well, it’s a really special gift. Where can I find a special gift as nice as a friend I haven’t seen in a long time?”

At that moment the butler came in without knocking on the door and gave me a letter.

‘Who sent this?’ When I received the luxurious white envelope, the crest imprinted on the envelope caught my eye. A roaring lion. I stiffened unconsciously. I felt as if my heart stopped.

“Ugh, it’s an imperial crest, isn’t it?”

When Lars spoke with a suspicious look, Allendis took his eyes off the book. Looking at the crest, he looked at me with concern, “Are you okay, Tia?”

“Oh, yes. I’m fine. Whew! ”

After taking a deep breath, I opened the seal. I bit my lip while reading the long letter.

I have been preparing for it since the New Year came in, but I became hopeless when I realized that the day was approaching.

What should I do now? Now that my father is away, how can I get out of my fate?

“Why do you look pale? Any bad news? ”

“No, nothing like that, but…”

“Then, what is it? What’s the matter?”

“Are you sure you are okay? What the heck is troubling you this time…?”

I handed the letter to Alendis, who slurred. After reading it silently, he sighed and put it down. Lars also grabbed the letter and asked, tilting his head, “Huh? What the heck is this? You have to attend the crown prince’s coming-of-age ceremony? Besides, they are sending a royal tailor to measure you and make a dress. I thought you’re twelve. Why do you have to go there?”

“Because I am the crown prince’s fiancée.”

“Oh, I see. Come to think of it, you are the crown prince’s fiancée… Damn it. It’s not time I wasted my energy on the wrong target…”

Lars remained silent after murmuring something inaudible. I closed my eyes to block out Allendis’s worried expression.

The crown prince’s coming-of-age ceremony was the day I promised to give my answer to the emperor a few years ago and was fast approaching. I felt like I was falling into hell. Why now, when my father was away?

“…Tia. ”

“Huh?”