Chapter 38 - It Doesn’t Make Sense (2/2)

“I see,” Countess Bellafleur said, nodding in understanding. “Ah, your father will be home soon. Are you feeling better? The doctor said you could move now, but I don’t want you to do too much too soon.”

“I’m fine, Mother. I’m really alright now.” To emphasize my point, I gave her a bright smile. “It’s been a while since I sat down to eat with my family, and I’m really looking forward to it.”

***

Just as Countess Bellafleur said, Count Bellafleur came home soon after, and I had a long-awaited meal with them in the dining hall. Naturally, conversation at the dinner table turned towards the topic of Countess Bellafleur’s and Dorothea’s visit today. Although Martina already knew about that fact, she made a face.

In any case, that evening a decision was made to go on the trip with the Cornohen family this autumn.

“That’s awful! I can’t believe I have to spend two days and three nights with that woman,” Martina grumbled in my room later that night. She openly made an expression of disgust, while I vowed never to tell her what happened with Countess Cornohen that day. Martina, however, seemed to read my thoughts.

“More importantly, what did you and Countess Cornohen talk about today?” she asked.

“Oh?” I said, feigning ignorance.

“You spoke separately in the parlor room earlier. What did you talk about?”

Never, ever tell her. If I did, Martina would become furious upon hearing Countess Cornohen’s proposal. I couldn’t make a fool of myself when it wasn’t even clear whether Martina knew our family was in such debt. It would shock a child like her.

“Nothing important,” I said nonchalantly.

Martina narrowed her eyes at me. “When you say it like that, it sounds suspicious.”

“I’m telling you. She only just…asked me to stay close to Dorothea.”

“My god.” Martina shook her head. “She must have heard what happened between you two.”

“I think so, too,” I affirmed quietly. I hesitated, then spoke in a cheerier voice than before. “Don’t worry too much, Martina. I’m not as stupid as you think.”

“Who said that? You’re smart. I know that the best,” she said passionately. “But strangely, you are weak to that woman only.”

Maybe Maristella somehow accepted this proposal. Maybe that was why she was a pushover. Of course, I didn’t really know.

“…”

“So are you going to stay with Dorothea?” Martina asked.

“For now,” I said shortly, then slowly lifted my gaze to Martina’s eyes. “You probably disapprove.”

“Of course,” Martina said after a while. “But I still respect your choice.”

“Really?” I smiled and stroked Martina’s head. “…I’m proud.” Then I suddenly remembered my promise to Dorothea earlier. I had to go get tea leaves from the Crown Prince.

‘Do I really have to go?’

I said that just to bait Dorothea, but after a while I realized I had to go. When I would meet the Crown Prince I couldn’t just thank him for the rare tea, but I had to ask for more too.

Jeez, that was such a nuisance, wasn’t it? It was impolite to give it to Dorothea when Xavier gifted it to me, and most of all, I hated the idea.

‘He gave me a gift for my recovery, and I should pay him back,’ I concluded. The Crown Prince had visited me while I was in bed and treated me graciously. I vowed to send a letter to Thurman Palace tomorrow.

“What are you thinking of, sister?” Martina said, breaking the silence, and I turned my eyes downward.

“I’m going to send a letter to Thurman Palace tomorrow,” I said with a smile.

“Huh? Why so suddenly?”

“His Highness came to visit me and gave me precious tea, so I thought it would be polite to visit him at least once.”

“I see,” Martina said, nodding as if that made sense. “He cares about you even though he’s busy. Does the Crown Prince like you, sister?”

“Maybe as a friend.”

“Friend? Jeez,” Martina said with a shake of her head. “Can men and women even be friends?”

“Why not? I became friends with Duke Escliffe right away,” I pointed out.

“There’s no such thing as friendship between people of the opposite sex.”

Well, I once believed that until now, but Martina kept shaking her head. “Well, who knows. I’m not the Crown Prince,” she said.

I fought the urge to groan. “That’s not what it’s like.”

“Why are you so confident? What if you’re wrong?”

“Because my instincts tell me I’m right.” I gave a large grin, revealing my teeth, and quickly rubbed Martina’s head. She let out an indignant cry, and I slowed down a bit.

“It doesn’t make sense for Xavier to like me,” I reiterated. It wasn’t such an absurd idea considering the present situation, but with all I knew I could confidently say that wasn’t the case. Martina could only guess based on what she saw in front of her; She didn’t know what it was like outside the novel.

I ruffled her hair on final time. “Come on, you’d better stop chatting and go to bed. It’s already late.”

“Awww, but I want to talk more,” she pleaded, and she looked at me with wide eyes like a baby.

Oh, she was so cute. I didn’t know what to do with the expression of embarrassment on my face, but at that moment someone knocked on the door.

“Are you sleeping, Marie?”

Ah, it was Countess Bellafleur.

“Because Martina’s not in her bedroom. Is she in there?” she asked.

Ah, maybe it was correct to not chit-chat anymore.

“Yes, Mother,” I replied with a smile. At that, Countess Bellafleur opened the door, revealing her stern face.

“Mother has perfect timing,” Martina grumbled.

“If you don’t sleep early, your skin will be damaged, my beautiful Martina. Stop bothering your sister and go back to your room.”

“Alright.”

Martina hugged me with an expression as if parting would kill her. She dropped a kiss on my forehead, then left my bedroom.