Trap (4)
When lunchtime came, attendees began to rush out of the main library.
I waited until the surroundings became quiet and then stood up leisurely.
"Rahon, I will have dinner with the Grand Duke today."
"You should quit. The atmosphere there is not good."
"Why?"
"Anton had a slight injury to his face."
"Oh, is he hurt badly?"
When I opened my eyes wide as If I had no idea. Rahon shook his head.
"That's not it, but I think he fought with someone."
"Oh, really? I'll take note of that."
"You still want to eat with him?"
"Yes."
Rahon lowered his voice.
"Are you going to talk about healing?"
"Please do that when the time is right, Lord Rahon. Please keep my request a secret, as the Grand Duke may be offended."
"That's not difficult..."
"By the way, if anything happens to me during the meal, please don't come out. Please tell the others as well."
Rahon's eyebrows rose crookedly.
"What are you going to do next? Do you know how anxious I'd be if you did that?"
"I'll tell you later."
"Well, how can I beat you? Okay. I see."
As I went outside with Rahon, Nadia, who had been waiting, grabbed my arm.
"Miss, I will take you to the restaurant."
The restaurant was bustling with guests enjoying their meals and the servants milling about serving them.
Anton was sitting alone with Halsteille in the most remote corner.
Amid the noisy atmosphere, a heavy silence lingered there.
Nadia whispered secretly as she guided him there.
"I looked into it, and it seems like Lady Sierra got mad at the Grand Duke yesterday."
Nadia shook her head, saying that there were more than a few people who heard the commotion as she screamed and smashed things.
"But this morning. I saw that the Grand Duke's face had become like that. Prime Minister Halsteille was furious and asked who on earth had done this, but the Grand Duke never opened his mouth."
"Did she hear why they were fighting?"
"She said Lady Sierra found a handkerchief in the Grand Duke's suit that she had never seen before. Is that the handkerchief you gave him?"
A scene appeared before my eyes.
Sierra discovers a handkerchief that she had never seen before on Anton and questions him about it.
Anton would have spoken honestly without thinking, and that would have been the trigger.
Anton was likely already psychologically dominated by Sierra.
So, even if Sierra assaulted him, he would just endure It. He might even think that he deserved it.
Because I was like that too.
I also found myself to be the cause of Sierra's anger whenever she got angry.
I've been overly sensitive again. I've been acting annoying again.
And I was grateful to Sierra for being by my side.
If Anton was in the same state as I was before, telling him the truth would have been useless.
Just like me, who didn't believe my family when they kept telling me that Oslo didn't love me.
If anything, the hasty advice may have only strengthened his resolve toward Sierra.
Because love burns even more when there is opposition from those around it.
'It won't be easy.'
I stopped talking to Nadia and stood near Anton's table.
"If you don't mind, can I have a meal with you?"
Prime Minister Halsteille opened his mouth as if in doubt.
"Are you sure you've come to the right place? This is..."
"Isn't this the place where the Grand Duke and Prime Minister of Romena dine?"
"Right, sit down."
As I sat down on the chair, Anton bowed his head.
He's almost about to bury my face in the plate. I don't know if he can eat food like that.
"Your Highness, enjoy your meal. Your Excellency, too."
"..."
Anton didn't say a word to me during the meal. He didn't even glance in my direction.
It seemed a bit odd to see him as a stranger. Until yesterday, we had been having a normal conversation.
I kept trying to talk to him just in case, but all I got in return was complete ignorance.
The face of the Prime Minister of Halsteille was dyed with embarrassment.
'It looks like Sierra has taught you well. Don't talk to me.'
There are things Sierra does well.
'Don't meet that girl.'
'Those clothes don't suit you. Don't wear them.'
'Go scold that person for me.'
I followed those words very well.
"Millennia, you know I'm telling you all this for your own good, right?"
Because I trusted her.
At the time, I had no idea that she was trying to control me to her own liking.
So Anton's behavior wasn't unpleasant.
He is simply following the concerned advice of his beloved.
That doesn't mean he will do whatever Sierra wants, though.
I asked Anton a question he had no choice but to answer.
"Your Highness, have you discussed herbs for fighting monsters with your Prime Minister?"
Anton, who was drinking water, coughed violently. Prime Minister Halsteille looked at him with a puzzled look.
"Ugh! Gulp, gulp!"
"Your Highness, what are you talking about? I didn't hear anything."
"That, that..."
Anton couldn't answer properly.
The sweat stains on his hunched back widened in an instant. Sweat started to drip from his temples and ran down his round chin.
Instead of Anton remaining silent. I made excuses.
"Oh. I told you to tell the Prime Minister slowly. I guess that's why the Grand Duke put off discussing it with the Prime Minister."
Prime Minister Halsteille glanced at Anton and said.
"...Anyway, are you saying that you have plans to distribute anti-monster herbs to the Grand Duchy of Romena?"
"To do that, we need someone in charge of the transaction in Romena. If it's okay with you, I'd like Your Highness to take charge of it. What do you think?"
"Hmm, that's a really great idea..."
Before Prime Minister Halstail could even react, Anton abruptly stood up from his seat.
"Your Excellency, don't be fooled! It's all a lie!"
The restaurant became quiet for a moment due to the sudden commotion. Not only the attendees, but even the servants all looked in this direction.
As people's eyes gathered, Anton's condition became strange.
His face turned pale, and he began to breathe heavily, to the point where his large body shook.
I spoke calmly, hiding my surprise.
"Your Highness, would you like to come out and talk with me?"
"Hey, stop it!"
"...What?"
"Oh, when you were talking to the Third Prince of the Empire yesterday, you mentioned briefly that the friend you were talking to was my fiancée!"
"Didn't you know?"
"Of course, I didn't know! What kind of man would consider a woman caught up in such a scandal as his fiancée!"
Unfortunately, Anton's faith in Sierra was almost blind.
Even when he hears rumors about Sierra, he thinks it's someone else's storу.
"Did you ask your fiancée about that rumor?"
"You said it was all a misunderstanding?"
How many people have seen her and Oslo tangled together? How could it be a misunderstanding?
"Yes. First, shall we discuss the herbs for fighting monsters?"
"No need! You're planning to get revenge on Sierra by currying favor with me like that!"
"Your Highness."
"Why! Am I wrong?"
"If it was all a misunderstanding and she didn't do anything wrong to me, why would I seek revenge?"
Anton hesitated for the first time.
His green eyes shook unsteadily between her rapidly blinking eyelids.
"Oh, don't confuse me with useless words! Other people may be fooled, but it won't work on me!"
Anton screamed and ran out of the restaurant.
Prime Minister Halshtail opened his mouth with a heavy sigh.
"Even though His Highness was weak-hearted, he was very clear-headed. He seems to be a different person these days. I apologize on his behalf."
"My proposal is valid regardless of the Grand Duke. Don't worry about it and go to the Grand Duke."
"Thank you. I will definitely repay you for your hard work today."
As soon as even Prime Minister Halsteille left his seat, Oslo approached as if he had been waiting for it.
"It looks good."
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