“Natalie cares about me, you know. She may use a rather rough approach at times, but surprisingly, she truly cherishes me.”
"...If you hadn’t used the word ‘surprisingly,’ I would’ve thought you were being coerced.”
“Don’t worry. And above all, our sisterly affection isn’t one-sided. My sister wouldn’t do anything to make me resent her.”
“...”
“So please don’t jump to conclusions over a slice of cake. There are things I love far more than just cake. Those alone are enough to make me happy.”
Of course, as soon as my diet ends, I’ll have the maids bake me a cake with a kilogram each of butter, flour, sugar, and dried fruits, and I’ll slather it with another kilogram of fresh cream before devouring it over several days. I probably won’t wear the dress Tristan gifted me again after showing it off to him once anyway.
Just then, a maid rushed over.
“Miss, the carriage has arrived!”
“Your Highness, I’ll take my leave now. I hope I can present myself at the charity concert in a way that won’t embarrass you.”
We wouldn’t have any private arrangements by then, would we?
Tristan didn’t bother to object to my farewell.
“Understood. Send my regards to the Earl and Countess Redfield.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
The Redfield family’s coachman opened the carriage door for me. As I stepped toward it, I instinctively turned back.
Tristan was still watching me.
It felt as if our conversation wasn’t entirely over yet.
But when our eyes met, he looked startled.
“Aren’t you leaving?”
“Yes. ...Oh, right. I wanted to say this before I go.”
“Hm?”
“If something comes up that I can’t handle on my own, I’ll let you know.”
“...”
“I believe in you. I know how much you accomplished during the hunting tournament—not just in fighting but also in protecting.”
The coachman called out.
“Miss, we’re ready!”
“I’m coming! Then, Your Highness, please return safely.”
Since we were in a busy street, the carriage couldn’t remain with the door open for long. I quickly turned and climbed into the Redfield carriage. The maid closed the door and sat across from me.
Through the carriage window, I tried to catch another glimpse of Tristan, but his figure was already obscured by the other carriages crowding the road.
Hmm, maybe I should’ve offered him a ride in our carriage?
The etiquette in this area is so confusing sometimes.
Still, pondering a missed opportunity wasn’t as important as the apology I owed someone.
I turned to the maid.
“I’m sorry. It was supposed to be just the two of us, but then His Highness suddenly appeared. You must’ve been startled.”
“Oh, Miss, there’s no need for you to apologize! It’s only natural for a fiancé to be by his fiancée’s side! B-but, did I... did I offend His Highness in any way?”
The maid stammered and nervously fidgeted with her collar. As if any misstep could actually cost her life.
“From what I saw, everything was fine. Don’t worry.”
Truthfully, I was a bit taken aback when she spoke so candidly about the play, but thankfully, Tristan didn’t seem to mind.
‘Though it was odd how he seemed amused by being seen as nothing more than a rich and handsome guy...’
It’s hard to tell if he’s confident or insecure.
For now, though, my priority wasn’t Tristan—it was this maid.
“Actually, I think the issue lies elsewhere. Did you really take an interest in Rick Ray?”
“...Yes. When he first came to the estate, the maids couldn’t stop talking about how charming he was.”
“He does look rather dashing.”
“And honestly, on the last theater outing, when that man invited me out for drinks... I accepted, hoping Rick Ray might step in and stop me.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. Was this a jealousy-free jealousy tactic or a self-destructive flirtation?
“Sigh...”
“I’m so sorry. It was such a foolish thing to do! I won’t do it again!”
“If you get the chance, talk to the other maids and get some dating advice. And above all, don’t do anything dangerous.”
“Yes, Miss!”
Not long after, the carriage arrived at the Redfield estate.
I changed into something more comfortable, washed my hands, and finally thought I could catch my breath when—
“Dori, you’re back?”
My sister greeted me with open arms. Of course, I couldn’t wholeheartedly welcome her enthusiasm.
Natalie asked casually, as if it were an ordinary question.
“Did you enjoy plenty of delicious food outside?”
“Of course not! I wouldn’t waste all your hard work.”
“So, did you enjoy just a little delicious food?”
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“...”
There was no point in beating around the bush with her. I answered honestly.
“Chocolate...”
“Chocolate?”
“Cream cake. Just three bites with a fork.”
“That must’ve been delicious. About as delightful as a 40-minute dance session with me.”
“I said three bites, not three slices!”
“Quickly change into something light and meet me in the practice room. If you make me wait, I’ll assume you’re sneaking candies every five minutes.”
“You know I don’t even have candy—or flour—in my room—Ah, stop running!”
Tristan! I take back what I said earlier.
My sister doesn’t occasionally use a rough approach; sometimes, she’s downright deadly!
***
Even after the Redfield carriage disappeared from sight, Tristan couldn’t tear his gaze from the road for a long time.
‘I hope nothing happens.’
Unless it was his imagination, Doris Redfield looked paler than before. The soft curves of her cheeks, reminiscent of snow-covered hills, had sharpened as if someone had cut into them with a spade. Even her wrists, which used to firmly hold a cake plate, now looked too thin, the bones more prominent than ever.
But it wasn’t just what he could see.
‘A woman who used to eat at least two slices of cake can’t possibly be full after just three bites?’
He couldn’t help but wonder if she might collapse on her way home.
Even though logic told him that wouldn’t happen, Tristan found himself checking to make sure the carriage didn’t hit a pothole, speed up too suddenly, or show any signs of heading toward a hospital before finally turning away.
Initially, he’d planned to walk for about five minutes to catch a shared carriage.
But for some reason, his unusually light steps carried him past the carriage stand. Instead of talking to the coachmen, he replayed her last words in his mind.
‘If something comes up that I can’t handle on my own, I’ll let you know, Your Highness.’
She had said it with those verdant green eyes glimmering, her voice low enough that only Tristan could hear.
‘I know how much you’ve done, Your Highness.’
Yes.
All the toil and effort during the hunting tournament—though he hadn’t caught a single piece of game—suddenly felt worth it. She had seen everything, from his battles to the way he managed the event, and captured it all in those peridot-like eyes.
‘Ha, ha, ha. Yes. That’s exactly the kind of acknowledgment I deserve from my fiancée. Of course. I was bound to hear it eventually. There’s no reason to feel elated over such an obvious compliment. None at all.’
Yet his unusually light footsteps and the fact that he had passed the same fountain twice might suggest otherwise. Even the beggar beneath the fountain seemed to wonder if Tristan was acting out of character. But still, it was the best day he’d had in ages.
‘Although I couldn’t figure out what she’s hiding... If it’s about her sisters and she’s that adamant, I can’t interfere.’
Besides, the idea that Natalie might actually care for her younger sister was one of the most shocking revelations he’d heard in months.
‘I always thought she lived for nothing but indulgence. Doris seems to see her a little differently.’
To Tristan, his eldest brother was an unyielding figure, preoccupied only with his impending duties. His younger brother lacked ability but excelled in cunning, making him an expert at creating trouble for others.
Neither was someone he would ever want as a friend or even as a brother.
And yet, a sentence Doris had said lingered in his mind:
‘Our sisterly affection is never one-sided.’
A relationship built on mutual care and the assurance of being loved in return.
Though it was something Tristan could never have with his siblings or parents...
...For the first time, he wondered if it was something he could hope for.
‘After all, Doris only has eyes for me, right?’
Even on the days when Maria had captivated everyone’s attention, Doris had always stayed in place, waiting for him. Would she ever come to hate him?
If Tristan took just one step closer, this relationship could easily become perfect.
Surely...
‘No, wait.’
Before he could arrogantly conclude anything, one important issue he had been overlooking rose to the forefront of his mind.