Excited about the food that was coming, I paused to recall what Rene had just said, my shoulders tensing up as I shuddered.
Wait... what did he just say? He thought I had changed, but there are still parts of me that haven't?
He just casually dropped a line that could come straight from a childhood friend romance without a second thought!
Rene... don’t you have more of a talent for being a host than being a prince?
If this world were a gender-reversed one, he'd probably be called the nation's beauty!? Is this what they mean by a man with a magnetic allure?!
Ugh. If I were watching this from behind a screen, I could enjoy it with pure thoughts, but being the one on the receiving end of that line gives me chills down my spine!
...Forget the food. Maybe I should just run away. My instincts are telling me I’m about to scream at any moment.
But no. I’ll hold on for just a little longer. If I think about it, that line is actually what I was hoping for.
I’m just going to think of it as me trying to please my superior. If I imagine a forty-year-old manager saying something like that, I think I can make it through.
“Ugh.”
Imagining that made it even worse. My stomach turned, and I felt sick.
“If you’re going to openly gag like that, I’m hurt too.”
“...Don’t mind me. I meant to hurt you with it.”
“You’re still just as picky as before.”
Thinking back to the conversation we had at the Patran Festival and the things he was saying now, it was clear that Lucy had once been quite close to Rene.
I still don’t understand how Lucy, who caused chaos even beyond Benedict's prestige, could become close with this dark, sly man.
Did Rene have some kind of special taste?
There wasn’t much detail about it in the game. However, in the no-kill route, he showed some kindness to the protagonist who helped him get back on track.
But I hope he’s not a masochist, right? I already have enough trash in my life begging to be stepped on. Adding another one to the pile doesn’t make sense!
“Are you still holding on to what happened back then?”
Back then? What happened? Did Lucy finally lose it and punch him after all the insults?
“I don’t plan on apologizing. I don’t think I did anything wrong back then.”
Well, that makes sense. Hitting a kid who insults people with every word is justifiable retaliation.
“And above all, it wouldn’t make sense for me to apologize now. Our positions are completely reversed now.”
...Wait? Reversed? It sounds sincere, but I don’t understand because I lack the information.
“What’s with that expression? Did you really forget about it?”
I haven’t forgotten. I just don’t know.
“Hah!”
Rene abruptly stood up from his chair, glaring at me with his lips tightly pressed together before muttering a curse under his breath.
“I’ll take care of the payment. Enjoy the meal comfortably.”
After Rene left in a hurry, I was left alone in the room, bewildered. I thought about the scene that just occurred.
Rene’s eyes, which seemed genuinely hurt. What had happened between them to make him look like that?
To answer this question, I’d have to delve into Lucy’s memories, but it would take some time for my body to recover completely.
Until then, I didn’t want to remain in this frustrating uncertainty, so I got up and headed toward the corner of the room.
Let’s see. If I think about the height difference between Joy and me, this should be around here.
“Ahhh!”
When I pressed what I assumed to be a button near my cheek, a feminine scream rang out, and the darkness disappeared.
With the disturbance in the caster’s calm, the magic faded away.
“Lu... Lucy?”
“Hello, you fool. Was playing detective fun?”
“Wha... how?”
“Well, maybe it’s because you’re a fool?”
Your aesthetic sense kept pointing out how weird the place we were in was, and you even showed me your vulnerability, pleading with me not to notice your weak spot. I knew you’d be following me from the start.
“Joy, didn’t you say I wouldn’t notice?”
“Well, the First Prince didn’t notice! This isn’t my fault! It’s Lucy’s fault for being so amazing!”
“Are you really saying he didn’t notice? Maybe he was pretending not to?”
“If the First Prince knew, he would have dropped hints! That’s just the kind of person he is!”
“You two fools. Sit down. Someone’s going to pay for everything, and a bunch of food’s about to come.”
Joy, who had been sitting beside Lucy, couldn’t do anything about her flushed face. It was embarrassing enough to secretly follow her friend, but to have been caught from the start?
Updated from freewёbnoνel.com.
Ugh. I feel like dying. What does Lucy think of me?
“Fool.”
“Yes!?”
Hearing Lucy’s voice, Joy quickly lifted her head, bit her tongue, and squirmed with self-loathing.
I want to disappear right now. Anywhere, just not here.
If I could meet Lucy after calming down, I could probably explain myself more calmly, but right now, it’s impossible!
“Wham!?”
The sharp pain on my forehead snapped me back to reality, and I stared blankly at Lucy, who was laughing.
Calm down. Calm down. Not saying anything would be rude. I’ve already messed up enough, I can’t mess up more now!
I need to switch to my noblewoman mode and apologize, explaining why I acted this way!
“I’m sorry, Lucy. I heard you were meeting the First Prince today, and I became so worried I followed you.”
Expression. Tone. Body language. Perfect! This is the ideal noblewoman appearance! If I can maintain this imitation, maybe I can get through this worst-case scenario...
“It’s fine. It’s not like it’s the first time you’ve done something foolish, right? Actually, I’m glad you’re foolish. It’s really fun to watch how dumb you look.”
“R... Really?”
“More than that, fool. What do you think this is?”
Lucy laid out various tools on the desk—some of the things she had picked up while with the First Prince.
Birthstones symbolizing the month Joy was born in. Several artifacts that Joy had always wanted. And on top of that, a number of items that would clearly be useful to her.
“Wait, the reason you were going around all those shops...”
“There was a fool who couldn’t refuse anything I asked. I made good use of him.”
Calling the First Prince a fool. That’s something Lucy could only get away with.
Joy, who had been smiling wryly, met Lucy’s confident face and found herself patting Lucy’s head without realizing it.
“...Ah! I’m sorry! I... that’s...”
“Hmmm. You touched me without asking for permission. So, you’re a mature kid after all?”
“Why is being mature brought up here?!”
“Well, never mind. I’m nice, so I’ll forgive you this time. But next time, there’s going to be a more expensive price to pay.”
“Yes. Yes, of course.”
Is it okay for now? Hesitating, Joy kept fiddling with Lucy’s hair, marveling at how soft it was.
Lucy’s hair is really soft. How does she manage it so it feels even silkier than silk? I’ll have to ask one of the maids when I get the chance.
“How long are you planning on doing that?”
Lost in the softness of Lucy’s hair, Joy only snapped back to reality when she heard Arthur’s voice.
“Lucy Alrn. I’m grateful for the gift, but I need to ask you something first. What happened between you and my brother in the past?”
Arthur! Why ask so directly?
Didn’t you see the mood earlier? This is a sensitive topic! You need to ask more carefully!
This is why men just don’t understand women!
“I don’t know. How would I know?”
See! She’s avoiding the question!
“Is this something you can’t talk about?”
“I don’t know what delusions you’re having, but I really don’t know. How can I remember anything from that creepy time?”
“You really don’t know?”
“No. So, what’s up with that gloomy prince? Was he that angry about being tricked? What a narrow-minded person.”
Huh. She really doesn’t know!?
Why?! The intense emotions the First Prince showed earlier clearly indicate there was something significant between them! But why doesn’t Lucy know?
“Lucy. You really don’t know anything?”
“What? Don’t you believe me? How rude, you fool.”
“Ah! Ahhh!”
Even as Joy was being pinched on the cheek by Lucy, she kept thinking about the intense emotions the First Prince showed earlier.
I still don’t want anyone else to take my precious friend Lucy!
But at the same time, this is so unfair to the First Prince!
“Shut up! Shut up!”
“Didn’t you have something to say first?”
“Excuse me, Lucy.”
“Pffft. Fine. I’ll forgive you this time, noblewoman without any pride.”
Joy, still feeling physically embarrassed, took a deep breath and faced Lucy again.
“Anyway, something definitely happened between you and the First Prince in the past! Lucy just forgot about it!”
“So, am I wrong?”
“Don’t touch me! Anyway! If you forgot, just remember! I’ll tell you about the time when the First Prince and Lucy met! Please, think about it!”
I know it’s better if Lucy doesn’t remember the past with the First Prince!
But this outcome isn’t good for either of them! Tragic endings are the worst!
“Ha ha ha!”
As Joy was speaking passionately, suddenly Lucy burst into laughter, blinking in confusion.
What? Why is she laughing?
“Oh, it’s just fun that you’re a fool.”
“What does that mean?”
“Want to know? You might get hurt, you know?”
"...Yes. Yes, please."
“Well, what do I do? I really don’t feel like answering.”
Seeing Joy’s blank expression, Lucy laughed again for a while before resting her chin on her hand and giving a seductive smile.
“Keep rambling. It’ll keep you entertained while we eat.”