Chapter 1.

I kept making awkward eye contact. The problem was that the other person was the Crown Prince.

On a bright May afternoon. It was the Crown Prince’s first visit to the magnificent Ruargo Castle.

A lavish formal dinner had been prepared for him, and I frequently made eye contact with the Crown Prince seated at the head of the table.

Even though I was crammed at the far end of the long table.

“The late Count Ruargo was my finest teacher during my childhood. A grateful disciple should visit often even after his teacher has departed. Yet I’ve dawdled until two seasons have changed before coming here…… I’m far too late, aren’t I?”

Grandfather passed away last autumn.

During the upheaval at Ruargo after losing our family head, I had no memory of seeing the Crown Prince. As far as I could tell, the same was true before that.

I suspected we were meeting for the first time today, right now.

‘!’

Our eyes met again, and I quickly looked away. It wasn’t just because of his remarkably handsome face.

I had no idea why the Crown Prince kept looking specifically in my direction.

Was this truly an incredible series of coincidences? Or were the Crown Prince’s eyes somehow crooked?

I tried to check discreetly but hesitated. It was because Joseph, the current Count, had begun introducing himself.

“How could Your Highness possibly apologize? Your remembering to visit us is already an excessive honor. I’m deeply moved to be able to greet you like this. I am Joseph de Ruargo, Count and guardian of Ruargo Castle.”

A short man with vicious eyes bowed at the waist. This man, who routinely stole from others for his own benefit, had even usurped the title of Count.

Originally, the eldest son of Count Ruargo was my father. Joseph, who just introduced himself, was the adopted second son.

Since this country followed an hereditary aristocratic system, Grandfather had left instructions in his will for the Count title to pass to his eldest son, while the second son would be appointed Viscount.

But during the confusion of the funeral proceedings, something bizarre happened.

Our entire family—the eldest son’s family—lost consciousness, only to wake with great difficulty seven days later. We couldn’t determine the reason.

During that time, everything had been turned upside down.

A forged will had been executed, and Joseph became Count. My father was relegated to a shadow-like Viscount position, and no one around us objected.

Whether they had powerful backing or not, no one spoke the truth. Even our family wasn’t in any condition to do anything about it, as our health remained poor.

We were driven out to the annex of the Count’s residence and lived in hiding. We had to be grateful merely for surviving.

“It’s an infinite honor to meet you. I am Mila, the Countess.”

This time, a woman with an oddly large head stood up. She was my aunt by marriage and someone who took pleasure in tormenting me.

Since my health had improved, the Countess sought me out about once a day.

Her intention was to assign me menial tasks and errands. It seemed she wanted to imprint on me that our position in this Count’s residence was little more than that of servants.

Unfortunately, she had a somewhat dim-witted aspect that prevented her from being someone who could instill self-loathing. She was the type of person who made you feel like you were performing a charitable service by looking after someone lacking in intelligence.

“Pleased to meet you for the first time……”

Following them came the greetings from the Count’s daughter and son. They were Eloise, renowned as the most detestable person in the country, and the young Count, known as the most vicious character in Ruargo Castle.

The four members of the Count’s family finished their introductions in order, as if they had rehearsed it.

My younger sister and I were also at the end of the table, but we weren’t given the opportunity to introduce ourselves. We were merely extras from the beginning.

You might call us substitutes? Since they couldn’t bring my father, whose position had been stolen, to a luncheon with the Crown Prince, we were like decorative screens placed instead?

As expected, the Count didn’t give the decorative screens a chance to speak. He politely raised both hands and invited the Crown Prince to begin the meal.

“Would it be appropriate to start before the warm food gets cold? As Your Highness must have heard, our House of Ruargo is a family with a long history of culinary expertise, is it not?”

“But the introductions aren’t finished yet?”

The Crown Prince crossed his arms, turned his body completely toward me, and spoke while staring directly at me.

He seemed to sense the anger in my expression as I deliberately avoided looking at him.

“Perhaps Your Highness could receive the remaining children’s greetings later? The soup that has just been served is the finest dish that the Ruargo family presents only when offering the most gracious hospitality. My husband and I are terribly anxious that the food might get cold while lengthy introductions are made, Your Highness.”

The Crown Prince shrugged at the Countess’s persuasion. He withdrew his gaze from my direction and began examining the carefully selected dishes before him.

“This was made using the recipe passed down by the late mistress of Ruargo five years ago. It’s a bouillabaisse (fish soup) made with lobster and shrimp instead of fish, along with various shellfish. The clean taste is exquisite. The broth is also made with stock from various vegetables, adding a subtle flavor.”

“Oh. A dish containing saffron, the spice that yields only a fingernail’s worth even when 500 flowers are dried?”

“That’s correct. It truly is a supreme dish.”

The Crown Prince picked up his utensils somewhat halfheartedly. However, after taking one spoonful of the soup, his expression immediately turned to one of wonder.

“As expected from a family of culinary masters. This is a taste I’ve never experienced even in the royal palace.”

“How much hardship Your Highness must have endured! I’ve heard that your body and mind have been exhausted by endless education and lessons.”

“Has that become rumor? Well, His Majesty has put exceptional effort into educating me. I’ve grown accustomed to it after living this way for a full ten years.”

“I’ve heard that mealtime is your only rest period during your busy day.”

“That’s right. Lunch in particular is the rest I desperately await during long hours of study. Though the time after lunch is even more grueling.”

“What aspect is so difficult?”

“After eating lunch, I become overwhelmingly drowsy. I’ve tried eating vegetables and drinking only beverages, but nothing resolves the issue no matter what I try.”

A gaze of extreme pity and sympathy.

The eight eyeballs of the Count’s family never left the Crown Prince. As if he were the only person existing in the world.

I calmly scanned such people, only to discover two additional eyeballs doing the exact same thing.

Right in front of me, my ten-year-old younger sister.

“How about enjoying your lunch without worry today? We’ve prepared a guest room where you can rest comfortably.”

At the Count’s slick, smiling words, my sister’s lips began to move in tandem.

Since she hadn’t yet put food in her mouth, it seemed she wanted to say something, and due to our positions, I was extremely worried that I couldn’t cover his mouth.

“Moreover, our Count family’s chef is a renowned expert. Having learned cooking methods from our mother for many years, he is the finest chef with no equal in the kingdom.”

“Ah, I see. The former Countess’s cooking was legendary. In that case, would you call the chef? There’s something I must do for an even more delicious lunch.”

At the Crown Prince’s request, the chef was promptly summoned. The Crown Prince extended a shining gold coin to the chef, expressing his gratitude.

“When my teacher was alive, he often said this: the value of any object increases when you pay for it.”

A puzzling statement from the Crown Prince. He explained further with a bright smile.

“It means you study more diligently when you pay tuition, and you use something more earnestly when you pay a usage fee. You’ll use an item to its maximum potential if only to get your money’s worth. So take this. Today, I want to enjoy and finish every bit of the food you’ve prepared.”

The atmosphere was warm. A beautiful moment between a wise ruler and a loyal vassal.

Everyone from those seated at the table to the servants attending the meal was moved.

So I was alone. The only person extremely anxious amid all this.

I glared at my sister, who was still opening and closing her lips.

Close your mouth, please. Zip it shut, please. Don’t stand up, please!

Screech.

But my wishes were futile as the chair was unmistakably pushed back with a loud noise.

My sister stood up straight and called out loudly to the Crown Prince.

“We would also like to demonstrate our skills to Your Highness.”

Everyone turned their attention to my sister.