14. What Kind of Relationship (2)

“I’m sorry.”

Saena apologized for the unexpected commotion.

“We’re fine. She’s not hurt, right?”

“Yes. I think she just fainted from shock.”

“That’s good.”

Elizabeth currently rested in a guest room. A maid watched over her and would notify them when she woke up.

It seemed Yolly disliked Elizabeth. No, it was obvious. Otherwise, there would be no reason for him to act so aggressively only toward her.

Fortunately, she wasn’t injured — if her face had been scratched… ugh. It would have been a terrible situation.

“But was she supposed to come today?”

“No, she wasn’t.”

If she had known, she would have at least put Yolly away.

“Hmm…. Yolly was fine until she came. How strange.”

Right. I wonder why he attacks only when he sees Elizabeth.

Elizabeth must have been terrified to faint like that…

“By the way, are you close enough for her to come and go without appointments? Saya, I’m starting to feel hurt.”

“Eh…?”

“Right, everyone? Don’t you feel hurt?”

“True. It hurts.”

“Yes! It hurts!”

“……”

Seeing Evian’s agreement and Floria’s pointed lips, Saena felt slightly flustered but thought they had a point.

“Come anytime. You’re welcome.”

“……”

“Since I’m relatively freer, I thought it would be better for me to visit instead, not that I deliberately didn’t invite you.”

The three became flustered at the serious response to their joking remarks. Among them, Kirsten burst into laughter again.

“Pfft. Can’t even take a joke. Saya, you adorable thing!”

Kirsten exclaimed while pinching Saena’s cheeks again.

“Ugh? It was a joke?”

“Half a joke, and half serious. Isn’t that how it is?”

Saena had been sincere. She felt very grateful that they came here.

“But where did His Grace go?”

“He left earlier. Maybe he went to the restroom?”

“Then, what about Kayan?”

“He left not long after His Grace did?”

“……”

A silence followed Evian’s answer.

“Surely it’s not what I’m thinking?”

“Who knows…?”

“He’s acting all innocent before, but is this because he’s a man too, huh?”

Kirsten giggled while making cryptic remarks.

Saena was about to ask what she meant but suddenly stood up. She remembered something she needed to do.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

“Where are you going?”

“I need to check something.”

“If you see any interesting scenes, you must tell me, okay?”

“…Huh?”

Kirsten giggled again and suddenly stood up as well.

“Never mind. I’ll come too.”

“…Where?”

“Saya, where are you going?”

“…To the nanny?”

Actually, she planned to ask for to prepare small gifts for the visiting guests, but when Kirsten said she would come along, she vaguely said she was going to the nanny.

“I’m going to… the ladies’ room?”

“…Is that a question?”

I can’t tell if she wants to go to the ladies’ room or not. Kirsten just smiled languidly. Either way, both left the reception room.

However, not long after they started walking, they met Sage in the corridor, who had briefly stepped out.

“Brother?”

He carried several items in his hands. A flower bouquet and a very large wooden box. He approached with his brows furrowed as much as possible and stopped in front of Saena.

‘…Roses?’

Upon seeing the blue flower bouquet, her first emotion was foreboding rather than anticipation.

“Oh my, isn’t this a Royal Rose?”

Kirsten exclaimed in surprise.

Anyone could tell it was a Royal Rose. The blue-tinted rose was not easy to mistake.

“Saena. Don’t you have something to say to your brother?”

“…Who is it from?”

“Who do you think?”

While any member of the imperial family could send these flowers, judging from Sage’s demeanor, it seemed to be from ‘that person.’

Saena’s expression immediately hardened.

“Take it. I can’t open a gift from the imperial family on your behalf.”

With an awkwardly stiff face, Saena took the wooden box and opened the door right next to her. The box was too large to open while holding it in mid-air.

“Is it because of yesterday? From Her Highness the Princess?”

Since the conclusion that it was a gift from the imperial family came easily, Kirsten asked this.

I wish that were the case… but seeing the familiar flower bouquet, it didn’t seem likely.

“Oh, Kayan? You were here? Your Grace is here too.”

Having entered based on what she immediately saw, she hadn’t considered the room’s purpose, but it was a men’s lounge. It was a space equipped with sofas for smoking cigars, a small bar for light drinks, and gaming tables for chess or card games.

“Sister? Saena? Brother?”

Inside, the Duke smoked tobacco, and Kayan sat facing him. Were they having a private conversation here? It was somewhat unexpected.

“Come for a drink?”

“…What? Ah, no.”

“I don’t mind, whatever business you have.”

She felt awkward since she needed an empty room rather than its purpose.

“I’ll leave.”

Seeming to read Saena’s awkward expression, the Duke moved to stand up.

“No! It’s fine!”

Saena turned to leave. Perhaps because she hurried too much, the corner of the wooden box crashed into the doorframe with a bang.

“Ah!”

The wooden box was too large and heavy for Saena to hold, and she lost her grip from the impact.

With a crash, the box fell to the floor, and the impact caused the lid to open. The contents inside were exposed without filter.

“……”

She almost became the person who destroyed a gift from the imperial family (whether it was a gift or not was still unknown) in front of so many people.

While feeling relieved that it wasn’t something breakable…

“What’s this, a dress?”

“Shoes and a hat too, it’s a full set?”

The word ‘fortunate’ disappeared completely.

The white-based dress with golden ribbons and diamond decorations looked extremely expensive at first glance.

“This looks like Etilenne’s work.”

Kirsten said while putting the box on the side table. At those words, everyone in the lounge gathered to look at it.

Etilenne? Isn’t that the boutique that makes dresses exclusively for the imperial family?

Turning pale rather than excited, Saena stared at the golden envelope that had fallen with it. Or rather, glared would be more accurate. The envelope returned to Saena through Sage’s hands.

Her face naturally fell. She really, really didn’t want to open it.

Perhaps because she already knew in her heart who had sent it. But delaying wouldn’t solve anything. Saena decided to get it over with quickly.

[To the Lady with noble violet eyes.]

Again…

Just the opening made it clear. Ignoring the slight chill that rose anew, Saena closed her eyes tightly and opened them again.

[It seems my eagerness to provide you with better tea got ahead of me.

Next time, I shall ensure a more perfect tea time.

I heard you treated your injury well. However, I heard some redness remains.

I’ve informed the Imperial Medical Center of your name so you can receive the best treatment anytime, so come for follow-up care.

Ah, I’m sending this gift to replace the dress stained with tea yesterday, wear it next time you come. It will surely satisfy my eyes.

As repayment, it will suffice to let me see your beautiful violet eyes up close while wearing that dress.]

And the letter concluded with the Prince’s elegant signature.

“……”

What did I just read?

She hadn’t expected an apology. There’s even a saying that rulers have no shame.

But why should she repay the Prince when it was his fault? Not to mention that the repayment was not just burdensome but creepy.

Saena suddenly remembered Sage’s words about telling him everything regarding the Prince and handed him the letter. This seemed like something she really should tell him about. It felt like something was about to happen regardless of her will.

Sage quickly read the contents and his expression hardened. Then he promptly folded the letter and put it in his br*ast pocket.

“……”

Whatever the others were thinking, they remained silent together.

“It seems he sent this to replace the dress that was ruined by the tea.”

Saena said quietly to Kirsten with an ambiguous smile.

“Hmm.”

Kirsten tilted her head briefly, then whispered so only Saena could hear.

“The Prince?”

“……”

The silence seemed answer enough as Kirsten raised one eyebrow, then fell into thought with a strange expression.

She didn’t ask more.

She probably thought the gathered company and environment weren’t suitable for detailed questioning. Though she seemed to have guessed something.

At that moment, the servant came with news.

“Miss, Lady Valdez has awakened.”

* * *