Chapter 16

Olivia Bianche looked at Faivel with an innocent expression. For a moment, she raised her gaze and met Freddy’s eyes.  

She didn’t know when it started, but his gaze had been fixed on her.  

“We too even have the same taste as a couple. Freddy, it seems we were destined to love each other.”  

“……Madame.”  

“Oh my, are you embarrassed? Hurry and respond to me. It feels like I’m the only one confessing, and my face is heating up.”  

Despite her confident and shameless words, her cheeks were endearingly flushed. Olivia fanned her face with a hand fan, and Freddy, watching her, created a breeze for her with his own hand.  

Andrew, who had been quietly observing the scene, burst into loud laughter. Olivia widened her eyes at his laughter, unsure of what to do.  

Her innocent appearance made Freddy let out a soft, deflated laugh. Among those present, the only one who couldn’t smile was Faivel.  

After hesitating for a moment, Faivel’s lips quivered as she forced a smile. Judging that it wouldn’t be good to let Olivia dominate the conversation any longer, she hurriedly tried to change the subject.  

However, as lunchtime approached, Faivel had no choice but to remain silent.  

Freddy carried the blood of the Silvest Royal Family. He was the son of Noel vin Hester, the younger brother of the current King Basili von Silvest.  

During the meal, Basili continuously asked Olivia questions.  

How was her relationship with Freddy? Was he treating her well? He was the very picture of an uncle worrying about his nephew.  

Although she was initially tense, Olivia soon became excited to talk about Freddy with someone who shared her interest.  

Chattering like a little bird, Olivia’s demeanor unconsciously brought a smile to Freddy’s lips.  

***

Sitting across from the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess, Andrew and Faivel witnessed the entire exchange.  

Andrew looked at his cousin and his cousin’s wife with a content expression. Considering Freddy’s usual temperament, this was a sight he could never have imagined.  

After the late Grand Duke and Duchess passed away early on, Freddy had grown up with them in the royal palace. However, during that time, he always wore the same expression and lived monotonously.  

Moreover, after realizing that his position could one day become a threat to Andrew as he came of age, Freddy began serving him not as a cousin but as his lord.  

Though Andrew had observed him for a long time, Freddy’s thoughts were always difficult to read. But now, everything was so transparent that Andrew couldn’t help but laugh.  

The little Grand Duchess sitting beside Freddy was so endearing that Andrew felt compelled to do something for her.  

To think that someone managed to soften a man as stone-like as Freddy. Andrew was truly glad his cousin had found a good match.  

On the other hand, Faivel, sitting beside Andrew, had different thoughts.  

The moment she saw Freddy smile, she almost bit her tongue.  

In ten years of knowing him, he had never once shown her such an expression. Yet here he was, showing it to a woman he had only known for about two weeks. It was almost laughable.  

She had wanted to stand by Freddy’s side instead of Andrew’s, but she had been rejected. Still, it hadn’t mattered. Freddy had no intention of keeping anyone by his side.  

Once Princess Anthonia married into another family or country, Faivel had believed she would be the only woman by Freddy’s side. She had been certain of it.  

Her hands, gripping the knife and fork, trembled. She wanted to tear apart that cluelessly smiling face.  

After taking a short, deep breath, Faivel once again wore a gentle smile.  

As always, if anyone tried to take the spot beside Freddy, she would simply eliminate them. At last, her trembling subsided.  

Worried that someone might have seen her harsh expression, she quickly darted her eyes around. As she turned her head, she met the gaze of Princess Anthonia, who was seated next to her.  

Forcing an awkward smile, Faivel turned her head back.  

It didn’t matter if it was Anthonia. Soon, the princess would leave for Frenchia.  

Feeling lighter, Faivel resumed her meal.  

***

As the luncheon drew to a close, Faivel smiled faintly and made a suggestion to Olivia.  

“I’d like to spend some time with the Grand Duchess. How about a simple tea time?”  

Olivia was aware that Faivel had been watching her throughout the meal. Considering that Faivel didn’t seem to think highly of her, Olivia could guess that no pleasant words would be exchanged during a one-on-one tea time.  

However, she believed it was a situation she would have to face eventually, so she felt at ease.  

Moreover, she knew that Freddy hadn’t been able to visit the palace for a week. If she spent time with Faivel, it would give him a chance to get some work done.  

Though she felt a bit tired, the thought of doing something for Freddy gave her energy.  

Smiling, Olivia nodded, intending to accept Faivel’s proposal.  

However, Freddy spoke before she could act.  

“My wife has overexerted herself today, so tea time will be difficult. I hope you understand. She’s not in the best of health, and I’d like to let her rest a bit more.”  

Olivia was startled that Freddy had declined a royal’s proposal on her behalf. She worried that the King and Crown Prince might take offense.  

But contrary to her concerns, Basili let out a hearty laugh.  

“Yes, that’s how it should be.”  

With his intervention, Faivel’s suggestion naturally dissipated.  

Only then did Olivia realize that Freddy was on her side.  

He had always maintained a detached, observant stance. But this time, he hadn’t.  

Blinking, Olivia looked at Freddy. His neatly styled hair, sharp nose, and unwavering gaze.  

As expected, Olivia liked Freddy very much.  

“In the future, we’ll see more of our Grand Duchess, but for today, go back and rest. Freddy, if you ever feel stifled, visit the palace. I’ll always be waiting for you.”  

With a boisterous laugh, Basili permitted their departure.  

Faivel forced a smile and spoke.  

“I was inconsiderate. My apologies, Grand Duchess. I’ll send you an invitation to a tea party next time. I hope we can have a longer conversation then.”  

Though Faivel’s gaze was piercing, Olivia didn’t mind. The warmth of Freddy’s hand on hers made everything else seem trivial.  

***

On the way back to the Grand Duke’s residence, Olivia slowly blinked before falling soundly asleep.  

Freddy, watching her uncomfortably nodding off, sighed briefly and pulled her closer to him.  

He rested her head on his shoulder. Wanting her to be comfortable, he adjusted his posture, but their height difference made her neck look strained.  

Noticing this, Freddy awkwardly leaned sideways to let Olivia rest more comfortably.  

Soon, Olivia’s lips curled into a faint smile.  

Freddy, looking at her, recalled the letter he had received that morning.  

「To the Unknown Gentleman,  

Do you know that your letters are too vague?  

You don’t write specific locations, nor do you clearly explain the relationships between people.  

Even today, it’s the same.  

What exactly is the relationship between Liv and that woman? What about yours with that woman? If you had at least given me a proper name, I could have looked it up. But you’ve hidden everything so tightly!  

I’m sighing briefly right now.  

Receiving your letters feels like being trapped in a maze alone. (Though, perhaps, that’s what makes me happy. It’s not boring and keeps me entertained. Sometimes, it even feels like solving a riddle.)  

I’ll try to be patient.  

Enough rambling for now.  

Today, your question was this:  

‘Liv, if I had stepped in during that difficult situation, would you have smiled instead of looking so troubled?’」  

Freddy had stopped Faivel’s proposal to Olivia on impulse.  

For someone who had spent half his life in the palace and received a noble’s education, his behavior was rude. Normally, he would have let Olivia answer.  

However, for some reason, imagining her saying yes made his insides twist.  

It had been the same in the garden.  

Despite hearing the Crown Princess’s strange remarks, Olivia had smiled and responded as if it were nothing. Freddy didn’t know what Faivel’s intentions were in speaking to Olivia that way, but one thing was clear.  

Faivel was wary of Olivia.