It Seemed My Fiancé Hated Me, So I Distanced Myself—But for Some Reason, He Complained - Chapter 40

“Clarissa, what’s this about competing with Anastasia?! What do you mean?!”

That evening, after Camilla and the others had left the room for other work, Prince Lucas came to my room with a pale face. He must have heard about it from one of the three.

I was just then looking over the list Camilla and the others had prepared for me while selecting tea leaves.

“Well, Lady Anastasia visited this afternoon and said since she can’t accept me, she wants to settle which of us is more worthy of being your fiancée through a competition.”

“You should have just refused. Whether she accepts you or not, Anastasia has no right to interfere with my engagement!”

When I explained, Prince Lucas spoke with an anxious expression.

“I apologize for acting on my own. But I thought if I could win against Lady Anastasia, I might feel more worthy of being your fiancée. ”

I confessed my thoughts while reflecting on my reckless decision. I knew it was reckless, but I saw it as an opportunity. A chance to become someone worthy of Prince Lucas.

Then, a blush spread across Prince Lucas’s cheeks.

“Clarissa, did you really accept Anastasia’s proposal for that reason?”

“Yes. I want to become even slightly more worthy of being your fiancée.”

When I told him this with some hesitation, Prince Lucas covered his face and fell silent for a while.

I grew flustered, wondering if I’d said something strange.

As I stood there anxiously, His Highness grabbed my shoulders.

“Alright. Clarissa, I’ll support you with all my strength too.”

“Huh? But I accepted this challenge on my own. I can’t possibly trouble you with this.”

“How could it be trouble? You’re doing this for me. It’s only natural that I help.”

Prince Lucas spoke with serious eyes. I felt my cheeks grow warm.

“But what exactly is this competition? You’re not planning to duel, are you? I absolutely cannot allow anything that might injure you.”

“Not at all! It’s a tea party competition. Lady Anastasia said we would each host a tea party to entertain guests and see who can provide greater satisfaction.”

“I see… Ah, so that’s why you were looking at a tea leaf list. I’m glad it’s nothing dangerous.”

Prince Lucas placed a hand over his chest and spoke with a relieved expression.

“I’ve had Camilla and the others help me so much despite their busy schedules. This tea leaf list, the tea foods list, and the tea party set; they prepared everything for me.”

On the table lay several lists along with the tea set for the party that Camilla and the others had brought from storage.

All three of them had stayed with me until the last possible moment before leaving for their other work, practicing tea party etiquette with me using the empty tea set.