It Seemed My Fiancé Hated Me, So I Distanced Myself—But for Some Reason, He Complained - Chapter 58

And then there was that earlier question.

Prince Avery seemed to be probing whether I was considering becoming Lady Lucas’s consort lightly, but at the same time, I also felt he was giving me a warning.

He seemed to be saying that becoming a queen comes with dangers, so if I wasn’t prepared, I should give up.

If it were just malice toward his brother’s fiancée candidate, he could have pressed me more about my former engagement or talked about my shortcomings as a duke’s daughter.

But the still-youthful Prince Avery appeared to me as a splendid princess who bore the name of the Lard Kingdom.

“Hmm, so that’s how I seemed to you. You’re strange, Sister Clarissa.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. It’s strange that you’d say that about me. And not just me, you were intently observing Theodore and Jenna too, and it was kind of scary.”

“Th-that’s true. My apologies.”

Since I agreed with her, I bowed my head to Princess Avery.

Indeed, even if it was for today’s preparations, secretly observing them from the shadows probably wasn’t pleasant for them.

I was genuinely reflecting, but when I raised my head, Princess Avery looked somewhat pleased.

“But I’ve reconsidered a bit. You don’t underestimate me, do you?”

The princess said this proudly.

“That’s only natural. I would never underestimate Your Highness.”

“Because everyone gets fooled by my appearance and brings me childish toys or picture books that are too simple. I keep telling them I’ve long outgrown such things, but it’s troubling.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. But you seem to understand!”

Princess Avery said with satisfaction.

Seeing the princess’s smile made me happy.

After that, as if the tense atmosphere from the beginning was a lie, it became harmonious.

All three of them answered my questions cheerfully.

I was glad that I seemed to have grown closer to the three of them.

Before I knew it, it was time for the tea party to end.

“With that, we conclude the tea party hosted by Lady Clarissa,” the court steward in charge announced matter-of-factly.

Looking at the table behind, Prince Lucas and the three maids were smiling as they watched us. Beside them, Lady Anastasia and her personal maid were making distinctly displeased faces.

Then it was time for Prince Theodore, Princess Jenna, and Princess Avery to give their evaluations.

The steward asked each of them who they thought did better.

My heart pounded as I waited for the answers. I felt I had grown much closer to them than at the beginning, but after all, I was an unexpected candidate, while Lady Anastasia was a proper duke’s daughter with prior connections.

When it came to deciding the outcome, I suddenly lost confidence.

The first one the steward asked was Prince Theodore.

After hesitating for a while, the prince answered.

“Lady Clarissa’s tea party was also quite likable but I choose Lady Anastasia.”

At Prince Theodore’s answer, I heard Lady Anastasia’s delighted voice.

I felt as if I had been stabbed in the chest.

But Prince Theodore, who had been cold at first, had said he found my tea party likable, so I tried to pull myself together and look forward.