Living Up to Your Expectations - Chapter 19

After paying my respects to Her Majesty the Queen, I went straight to the office of His Highness the Crown Prince—Lord Lucius. I knocked on the door, was granted entry, and found him pausing his review of documents to greet me with a gentle smile.

“Lord Lucius. I’ve come to invite you for a walk.”

“Feli. How unusual. I’m delighted to take a stroll with you.”

“My education as the Crown Princess has finally reached a temporary pause. Before our marriage, I’d like to leisurely enjoy some time with you, Lord Lucius.”

I said this with a smile.

Of course, part of the reason I came was because I’d heard from the Queen that the Spirit Princess, Lady Beth—was holed up in her room, feigning illness to skip her lessons.

Today is the perfect day to begin putting her in her place.

“Shall we go to the garden? I hear the roses are at their peak today. You like roses, don’t you, Feli?”

“That sounds lovely. I’m looking forward to it.”

…The garden, huh. Perfect! That place is clearly visible from Lady Beth’s room window.

The palace garden. An elegant afternoon where sunlight reflects off the water’s surface and the scent of roses melts into the breeze. As we walked along the eastern path, a clear voice suddenly rang out.

“Oh my, Lord Lucius! And Lady Felicia? To think we’d meet here!”

A voice like tinkling bells. Slightly breathless. …Did she rush out in a fluster? Her attendants were desperately chasing after her from behind.

—The “heroine’s” entrance is always far too convenient.

“Lady Beth. What a coincidence.”

When I said this, she gently clasped her hands over her chest and gave a small nod.

“Yes, I just happened to come out for a walk.”

Her lowered eyelashes. A moment of silence and an exaggerated hesitation. A well-executed performance.

Lord Lucius stepped forward and spoke to her with concern.

“Miss Beth, are you feeling better now?”

“Yes. I’m sorry for always making you worry, Lord Lucius. I’m completely fine now!”

A sweet, coquettish tone. The mask of the “protected Spirit Princess.”

If you were truly unwell, should you be out in this sunlight?

As a delighted-looking Lady Beth softly approached Lord Lucius. I stepped in between them, blocking her path. Then, I gently touched his arm and smiled.

“Lord Lucius. Lady Beth still doesn’t seem to be at her best, so why don’t we rest on a bench for a while?”

“That’s a good idea.”

When His Highness nodded gently, a frowning Lady Beth also complied with a small bow and quietly followed behind.

I didn’t miss that click of your tongue.

I stopped in front of the white bench with a nonchalant expression and sat down. When Lord Lucius naturally took the seat beside me, it naturally limited Lady Beth’s seating to the other side of me.

Hehe.

Lady Beth didn’t sit down and instead cast a slightly teary gaze.

“…Am I truly unworthy of being by His Highness’s side?”

“Did you want to sit next to Lord Lucius?”

“Not exactly, but I’ve never sat anywhere but beside His Highness until now.”

My, my, is this a challenge?

When I looked at Lord Lucius, he was just smiling awkwardly. That expression… is he saying, “This isn’t my intention”?

“But Lady Beth, sitting here puts you in the shade. You were unwell, weren’t you? Please?”

When I said this smoothly, I saw her eyelashes twitch. But if your health is mentioned, you have no choice but to sit, right?

Slowly, Lady Beth sat down and lowered her head.

The attendants who had been watching from a distance began to stir. Whispers and glances were directed our way.

“Look. She always used to be beside him, but Lady Beth looks so sad.”

“Could it be that Lady Felicia deliberately cut in between them?”

My, you’re the ones being deliberate, aren’t you? Your voices are quite clear. I think you should hire attendants with better manners.

At that moment, Lady Beth suddenly stood up.

Tears welled in her large eyes, and she clutched the hem of her skirt with trembling fingertips.

“Lady Beth. What’s wrong?”

When I asked, she murmured in a shaky voice.

“…I feel like I’m intruding…”

That’s right. Are you going to leave now?

“Such a thing is not true!”

The one who suddenly raised her voice, tearing through the scene—was, of all people, one of the attendants.

“A person chosen by the spirits could never be an intrusion! The one who has always been by His Highness’s side is Lady Beth. The one who appeared suddenly is Lady Felicia!”

I was just busy with my Crown Princess education, you know?

“That’s right. His Highness is by Lady Beth’s side by order of His Majesty the King. —Naturally, Lady Beth should take precedence.”

At those words, the atmosphere in the garden grew slightly tense. From beside me, I could feel a chill from Lord Lucius.

I quietly rose from my seat.

At that moment, the gazes of Lady Beth and her group all turned toward me.

“Lady Beth, do you feel the same way?”

In the silence, Lady Beth’s eyes wavered.

“No, I was just a little troubled. Wondering if I might have rudely intruded between His Highness and Lady Felicia.”

“My! If that’s all, then there’s no need to worry.”

Smiling, I snapped my folding fan shut with a crisp click.

“I am His Highness’s official fiancée. Even if ‘someone’ were to intrude, my position wouldn’t waver.”

Your cheek twitched, Lady Beth.

“Everyone knows that Lord Lucius and I are engaged. But if misunderstandings like ‘rudely intruding’ were to spread in such a situation, it would affect your reputation as well, Lady Beth.”

I stroked my fan and smiled sweetly.

“Please take care to protect your own standing.”

Lady Beth’s eyes wavered, and her gaze darted about as if searching for words.

—Or is that just another part of your “performance”?

“…Yes, you’re right.”

At her trembling voice, the surrounding maids gradually began to lower their eyes.

“Then, farewell. Please don’t catch a chill. You look pale.”

“That’s right. You all, take Miss Beth back to her room. Shall we walk a bit more, Feli?”

I gently placed my fingers over the hand Lord Lucius offered. The scent of roses swayed on the breeze, and I left the scene without looking back.