Living Up to Your Expectations - Chapter 25

“It’s delicious! Lady Felicia, I could eat these tarts and madeleines forever!”

Laila’s eyes sparkled as she relaxed her cheeks and continued eating one after another.

“Feli is truly skilled. Ah, this is bliss.”

Via held her teacup and smiled blissfully. It was rare to see her, usually so cool and collected, so openly soften her expression like this.

Their reactions made me break into a smile.

“Really? I’m glad. Baking is so much fun. But once I’m married, I probably won’t be able to make them anymore. What a shame.”

I lowered my gaze slightly and murmured.

The Crown Princess standing in the kitchen, such a thing would never be permitted in the palace. Moreover, a place with fire and knives was unheard of for a prospective queen to enter.

“Even as a Duke’s daughter, it must have been difficult, right? I’m surprised your father allowed it.”

Via spoke with a hint of astonishment. She had a point.

“I had to pester him quite a bit. But when I said, ‘There’s someone I don’t want to lose to,’ he readily gave his permission, saying, ‘Go all out, then.'”

Looking back, it was almost disappointingly easy.

“Father is surprisingly simple-minded, after all.”

When I said it jokingly, Laila and Via burst into laughter.

“Right now, I’m trying my hand at Florentines.”

As soon as I said that, Laila leaned forward eagerly.

“Lady Felicia, those are my favorite! Please, when they’re done!”

“Of course. I’ll bring some.”

“I’m so happy!!”

Laila’s face bloomed into a radiant smile.

Beside her, Via sipped her tea with an exasperated look—but I know. You like Florentines too, don’t you?

However, the peaceful atmosphere shifted abruptly with a single remark.

“Speaking of which, Feli. The rumors far from dying down, they’re accelerating.”

Via set down her teacup and looked at me with serious eyes.

“That’s right. What I’ve heard is that the Crown Prince, ordered by His Majesty the King to be a ‘caretaker,’ forcibly took on the role himself and is using his position to treat the Spirit Princess harshly.”

Laila continued quietly, her voice tinged with anger and scorn.

—Mostly correct. But no one tells the truth.

“The ones spreading the rumors are them. Behind me, near the corner. The ‘friends of the Spirit Princess’ whispering while looking this way.”

Via didn’t even glance back, but her tone was laced with clear contempt.

Where does Via have eyes, I wonder? I couldn’t help but smile wryly.

“It’s my fault they lost their chance to get close to Lord Lucius. It’s only natural.”

That’s the real meaning behind the rumors. If Lady Beth were to become Crown Princess, she’d be easy to control. They believe that as her hangers-on, they’d share in all the desires—concubines, favor, power.

“They don’t know their place.”

Laila clenched her fist and spat out quietly, a quiet fury dwelling in her back.

“So, Feli, what will you do?”

Via’s question sounded as if she’d found some amusing game.

I smiled slowly.

“Of course. If they’re expecting it, I must be even ‘stricter,’ mustn’t I?”

Tomorrow was the day I’d go to the palace. Perfect timing.

＊＊＊＊＊

“Ah! Feli, you’re here?”

Lord Lucius called out, sounding surprised yet somewhat pleased.

In the center of the hall, he and Lady Beth stood side by side, lightly holding hands. I see, it seems the practice had just begun.

“Yes. I paid my respects to Her Majesty the Queen, and she mentioned today is dance practice day.”

That’s what I said. But in truth, I’d known for quite some time.

The dance practice for the Crown Prince and the “Spirit Princess’s” debut appearance, that was information I’d deliberately looked into.

But I came here pretending it was natural, a coincidence.

“Lady Felicia. At the debutante ball, there will be a scene where I dance with Lord Lucius. So, um…”

Lady Beth spoke while slightly hiding behind Lord Lucius.

My, what a tone, as if to say, “Don’t interfere.”

“Yes, I’m aware. I haven’t come to interfere. May I simply observe for a while?”

I infused my words with softness. But beneath that, I carefully embedded thorns.

“If that’s the case…”

Lady Beth averted her gaze.

But I didn’t miss the “triumphant face” that flashed across hers for an instant.

Her cheek muscles relaxed slightly, her lips lifting unnaturally. It was too clumsy to be called a smile.

I wonder how it looks in Lord Lucius’s eyes.

Soon, the dance practice resumed.

Lady Beth took Lord Lucius’s hand and began to dance, one step, then another. But her movements remained awkward, her feet tangling every few steps, repeatedly leaning against His Highness.

Will she be ready in time for the debutante ball or perhaps, is she doing it on purpose?

Knowing full well how piercing my gaze is, she’s trying to flaunt this “protected figure” to me.

—So, what face should I show her? A frustrated face? Or a sad face?

Surely what she wants now is the latter. Very well, let me lower my eyes slightly and let my lips tremble a little.

As I let my expression darken just a bit, sure enough, Lady Beth glanced my way.

Look, look. Just as I thought, her face is drunk on the “victory” she sees in me.

Fufu, that triumphant smile. You’re not hiding it well at all.