The Villainess Who Looks Like a Little Girl Is in the Arms of the Ice Prince (Who Is Sometimes Cute) - Chapter 5

I’m bored, aren’t I?”

“Indeed, you are.”

I was spending my time just idling away in the room I’d been given. This was the third day.

Even I was getting bored, so I’d borrowed some imperial history books and geography texts. Since they weren’t suitable for a four-year-old to read, the pretense was that Enzo was using them for his studies.

“I asked the head butler to inform His Highness that Lady Ria is bored~!”

“Magot, thank you.”

“Not at all!”

Magot’s words were too direct. Among high-ranking nobles, euphemisms were preferred, but I found her straightforwardness refreshing.

And it seemed to have an immediate effect.

One of the detached palace servants came to my room carrying a letter.

“Your Highness Rianne. I’ve brought a letter from His Highness Folkhardt.”

“Thank you. Enzo.”

“Yes.”

Enzo, having received the letter, immediately took a paper knife from his breast pocket to open it and examine the contents.

“…It’s an invitation to a tea party from His Highness Folkhardt. What would you like to do?”

“Of course, I’ll attend. I’ll write a reply. Could you wait a moment?”

The servant who heard my words gasped. He probably never imagined a four-year-old could write.

“Magot.”

“Yes, right here.”

The maid I prompted immediately placed paper and pen on the low table. For some reason, she looked quite proud.

She’d probably seen me practicing writing every day, as I was trying to get used to these small hands while I had the chance. To an outside observer, I must have looked like ‘a diligent, pitiful young princess desperately studying after marrying into another country.’

“Let’s see. ‘Thank you for the invitation. I would be delighted to attend.’ …Done.”

“Wow, you write so well~!”

The servant couldn’t hide his surprise and spoke to Enzo.

“Her Highness can write?”

“Yes. She can both write and read.”

“Th-that’s astonishing.”

“She’s a diligent person.”

Enzo was probably covering for my un-childlike behavior.

“I’m impressed by your beautiful handwriting. I’ll certainly deliver this to His Highness.”

—Though my conscience stung a little at the servant being so impressed by just a few lines.

◆

“Thank you for inviting me.”

“…Yeah.”

The detached palace’s courtyard was breezy with early summer winds.

Under the white stone gazebo stood an ornately carved table set, with a three-tiered tea stand displaying sandwiches, scones, and cakes.

In the flowerbed with clustered plantings of dahlias, poppies, and lavender, seven-spotted ladybugs were flying. His Highness Folkhardt had come to greet me in front of the gazebo as I approached, so I performed a curtsy.

Today His Highness was dressed casually in a pale blue ascot tie with a vest over a white shirt, paired with brown trousers and knee-high boots. At his waist, he wore a rapier for self-defense.

Meanwhile, I had chosen a lavender dress from among those I’d prepared for just such an occasion.

“What a lovely garden.”

Though it was proper manners to compliment the garden before sitting at the table, I was genuinely awakened by the vivid natural colors before my eyes.

“You like it?”

“Yes.”

His Highness Folkhardt’s aquamarine eyes narrowed slightly.

He bent down a little and offered his hand, so I obediently accepted his escort.

Enzo behind me quickly pulled out a chair but of course, it was too high for me to sit in.

“Enzo.”

“Yes.”

As I raised both arms high as usual, His Highness Folkhardt looked at me as if he wanted to say something.

“Y-yes?”

Wondering what it was, I lowered my hands temporarily and called out to him, whereupon he muttered a single word.

“It’s Hal, Ria.”

He looked somewhat sulky, making me want to smile.

“Lord Hal. What is it?”

“…May I do that instead?”

(Do what?)

Enzo, who had been about to pick me up from the front as I tilted my head, immediately assumed the attendant’s posture with his right hand on his chest and left hand on his waist.

“Lady Ria. My apologies, but Enzo would like to yield this duty to His Highness Folkhardt.”

(Ah! He means picking me up!?)

“Um. Well…”

Though I look four, inside I’m a proper eighteen-year-old lady who’s never been picked up by a gentleman before.

Since Enzo wasn’t that kind of person, I hadn’t recognized the unusual nature of this act and was flustered.

My lack of response made His Highness Folkhardt furrow his brows.

“…Not allowed?”

(If I say no here, I feel like that would be wrong! He’s my fiancé, so even if it’s by an attendant, being lifted by another gentleman might not sit well with him!)

After running through these thoughts in my head, I shook my face side to side with a wobble.

“No. Lord Hal. Please do.”

Gathering my courage, I raised both arms again. This time directly in front of His Highness.

“Hmm… Light.”

I must have been lighter than he expected. His Highness Folkhardt, who had lifted me with too much momentum, took a step back with one foot.

Meanwhile, the silky silver hair before my eyes tickled my cheek, making me let out a little “achoo” sneeze.

“Are you cold?”

As he carefully seated me in the chair, His Highness Folkhardt asked with concern.

“No. Your hair, Lord Hal, touched my nose. Achoo! Pardon me… achoo!”

“Hm. Haha.”

(He laughed!)

I stared intently at his face, which had been expressionless and aloof, now crinkled with amusement.

Enzo quickly wiped around my mouth with a handkerchief, bringing me back to my senses.

I reflected that I’d been rude by losing my composure.

“…”

His Highness Folkhardt, who had taken the seat opposite me, also fell silent, perhaps feeling awkward about having laughed, as he put a fist to his mouth.

“…Um. There are no maids or guards here?”

Thinking I should break the tension, I asked about something that had been on my mind. His Highness Folkhardt straightened his posture and spoke.

“Yeah. That attendant there.”

“It’s Enzo, sir.”

“Enzo, prepare the tea.”

“! Yes.”

I could tell Enzo had momentarily gasped. I similarly held my breath.

For the Crown Prince to directly call an attendant by name was normally unthinkable.

His Highness Folkhardt remained unchanged in attitude, looking stern.

“If he’s Ria’s attendant, I thought I should remember his name.”

“I’m glad.”

I meant it. This was equivalent to showing me respect. After all, an attendant represents their master’s status.

“…The reason I called you to this tea party today is simple.”

After taking a sip of the tea Enzo had prepared without hesitation, His Highness Folkhardt pierced me with his gaze.

“Ria. Who are you?”