Chapter 4.2
The maid who delivered the Countess’ business proceeded with the next schedule with a calm step.
After waiting for two hours after the short first encounter, she would finally meet the Prince again. Her heart, which had been loosened from waiting, began to become tense again.
Ariel followed the maid’s guide down her steps, fiddling with her gift box pouch.
Now, it was the question of when to give it. Since the Prince would be gone after the dinner, time was running out for her to give it before then. She might not have an opportunity at all to satisfy the additional order she was given for when he would be alone.
With her mind racing, she eventually reached the entrance to the dining room.
Knock, knock.
The maid opened the door with a light knock.
“The Young Lady has arrived.”
The double doors opened to reveal the inside of a dining room with purple curtains.
A centerpiece made of white roses was seen on the long dinner table, and beyond that, the Countess and the Prince were seated facing each other, occupying the heads of the table.
As she accidentally met eyes with the Prince, she could clearly feel thorns from his blue eyes. After greeting him with a slight bow of her head, she then calmly headed for her seat.
The dinner menu consisted of fresh, wild-caught freshwater fish and seasonal fruits. It was a special product of the Count’s estate, famous for its blue river. The veal served with it was also excellent, just in case the table might be empty. It wasn’t strange to see how much they cared about it.
Still, the Prince and his aides, who were distinguished guests, were silent. The dining room was exceptionally quiet so that even the slightest sound of knife cutting could be heard.
The Prince was extremely silent, considering that he had cast a rather obsessive glance at Ariel. Occasionally when he opened his mouth, he would only throw a few words at the Countess, and even that was not the main story. It seemed that all necessary conversations had been completed earlier.
Thanks to that, Ariel was pressed for time throughout the meal. She couldn’t afford to taste the sweet, high-quality fish meat.
It was all because of the presents in her pocket.
Boom!
As if representing her feelings, the sound of thunder that came over the wall was roaring.
“By the way, Your Highness. Since the weather is bad, how about staying here tonight?”
Ariel almost choked on the Countess’s words that came out of nowhere.
‘She’s asking the royal family to stay overnight at the Count’s place…? Can we manage that?’
When she studied the Count’s complexion with a side glance, far from being apprehensive, she could see a face that felt confident. She wondered where her confidence came from?
In fact, what the Countess said wasn’t very surprising. Given the loud weather outside, it was a natural invitation to come out.
However, according to today’s prearranged schedule, the Countess only planned on serving dinner, so she wouldn’t have made any other arrangements. Of course, basic preparations were prepared every time, but there was no choice but to be a big difference from what was assumed.
‘There’s a big risk that there’s a possibility of being disrespectful due to lack of preparation.’
On top of that, it was the royal family. Insufficiency in serving that precious lineage for a day couldn’t be forgiven.
It seemed that the thoughts of the servants weren’t different, but all the faces were contemplative. Looking at it, she became agitated for no reason, so Ariel lowered her head. Her eyes soon fell to the floor, and the pocket that was tied around the waist of her dress as her worries deepened.
Even though she hoped for an opportunity to hand over the gift to the Prince, it wasn’t like this.
In the meantime, the person who received the invitation was silent for some reason. It seemed that he was contemplating the invitation.
No one intervened in the heavy silence flowing with the Prince as the subject.
Rumble, boom!
The outside, hidden by the curtains, was noisy as if it was hastening his choice. In the silence, only the sky made a fuss. After a loud thunderclap passed, the Prince opened his closed eyes as if he had made up his mind.
The heavily shut lips opened.
“…Well, going out in this rain isn’t something I’d like to do. I’ll stay overnight as suggested.”
His way of speaking was indisposed.
His decision made her strangely uncomfortable and relieved at the same time. She thought it was because she wasn’t in a position to serve the Prince adequately that she felt the pressure, while there was still a matter of the present left, so she had more time now.
On the other hand, the complexions of the servants of the mansion became pale.
And so, the dinner continued over their expense.
As the Prince was still silent, similarly to the Countess, the employees were even careful about their breathing.
There was no conversation at all until plates were passed one after another, and finally, tea was served. In the midst of that, the presence of the royal family was overwhelming and severe. The indifferent look on his face all the time gave off an atmosphere that seemed to oppress everyone.
When the plentiful table was cleared, leaving only refreshments, it felt like coming out of a long tunnel. Soon, the Countess also opened her mouth as if announcing the end of the dinner.
“Did you like the meal, Your Highness?”
The Prince only nodded.
It just seemed like a ceremonial act, however, as though that alone was an honor, the chef was deeply moved while the other servants in charge of preparing the dinner also looked relieved.
The Countess, with a solemn expression, spoke briefly on behalf of them.
“Thank you.”
“By the way.”
As he opened his mouth again as if he had caught something, the air in the room immediately tightened with tension. The chef’s face, which seemed to have reached heaven just now, hardened on the verge of going to the abyss.
What could be the reason?
Even the aide who was guarding the Prince’s back had a suspicious look on his face.
Fortunately, everyone’s curiosity didn’t linger long.
“Please make room for me. Leaving only the Princess.”
It was a sudden request.
Her hand, which she hid under the table, flinched at the remark. There was only one person here who could be called a princess… the Count’s only daughter—Ariel Huckley—herself. As she thought so, Ariel clenched her trembling fingers tightly with worry.
‘…Why is he trying to make room for just the two of us?’
Somehow, she had a bad feeling about it.
Perhaps the same was the case with the Countess, her face, which remained unchanged the whole time, was also shaken.
“May I ask for the reason?”
“No.”
As he replied, the Prince firmly refused and glanced at the entrance of the dining room before pointing towards it slightly with his chin.
“I’d like you to leave now.”
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