CH 57

I pushed Gabriel in surprise. But Gabriel, who I thought would be easily pushed out, did not budge.

I rolled my eyes, stuck in Gabriel’s arms.

“Gabriel?”

“Ha….”

A soft sigh was heard. For a moment, I felt nervous not knowing whose it was. I held my breath without realizing it.

Gabriel whispered to me, who was being grabbed by him, and whispered in a voice that sounded like he was putting up with something.

“I missed you.”

It was an earnest voice. My body seemed to tremble a little.

But was life in the Imperial Palace very difficult? Why do you sound so pitiful…

If you want to see me as a friend like this. He must really miss Cesare to death.

After all, Gabriel suddenly became a prince.

If there were many people who were jealous of Gabriel, it would have been many, but not few.

Even in the original story, when Gabriel was having a hard time, Cesare became his strength, resolved the misunderstandings and gradually built the love.

But now, Cesare is not by Gabriel’s side…

Maybe it’s my fault that Gabriel is having such a hard time.

If Cesare had been by his side, it might have been less difficult than it is now.

Cesare could have been of some help, as he was more accustomed to this kind of life than Gabriel.

I suddenly felt compassion for Gabriel.

The recent experiences with Daphne’s past in the capital may have made me more sensitive to Gabriel’s loneliness.

Not only Daphne, but also my old past.

I carefully pulled my arm out of his chest.

Fortunately, Gabriel’s strength in hugging me had loosened a bit, so I was able to succeed.

I patted Gabriel on the back with a slightly awkward posture.

“Gabriel is doing great.”

So don’t be too discouraged. No matter what anyone says, you are the strongest in this worldview.

It seemed to take a moment, but then he loosened up. I was then able to look straight at Gabriel.

Gabriel’s face was smiling with a look like he was about to cry.

Why are you like this again to make people feel weak?

“It is said that when you cry and laugh, your ass gets horned.”

“Haha.”

Gabriel burst into laughter at the joke thrown in a playful laugh.

After all, Gabriel’s smile is the prettiest.

I’m sorry and I’m sorry, but what can I do?

I like Cesare too. I mean, I don’t want to give up.

That was my intention.

*****

Inside the large room of the Count Madrina, where Daphne and Gabriel escaped.

The remaining nobles were arguing with interesting stories.

“Did you see it? Your Majesty the Crown Prince.”

During the poetry recital, his gaze was often on the Duchess Burstoad.

It was a brief moment that most people would not notice, but if it was repeated over and over again, it would be of no use.

“The Duchess often looked at him.”

And the people who made eye contact like that left the room in succession as if they had made a promise.

“Your Majesty the Crown Prince seems to have an outstanding appearance.”

“Still, what’s going on with this? The Duchess is someone who is already married. She can’t even lie about her origin…”

“Uh-huh, Baron Blaine. Be careful with your words. The Crown Prince Gabriel is the most treasured by His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Anyway, they were a good person”

It was not a society where nobles were forbidden to have a government other than their spouses.

Some of the people gathered here at the book club now also had a lover hidden behind them.

This is not to criticize the two of them on a moral basis.

It’s just the relationship between the Crown Prince and the already married Duchess, who are just starting to emerge into the world. So it will be more eye-catching.

A young master asked a question.

“By the way, who is the Duke Burstoad?”

Few people personally knew Cesare Burstoad, who had only lived in his estate.

Cesare isn’t the kind of person who regularly attends social events and gets a lot of attention.

It is even less common for young nobles who have just entered the social world to know.

Said the middle-aged baron who knew Cesare.

“He’s a fiery man.”

“You don’t want to touch him.”

“Oh, that’s right. Someone you don’t want to turn into an enemy. He might have dragged you to Hell.”

Just what kind of person he is… A young master, who asked the question, trembled with chills.

“Anyway, we didn’t see anything today. Baron Blaine. Can you recite the next poem?”

“Hmm. I’ll do that <Oh, my dear friend and teacher>.”

The nobles gathered in the room started reading again.

As if nothing had happened. Quietly.

~ εїз εїз εїз ~

That time.

After the restless reunion, we inquired about each other’s current situation in a more relaxed atmosphere.

Gabriel seemed to be busy as a Prince.

From what I heard, it seemed that he directly led a large assembly where the elder nobles gathered and also participated in the national affairs meeting where the affairs of the Imperial family were handled.

‘It seems that the Crown Prince is doing his job quite well.’

Even Cesare, who doesn’t like Gabriel that much, gave a positive review.

I pats Gabriel on the back in a strange way, and Gabriel dyes his cheeks like a newly married woman.

Did I come to the flower garden? There is only one flower, so why is he so bright? My eyes are dazzling and I can’t open my eyes.

Gabriel spoke to me with a slightly relaxed face. It seems that Gabriel was also frustrated there.

Maybe it’s because he was trying to do something he didn’t want…

Just because you get along well with people on the outside doesn’t mean speed is the same.

“How does it feel to be in the capital, Daphne?”

“Well… It’s a little more hectic than the Duchy of Burstoad. Oh, I don’t mean that it’s bad, but should I say that it’s lively because there are so many people?”

“Certainly, the capital has that aspect.”

“Still, I think there are a lot of shops. Yesterday, I ate a mousse cake with oranges at a bakery and it was refreshing and sweet. It’s a famous restaurant in the capital. Have you ever tried it, Gabriel?”

“No, actually, I can’t go out often outside the Palace because I’m busy these days. Daphne.”

“Oh my…”

Poor guy. Then, today’s reading meeting is not just for fun.

It’s a gathering of Imperial sect, so they must have been here for a face stamp.

I whispered full of pity.

“Next time, I’ll give Gabriel an orange mousse cake from the store.”

“Why don’t we go together and introduce it to me, Daphne?”

“Going together?”

Both eyes blinked at Gabriel’s suggestion.

“I don’t know much outside the Imperial Palace either. I would like Daphne to introduce it to me.”

“Well…”

I laughed awkwardly without answering.

Gabriel, although your situation is pitiful…

I don’t think Cesare would like it very much if I went out alone with you.

But Gabriel added as he had even read my thoughts.

“The Duke may join. The two of you… Are a married couple.”

Gabriel blushed.

Gabriel was also an angel and a monster at the same time. How dare you use a ruse to naturally summon Cesare while I’m on my guard!

Gabriel was what Cesare wanted to see. If you welcome me this much, how about Cesare?

And I thought it would help Gabriel to give up on it if Cesare refused rather than me.

“I’ll ask Cesare first.”

If it was Cesare, of course he would refuse, so it was an expression of her will not to go out.

Cesare must say he won’t go because Gabriel and he don’t like being together, right?

But contrary to my opinion, Cesare agreed.

“That’s not a bad idea.”

“Really?”

“I will accept that offer.”

You’re not going to say no? This is an unexpected development.

Rather, it seemed that it was necessary to use this meeting as an opportunity to show Gabriel who Cesare was.

So that Gabriel can clear his mind.

Good. From now on, I have to think about how to make them look like a lovely couple who are in love and can’t be separated.

*****

The appointment was set for a private room at a fancy restaurant downtown.

Apparently, the story started with an orange mousse cake at first, but somehow it became a place to eat.

It was Cesare who set the meeting place and time.

‘I hope I’ll meet him soon.’

‘What?’

‘I’ll have to send him a letter right away.’

He even acted proactively.

Thanks to this, I had to even doubt whether Cesare was defeated by the original power and fell in love with Gabriel without realizing it.

‘I can’t allow him to take a single step into my mansion.’

But it didn’t seem like that… When I said that it would be better to invite Gabriel to Burstoad’s mansion, that’s the reaction.

Anyway, Cesare’s attitude was so stubborn that I had no choice but to inform Gabriel that I would see him this week.