TCBCVF 61

~Chapter 61~

‘Does the princess want to join the conversation too?’

I cautiously glanced at her and tried to include her.

“Um, Princess… isn’t High Priest Evans related to you as well?”

At my question, the princess replied sharply,

“We’re technically related, but I only saw him a few times when I was little.”

She cut me off immediately.

“…”

“…”

Her reaction was much sharper than usual.

An awkward silence filled the room.

‘Why is the princess acting like this? Is she upset about something?’

The other ladies glanced at each other nervously.

Realizing she might have overreacted, the princess quickly added,

“S-sorry. I guess I’m just tired today.”

“Of course, that happens.”

“I get irritable when I’m sleepy too!”

The other ladies quickly agreed with her.

“Since this is our first meeting, why don’t we visit the Great Temple now?”

Lady Sanchez clapped her hands with a sly smile.

The suggestion she had made for next time was suddenly changed to right now.

“It’s boring to only read books. We need to get out for a change sometimes!”

“Huh? Today?”

“Isn’t that a bit sudden…”

The other ladies protested timidly, but Lady Sanchez was relentless.

“This is my first time joining the club. If we all go to the Great Temple together, it will help me fit in better…”

She acted as if everyone should naturally welcome her and cater to her needs.

Then she smiled sweetly.

“Besides, we might even run into High Priest Evans. Wouldn’t that be nice?”

“…”

Lady Sherwood, the host, looked deeply displeased.

After all, this completely went against the purpose of the reading club.

But she couldn’t bring herself to object and instead glanced at the princess.

“Um… Princess, what do you think?”

The princess also looked uncomfortable.

But before she could answer, Lady Sanchez jumped in.

“Of course the princess would love to go! It would be great if we all get along, right?”

‘Oh, would you look at her?’

I narrowed my eyes.

It was a cunning tactic.

She was exploiting the fact that the princess had been sensitive earlier about Evans.

She must have thought the princess wouldn’t dare to refuse again and make things awkward.

‘She’s exactly like Seraphina.’

I quickly turned to the princess.

“Princess, if you don’t want to go, you can say no…”

But the princess had already nodded.

“Fine.”

“…”

She kept a blank expression, but I noticed it.

The princess was quietly gauging the other ladies’ reactions.

‘Ugh, Lady Sanchez… you’re so irritating.’

I felt my anger boiling inside.

“Since we’re already talking about it, let’s go now! Yes?”

Lady Sanchez pushed, and the club members reluctantly climbed into their carriages.

Across from me, the princess looked conflicted.

“Princess, if you didn’t like Lady Sanchez’s idea, you could have refused.”

I spoke cautiously, but the princess just shook her head.

“It’s fine. I don’t want to make things awkward because of me.”

“But…”

I trailed off, realizing she didn’t want to talk about it anymore.

“Um, Princess.”

I sighed quietly and changed the subject.

“Do you know what kind of person the High Priest is?”

Isaac Evans—the second male lead of this world.

In the original story, he was portrayed as flawless.

Of course, he needed to be perfect since he was supposed to be involved with Seraphina.

But the princess seemed uncomfortable whenever his name came up.

It couldn’t hurt to know more, just in case we did run into him.

The princess hesitated.

“Ah.”

Then she answered reluctantly.

“Well… he is my cousin… but he’s a good person.”

‘Princess, that sounded so unconvincing…’

I looked at her, puzzled.

After a pause, the princess added hesitantly,

“Honestly, High Priest Evans makes me a little uncomfortable.”

“Uncomfortable?”

“He’s… very kind, but it doesn’t feel like real kindness.”

‘What does that even mean?’

“He gives me advice and seems to help me, but in the end, I’m always the bad one when it’s over.”

The princess furrowed her brow.

“It’s like… ah, yes. It feels the same as dealing with Lady Lopez.”

‘Ah… now I get it.’

I sighed inwardly.

He was someone who reminded her of Seraphina.

“And what’s even more frustrating is… it makes me feel like I’m the weird one for thinking this way.”

“Hmm, I think I sort of understand.”

“You only really get it if you experience it yourself.”

The princess exhaled softly.

“Well, it’s true he’s handsome and capable. I can see why the ladies like him…”

Then she suddenly glared at me.

“But anyway, High Priest Evans is off-limits. I won’t allow it.”

‘What is she even thinking?’

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Don’t worry. After meeting the Duke, my standards are way too high now.”

“Huh?”

The princess’s eyes sparkled like a hawk’s.

“Lady Ansi, what do you mean by that?”

“Eh?”

Her eyes wide, the princess pointed at me.

“Does that mean you’re interested in my brother?!”

“No!”

‘Princess, what are you even saying?!’

I quickly shook my head, but she didn’t seem convinced.

“Are you sure you’re not interested?”

“…”

“He’s not bad-looking, right? Don’t you think so?”

“…”

“Come on, answer me. Please?”

All the way to the Great Temple, I was trapped in the princess’s relentless questioning.

‘Well… the Duke is really amazing.’

I stayed silent and tried to calm myself down as I always did.

‘It’s only natural for me to feel human admiration for him.’

But deep down, a quiet voice asked,

‘Really? Is that truly all it is?’

…And I couldn’t answer that question, even by the time we arrived at the Great Temple.