TCBCVF 54

~Chapter 54~

“What’s this?”

At the same time, the princess peeked over at the invitation.

Her blue eyes, full of curiosity, read the name written on it.

“Watkins… Reading Club? Ugh.”

The princess scrunched up her face.

Well, it made sense.

She was never the type to enjoy reading books.

“Lady Ansi, are you planning to attend this reading club?”

“Yes, I think I will.”

“Why? Do you really need to join a reading club? I’m already here with you…”

The princess looked up at me like a sulky cat.

But only for a moment.

“W-wait.”

Suddenly, her face turned shocked.

“You mean… I’m not enough for you?!”

Her voice boomed, filled with betrayal.

“I—I only need Lady Ansi!”

“Huh?”

“You’re saying you need other friends besides me now?!”

“Huh?”

All I could do was stammer “Huh?” over and over, completely confused.

It felt like dealing with a jealous house cat scolding its owner for petting a stray cat…

But first, I had to clear this misunderstanding.

“Of course not. I really enjoy spending time with you, Princess.”

As I tried to gently calm her down, the princess protested with the most pitiful expression.

“If you enjoy being with me so much, why are you suddenly talking about some reading club?!”

“Well… that’s because.”

I carefully chose my words and asked,

“Wasn’t our original goal to improve your reputation?”

“Ah.”

The princess froze like I’d struck a nerve.

Blinking blankly, she listened as I explained softly.

“This reading club is actually a good opportunity.”

“A good opportunity?”

“Yes. Our goal was to improve your reputation by showing your genuine side, remember?”

I continued explaining carefully.

“Although this club is small and its members aren’t particularly influential in society, the reverse is also true…”

I smiled brightly at the princess, who was now listening intently.

“The members’ families are powerful enough not to be swayed by society’s trends.”

Just look at Seraphina—she desperately tried to attend every big social gathering.

But the princess…

‘Just the fact that the princess attended the Ansi family’s party caused such a huge stir in society.’

That’s how much influence the Claudius family held.

I added,

“Of course, the invitation was sent in my name, but it’s not that they didn’t want to invite you, Princess. They probably just didn’t dare to.”

The princess of the Claudius Dukedom—the most powerful family in the empire.

She attended social gatherings only when she felt like it, and only the most prestigious ones.

‘But the problem was… she rarely ever felt like it.’

How could a small club like this dare to send her an invitation?

So in the end, inviting me was just their way of hoping the princess would come along too.

“Hmm.”

The princess thought for a moment, glancing at me.

“So… a reading club means we actually have to read books, right?”

“Most likely, yes.”

“Ugh, I hate reading books.”

She pouted, muttering loudly as if she wanted me to hear.

“But if Lady Ansi asks me to go with her… I might want to go.”

“…”

“I really hate reading, but if it’s Lady Ansi asking, I might just say yes.”

“…”

Sigh.

I sighed inwardly and finally said,

“This is just my personal opinion, but I think it would be good if you attended too, Princess.”

Her face lit up instantly like a lantern.

“You’re asking me to go with you, right? That’s what you’re saying?”

“Of course, I’m asking you to go with me.”

“Fine. If Lady Ansi insists, I guess I can’t refuse.”

The princess raised her chin proudly.

Well, as long as she was satisfied…

I looked at her with a faint smile.

Finally, the day of the reading club came.

I was almost done getting ready to go out, but I was holding a jewelry box, hesitating.

‘…When should I wear these earrings?’

Inside was the pair of rose-quartz earrings the Duke had given me as a gift.

I knew perfectly well in my head.

He had simply given them as thanks for taking care of the princess—nothing more.

Still… since it was a gift, I wanted the first time I wore it to be when he could see.

‘Honestly, that’s fair, right?’

It wasn’t that I had feelings for the Duke! It just seemed proper to show the giver first…

‘Okay. I’ll wear them another time.’

After much thought, I decided to wear a different pair of earrings and went downstairs.

The princess was sprawled out in our living room as if it were her own.

She waved lazily when she saw me.

“You’re ready, Lady Ansi?”

“Yes.”

Then I noticed her wrist.

She was wearing the bright blue turquoise bracelet the Duke had given her during our trip to the south.

“By the way…”

She narrowed her eyes at me and asked,

“When are you planning to wear the earrings my brother gave you?”

“Wh-what?”

Startled, I stiffened.

The princess clicked her tongue.

“Don’t tell me you’re just keeping them in a drawer. Pretty things should be worn often.”

She looked at me suspiciously.

“Or… do you not like them?”

“No! Of course not!”

I shook my head in shock.

“Then why don’t you wear them?”

“Well… um.”

I opened my mouth, but no answer came out.

‘What do I even say?’

Normally, people would wear a gift right away without overthinking.

Just hesitating like this made it obvious I was conscious about it.

‘If I answer poorly, she might notice I’m thinking about the Duke…’

I steadied my racing heart and tried to answer casually.

“It’s just… it’s the first time I’ve ever received a gift from a gentleman.”

“Hm?”

The princess raised an eyebrow.

It felt like I was making excuses—well, I was!

‘But it’s not a lie!’

My face grew hot.

“Gregory never even gave me a handkerchief. I know the Duke probably just gave me the earrings out of politeness, but still…”

The more I spoke, the more it sounded like I was shouting I’m thinking about him!

My head was spinning.

The princess watched me quietly for a long time before saying,

“That’s not it, you know.”

“What?”

“I mean, the earrings weren’t just out of politeness.”

…What did that even mean?

I looked at her in confusion.

“Sigh, you’re both so frustrating.”

The princess shook her head and stood up.

Then she walked quickly ahead of me.

“Let’s go. We’ll be late for the reading club.”

Wait, Princess.

What exactly did you mean by that?!