~Chapter 60~
Without realizing it, my voice came out a little sharper than I intended.
Licht blinked slowly. For a brief moment, surprise flickered across his calm face, peeling away that mask-like expression he always wore.
Then the prince lowered his head and covered his mouth.
“…What am I doing.”
With a short groan, he ran his hands roughly through his golden hair.
“Sorry.”
When he looked up again, his face was full of embarrassment and awkwardness. The flawless, picture-like smile he always wore had vanished, and for once, he looked his age.
“I’m sorry, Rubian.”
“…”
“This is a really bad habit of mine… asking questions like I’m testing people.”
Even to you, I ended up doing it…
The prince let out a low groan.
“It’s true, I am curious about Duke Jebert’s movements. But I didn’t mean to dig for answers through you.”
I sighed inwardly.
In the original story, Licht was a flower hiding a blade—someone who covered his true feelings with clever words, only to draw out exactly the information he wanted from others.
“A strategist perfectly suited for power struggles.”
And to think he was already like this as a child.
‘…He must have had no choice but to become this way to survive.’
Licht shifted nervously, sneaking glances at me. He looked so deflated that I couldn’t feel good about it.
“If I upset you, I truly apologize…”
I let out a long sigh. Well, there was no helping it.
“Fine. Just don’t do it again.”
“Yes. Yes!”
Licht’s head shot up, and for a second, I almost imagined invisible puppy ears perking up.
‘It’s not like I can just tell him not to worry since he’s the crown prince anyway.’
Hmm… or maybe—
‘Was he able to become crown prince because he was like this even as a child?’
The chicken or the egg. That was the real question.
“Anyway, where are you staying?”
I brushed off my thoughts and changed the subject.
“Count Camelan prepared a residence for me.”
“….”
I gave him a sharp look. Licht scratched his jaw and glanced away.
“…Fine, yes. I came early to observe the nobles’ movements.”
So the Green Festival was supposed to be just a festival…
Yet the life of a prince left no room to relax.
“I know it’s not my place to say, but… you really don’t know how to have fun.”
As I tilted my head to the sky, a simple solution struck me. Then just… have fun.
I leaned closer to Licht. A soft blush colored his pale cheeks.
“Hey. Are you free tomorrow?”
“Who would’ve thought the real Prince Licht was here…”
Olivia murmured in a dazed voice.
“Hehe, I already knew.”
“It’s been a while, Lady Olson. Lady Camelan.”
Licht greeted them with a graceful smile.
“So that’s why you invited us to Jake’s Tea Salon, Rubian?”
At Olivia’s words, I nodded.
“Yes! I thought it would be fun if Lady Camelan, Lady Olson, and Licht all went together.”
It was a bright afternoon, the sun shining high.
I went out with Licht, planning to visit the famous tea salon. Since it was my first time too, I coaxed the two young ladies to come along.
“But who’s that dark figure standing behind you…?”
Olivia’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Khal, who stood a step back.
I puffed up proudly, as if I had been waiting for this moment.
“This is Khalid, my escort and friend! He’s a skilled swordsman, an animal lover, smart, and has all kinds of abilities—”
“…Stop.”
Khalid cut me off bluntly. His ears turned slightly red with embarrassment.
Oops. I got carried away.
“An escort… you say?”
Olivia’s gaze lingered blankly on him.
“…Plus 1,000 points.”
Huh?
“Eek. Did I just say that out loud?”
Startled, Olivia quickly looked away.
Ah. So she’s the type who falls for appearances.
“Anyway, how did you even manage a reservation at the tea salon? I thought it wasn’t possible unless you booked a day in advance.”
At Sortie’s question, I chuckled.
“With the power of authority.”
“Oh my.”
I pointed at Licht.
“Ufufu.”
“This is the first time I’ve ever used my title as a prince for something like this…”
Unable to endure the stares pouring onto him, Licht covered his face with both hands.
“Please tell me this is worth the shame, Rubian.”
“Mind control is self-service! Alright, let’s go, everyone!”
I grinned and raised my hand high. Sortie shouted back, “Yes!”
“Then I’ll head back now, Ruby.”
“No way, Khal!”
I grabbed his arm tightly.
Dad had already sent along Sir Leon and other guards nearby. Khal clearly wanted to join them—but no chance.
“We need to work on your social skills.”
I whispered softly, and his thick eyebrows slanted sharply.
Oh dear. That disapproving face again.
“Like normal kids!”
If I wanted to blend into House Jebert peacefully, I had to act like an ordinary child. And since we finally had kids our age here, this was the best chance!
“I don’t need it.”
With zero social skills, Khal answered coldly.
“Ugh, so stubborn…”
“Your friend doesn’t seem willing. Let’s just go, Rubian.”
I turned to hear a gentle voice. Licht was smiling warmly, holding out his hand to me.
“…Fine, I guess.”
I turned toward Licht, reaching out for his hand—
“Wait.”
Suddenly, my shoulder was grabbed again.
“Khal?”
“I’ll go.”
“…Didn’t you just say you wouldn’t?”
“I’ll go.”
What’s with this sudden change?!
Khal stood behind me, his sharp gaze locked like an arrow. Bewildered, I slowly nodded.
‘Why do my temples feel like they’re burning…? Must be my imagination.’
“Wow. I want to take a picture of this.”
I stared blankly at the towering three-tiered cake before me.
The marbled sponge layers were decorated with elaborate cream and fruit. Finally, gold dust and sparkling sprinkles gleamed on top.
“What’s a picture proof, Rubian?”
“It’s… a thing.”
I brushed it off vaguely, blinking wide.
Photo saved in my eyes!
“Are you practicing knots well?”
Sortie asked as she picked a small piece of cake.
“Yes. Not as well as you, Lady, but… wow, this is delicious.”
“Hehe, just call me Titi. Next time, I’ll teach you another kind of knot.”
“Okay! If it can hold jewels as decoration, even better. This is seriously so good!”
“Kyaa, I’m glad you like it!”
Her sky-blue twin braids bounced happily. I looked down at my plate in genuine awe.
The chef at the Duke’s residence was amazing, but this place was no joke either!
Olivia smirked proudly.
“Delicious, isn’t it? Right now, this tea salon is the hot dessert place all noble children have to visit.”
Oh, I love hot spots!
‘Dad would really like this too, I bet.’
Sweet, rich, and bursting with flavor in every bite.
“We should order more. Rubian, which cream do you like?”
“Uh… strawberry cream and milk cream.”
“Ah, same as me then.”
Olivia grinned and called for more orders. I was just about to take another bite when I realized something.
‘Huh? Didn’t I just sound… totally natural?’
I was chatting with them like a perfectly normal kid. In the past, I wouldn’t have managed a single word!
“I can do this.”
“What?”
“It’s a thing.”
Feeling pleased, I stuffed more cake into my mouth.
“So… why have those two been fighting with their cakes all this time?”
Sortie pointed at the end of the table where two boys sat opposite each other.
I turned my head.
‘Why does it feel like a dark cloud is hanging over just that spot?’
The black-haired boy sat with arms crossed, turned away stubbornly. The blond boy, smiling calmly, was mercilessly cutting his cake to pieces.
“Guess it doesn’t suit their tastes.”
“Oh no. But this place’s desserts are supposed to be above taste itself.”
Olivia looked regretfully at the cake being either dried out or destroyed in real time.
“But more importantly, have you heard the rumors? Apparently, there have been a lot of kidnapping attempts lately.”
