Resetting Lady

* * *

The children looked as though they were about to throw up because of all the tension that spiked up. The friendly atmosphere, which could be enjoyed even by the young ones here, had since ended.

The one who stood at the top of this group was not anymore the chubby-cheeked Prince Lewis—now, it was the middle-aged Crown Prince Gueuze. Instead of originally sitting at the round tables in twos and threes, everyone now had to sit side by side at an endlessly long table.

“Count, your seat is over there.”

And those who the Crown Prince did not favor were placed at a far distance away. Rather than a social gathering, it became an event to showcase the pecking order.

People followed after the attendants, who whispered, as they went to their new seats. And once they saw that they were unwanted seats, they got discouraged.

‘Has this place always been this big?’

To Carynne, it felt like the space suddenly became massive. This hall originally had a high ceiling and a smooth floor middled by marble pillars, but the color that once looked cream-like now seemed like the exact shade a cold tomb would be.

Was it because the children were nervous now? Movements had also diminished. The children’s laughter disappeared, and now, only the adults’ forced laughter remained.

Carynne expressed her commiserations towards everyone. Of course, it was only inwardly. She was aware that she had to go to the last seat, but she hesitated for a moment. It was difficult to confirm her own position because she didn’t know what Crown Prince Gueuze’s intentions were. Still, it was better to go to the last seat.

As Carynne headed towards the end of the table, one of the attendants behind Carynne quietly spoke to her.

“Miss Carynne Evans, that is not your seat.”

“…Which is it?”

“Over there.”

“……”

The attendant pointed towards the seat that was next to Crown Prince Gueuze and right across Prince Lewis.

Everyone held their breath. Some looked relieved, but some also shot her cold glances. That seat wasn’t for the likes of Carynne—unless it would be given to her by someone who was capable of completely breaching the rules of etiquette.

When she saw that seat, Carynne halted in place. However, the attendant behind her urged her forward.

“……”

“Please go ahead.”

That seat was essentially for a duke. Carynne slightly bit her lower lip. From there at the head of the table, Crown Prince Gueuze was staring at her so blatantly. His eyes ogled Carynne’s face, then roved downward towards her chest, her stomach, and even lower. That kind of gaze suited bums and loafers on the streets more.

‘…Why?’

Why, huh. Carynne laughed inwardly. She knew the answer. She knew what kind of gaze that was. It’s the gaze of a man who wanted to dig into her, between her legs. She was all too familiar with that gaze.

Carynne moved one step at a time towards the crown prince’s side. Fortunately, she wasn’t feeling nervous, but that didn’t mean she was delighted by this situation. All eyes were on her.

‘…Why?’

Why was it different now? Carynne wondered. Never before had he given her such a blatant look. Where, how—what caused this change? What prompted him to do so? The only thing he had said to Carynne in the past was just one sentence.

“You look like Catherine.”

“…You look like Catherine.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

This time again, he said the same thing. She wondered if it would end with this. Carynne averted her eyes and looked at the empty plate in front of her. If it wouldn’t go that way, then how would he proceed? He couldn’t do it.

He’s the crown prince. He was going to be the king. Even the nobles, who Verdic so desperately aspired to become, were compelled to bow down to him. He was the one who stood at the very top, all with the exception of the senile king.

Well, readily offer yourself. You’re in no position to refuse.

“……”

Carynne sat across Prince Lewis, who looked between Carynne and his father with tension and a slight sense of oddity apparent in his eyes. But it was only for a split second. This was not his business. All decisions were Crown Prince Gueuze’s.

Clatter, clatter.

The attendants came in one after another and began to serve simple dishes.

“……”

Carynne felt entirely regrettable about the dish that was placed in front of her. She was given the same menu that the kids were having. The soup was such a small portion, and its sweetness was more suitable for the children’s taste buds.

She had wondered if she’d be able to taste a new dish she hadn’t eaten in the past. Still though, she liked the almost transparent decorations made of sugar on the dish.

“I hope the food suits your tastes.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

The nobles answered in unison. In that entire hall, Carynne was the only one focusing on the food, however unlike her, Prince Lewis was smiling almost frantically next to Crown Prince Gueuze. The atmosphere was terrible.

Prince Lewis was the first to speak.

“It’s been a while since we met, Father. I’m very happy that you’re here.”

“Don’t you know that it’s because I don’t like seeing your face?”

Crown Prince Gueuze then pointed a finger at his son, and it was a gesture that so obviously showed just how much he was looking down at him. Looking down, Prince Lewis nonetheless answered politely.

“…I was just surprised to see you all of a sudden.”

“Of course, I seemed to have disturbed your political affairs.”

“No, Father. I’m very happy to see you here.”

He answered too fast. The volume of Prince Lewis’ voice grew a little louder in his agitation. Since the situation was like this, if you touch the food here now, you’d be a real lunatic.

Carynne’s eyelashes fluttered low. The atmosphere was terrible. Everything was so annoying and troublesome.

If she’s set to listen and enjoy other people’s stories, she should be allowed to be in a situation where she could enjoy herself. It’s not fun to be all tense like this. Wouldn’t it be more fun if Crown Prince Gueuze had shown up with an axe while shouting, ‘Die, my son!’

Carynne saw Prince Lewis’ small fingers trembling.

“Do you wish to be king?”

Over me?

Carynne could hear the unsaid words after that.

“No, Father. It was just a slip of the tongue because I was with my friends.”

“Friend, you say, when she seems too big for you.”

Then he pointed deliberately at Carynne’s chest.

Prince Lewis was greatly flustered. Everyone knew about such a story, that Crown Prince Gueuze did not like his own son. Lewis took after the current king rather than Crown Prince Gueuze, and the current king also more obviously showed favor towards his grandson more than his son.

Even though the crown prince was already middle-aged like this, the king would not abdicate the throne and did not appoint any of the crown prince’s close associates to official posts.

However, the fact was that Crown Prince Gueuze would still take the throne when the current king would pass on. Unless, of course, if a coup would take place.

‘If I was Prince Lewis, I’d think of killing my own father.’

And Crown Prince Gueuze was likely of the same mindset.

“Isn’t it your first time meeting Miss Carynne Evans?”

“Yes, but she’s so gentle and eloquent that everyone is delighted by her.”

What an honor, little royal. This lowly young lady is so touched that she has nothing to say. Still, it’s difficult to verbally agree with his sentiment. Carynne bowed her head and expressed her gratitude in this way.

Crown Prince Gueuze stared at Carynne. He was about to say something, but he paused a little before he opened his lips once more. Clearly, Crown Prince Gueuze was showing more interest in Carynne rather than in his own son.

“Everyone, let’s all eat.”

Clatter, clatter.

The sound of silverware clattering all together like that gave a strange sense of dissonance, but this was soon buried underneath the musicians’ performance.

There were sixteen musicians here for this luncheon. Carynne felt relieved for the grandeur of this musical extravagance. Without the melodies being played here, some of the people here who were so wracked with nerves might have thrown up in the end.

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