Chapter 189

Chapter 189: Chapter 189

Once at the Palace, I ate lunch with Theressa and the Duke.

Honestly, I feel odd having her visit so often beside the fact that now our meals are not as lively.

She has yet to stop staring at me with contempt sometimes, but she hasn’t been annoying me as much with spoken bullying as she used to. Though I do feel she is conflicted about how to act when alone with me.

... Which by the way has been a bit much these past two days.

Truthfully, it’s uncomfortable since I also don’t know how to treat her after all that mess of the other day. And...

"..."

"..."

Sip...

"..."

When these meetings happen it’s much more nerve-wracking.

This all started the day I woke up. Hence, this is the third day in a row I’m experiencing this awkward situation.

At some point that day, the Duke had to leave for a moment to attend to some businesses after telling Theressa and I that he wouldn’t inform Paul and the Duchess of our breakdown since he wanted to see how I progressed the following days.

I was surprisingly fine after coming to my senses so he wanted to make sure everything was just a scare and not "worry" the others at the Duchy.

Honestly, I was elated.

It wouldn’t surprise me if Paul had left the Duchy to come here and kill me himself after learning what happened. So I supported the idea without hesitation.

Anyway, once the Duke left, it didn’t take long for a servant to come and ask on behalf of the Crown Prince if it was alright for him to come to visit me in my chambers later.

"His Highness wishes to know if the Ninth is disposed to receive his presence in her quarters, as he desires to learn of his Significant Guest’s current demeanour with his own eyes."

At the time, I wasn’t very inclined to it.

When I think about it, my chest felt funny back then... Maybe restless.

However... The great villainess Theressa was there.

I had no choice but to accept since she answered in my stead.

"Yes!..... Cough.Hum!... My Sister, the Ninth accepts his intention. Do inform His Highness of her delight to receive him."

’... So... Anne, it seems we are delighted to get his visit?... I didn’t know we did but, oh well. Let’s see how this one goes.’

It surprised me she was still eager to see him after the Prince had shown how he doesn’t appreciate her presence... Only to not say he seems to hate her.

He had practically blamed her for my "tired aura" back then. And from what I’ve seen in person and read on the original, he most likely didn’t say it to make small talk.

Either way, he briefly visited me that day. And since Theressa was there, she took it upon herself to be the "exemplary host".

Opening the door to receive him... Leading his way to seat at the big armchair as in showing he is respected... Ordering Paige to get tea and stuff...

Oh! And let’s not forget the reigning detail: Awkward silence after a brief interrogation I didn’t answer to.

"I appreciate my Lady’s kindness to receive me at such short notice... How is my Lady feeling today? Was your night... A gentle one?"

At the time, I noticed some anticipation in his eyes. Nonetheless, I couldn’t even take my post-it notes out since Theressa’s mouth was faster.

"Thankfully, my Sister rested quietly and plenty. ’She woke with replenished energy’ are the words of my Father who guarded her dreams last night."

"..." — The Prince merely paused to glance at her. — "I was told you had your meals without problems. Has Talmhach given some diagnosis or any advice to follow yet?"

"He is meant to visit later this afternoon once His Grace Returns along with my Sister’s assigned Physician. It has been discussed that both are to examine her and share wisdom on her treatment, My Prince."

"... My Lady Marianne... Have you perhaps lost your stack of papers?"

"My~ huhu. No, she hasn’t, my Prince."

"..." — ’That’s right, lil’ sis. I haven’t. But I think it was a rhetorical question that intended to clue you in his dislike of you answering him when he’s asking me.’

The next day the same happened. Although twice.

Once in the morning, while and after having breakfast. In which the Duke’s presence was added. And then, again in the afternoon.

Each visit took longer than the previous one. Therefore, the discomfort too.

Right now, hell is happening again. Although we are at his office today.

Every time I greet him these days, I could see in his eyes the dissatisfaction with Theressa’s company. And... If I’m honest, I’m also a bit disappointed.

These meetings were supposed to be practice time for me with the Male Lead coach.

But as we are to keep it a secret, Theressa is getting in the way by being here every day.

I can see why she’s doing it though. Her plan is obvious, but...

"..."

If she knows she can’t make conversation and will only stay glancing at him shyly like the maiden she is...

’Just drop it, gurl~ I could be doing something much more fruitful than witnessing this unrequited romcom idiocy.’

He might be wanting to throw her out too.

Being stared at with hearts as eyes for hours must be quite uncomfortable for the guy too... Right?

’Are you not bothered kinky? Don’t you just want to... I don’t know... Exile her or something? You have the power, bruh. Use it. I won’t mind this time since she’s in my way too.’ — I jokingly told him with a secret glance.

"..."

"!.. . .. ." — ’Ah d*mn... He saw me.’ — Meeting his mysterious glance, I averted my eyes stiffly.

Thankfully, only my eyeballs were turned to him, so maybe... Just MAYBE...

Heh. Don’t be stupid Elizabeth. He d*mn right noticed.

"... My Lady, do you wish a refill of your teacup?" — Suddenly he asked, leaning forward to leave his on the table.

’Uh... S–Sure(?)’

He took me by surprise.

I glanced at my teacup and it was empty indeed, but the weird ambience had my head somewhere else, therefore, I hadn’t noticed until he mentioned it.

The servant came forward and without letting him do his mission the Prince spoke.

"I am to serve her."

"!!? Y–Yes, as Your Highness desires..." — The servant responded, bewildered by the obvious oddity.

’... Bruh... I feel ya.’ — I’m shocked too.

But not by his action. It did shock me a bit, but the girl across me is scaring me more.

Gulp gulp gulp!

’Theressa... That tea was boiling... Are you that desperate???’

Clink!

The Prince was serving the teacups completely uninterested and drawing mine closer after refilling his too, the sound of Theressa’s empty cup was heard on the tiny plate.

"..." — She remained silent for a moment. Maybe waiting to be offered a refill spontaneously by the Prince, but... That wasn’t going to happen. So... — "I am ashamed to ask this of his Highness, nonetheless... May I shamelessly ask for a refill too?"

’Oh, dear...’

"... It does not mean a problem... However, it is a shame the remaining has been served. Lad, prepare more tea for My Guest’s Sister." — The Crown Prince said, aloof to her obvious scheme.

"Yes... ??" — Placing the teapot on the tray, the servant paused. — "... Immediately, Your Highness."

However, I saw it all.

This guy really must dislike Theressa now. The servant’s legs started to shake the moment kinky’s glare practically told him to shut it now or he’ll make it forever.

I wonder why it is that he’s lying... No. Which is the reason he’s lying.

One could be that he refuses to serve a girl he finds annoying — which I completely support.

Second... It could be that he is doing so to not bluntly say he doesn’t want to — which I would appreciate because of second-hand shame.

And the other... He’s just mean.

It could also be the three above. But even if it is like that, I wouldn’t judge.

I might have done the same in his place... Or maybe not.

If it had been me in his shoes, I couldn’t care less. I might have done the opposite of the second and just bluntly told her "That’s right, that’s very shameless of you. Fill it yourself since you have hands, dwarf."

Hehe...

I’m not even kidding.

"... Ah... I see. I... I shall await." — She softly said as she observed the servant leave.

"..."

When I heard her dejectedly accept his words... I felt bad for her.

This was an often occurrence in the novel. When in a Royal palace a guest would have to wait if not because their hosts wish to humiliate them with their reluctance to show proper hospitality??

I used to enjoy it when I read it... But d*mn it. Am I a softy for doing this?

’Here, dumb dwarf. Please take notice that he’s rejecting you... As a fellow woman, please, I can’t keep watching your lack of dignity.’ — Sliding my teacup towards her, I sighed as I told her inwardly.

We are "sisters" so it shouldn’t be a problem if we share a teacup, right?... Right???

"..."

"..."

The two stared at the cup and then at me, apparently composed.

However, Theressa’s eyes were wide open, probably in disbelief at what I was doing.

Making a gesture with my unfolded hand, then I insisted.

’Go ahead. I’m not about to retrieve it as a joke, so rest assured lil’ sis.’

She seemed to not know what to do for a moment, and the Prince didn’t seem to have any intention to say anything at the moment too. However, at some point, she resolved whatever that was making her hesitate and leaned forward.

"... Thank you, Sister... I shall drink this well..."

’... Yeah... Just do that, bratty wig...’ — I answered with mean playfulness.

I inwardly smiled as I watched her since she seemed to be blushing as she shyly took the teacup.

It may not have been because of my kindness and instead because the obsessed villainess finally got a chance to drink something her crush served.

But whatever.

With this attitude from time to time, I can hold a bit longer without burning her hair as the old man suggested.

She had yet to sip from it and, at the wait, another suggestion to tell her emerged in my head.

’... So... How about once you finish that, you leave?’ — It was spontaneous because of the awkwardness. Yet I wasn’t serious about it.