The nobles who happened to be there looked at me with curious eyes. It was a gaze that tried to appraise me, a gaze that found it amusing, and—a gaze from a safe distance, drawing a line to say it had nothing to do with them. A scene of the host sisters arguing in public must have been a fine evening party entertainment for them.
As long as the sparks do not fly on them, the nobles enjoy it cruelly, bringing up the topic over and over later to use as a snack for drinks or tea. No one tries to stop it. They just watch quietly.
If it were the me of the past, I might have swallowed my words here. Just so I would not break the atmosphere any further, so I would not disturb the scene.
But this time is different. This is not a retorting of emotions. This is a place to make my position clear. I must protect myself with my own hands. Even if I endure it, the one who loses is me.
“We nobles are subjects in a position to support the Crown Prince. Is it not also our duty to care for the Crown Prince’s health and be of use to him? Why can you only look at it in such a distorted way? Such a mindset is precisely what we should be ashamed of.”
The moment I finished saying that, the place fell silent. Then, belatedly, applause broke out drop by drop. However, rather than praise, it was passive agreement from those who could not go against common sense. Supporting the Crown Prince is the duty of a noble—no one would directly oppose this principle. That is why they applaud. But no one comes forward.
There was a man who could not read that atmosphere. It was my fiancé, Lord Lucien. This kind of trait makes him very much like my sister, Liliana. They are birds of a feather, and I think they are truly a well-matched pair.
“You do not have to say it like that, do you? Liliana would feel bad, right? Besides, Cecilia has been fussing over the Crown Prince too much lately. You are not a lady-in-waiting assigned to the Crown Prince. You are a Duke’s daughter and my fiancé.”
At those words, the air stirred slightly.
(Wrong. Why are you taking Liliana’s side? Aren’t you Lady Cecilia’s fiancé?)
Everyone must have thought that in their hearts. Of course, I am no exception.
“Indeed, I am Lord Lucien’s fiancé. However, before that, I am a noble of this country who has sworn loyalty to the royal family. Is it not a matter of course to help keep the Crown Prince’s physical condition in good shape?”
Just as I said that, a low, calm voice echoed from behind me. I can tell without turning around. This voice belongs to the Crown Prince.
“Lucien! What is wrong with Cecilia taking care of me? Your fiancé is a most wonderful woman. She is truly a waste on you. Cecilia is simply mixing medicine for me. Do you even have the right to criticize that just because you are her fiancé? Are you suspecting me and Cecilia?”
Closing the distance step by step, with each word that goes on, the air grows colder.
“Even though you have been by my side since childhood and are now serving as a close guard… What a pathetic man you are.”
Lord Lucien closed his mouth as if frightened. He probably had not thought he would be denied so directly.
“If you do not like my actions, please go ahead and break the engagement, or do whatever you like.”
I also clearly announced that. At this point, I have not the slightest intention of marrying Lord Lucien.
(A man who likes Liliana. A man who let me die. Such a person is not wanted. I hope the engagement just gets broken off like this!)
“A lady must not utter things like breaking off an engagement in a place like this. It is unseemly.”
However, the one who cut in from the side was my mother. This person is always like this. The face of the Duke’s family, the reputation—that is all she cares about, and she does not look at how I am being treated.
“That is right. The way you speak to Liliana is also a bit too harsh. Your remarks toward Lord Lucien also lack femininity. Apologize.”
(…As I thought, huh.)
There was no surprise. It was just that the depths of my chest quietly grew cold. The Crown Prince stared at my parents with eyes as if he were looking at something unbelievable.
“Cecilia does not need to apologize at all. The one who should apologize is Lucien. Lucien, offer your apology.”
Then Lord Lucien reluctantly bowed his head.
“…I am truly sorry for making disrespectful remarks to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.”
“No. To Cecilia. To begin with, shouldn’t you naturally protect your own fiancé? Why are you taking Liliana’s side? Truly, you are a strange man.”
With those words, thrown out as if spitting them out, Lord Lucien seemed to have completely lost his standing in this place. Because the ladies who were there all spoke up and said things like:
“Indeed, it is just as His Royal Highness says. To not even take the side of one’s own fiancé…”
“He protected Lady Cecilia’s sister, didn’t he? What could that possibly mean?”
“Poor Lady Cecilia. If things are like this during the engagement period, I worry for her future.”
Cold glances were also cast at Liliana. Perhaps even the usual Liliana felt embarrassed, as she hurried away from the evening party and never returned. Lord Lucien also quickly returned to his own mansion, and my parents kept their mouths shut after that.
And a few weeks later, when I was working in the palace compounding room as usual, I received a summons from the Queen this time.