Chapter 5

After exchanging a promise with Sadias, I returned home the next day with a straight face. For some reason, I met the Duke of Gluttony at a friend's tea party, and for some reason, we became close, and for some reason, I ended up helping him with his work. The explanation, which seemed to be intentionally vague, was replaced with very polite and formal words in a letter Sadias sent to my father. Moreover, Sadias himself came to visit and quickly persuaded my father. To me, my father was a terrifying figure, but to the Duke, who had a long history, he was just a minor character. My father, who had been manipulated by the younger Duke, seemed very unhappy, but he was loyal to the hierarchical order of society. To put it bluntly, I felt a bit of schadenfreude.

“So, why are we going to the palace?”

“Because I unexpectedly recovered, I decided to finish the work I had put off.”

I was immediately taken out and was on my way to the palace in Sadias’s carriage. The idea was to finish the work at the palace and have lunch there.

In other words.

“Lunch box?”

“No! Medicine! Recovery medicine!”

“Does it have that much of an effect on me?”

Also, I wish he would consider my feelings about being suddenly taken to the palace. Even if he says it’s fine to stick with him, I’m not his fiancée or a professional woman.

“It’s fine. You look deliciously anxious. Can I eat it?”

“Ah, yes. Please do.”

I felt like I was being brushed off, but I extended my hand as requested. He kissed the back of my hand and seemed to absorb and eat my anxiety. The anxiety disappeared, and a sense of calm returned. Unlike last time, there was no feeling of a hole being left behind.

“Hmm, it’s slightly smoky and cool. This flavor makes me want to drink alcohol.”

I don’t want you to eat people’s anxiety as a side dish with alcohol. He says it’s fake, but the Duke of Gluttony’s reputation is not for nothing.

This is the second time I’ve been to the palace. The first time was when I was twelve, and my father took me there for some paperwork. I vaguely remember stopping somewhere on the way back.

I realized a bit late that we were being led deeper into the palace. I noticed that the maids and officials we passed were looking at Sadias from a distance, as if they were afraid of him, but he seemed completely unfazed. Indeed, Sadias still looks unhealthy, and the title of Duke of Gluttony might be a bit scary, but it’s not like they need to give him such rude looks. He is working hard to fulfill his duties.

I thought the work he had put off was just paperwork, but it seemed like we were heading straight for an audience with the King. And it really was.

No way.

What should I do? Is today’s dress inappropriate?

I wore my favorite green dress, but I hope it’s not an impolite color. When I left the house, I only thought about whether Sadias would like it, so I chose this one!

Looking up at him with a resentful gaze, he blushed for some reason.

Why is he blushing?

As a signal that the King was about to appear, everyone in the room bowed low. I was a few steps behind Sadias, trying to hide myself against the wall.

The sound of metal decorations and the heavy rustle of clothing, followed by a voice telling us to raise our heads.

“It’s been a while, Sadias.”

“Yes, it has been a while. My poor health has caused you trouble, Your Majesty.”

“You look a bit better. The last time I saw you, you looked like a walking corpse.”

“I am ashamed.”

The King’s purple eyes turned to me.

The deep wrinkles at the corners of his eyes formed a shape that seemed to indicate amusement.

“Who is this lady?”

“She is Lady Amalie Adler, my special lady.”

What are you saying!?

If we weren’t in front of the King, I would have interrupted to say that he shouldn’t say things that could cause misunderstandings!

My eyes darted around, silently reproaching him, and Sadias smiled like a child who had successfully pulled off a prank.

“I’m joking. Consuming her emotions is like taking a miracle drug for me.”

“Indeed. That makes her a truly special lady. I remember Marcus also struggled with your likes and dislikes.”

“In that regard, I have caused both my father and Your Majesty a lot of worry.”

“That’s fine. Unfortunately, Marcus couldn’t be here, but the future of the Tralles family is secure. Seeing you today has confirmed it for me.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Now, Lady Amalie.”

“Yes.”

My voice almost cracked from surprise.

“I hear that my son is being taken care of by your sister.”

“My sister is truly grateful for Prince Gilbert’s kindness.”

“The Adler family has wonderful daughters.”

“Thank you.”

Being praised as a good daughter by the King was truly an honor, but it was a bit complicated to see my father’s reputation rise as well. It should be a happy thing, though.

After leaving the King’s presence, I was suddenly overwhelmed by fatigue.

I was so nervous.

“The taste of nervousness is sour.”

“Lord Sadias!”

“Sorry, sorry. But the King is a good person, right?”

“Are you close to the King?”

“My father was a good advisor and provided emotional support to the King in his younger days.”

He used vague words, but it meant that the King also used to have his emotions eaten in his younger days.

Even the King wants to get rid of his fears and pains.

If he can do that, then even more so.

Then, who will remove the pain of the one who eats emotions?

“Duke of Tralles!”

We stopped at the sound of someone chasing after us.

Prince Gilbert was hurrying to catch up.

“Oh, no need to thank me. I was the one who called you.”

“Thank you.”

“I hear you’ve been unwell, but you look a bit better. Your condition was something even the palace healers couldn’t cure.”

What, even the palace healers couldn’t cure it?

Did he come out to see me when he was really in very poor health?

“Yes. It’s thanks to Lady Amalie.”

“So, it was Lady Amalie. I thought it might be her from the back.”

Prince Gilbert narrowed his eyes in a familiar way, similar to the King’s.

“My sister has been very well taken care of….”

“Olivia is a wonderful girl. She often speaks highly of you as a wonderful sister.”

By the way, he lowered his voice and looked very serious.

What’s going on?

I braced myself, thinking it was something important.

“Could you tell me what Olivia likes?”

In the end, it’s about Olivia.

I shouldn’t have spoken so bluntly.

“Flowers, jewels, or colors. I can’t seem to find a gift that truly makes her happy.”

“Olivia would probably be happier going out with you, Your Highness. She was not allowed to go outside during the day until recently.”

“…I see.”

Prince Gilbert seemed to be mulling something over, and Sadias asked him a question.

“Forgive me, but are you planning to propose at the next ball?”

Even with the polite preamble, it was a very direct question.

The upcoming ball is likely to be hosted by the royal family.

It would indeed be a good setting for a proposal.

Prince Gilbert seemed a bit taken aback but quickly composed himself.

“Of course, I have considered it. She is truly delicate, innocent, and like a fairy… I want to protect her with my own hands… However, the Earl thinks that Olivia has just recovered and should be allowed to enjoy her time at home….”

No one said it, but it seemed like he didn’t want to let her go.

It’s a bit creepy, even from my father.

No, maybe that’s just my subjective view, but it still feels a bit creepy, Father.

“I have an idea! At the next ball, I will escort Olivia, and Lord Sadias can escort Lady Amalie. Lady Amalie doesn’t need to be with Olivia all the time, right?”

“That’s true, but it might be a bother to Lord Sadias.”

“No, I was actually going to ask. If Amalie is willing, I would like to escort her. I might be a bit gloomy, but….”

“No, that’s not true!”

Oh no, I ended up agreeing to be escorted.

My father’s mood will….

A mix of anxiety, melancholy, and a bit of hope made my stomach feel heavy.

Then, I felt something being lifted away, and the dark mood disappeared completely.

Looking up, I saw Sadias’s mouth moving.

“Did you eat it?”

“No, I didn’t.”

“Liar! You did! Such a gloomy mood can’t be delicious!”

“Yours is delicious.”

That can’t be true.

But if it were, I would be a bit happy.