Chapter 52

It was an unexpected teatime, but tea leaves, warm water, and suitable snacks were quickly prepared. Thanks to the fact that Altair and Orca had just had a teatime, everything needed was already ready. I carefully moved my hand to pour warm water into the teapot containing the tea leaves and glanced at the person sitting opposite me. Looking at the man who was smiling warmly with a composed posture, it was hard to believe that he was the mastermind who had ordered terrible murders in the novel.

‘He looks so kind in every way.’

But judging a person by their appearance alone is foolish. Take Altair, for example; he looks like a terrifying villain. That's why I was extremely cautious at first, but as we spent time together, I realized he was just awkward with people.

“Madam.”

“Yes?”

As soon as I thought of Altair, my heart felt heavy, and my shoulders slumped. Prince Orca, still smiling, called me and pointed to the teapot with his chin.

“The water is overflowing.”

“Yes… Yes?!”

Startled, I looked at the teapot and saw that the water had indeed overflowed, soaking the white tablecloth.

I quickly put the teapot, which had been filled with warm water, down on the trolley and reached out to clean up the mess. Prince Orca, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly stood up and grabbed my wrist as I moved toward the teapot.

“The water is hot. You'll get hurt if you touch it.”

“Ah….”

Surprised by his unexpected consideration, I blinked as Prince Orca took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped up the spilled water.

“No, no! How can the prince do such a thing? I'll do it.”

“Actually, it's not something a viscountess should do. Since I dismissed the staff because you wanted to have tea quietly, I'll clean up.”

Prince Orca was resolute. I couldn't forcibly take the handkerchief from his hand, so I stomped my foot in frustration. By the time I did, he had already finished cleaning up and sat down with a smile.

“It's really strange. Noble ladies usually find me easy to be around… but you, the viscountess, seem to find me so difficult. I wonder why.”

I could feel a sharp gaze behind his gentle smile. Prince Orca had tested me in a similar way during the Eastern Assembly.

“I'm a bit timid… and not used to dealing with people.”

“Marriage to Viscount Eilsford is a bit surprising for someone like you. In fact, you have a reputation for making people feel uncomfortable.”

His somewhat blunt tone made me smile involuntarily. ‘Making people feel uncomfortable’—what better way to describe Altair? During the Eastern Assembly, I had felt a strange barrier from Prince Orca, but today, I felt an odd sense of familiarity from him. This made my timid heart open up a bit.

“If I had seen his face, I might not have married him.”

At the time, I was trying to escape the capital to avoid the tragedy described in the novel. If I had known he was the villain from the novel, I wouldn't have married him.

“Still, the viscount seems to care for you a lot.”

“Yes. He… takes great care of me.”

Sometimes, his care feels excessive, to the point where I feel excluded from everything.

“Viscountess?”

Prince Orca called me, perhaps sensing my darkening expression. Showing one's emotions in front of a guest is not the proper demeanor of a noble lady. I reminded myself to be ‘elegant and composed’ and forced a graceful smile.

“The tea should be ready. I'll pour it for you.”

Prince Orca watched the tea being poured into the cup. Knowing that he enjoys trying new things, I had chosen a tea with a blue hue, hoping to offer something unique. It seemed to pique his interest.

“Is this tea from the Ganner region?”

“Do you know it?”

I was surprised and opened my eyes wide. Tea from the Ganner region would later become a trend in high society, but it was currently a hidden gem.

‘I was so happy to be able to get it at a good price.’

But the fact that Prince Orca already knew about this hidden gem was surprising.

“Yes. I travel to various regions for my health. I stayed in the Ganner region once. The tea served by the lord there was unique, so I remembered it.”

“I see.”

In the novel, it was clearly described that Prince Orca's rapid rise to power was due to the talents and information he gathered during his travels.

‘This is why broad knowledge is important.’

While I was marveling, Prince Orca sipped the tea and savored its aroma. I could see a satisfied smile on his lips.

“It's hard to find such a refreshing tea. The blue hue is unique, to say the least. The tea from the Vihram region is similar. Have you tried it?”

“Vihram… I've heard a lot about it, but it's hard to get.”

If tea from the Ganner region is a hidden gem, tea from the Vihram region is a star among stars. It's expensive and in short supply, making it difficult to obtain. Most of it goes directly to the royal family, so it's nearly impossible for ordinary nobles to get their hands on it.

“Oh, then I'll share some with you. I recently returned from Vihram.”

“Really? That precious tea?”

“You’ve given me such generous hospitality despite my unexpected visit. I should repay you somehow.”

“Repay? It’s an honor to serve you, Your Highness.”

“Ha ha. I don’t believe such flattering words. I’ll repay you properly.”

The conversation flowed naturally, and the tension in my shoulders gradually eased. Prince Orca definitely had a talent for guiding conversations smoothly.

‘Maybe he’s better than I thought.’

My firm belief that he was a ‘villain’ began to crack. Listening to his stories, I found myself laughing and sharing my own experiences. The image of him as a villain from the novel gradually faded, and Orca and I shared tea and snacks, refilling the warm water several times.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve had such a good conversation. How about we have the Vihram tea I promised tomorrow?”

I had planned to keep Orca from meeting Altair until he left, but his offer was perfect. I smiled broadly and nodded.

“Yes!”

As soon as I answered, a chill ran down my spine. I flinched and looked behind me, but there was nothing.

‘Am I imagining things?’

I tilted my head, and Prince Orca also tilted his head in confusion.

“Is something wrong?”

“No, it seems like there’s nothing….”

Feeling uneasy, I rubbed the back of my neck, and Prince Orca cast a curious glance behind me.

“Hmm. It almost feels like someone is watching us with a jealous face, unable to approach.”

Someone watching us with a jealous face? The image of an uncertain black figure in my mind made my skin crawl.

“Your Highness.”

Lowering my voice cautiously, I felt a serious atmosphere, and Prince Orca nodded solemnly.

“Yes.”

“Do you… see a ghost?”

“Yes…?”

My serious question made Prince Orca pause for a moment before bursting into laughter.

“Ha ha! A ghost?”

Seeing the prince laugh so hard, I felt my face turn red.

“No, it was a joke….”

Trying to explain, but my serious tone made it hard to believe. Prince Orca, almost in tears, tried to suppress his laughter and smiled at me.

“It does seem like a jealous ghost is hovering around the viscountess.”

“It was a joke….”

“Hmm. I wasn’t joking.”

Prince Orca smiled playfully and pointed behind me. His teasing made me break out in a cold sweat. I didn’t mind being laughed at, but I didn’t want the rumor that