Chapter 66

"What should I do!" is not very calm, is it?

As I look at him with a bewildered expression, the Prince Regent lets out a huge sigh.

"Alright, we'll finish this talk before the Primera dinner starts, damn it!"

"Yes, as you wish."

"I'm staying for dinner today, so make sure it's prepared."

"Understood."

He’s always been soft on his nieces and nephews, so I’m sure Primera will be delighted.

We were planning to have white fish today, but should I change it to meat?

No, since he seems tired, a heavy meal might be too much for his stomach. I need to make sure the dessert isn’t too heavy either. What would be good? Maybe pudding?

"Hey, you’re making that face of a servant."

"Ah, no, I apologize."

"Anyway, you don’t think badly of Aldar Saul, right?"

"Yes, ... I think he’s a wonderful person."

(That’s not an answer.)

"Excuse me, did you say something?"

"No! I just thought you were an idiot."

The Prince Regent let out a big sigh, stood up, and sat next to me.

Wow, he’s really handsome... I wasn’t a big fan of bearded men in my past life, but it really suits him. It’s not that he’s handsome, but he knows what suits him.

"... Isn’t this a bit close?"

"Yeah, on purpose."

"Is there a reason?"

"Of course."

"Hmm..."

Lately, I’ve been talking to Aldar Saul more often, so I’m not as flustered as before.

Well, you get used to things. I can’t look him directly in the eye, though.

I’m fine with men around Sebastian’s age, but the Prince Regent is still young. He’s handsome, so it’s hard to look at him directly, but sitting next to him doesn’t change my expression!

"Anyway, Aldar Saul is a bit stiff and good at keeping his distance from others, which might mean he’s not good with people, but he’s just good at handling it."

"... Huh?"

"By the way, the commotion at the servants’ quarters today, that was because of his indecisiveness, right? Maybe he had something to hide—"

"No, not him."

"... Really?"

I interrupted him without thinking. But I can’t just say it’s nothing with a straight face.

The Prince Regent smiles with interest, and I have to defend myself, even though I don’t know why I said that.

But it’s because I believe it. It’s my opinion, and I know him. Most people, if asked to comment on the situation, might think that Eren’s indecisiveness could mean he was covering something up. After all, believing someone without any evidence means you trust them a lot.

"... Huh?"

"What’s wrong?"

After thinking about it, I realize something.

Confused, I say what comes to mind.

"I trust Aldar Saul. He’s not careless with women."

"Why is that?"

"Because of his family background."

"Wouldn’t being careless with women be a negative factor in the succession dispute?"

"That’s true, but..."

It’s true.

But I feel like I’m saying something different.

What’s different?

I feel like I’m missing something.

"He’s not indecisive; he’s just kind, and that kindness is limited to his family, which leads to misunderstandings. I think he ignored the problematic person because he wasn’t interested."

"... Huh, you’re really something, you know that?"

"Huh?"

It feels different. But this might be the answer.

The Prince Regent’s voice sounds disappointed, and I wonder if I got it wrong.

Not knowing, I tilt my head, and he sighs again.

It’s like he’s saying, "What can you do?"

"Hey!"

"Can’t you make your voice a bit more seductive?"

"What?!"

Our faces are so close, it’s like we’re forehead-to-forehead!

That’s why I can’t look at handsome men directly. I feel my face getting hot. Oh, if someone saw this, it would be a really dangerous situation!

Private room + man and woman + the famous womanizer Prince Regent = ... My position is dangerous.

"Prince Regent, this is just a game, right?"

"Imagine."

"Huh?"

"Imagine if it wasn’t me but Aldar Saul. Think about it."

"Huh?"

What is he saying?!

But if I imagine it, he won’t let me go. I close my eyes and repeat, "If it were Aldar Saul...?"

Hmm...

Yeah, hmm...

Our faces are close. With Aldar Saul?

Is it like when he confessed? Or when we danced?

Those beautiful eyes. The dark color that only looks blue up close. If they were close...?

"!"

"Wow, your reaction is completely different when it’s me! That’s too much!"

"... W-What...?"

My face is hot.

Not just my face, my neck too.

Right, as he said, it’s different.

The moment I thought of Aldar Saul, my whole body got hot. I definitely felt embarrassed with the Prince Regent, but the difference when I thought of him was shocking.

"Alright, I think you’ve realized something."

The Prince Regent nods in satisfaction, stands up, and goes back to his seat.

What was that? Did he do that just for that? I’m still trying to catch up, and I just watch him with a relaxed gaze.

"Think about Aldar Saul being intimate with other women, based on what you just imagined."

"Huh?"

"Just do it, okay?"

He’s been giving me impossible tasks all along!

But I finally understand. He’s trying to make me realize how I feel about Aldar Saul.

... There are other ways to do this, I think.

But I imagine it.

Okay... so, in society, he smiles kindly at the women.

Yeah, that’s a common scene.

Next! Dancing. Intimately? ... No, I don’t like that.

Thinking about it, he was so popular. It wouldn’t be strange if he had a girlfriend or two. Did he smile shyly and blush when he fell in love? Did he hug her gently with those hands, laugh, and... kiss her?

I slap my face.

The Prince Regent is surprised by my action, but I ignore it.

Ah, this.

I’m jealous. This is jealousy.

No, I thought. Envious, envious, regretful, those feelings were definitely there!

But is this love?

"Whoa... The effect was stronger than I thought. Well, you’ve been treating Aldar Saul differently from other men, so you do see him as special."

"Special...?"

"Yeah, that’s all I can do. You’ll have to figure the rest out on your own."

"... Yes..."

I’m not very confident!

But, yeah.

I exhale.

At least, considering my past life and everything.

The pain in my chest just now was definitely jealousy.

So, as the Prince Regent said, I think I do see Aldar Saul as special.

Whether it’s love or just possessiveness towards a close friend.

I want to think about it properly.

(... Maybe thinking about it seriously is the answer, but I don’t know...)

I didn’t realize the Prince Regent was still looking at me with a bewildered expression.

Alright, I feel like I’ve cleared one thing, so I’ll change my mood and go to Primera!

What, it’s not solved, Yuria?!