Chapter 34

"Hello!"

"…Ah."

Lilith greeted Gesualdo, who had appeared on the balcony connected to his private room, with a cheerful smile, as if to show that she was not bothered by last night’s events. Gesualdo averted his eyes from Lilith and frowned at the table setting, which should not have been there.

"Since the weather is nice today, Dennis prepared everything here. Isn't it a wonderful idea?"

Lilith had suggested using one of the rooms in the palace to avoid rumors, but she hadn’t expected to have a meal on the balcony. Moreover, sitting under a large parasol, Lilith looked like the mistress of the room. Dennis, Gesualdo’s trusted servant, was trying to maintain a calm demeanor but was clearly pleased by Lilith’s words. Gesualdo took a deep breath and sat down across from Lilith.

"So, what is your wish?"

"Your Highness… the first dish hasn’t even been served yet."

"Does that matter? It’s better to get business out of the way quickly, isn’t it?"

Lilith was taken aback by this. Usually broad-minded, she was in a bad mood today.

"Your Highness promised to have lunch with me. If you’re not going to enjoy the meal or the conversation and are going to be so formal, you shouldn’t have made the lunch appointment. We could have just met, or perhaps you could have written it in a letter. That way, you could read it during your busy schedule. If you’re in a hurry, you don’t need to force yourself to sit here. Please go back to your work."

Lilith’s rapid and forceful speech left not only Gesualdo but also Dennis speechless. No one had ever spoken so clearly to the cursed crown prince before. Only Taina, who was helping with the service, looked up slightly as if gazing at the sky.

In the midst of the awkward silence, the birds continued to chirp annoyingly. Eventually, Gesualdo cleared his throat and spoke as if nothing had happened.

"Then… let’s start with the meal."

"Yes."

Lilith’s bright response finally eased the tension. Though she rarely got angry, her anger didn’t last long. Dennis sighed in relief and placed the first dish in front of them. The lunch was less formal than dinner, but as it was their first lunch together after the wedding, Dennis had consulted with the chef to prepare it.

From then on, the conversation proceeded according to etiquette—mostly with Lilith doing most of the talking—along with the meal. Finally, after dessert, as the tea was being served, Gesualdo asked his initial question again.

"So, in the end… what is your wish?"

"Ah, yes. I want to go on a honeymoon."

"…Honeymoon?"

Unfamiliar with the term, Gesualdo asked, word by word. Dennis also looked puzzled, but Taina, used to Lilith’s unexpected remarks, remained calm.

"Your Highness, we are newlyweds. In the world, newlyweds take time off from work to travel together and create new memories. So, I want to go on a honeymoon. That way, we can learn more about each other, as there are still many things we don’t know about each other."

Lilith’s "world" wasn’t this one, but she didn’t dwell on the details. However, Gesualdo seemed to understand the general idea and frowned, a look that would make most people shrink back.

"Unfortunately, I don’t have the time."

"Is that so? For example, if Your Highness were to leave the palace for twenty days, would a war break out? Is the situation that urgent?"

"No, it’s not that—"

"Indeed, some work might be delayed. But there is the king and reliable ministers here. Can’t they take on some of Your Highness’s duties? Is the work so burdensome that you can’t take a break? The more capable one is, the more likely they are to think they are indispensable. But often, things can manage without one person. So, it’s fine! If the king refuses to give you a break, you can say it’s part of your work. A visit."

"…A visit?"

Lilith’s relentless appeal finally ended. Dennis was once again speechless, but Gesualdo, who was quite used to it, focused on her last words.

"Yes, a visit."

"What do you mean?"

Gesualdo, intrigued despite his caution, asked. Lilith, who had been thinking about it since the day before and had a reason, spoke confidently.

"I want to go to Tuisen."

"…Tuisen?"

"Yes. This tableware is from Shana, right? I think it’s very beautiful, but I also like Tuisen’s stoneware. Yesterday, at the duchess’s tea party, I met the Baroness of Tuisen, who lamented that stoneware sales have plummeted due to Shana’s popularity. So, if we go to Tuisen and buy a few pieces of stoneware as souvenirs, it might boost sales a bit."

"Just a few pieces?"

Gesualdo’s dismissive attitude made Lilith smile.

"Your Highness, who do you think I am? I am your wife."

"…And?"

"Fashions are usually created by women. And among women, I am the wife of the crown prince. So, my influence is significant. Of course, I’ll be careful not to be seen as strange, so please don’t worry."

"…"

Indeed, until their marriage, Lilith had appeared to be a normal princess. Thinking about it, there was no need to worry. Moreover, Lilith’s argument made sense. It was not just a small benefit but a rather efficient plan. They could use the honeymoon as a cover to investigate Tuisen directly.

Gesualdo, lost in thought, was patiently waited for by Lilith. This was the crucial moment. She needed to convince Gesualdo without revealing her true capabilities.

"…I understand your wish. But why do you care so much about Tuisen?"

When Gesualdo finally spoke, Lilith feigned a look of offense, though she was genuinely hurt.

"I said before, I am your wife. Isn’t it natural to care about the country? Indeed, there are many excellent officials here, and it might not be my place to interfere. But in Freud, not only my father and brother, but also my mother and sister Daria work together to solve problems. Everyone cares deeply about the kingdom. Besides, involving women’s perspectives can sometimes lead to unexpected solutions."

"…I see. Indeed, you might be right."

Women interfering in politics often leads to complications. There are examples of foolish kings, but being bound by such fixed ideas is also foolish.

"I can’t give an immediate answer, but I’ll consider it. I might need to adjust my schedule. I’ll take my leave now."

"---Yes, thank you for your time today."

Lilith stood up to see Gesualdo off as he finished his tea and stood. It felt as if Lilith were the mistress of the room, even though it was Gesualdo’s. But Gesualdo was indeed busy. Her earlier remarks were quite impolite, and the officials would certainly struggle if he left the palace.

(I actually wanted to visit Bummini too, but today’s enough. Too many requests would only make me suspicious… but…)

Lilith took a deep breath, thanked Dennis, and returned to her room, feeling more exhausted than ever.

"Lilith, shouldn’t you rest a bit? You look quite tired."

"Yes, you’re right. I’ll do that."

Nodding at Taina’s concern, Lilith got ready for bed with Ress’s help. Lying down, she exhaled deeply. She was indeed quite tired.

Still, she wanted to recover by night and have Gesualdo visit her room. That was her true wish.

(But I failed at the beginning…)

Lilith knew that assertive women weren’t often well-liked by men. She also felt she had talked more than usual, probably due to her condition. Gesualdo was likely disappointed. But she decided not to dwell on it and closed her eyes.