Chapter 7

In a corner of the palace, in the greenhouse garden, Garnet was quietly observing her fiancé, Lazulis.

He was seated on a luxurious sofa, engrossed in the book in his hands, seemingly unaware of Garnet's gaze.

...However, it's not impossible that he was deliberately ignoring her.

—The chronicles of the ancient empire... and written in the ancient language, no less. I see, it seems his mind is quite sharp. Even Prince Narcissus can't read books of that level without a dictionary.

It seems he really is a book lover. This is convenient. With proper education, he seems to have much more potential than Narcissus.

—But even if he grows up well, there's no guarantee he won't be swayed by a woman like Isabelle. I must firmly hold the reins...

With renewed resolve, Garnet gracefully rang the bell to summon a servant.

"Could you prepare some fruits for a snack?"

"Of course, madam."

Lazulis glanced up at her words but quickly returned to his book. Soon, the servant brought in fruits cut into bite-sized pieces.

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

Taking the fruits, Garnet stood up from the seat opposite Lazulis and sat down right next to him. Then, she skewered a piece of fruit with a fork and brought it to Lazulis's mouth.

"Prince Lazulis, here, ahn."

"...What are you doing?"

"Since you are so engrossed in your reading, I'll do it for you. It's a wife's duty not to trouble her husband."

"Huh? I won't do such a ridiculous thing. That's enough."

Faced with Lazulis's unapproachable attitude, Garnet inwardly frowned.

—That's strange. The "Sure Win♡ How to Conquer the Man You Like" book said it had a 99% success rate.

"Sure Win♡ How to Conquer the Man You Like" was a book recommended by a store clerk to her and Sara at a bookstore, saying, "If you have love troubles, try this book!" It seemed to be a well-received love guide, and after reading and memorizing its contents, she decided to put it into practice...

—To avoid it with a 1% chance, he really is a prince... I can't underestimate him!

Garnet didn't know that unlike authoritative academic books, such popular guides tend to exaggerate and only work in relatively intimate relationships. She also didn't know that offering the fruit with a serious face was a mistake. For Lazulis, it only increased his guard.

As she pondered the unexpected resistance, a drop of juice from the fruit she was holding began to drip.

"Oh, no!"

"!"

If the juice dripped onto the valuable book...! As Garnet panicked, Lazulis, seemingly reflexively trying to protect his book, bit into the fruit.

With a "I messed up!" expression, the small prince chewed the fruit, and Garnet stared at him, wide-eyed.

—He ate it... Hehe, he looks like a little squirrel, so cute.

Lazulis's chewing looked adorable, like a small animal. Even Garnet, who usually doesn't show much emotion, couldn't help but smile.

Seizing the moment when Lazulis finished chewing, she promptly offered him the next piece of fruit.

"...I don't need any more."

"Don't say that. Fruits are full of nutrients, and they will help you grow, Your Highness."

"I don't need that... Fine! I get it, stop pushing!"

Following the teachings of "How to Conquer a Tsundere Man♡ Push, Push, and Keep Pushing!", Garnet forcefully offered the fruit.

Realizing that Garnet wasn't going to back down, Lazulis reluctantly and reluctantly ate the fruit, but without spitting it out, he chewed it with a resentful look at Garnet.

—Hehe, it worked when I pushed. Maybe Prince Lazulis is a "Tsundere" type...

They repeated this back-and-forth many times... and it was Lazulis who gave up first.

He seemed to say, "Do as you please," and when Garnet brought the fruit to his mouth, he naturally opened it.

Garnet savored her victory as she gradually fed Lazulis the fruits.

It felt like she was taming a small animal, and she gently pressed her cheeks to keep them from spreading into a full smile.

—Reading while taking in nutrients in the well-lit greenhouse... it seems better for his health than just sitting still in a building.

This is a success, I think... Garnet felt a definite sense of accomplishment.

But she wasn't going to stop here.

To advance to the next stage, Garnet began to prepare.