Chapter 34: The Lady’s Anxiety (2)

He did not care she worked for her money by making lace. When she showed him her creations, he praised her effusively sometimes patting her head making her blush. Above all, he wanted her to rely on him more, teaching her every night. (Zuben: That's not all he was teaching her)

He was the one who had brought her the peace she had sought.

Suddenly realizing it, Amber' face crumpled into tears; she suddenly felt very thankful to Ernest.

Even though he cherished Amber because of the effect of the love potion, in the time she had spent with him, Amber had started to think that maybe even after the love potion wore off, he would treat her with the same kindness and understanding as he did now. Even if he returned to his previous version - not good with women; she felt that she would continue to live a peaceful life protected by his kindness.

But this kindness would not include a deep love for Amber. Why did that thought make her want to cry?

It wasn't like her to be so weepy. She took deep breaths and chewed on her lip, desperately trying to calm her mind. She stared out the window not seeing the autumn trees flowing by.

'It's alright, Lady Amber.'

'Katri…'

'He loves you so much; I don't believe it will ever turn to the situation you fear. I'm sure his feeling won't change at the ball either.'

Amber gave her a broken smile; she couldn't tell Katri the true cause of her anxiety was the love potion.

But...the monthly royal ball was in a week.

At the ball, Amber' engagement to Ernest will be officially announced.

Leticia will be coming, of course; she was Amber' sister and Matthias' wife.

She hadn't seen Leticia since the last ball.

Katri must think that Amber feared Ernest will lose his mind to Leticia as Damian did a year and a half ago.

But Ernest was under the effects of the love potion. As long as that continued, he would not fall in love with Leticia. Even if with Leticia's sweet and cute appearance, even with her tendency to induce a desire for protection, she could never steal Ernest's love for Amber.

How ironic…

Although Amber feared that the love potion would wear off, she was glad of its effects if it meant Ernest will not be taken away by her sister. When Amber realized she was being selfish, she gave a self-mocking scoff. (Zuben: Well, since she is Matthias' wife, he would have met her many times before, but okay)

But on Amber' face, it looked like a tearful smile.

'Lady Amber, let me tell you something,' Katri said wrapping Amber' slender hand in her soft ones.

'What is it?'

'In my experience, not all men in the world are idiots.'

She told Amber of her own experience with men, as she spoke Katri's eyes took on a glamorous brilliance.

'...So Lady Amber, you should be calm and smile as a lady who is the proudest and most beautiful.'

Amber wondered why; maybe it was because Amber was a clumsy person. (Zuben: Facepalm)

But it seems like there are a lot of black-bellied people around Amber. While she was appalled, she was also relieved. She smiled as the carriage pulled to a stop at their destination; Mrs. Macy's tailoring shop.