CH 206

Seeing him staring at Rieta with an astonished expression.

“. . . Maybe it would have been better for Noel to be bitten by a mosquito?”

When she put her hands together and asked carefully, he smiled a little.

“Yes, maybe that would be better.”

It was better to be food for mosquitoes than to be attacked by that suspicious man.

“Even if your lips get swollen like this?”

Rieta smiled as she pressed her fists near her lips.

“Yes. It would be completely ugly. Just like the Princess.”

He answered, pulling Rieta’s arm forward.

He must have been worried that Darrel was waiting long.

“What ugly, you’re too mean.”

“You, who cannot give consolation after seeing such a terrible thing, are even more so.”

By the time they said that, they were completely out of the building.

Of course, the non-stop blaming towards each other continued.

But when Darrel, who was waiting for them, asked, “Did you two fight?”

The two looked at each other for a moment, then shook their heads vigorously.

* * *

Rieta and Darrel went outside via the same procedure as their entrance.

As soon as they got on the Duchy’s carriage, Noel, who followed them to the outside, waved to the two of them.

. . . While staring sharply at Rieta.

Perhaps it meant that if something like this happened again, he would not let it go.

Rieta let out an awkward laugh, fiddling with her own hair for a moment.

Because that . . .

I’m sorry, I can’t be sure.

On the way back to the mansion, Darrel and Rieta barely talked.

But almost as they arrived, he made an offer.

“It would be nice to go to a party, Princess.”

Rieta’s eyes widened at those words.

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“There is a knight appointment ceremony soon.”

“Should I go?”

“I think it would be nice to do that.”

Despite his gentle invitation, Rieta was still hesitant.

“But there . . . I have no one else to congratulate.”

“Yes, but I’ve heard that Sir Jenkins and his disciple are going to be there anyway.”

“Elisha?”

When asked in surprise, Darrel nodded his head. with a friendly smile.

“Yes, I heard that one of the people being appointed has an acquaintance with Young Sir Maureen.”

“Ah, I think they got to know each other at the military academy.”

“It sounds like he was going to celebrate his friend, so if the Princess stays with him, he will be happy. Of course, Grandfather too.”

Rieta slowly nodded her head.

Even so, she was thinking about meeting Elisha.

“I will.”

“Thank you. I will tell my grandfather.”

“I will write a letter to Elisha.”

“He will be happy.”

The carriage was getting closer and closer to the Duchy.

Rieta apologized to Darrel and decided to change her clothes quickly.

Because she couldn’t get off at the mansion’s porch in maid clothes.

Darrell rested his head against the window and closed his eyes for a moment while she refreshed in the corner of the carriage.

. . . Well, I guess that’s enough.

It wasn’t really his idea to invite Rieta to the party.

Before Darrel left the academy, he recalled being asked by Noel.

“Brother, please let the Princess meet Elisha.”

He seemed to mean that Rieta was somewhat shocked by her meeting with BB.

It was, of course, in a situation that he had no choice but to do so.

“I think it would be nice if you, Noel, could come back to the mansion for a while.”

When Darrel suggested that, Noel immediately shook his head.

He had a slightly bitter expression.

“It won’t work if it’s not . . . Elisha.”

“. . .”

“Please allow her to meet Elisha in a way that doesn’t seem to have anything to do with today’s matter. Sometimes, she can be quick-witted. Brother . . . Can you do it?”

At his younger brother’s earnest question, Darrel had no choice but to nod his head.

Fortunately, he had an excuse that came to mind right away.

Have you grown a little bit, Noel?

While Rieta is making a face that she doesn’t want to be alone with Elisha, he eventually sees why Noel said that.

Being able to separate words and feelings is one of the conditions of being an adult.

He felt a bit lonely.

“Darrel?”

Just then, Rieta, who had changed her clothes, called him.

“Are you worried about something?”

“Uh, no. Are you tired?”

“A little bit. But that’s okay.”

Then, Rieta quickly lowered her head.

“Thank you for letting me meet BB today.”

“No, I just thought it was necessary at one point.”

Rieta thanked him several more times until the carriage reached the mansion.

Finally, the carriage stopped in front of the front door.

When she returned to her room as she was greeted by the butler, a maid with a good eye had prepared warm water for Rieta.

Rieta, needless to say, plunged her body into the tub quickly.

She had a hard time running around secretly at the academy, but . . .

Now her mind was even more messed up.

Because of her guilt for Liz.

Come to think of it, even while thinking like this, she was relaxing sitting in a warm and fragrant bathtub.

Even though she was a Princess who had to help them more than anyone else.