CH 164

Jeremy’s face was dark all along our way back.

“He’s probably just going to eat and go back right away.”

“I know. It’s just . . . it’s awkward for me to meet my brother.”

“Well, that’s what our whole mansion is like these days.”

It was awkward to run across someone, awkward to have a meal with someone, and even when alone, it was awkward.

Jeremy raised up his head.

The eyes staring intently were already imbued with words he wanted to say.

“I know. Sorry.”

The same time I admitted my mistake, the carriage stopped before the mansion.

The big golden carriage in the distance entered my sight.

It seemed like we returned from the academy at the right time.

* * *

The Crown Prince exited his carriage.

When the Duke was about to pay his respects, he stopped him by raising a hand.

“Let’s do the greetings simply and go inside. You don’t need to be too courteous. That’s why I’m here alone.”

He, who took a step, looked at the path connected to the front gate with a strange expression.

Pink pansy flowers bloomed on both sides of the road, gardeners were colored in colorful colors, and lovely lovers were carved in the colorful three-tier fountain.

“This is so different from when I visited this place last year.”

The gaze staring at Mom, who was linking her arm to the Duke, deepened.

The Duke, who was next to a brightly smiling Mom, looked resigned.

Looking at the back of the Crown Prince who entered the mansion following the Duke couple, Jeremy whispered.

“Marianne, don’t you think it’s best for us to enter a while later?”

“We’ll go through anyway, so let’s just go.”

As I had gone through it for a few days, I felt like I had somewhat gotten used to it.

I heard the band had welcomed the people entering the mansion.

With a serenade of sweet love.

Since then, the Crown Prince had not spoken.

When he entered the main building while listening to the love serenade, there was red carpet spread under his feet and rose petals were scattered above it.

Inside the mansion, sweet flower scents and subtle lights shone.

The hallways of the mansion were filled with paintings of famous lovers and coral sculptures that improved the relationship between couples.

The band finished the love serenade and began to play ‘My Happy Mansion, My Beloved Wife.’

The Crown Prince, who stopped in the lobby, turned his head and asked.

“Do you perhaps think I would come with the Crown Princess?”

“No.”

Lord Duke answered with an aloof face.

“We always lived like this recently.”

Orion next to him nodded.

I tried my best to hide my footsteps, but he quickly found me and sent me a proud smile. Then, Lord Duke continued.

“This is the effort done by the workers after much consideration to protect our beautiful and harmonious family.”

“The beautiful and harmonious family . . .”

“As you know, as the Prince and Marianne have been diagnosed with a need for stability, we are trying to relieve anxiety as much as possible.”

Next to me, Jeremy sighed briefly.

In that sigh, as one of the people who was stressed by this situation, there was a hope that he would not be used as an excuse.

Ever since his brother was brought up, the formal smile was hard to find in the Crown Prince’s face.

His face showed signs of boredom as foods that were good for energy were presented for the following meal.

I regretted eating oysters that were served with asparagus in silence.

I should have stopped them if I knew this would happen.

This was the result of not dissuading the atmosphere where everyone was excited because I said I wanted to hear about my mother’s every move for the time being.

“I heard that the Duchess’s taste is quite distinctive. I did not expect this.”

Mom shook her head while smiling at the remark said by the Crown Prince after being silent.

“Oh my, this is not mine, but my daughter’s taste.”

“No.”

I quickly denied it.

The Crown Prince’s eyes were directed to me.

“I was only . . .”

“You were only?”

I saw the heads of the maids faintly tilting in my direction.

Even the butler and the head maid, who had been busy directing the situation these days, seemed to be waiting for my words.

The efforts of those who illuminated the house and decorated the garden by installing sculpture on the fountain while skipping sleeping at night were great.

If I said that ‘I was only saying it,’ I would be a very bad person, wouldn’t I?

“I was hoping for the Duke and Duchess to live in a good atmosphere. I think it’s good for us to live harmoniously, so I think this kind of attempt isn’t bad.”

Jeremy dropped his fork.

He looked at me with a face as if he was betrayed by the one he trusted.

The Crown Prince’s eyes looked like he understood his little brother.

It’s the first time they’re on the same page.

In other words, I saw the situation where the brothers shared their feelings for the first time.

I comforted myself by thinking that at least I reaped something.

Meanwhile, Orion smiled proudly.

“Did you see Marianne’s filial love? This is my little sister.”

That was the moment I lost my appetite.