Michael approached me with eyes shining with tears and closed in my embrace.
“Oh… I thought you were my mother.”
Do not exaggerate your praise, young master.
Our Duchess was a captivating beauty beyond description.
“The dress I’m wearing must be similar to the Duchess’s dress, you thought.”
I felt Carlex's gaze as he silently contemplated my form.
“I ordered it. I will call the tailor tomorrow to make dresses for you.”
“There is no need to worry. What you are doing now is enough and satisfies me. I will buy ready-made clothes and wear them.”
Carlex stared at Gilbert standing behind me with an annoyed look.
“Gilbert, why did you bring Miss Dale into your arms? Isn’t that really rude?”
Gilbert turned pale and quickly bowed in obeisance.
“I apologize. I underestimated the situation.”
I immediately jumped to Gilbert's defense.
“No, Knight Gilbert helped me because my ankle hurts.”
“Your ankle hurts? How long has it been? Is the pain severe? I’ll call a therapist now.”
Carlex's sharp voice turned into a worried tone.
"It's not severe. It'll be fine with time."
I sat down with the help of the maid.
Wow, coming in for just one meal is really tiring.
But my complaints melted like ice when I faced the luxurious dinner awaiting.
Silver cutlery sparkled on the long table under the luxurious chandelier, laden with delicious dinner plates.
The barbecue dishes, perfectly grilled steaks, meat pie, chicken stock, smoked fish, accompanied by a variety of wines and fruits, and dessert cakes decorated with lavish flower bouquets caught the eye.
The butler greeted me with a solemn bow.
Dozens of servants followed him with simultaneous bows.
“I formally offer my regards. I am the butler, Samuel. We will do our best to ensure your comfort while you rest, Miss Dale. Please feel free to tell us anything that is troubling you.”
“Miss Dale is the blessing of the Duke’s family. Take care of her as you take care of me and the little prince.”
Carlex gave his order to the servants in a calm but firm tone.
The prestige of the housewife of the ancient ducal Reinhart family, which had maintained Ruberia for centuries, was clearly visible.
At the dinner table, we just sat: Carlex, Michael, and me.
In front of this abundant and rare food, I remembered Gilbert.
He stood firmly guarding the dining hall door.
“Can’t Knight Gilbert dine with us? He’s tired watching over me.”
Michael interjected, smiling:
“Ah, my big brother too...”
“Come here, Gilbert, and have dinner with us.”
Carlex interrupted Michael before he finished.
What? What else did the duke do?
My nature cannot bear curiosity, so I immediately asked the little prince:
“Did something happen while I was unconscious?”
Michael grinned, turning away from the answer.
Hmm, I smell an accident.
While I was deep in thought for a moment, Gilbert approached the table. He looked confused and bewildered.
“Miss Erica, may I join you?”
“Absolutely. Food is more enjoyable when shared with others.”
I smiled and offered him the next chair.
As soon as Gilbert joined, the atmosphere around the table immediately became loud.
“Did you see Miss Dale throwing arrows? I was amazed by her accuracy.”
“I heard that she hasn’t learned archery for a long time, and yet she has already reached this level. You are amazing, sister.”
When Gilbert praised my performance, Michael laughed back.
I raised my wine glass, smiling slyly.
“It is because of an excellent teacher who taught me well. Knight Gilbert took a lot of trouble teaching me.”
“No, I didn't do much.”
Gilbert scratched the back of his head in shame.
The innocent young man's ears quickly turned red.
Carlex looked at Gilbert with satisfaction.
Michael, eating with puffy cheeks, looked so like a cute squirrel that the mere sight of him aroused an appetite.
I cut the steak into appropriate pieces and placed it on his plate.
As for Gilbert, with a knight's voracious appetite, he ate greedily.
While Carlex focused on drinking the wine, staring silently at me and Michael.
His gaze, reflected through the decorated table candles, seemed so reassuring.
It was a warm evening, as if we were having a happy dinner with family after a long break.
Carlex would ask me every now and then if the food was to my taste.
Whenever our eyes met, Gilbert would raise his fork with an encouraging smile.
Even Michael was smiling pure smile.
No one mentioned monsters.
The quiet fussing continued as if nothing had happened.
The appearance of the monster horde in the competition arena was like a nightly nightmare.
I smiled with effort.
When I lowered my head, my face was reflected in the polished surface of my silver knife.
My facial expression forced a smile to suppress fear and anxiety.
Ever since I opened my eyes in the Duke's Palace, the questions I had suppressed have been floating in my head.
That look with which the monster looked at me in the competition arena, and his strange behavior... What did he mean by that?
“…My sister, my sister Erica.”
Oh, I was lost in thought and didn't listen.
I raised my head and found all eyes focused on me.
“Sister, what are you thinking about with this focus?”
“Ah... it's...”
Carlex's gaze directed at me was filled with concern.
Even Gilbert and Michael seemed to be watching me.
You've made these people worry again.
I feel sorry.
I pretended to be amused and frowned with a bright face.
“I'm so happy and excited that we're having dinner together. And by the way, the food is delicious too.”
“Fortunately, we have satisfied your exceptional taste in food. I requested that the food be generously prepared. I hope you enjoy it, Erica.”
Carlex raised his glass to me, smiling.
Sometimes this person compliments in a roundabout way, doesn't it?
Does he want me to show the characteristics of a true eater?
I smiled and raised my glass in response.
“Haha, thank you for your patronage, Your Highness. I will eat without limits today.”
Michael put down his fork for a moment and smiled sheepishly.
“I haven't eaten dinner with everyone like this in a very long time either. While my brother was on the battlefields, I always ate alone.”
Michael said it as if it was normal, but the content of it was not normal at all.
I felt pity for his little shoulders.
I imagined him eating alone at this wide table while Carlix was on the battlefields or in the royal palace, and my heart ached.
“As long as I am here, I will eat three meals a day with you, Mr. Michael.”
"Really? That's great! I'll have them prepare a lot of the foods you like."
I nodded and smiled broadly.
The warm and friendly atmosphere continued after that.
After we finished our dessert, it seemed like it was time to finish.
Everyone seemed happy and relaxed.
But Michael clung to my arm saying sorry.
“Sister Erica, do you want to go see the books? We have so many in the library.”
Carlix gently rebuked his brother:
“Michael, Miss Dale should rest. You must not disturb her.”
What? What is this man saying? I cannot pass a mill without stopping.
“If it's a library, I'm also interested. Can I take a look?”
"Are you sure? You said your ankle hurts."
“If Knight Gilbert helps me, I can move.”
As soon as I finished speaking, Gilbert quickly grabbed my arm and supported me. Carlex looked at Gilbert with a harsh look as he frowned heavily.
Carlex mercilessly pushed Gilbert's hand away and grabbed my arm.
“I will accompany the missus myself, she is the benefactor of the Reinhardt family.”
“I prefer to walk on my feet...”
“Do you have any objection, Miss Dale?”
Oh my God, he's going to have lasers coming out of his eyes.
How can I object to Nabil's words?
Carlex put one arm around my waist and lifted me up easily.
“What, what are you doing?”
My body suddenly rose into the air.
Why are you also carrying the princess like that!
I was kind of used to it with Gilbert, but when Carlex picked me up, I felt so embarrassed that I wanted to jump out of his arms.
"I'm really fine. Put me down, please."
I protested firmly, but Carlex paid no attention.
In the midst of this embarrassing situation, Michael added, smiling innocently:
“My brother is very strong, isn’t he, sister?”
Even Gilbert made his eyes sparkle.
He even sent an enthusiastic look of encouragement.
“Then let me guide you to the library.”
I heard Carlex's deep, low voice right in front of my face, so I quickly turned around.
***
After a long corridor, we arrived in front of a door engraved with classical carvings.
He carefully lowered me to the ground.
The servant who was guarding the place opened the door with a bow.
“Is this the library? It’s on the level of a small library.”
Words of admiration came out of my mouth unintentionally as I entered the room.
A library that I had only dreamed of in my imagination, here it is, before my eyes.
Huge bookshelves surround the large room, filled with thousands of books stacked close together.
They seemed to have been well cared for, for despite the sheer number, there was not the usual smell of old books.
On the contrary, there was a refreshing scent as if we were in a forest.
Behind the tall windows, night garden scenes hung like paintings.
In the middle of the library, there was a circular table, armchairs, and a comfortable sofa.
As I limped around the library on one foot, Carlex approached me silently and extended his arm.
Because my nature does not refuse, I quickly grabbed his solid arm and leaned on it like a crutch.
“Take me to that bookshelf, please.”
A slight smile tugged at the corner of Carlex's mouth.
“Using my body as a crutch... In Ruberia, you are the only one who does that.”
Michael quickly approached and handed me a thick book.
“Sister, this is the book I’m reading these days. Do you want to see it? It’s interesting.”
Hmm, “Introduction to the Politics of the Kingdom of Ruberia.”
Just reading the title can bring a deep sleep.
I smiled an embarrassed smile.
“I prefer fairy tale books. They comfort my heart and help me sleep.”
“Really? I have a fantasy book that I used to read a lot when I was little. I’ll bring it.”
As Michael ran to the bookshelf in the corner, Carlex's gaze, which had been watching his back, turned to me.
“Michael is very happy. This is the first time a guest has come to the library.”
“If he invites friends his own age, he will be happy.”
Carlex frowned as if he didn't like the idea.
“I hate being subjected to useless gossip at social gatherings. The world of nobility is a world of survival of the fittest. However, those who wear the mask of friendship can become enemies at any time. I don’t want to show innocent Michael that world too soon.”
But this still makes Michael feel sorry for him.
He's at the age where he meets up with friends and plays.
“If Your Highness the Duke permits me, can I be a companion to Sir Michael?”
Carlex's gaze that was staring at me changed to a gentle one.
He carefully touched my hand on his arm.
His touches were so warm that it felt like butterflies flying into my stomach and tickling me.
“Your Highness the Duke...?”
“Thank you for your warm goodwill towards Michael. The Duke’s Palace will always remain open to you, so don’t worry.”
Hmm, he seems to be holding my hand too long, and the eye contact is awkward too.
“Sis, I found a fairy tale book! Read it to me!”
Excellent timing, young sir.
I will read you up to a hundred fantasy books until I tire out my voice.
I sat next to Michael on the couch and read him a story book.
I immersed myself in reading in different characters' voices, exerting all my acting energies.
Michael was laughing hard or his eyes shining with tears, reacting to the story.
Tok.
Around book six, his little head rested gently on my shoulder.
I heard his steady breathing, and it seemed like he had fallen asleep.
“Michael was very tired too. He kept waiting for you to wake up. He must have been very surprised himself.”
When Carlex rang a small bell, the butler and a servant entered.
The servant carried Michael and went out first, while the butler bowed to the Duke with a worried face.
"You should go to sleep now too, sir. You've overexerted yourself."
“I'm still fine Samuel, make me some tea, please.”
“Yes. I will bring him soon.”
After a while, the butler returned with a silver tray holding two steaming cups of tea.
I sank into the couch, sipping hot tea, glancing at Carlex across from me.
His white shirt was open, revealing his collarbone and pectoral muscles.
His appearance as he ran his hand through his shaggy hair and turned the pages of the book with a lazy look made him look like a coffee advertisement model.
This is truly eye soothing and well-being.
I was smiling contentedly and pretending to read a book while staring at Carlex endlessly...
“Are you done meditating, Erica?”
Suddenly, his cobalt blue eyes met mine directly.
“To be continued in the next chapter”
Loving translation