Chapter 29
Clatter, the sound of dishes echoed softly. Marie glanced around quickly. Since she was still learning the court’s dining etiquette, such noises happened sometimes.
If there was any relief to be found, it was that instead of the maids from the crown prince’s household, who would swarm at her like hawks with sharp eyes, someone else was standing before her now.
‘Really… what a handsome man.’
Russell. She was having lunch with him.
It was only a few days ago that he interrupted her regular mealtime.
As usual, Marie was filtering through the sharp words of the maids, trying to catch any useful information.
There weren’t many days left before she would debut in society as the crown prince’s courtesan, yet the maids, seemingly eager to give her trouble, had refused to explain the noble connections she needed to be wary of.
So Marie, feeling a bit mischievous, decided to take advantage of the maids who seemed more riled up than usual. If she feigned ignorance just enough and started talking, the maids would blurt out their complaints in frustration.
It was an ordinary day, no different from any other, so neither Marie nor the maids noticed Russell approach.
‘What exactly are you doing?’
‘Y–Your Highness?’
‘With that attitude, she’ll learn nothing.’
‘We—we’re sorry, Your Highness. If we upset you…!’
‘Step aside.’
Silence fell like an ice arrow piercing through the air. His tone was so cold that Marie instinctively stiffened, even though it wasn’t directed at her.
The frostiness looked almost like anger aimed at the maids, which left Marie momentarily confused.
‘What am I even supposed to be learning here?’
‘Table manners… Your etiquette is quite lacking. If this continues, it will become a stain on Your Highness’s reputation. That’s why we’re all trying to train you quickly.’
Since there was no way Russell didn’t know what went on in the crown prince’s household, Marie thought that the cold treatment from the servants and maids, knowingly or not, had his tacit approval.
She assumed it was meant to keep a presumptuous Omega from getting any foolish ideas. But then why did he get so angry? And that expression — was his anger strangely… a kind of comfort?
‘Marie Alphrose.’
‘Huh? Yes, Your Highness?’
‘Don’t you have anything to say for yourself?’
‘Well…’
‘I can’t tell if your idiocy is even within the bounds of human error.’
‘……’
Of course, the next arrow of anger was aimed at her. Seeing Marie silent, frowning, Russell threw out a sudden remark.
‘Enough. Let’s move the meal.’
‘What do you mean…?’
‘Marie Alphrose. From now on, you will have lunch with me. I’ll watch that clumsy etiquette of yours closely. Is there anyone in this palace more proper than me when it comes to manners?’
Ah, so he wasn’t there to defend after all, but to rebuke her.
The maids, who had looked a little glum just moments ago, immediately brightened up with knowing whispers of “That figures.” But once Marie actually experienced it, the lunch was nothing like she had imagined.
Like now, for instance.
“That’s not it. The one on the right.”
“Huh?”
Startled, Marie scraped her plate with a knife. Russell’s brow furrowed, and a servant standing near the crown prince opened his mouth as if to say something too. Marie braced herself for a scolding. But Russell stopped him, his neatly shaped lips parting as he spoke again.
“That’s not it. Pick up the one on the right.”
Slowly, Marie picked up the other knife, and his monotone voice followed:
“Good.”
It was an unexpectedly gentle tone. Marie didn’t understand. Instead of a harsh reprimand, why was he teaching her so kindly? Had something changed in his mood? Or maybe, after… well, after being with him in bed, had she proven somewhat useful?
She shook her head at the bitter thought, then realized she’d been silent through all this and quickly bowed her head.
“Thank you, Your Highness. I won’t forget again.”
“No one’s good at it from the start.”
“……”
“So stop acting like a drenched dog. I don’t want you looking so pathetic.”
Marie blinked rapidly. It was harsh, yes, but it sounded more like comfort than anything else. Somehow her face warmed, and she put down the knife she’d been holding, rubbing her cheek.
“By the way, you—”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
At that moment, Russell spoke again.
“You’ve always been like this around the palace, haven’t you?”
“What do you mean?”
“The maids.”
What part was he talking about?
Marie tilted her head, confused. Suddenly, Russell’s jaw tightened and his eyes narrowed sharply. The expression alone was enough to send a chill down her spine. For a moment, Marie thought she must have made a grave mistake and offended the crown prince.
Without further explanation, Russell spoke again.
“Is it lonely in the palace?”
“…”
It was such a casual question, dropped like a stone into still water, creating ripples that stirred Marie’s heart.
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