[TTH] 12 – It seems like it will be a struggle to keep up the pretence of being the Crown Prince's fiancée until the promised week is over. (1)

"I hate women. They're so trivial!"

The pages of a book fluttered softly.

"Your Highness, here's your tea. And this is the apple pie that Lady Richeli made."

"...This is? ... Ah, thank you."

"Women are full of competitive spirit, jealousy, and strong self-esteem. Yet they crave love, are liars, and can't be satisfied unless told they're the best and most beautiful. Hypocritical children who inspire murderous intent."

The pages fluttered again.

"Why must I address a brat six years younger than me with honorifics and speak to him politely? Just because he's Zinon's cousin, and she's the daughter of the Grand Duke's family?"

"Lady Richeli, I'm placing the tea near you. Please be careful."

"...Hmm, thank you... I got it."

"I'm annoyed, but I'll play the role of Zinon's fiancée, acting satisfied and happy. I'm the luckiest woman in the world. It feels good to see Eloise's frustrated face. But it's annoying to think I can't make Eloise kneel unless I become the queen."

I sighed, shaking my head as I read those words, and closed the diary, ending the women's battle.

"What have you been reading since earlier?"

"Wah, Zinon? You surprised me... When did you get here?"

Suddenly hearing a male voice, I came back to my senses.

Zinon was leaning on a table nearby, watching me. Our eyes met, and I was startled.

"Well, I expected as much. You're the type to lose sight of your surroundings when you start reading, right?"

Mira sighed, lowering her eyebrows in disbelief.

"We've been here for a while. Since you didn't come to the garden for teatime, we had tea and sweets brought here."

Julian and Abby were also at the table in the centre of Richeli's room.

The steam from the warm tea rose, and the apple pie I baked earlier in the afternoon was ready.

Knowing I had kept them waiting, I quickly stood up, closed the diary in the drawer, and locked it.

I went to the table where everyone was sitting, then returned to pick up a large piece of paper on the desk.

"Sis, what's that?"

Abby's cute, clear green eyes peered at the paper I unfolded.

"It's a relationship chart of the people around me... I've been looking at it whenever I have time, as my memory hasn't returned."

"Hmm..."

Next to Abby, Julian sipped his tea and chewed on the apple pie I made.

Next to him, Zinon was still resting his chin on his hand, his deep blue eyes staring at me.

(Why does he come every day?)

With the intense gaze of those blue eyes meeting mine almost daily, my heart can't help but pound.

Despite being younger and only sixteen, why is he so s3xy? His low, slightly husky voice is also a problem.

How could Richeli be with someone like this all day long? How could she not fall for him?

I casually shifted my gaze away from Zinon to distract myself.

In the relationship chart, I looked for Eloise, whom I had just read about in the diary.

"Let's see... ah, there she is. The Grand Duke's family... Eloise... ten years old. She's Zinon's cousin, right?"

At my words, for some reason, everyone but Abby and I seemed to choke.

"?"

Looking over, Julian was choking on his apple pie, Mira was frozen stiff, and Zinon was frowning.

"What's wrong?"

"Why are you suddenly interested in Ellie?"

Zinon peered into my peach-coloured eyes as if trying to see through me.

"Well... I was looking at the relationship chart and thought I might remember something... The Grand Duke's family's daughter is the same age as Julian, right?"

"Yeah, but I don't like Eri. Sister, you should hate her even more. Are you not remembering?"

"Hmm..."

Julian looked at me incredulously, but all I could do was shrug.

What I don't know, I don't know. If I'm not taught, I don't understand.

"Well, Ellie really, really likes Zinon. Right?"

Saying so, Julian looked up at Zinon next to him.

Zinon, who had been silently sipping his tea, put his teacup on the table.

"Eloise is six years younger than us. Our engagement was decided before she was even born. But in terms of status, Eloise, being from the Grand Duke's family, is above you. That's probably why she thinks she's more suitable to be the fiancée."

"Ah, I see."

At my understanding, Julian's emerald-green eyes clouded over.

"Sis, what are you understanding? That's why Eloise has always been your arch-nemesis!"

"Eh... really?"

Looking up at Mira in disbelief, she gave a wry smile.

"Arch-nemesis or not... Eloise is the only one who can be defiant toward Lady Richeli..."

"A ten-year-old child?"

"Yes... As His Highness said, Eloise is above Lady Richeli in terms of position. Lady Richeli also tried to show... respect towards Eloise."

"Really?"

That Richeli? To a ten-year-old child?

I thought of the fearless Richeli, who seemed to live above the clouds. I couldn't imagine it at all.

I didn't understand the power dynamics of the nobility or how to show respect...

Seeing my subtle expression, Zinon looked worried and said,

"Are you... okay? She'll barge in here to check on you if you collapse."

"Eh?"

Just then...

Knock knock.

A knock followed by Wanda's voice.

"Lady... it's Lady Eloise."

"!"

The timing was too perfect, and everyone's behaviour was shaking, along with the room's atmosphere.

A small, beautiful girl with fiery red curly hair burst out of the opened door.

"Richeli! It's me! Eloise came all the way here to see you! How are you feeling?"

Eloise seemed very strong-willed. She puffed up her still-flat chest, arrogantly tilted her chin, and gave me a defiant glance.

Two little girls, who seemed a bit shadowy but malicious, were looking at us from behind Eloise.

Who are these two?

I cleared my throat, hid behind the large white paper I held in front of my face, and gave Julian a secret signal.

Julian immediately jumped into the paper I was holding open and whispered.

"The girls around Eri? They're daughters of earl and viscount families. They're always with Eri, and they're a pain."

Ah, I see.