CH 460

Invitation to Dinner

By the time Mia got back to the Lampron residence, it was getting dark. Soon after she went into her room, Esmeralda and Ludwig came to see her.

“My, where did the time go?” Mia said, “I must have talked with Rafina-sama for a long time.”

Ludwig’s eyes got very big. “Lady Rafina? Is she here?”

“Yes. To go to the coming ball, it seems. Abel is also with her.”

“I see… Hm… Well, with Lady Rafina…” A flash of light from his glasses showed a sharp look behind them. Mia took a small step back. She didn’t like how sharp it was.

Uh-oh. I haven’t thought about Esmeralda’s request to get married or Sion’s death. I ate and talked with Miss Rafina all day long. Alright, I need a reason. Mia, think, think…

She thought about it for a while and then came up with one.

“And, before you ask, yes, I did learn some things.”

She had heard a description of Count Lampron’s personality. That had to be worth something. Also, she had learned how to use traditional pottery to steam food in a pot. That was a way to cook that no one in Tearmoon had ever heard of.

Those mushrooms that were steamed in a pot were really something! I’m so happy I figured out how to make them!

If she told the head chef how it was done and had him do more study on the method, she could make a real contribution to Tearmoon’s food culture. That would be a good use of time.

I didn’t just eat and come back! I had to do a job, and I did it!

She looked at Ludwig after she had convinced herself that she hadn’t just wasted a whole day.

“Ugh…” She sighed. Looking at him was a bad idea.

“I see. Always one step ahead. Your Highness is always amazing.” The way he looked at her with pure respect hurt her feelings, so she had to look away.

“I fully agree with your approach,” he said next. “We need more information if we want to get back in charge of this situation. In order to do this, I have set up a dinner with King Abram for this evening. I’m sorry for the short notice.”

“…Huh?” Mia was shocked by this quick turn of events. She didn’t feel ready to meet the king.

But Ludwig spoke again before she could even say anything to object. “I think it’s very important to ask the Sunkland king what he thinks about this marriage proposal.”

It was indeed very important! She couldn’t say anything to argue against that.

“…Oh, okay. So, you went ahead and made plans for this dinner?”

“Yes. Keithwood put me in touch with Prince Sion. Lady Esmeralda, who could be Prince Echard’s future wife, is also invited. As Prince Sion’s peer, Miss Tiona will also be able to come.”

“Oh, Tiona as well? Hm…” Mia gave Esmeralda a quick look.

“Uh-oh, moons… Mia-sama, what should I do? My heart isn’t ready for this…”

Mia couldn’t get comfort from her friend, who looked even more upset than she did.

I’d feel a lot better if Ludwig and Anne came with me to dinner with the king, but I doubt that servants will be allowed. That means that, at worst, Esmeralda might be the only person who can help me fight him.

It wasn’t the most comforting thought. She was a strong believer that “strength in numbers” was the best way to deal with any problem, so she wanted as many people as possible on her side.

Still, they were the ones who came up with this idea in the first place. Also, I can bring Tiona, which I’m happy to do. In light of…

“I-I didn’t think I’d see him so soon. Oh, my heart…”, stammered Esmeralda.

Mia looked at her friend, who was getting more and more nervous, and was surprised by how strongly she was reacting. Esmeralda was used to getting what she wanted, regardless of the rules. At least, that’s how Mia saw her.

The Esmeralda of today, on the other hand, seemed to have lost all of her edge.

I bet it’s because the man she’s seeing might become her father-in-law. Oh, Esmeralda, just calm down!

With a firm ‘hmph’, Mia gave her friend a pep talk.

“Okay, Esmeralda, listen up. Who are you? You are a proud Etoile and the daughter of one of Tearmoon’s famous Four Dukes, Lord Greenmoon. You should act like a proud Etoile. People should be scared just by being near you, like… Like the Emerald Star! Isn’t that yacht a sight to behold? Be like the Emerald Star says!”

“Emerald Star?”

Mia nodded and was very proud of her comparison.

Let’s just forget the fact that Mia wasn’t very impressed by the ship when she first saw it.

“I’ll do it, Mia-sama. I’ll be like the Emerald Star!”

It did seem to work, though, because Esmeralda was moved to tears by it.

—

I wish someone would encourage me right now…

After saying goodbye to Esmeralda, Mia changed quickly with Anne’s help. Then she gave a sigh. This is all easier to say than to do…

The doorbell rang at that moment.

“Excuse us, Mia-sama.”

“Your Highness, we’re back.”

When the door opened, Bel and Citrina were there.

“My, both of you went out too?”

Mia acknowledged them and then quickly went back to her own thoughts.

I’m curious about what kind of person Sion’s father is… I mean, he’s Sion’s dad, so it looks like I have my work cut out for me. I really hope I can find out something useful from him…

The king wasn’t the worst thing she had to deal with.

“…Prince Echard is the real problem, isn’t he?” she murmured.

Citrina’s eyes opened wide in surprise.

“Then you…already know. Wow,” she said, clearly amazed. “What should I do next?”

Mia made a face. She didn’t know what Citrina was talking about, but she was thinking so much about herself that she might have missed something she said. She didn’t want to look like she wasn’t paying attention, so she said…

“Let’s say… I’ll leave it up to you.”

She thought it probably had something to do with taking Bel to that market thing or something.

She then whispered, “Honestly, our dear friend has been looking a little bored lately, so go ahead and do your thing together if you want. I don’t particularly mind.”

Citrina’s skills were very useful, but they weren’t needed until later, and even then, it was more of a safety measure than anything else. In the meantime, she thought it would be best to keep Bel busy. Citrina, on the other hand, gave a serious nod.

“Okay, I get it. It will be done, or I’ll die trying…”

Search bit.ly/3iBfjkV for the original.

“Uh… Alright. That’s a bit intense, but okay.”

Mia looked at her awkwardly and wondered what it was about Bel that made this girl fall so hard for her. She was either going to have fun with Bel or die trying? Weird.

Author’s Note:

Sorry. We will be closed for Obon next week.

I’m going to take a break… while saying that, I’m going to withdraw and clean up the backlogged work.