Tession suddenly spoke up.
Ah, did Elizabeth not have that kind of authority? Still, as the only daughter of the direct heir in an important position……
“W-Why? I do give my opinions sometimes.”
“What kind of matters, may I ask?”
This guy… he’s more persistent than I thought……
At Tession’s unrelenting questioning, Cynthia frowned and thought for a moment before slowly speaking. There was only one thing she knew about the Bailey family.
“…R-Ritemper Trading Company.”
“Ritemper Trading Company?”
“Yes! I’m busy discussing matters about Ritemper Trading Company with the elders!”
“You mean the jewelry trading company that was agreed to be returned from the Lumanov side to the Bailey family on the condition of our engagement?”
“Yes, that’s the one!”
Cynthia nodded. Since it was related to Elizabeth’s engagement, it didn’t seem strange that she would be involved.
Then Tession fell silent and seemed to think.
After a moment of expressionless silence, he slowly curved his lips into a smooth smile.
“Ritemper Trading Company…… I see now.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s nothing, Young Lady. If you’re busy, it can’t be helped. Let’s arrange another date when you have more time.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
Cynthia quietly sighed in relief.
Dale, did I do well……? I succeeded in postponing the appointment……!
Across from her, Tession gave a faint, unreadable smile and continued his meal.
Cynthia also picked up her fork with a slightly lighter heart.
A few minutes later, they finished their meal with light, pleasant conversation and stood up.
“I really enjoyed the meal today, Young Lady. I will escort you home.”
“Really? Thank you!”
Cynthia, excited after a delicious meal, swung her slender arms back and forth as she replied. She turned toward the restaurant exit.
I’m full, and I feel great!
Then, Tession’s low voice came from behind her.
“Young Lady.”
“Yes?”
Cynthia, who had been walking ahead, turned her head.
Tession stood still in place, lightly reaching out his hand toward her.
Huh……?
“…Yes?”
Still not understanding his intention, Cynthia tilted her head and asked again.
What… is he asking for?
Then Tession lowered his eyebrows slightly, looking a bit disappointed, and spoke.
“Aren’t you going to hold my hand on the way back?”
“Oh! I’m sorry! I forgot you left your stick!”
Cynthia quickly ran back and took his hand.
Tession naturally moved his hand, slipping his fingers between hers and interlocking them. Only then did a faint smile return to his lips.
“Let’s go.”
……Ahh, my heart!
How did Elizabeth manage to leave someone like this alone?
Cynthia let out a careful breath and took a step forward.
****
“What on earth did you do!”
Dale shouted angrily.
A few days after the dinner with Tession, this was the first thing he said after summoning Cynthia, who had been rolling around lazily in a large room of the Bailey mansion.
Cynthia blinked in confusion.
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“I’m asking what happened between you and the Grand Duke that day!”
Frowning, Dale roughly loosened his tie as if frustrated.
Why is he so angry? Cynthia blinked, watching him carefully.
“Nothing happened. You even praised me at the time, saying I did well bringing the Grand Duke to Bailey Restaurant in an unexpected situation!”
“That’s not what I’m talking about!”
Dale pressed a hand to his forehead.
“The processing workload for Ritemper Trading Company has increased. The number of documents requested by the Lumanov Grand Duke’s side has suddenly increased as well! And the staff in charge can’t even be properly contacted anymore.”
“Pardon? What do you mean?”
“The Lumanov family has significantly delayed the return process of Ritemper Trading Company!”
Delayed the return process?
Cynthia blinked slowly, not understanding.
After a moment of thought, she forced an awkward smile.
“Maybe they’re just being cautious? Transferring a trading company must be complicated and difficult……”
“The process was already in its final stage—only the signatures of the two heads of the Lumanov and Bailey families were needed!”
“Th-Then maybe they found a serious error during processing……?”
“Our Bailey staff are elite among the empire of Dilrotein. Do you think they would make such a mistake?”
Dale looked down at Cynthia with burning eyes behind his glasses.
Feeling a bit intimidated, Cynthia shrank her shoulders and looked away.
So… is this my fault? Hmm, what did I even do during that last meeting……
“It seems everything went wrong after Cynthia’s last meeting with the Grand Duke Tession.”
“But even if I think about it, I really didn’t do anything……”
Cynthia muttered.
Dale frowned and leaned his face closer.
“Apologize.”
“Huh? For what?”
“For anything. If you did anything to offend the Grand Duke, then apologize!”
“I told you, I didn’t do anything worth apologizing for!”
Cynthia stepped back, raising her voice.
We had a nice meal laughing and chatting—what is he talking about all of a sudden!
“No. There must be something you did that you don’t even realize offended him.”
Unfair! This guy doesn’t listen at all!
Cynthia shook her head while facing Dale’s firm expression.
“Go to the Lumanov Grand Duke’s residence as soon as possible.”
“…To apologize for something I don’t even know I did?”
“Yes. And!”
Dale leaned in even closer.
“Casually ask about the return of Ritemper Trading Company.”
“C-Casually?”
“Yes. As if you have no particular intention. Very subtly. Naturally.”
Can I even do that……?
Cynthia swallowed dryly, then protested.
“But if I go see the Grand Duke again, that would be our fifth meeting! What if he starts talking about marriage again……!”
“So you’re just going to leave things as they are?”
“I’m not saying I’ll leave it, I just don’t know if I can do it……”
“If the Grand Duke is truly offended, then nothing but a sincere apology will work.”
Ah, but there was nothing to be offended about! We held hands and came back happily!
“If the Lumanov family fully cancels the return of Ritemper Trading Company, everything will be meaningless.”
Is that even related to me?
Cynthia pressed her lips together and thought of the 500,000 mint check.
I already got the advance payment… maybe I can just use that as capital and survive somehow……
“And if that happens……”
Dale adjusted his glasses and turned back to her.
“Our contract will naturally be void, and you will have to return the 500,000 mint you took.”
……What?
Cynthia suddenly lifted her head.
“What are you talking about? Who returns an advance payment? I’ve already been acting as Princess Elizabeth for over a month—pay me for a month of labor!”
“Did you not read the contract carefully?”
“I did! Very carefully! I successfully avoided being exposed as a fake princess and did everything you told me! I fulfilled the contract conditions properly, so I should be paid for the month!”
Dale raised an eyebrow, as if surprised.
Right? Right?! I’m right, aren’t I?!
“…That is a valid point.”
“Of course it is!”
“But there is something you are forgetting.”
Forgetting…?
Confused, Cynthia looked at him as Dale smiled faintly.
“You have been staying very comfortably at the Bailey estate, haven’t you?”
“…W-Well, yes?”
“And we didn’t charge you for lodging or meals, did we?”
Uh-oh……
A very unpleasant feeling brushed past Cynthia.
“The Bailey estate’s lodging fees are quite expensive. Meals prepared by professional chefs are even more so.”
“W-What are you talking about……”
“If the contract is void, then you must pay us for those costs.”
“Huh?”
“The elders of the Bailey family kindly provided those things for you. But if the contract is broken, they are no longer ‘kindness.’”
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