“But I’ll just be a background character. You always say the most precious person is the lady.”

“I couldn’t reveal my true identity for so long, and the years passed. I couldn’t muster the courage, especially in a family where I felt inferior to my brothers.”

Hertiand raised his eyebrows.

Mikael continued with a steady expression.

“I lived with an inferiority complex as a prince. While looking for someone who would accept this bundle of inferiority without prejudice, I unintentionally relied on Lady.”

He blamed himself continuously.

For that reason, I didn’t know he sent a letter to me.

Casian had always been a pillar for him; he never thought of leaning on me.

“Being a prince with an inferiority complex… Sophujak. It’s similar to me.”

Hertiand’s tone turned cold.

Listening and seeing, it seemed that Hertiand, with brothers and suffering due to being a prince, had a harder time than Mikael.

Even if it wasn’t aimed at him, it was still unpleasant to hear.

Sure enough, his expression while turning the wine glass wasn’t pleasant.

‘This is Mikael’s mistake.’

It was grateful for him to share his story, but it wasn’t something to talk about in front of Hertiand.

Hertiand, having been expelled from the palace as a prince, probably knew.

As I hardened my face, Mikael noticed the atmosphere and apologized.

“Oh. I made a slip of the tongue. I just wanted to say that I was afraid I couldn’t become Lady’s friend because of my situation.”

“No. It’s better to speak comfortably. Anyway, Lady’s friend is my friend too, so feel free to speak comfortably.”

“Thank you for accepting it graciously.”

Hertiand lightly passed it, which was fortunate.

“But I also want to speak a little more comfortably.”

“Of course.”

“So, have you found out? I’m curious.”

“…What are you talking about?”

After thinking for a while, Mikael asked back.

Hertiand stopped turning the glass and replied.

“If you went to the prince for Lady’s sake, did you find out anything? I want to hear your opinion.”

It was a question I didn’t get to ask last time due to my apologies.

If it were Casian, he would surely not just silently watch over the prince.
“If he were a close aide, one could find out what he’s scheming, whom he’s meeting, and what stories he’s engaged in. Even a little information could have been obtained. However, contrary to expectations, Mikael gave a negative response.

‘The prince is a thorough person, and apart from official discussions, we don’t exchange anything. I go to the palace, look at the given documents, and that’s all.’
‘Not a single word about the lady?’
‘Oh, I should have been a bit more bold. I apologize for not finding out anything; I’m sorry for being so timid.’ Mikael smiled awkwardly.
‘No need to apologize, Mikael. I didn’t expect you to find out in the first place.’
‘Then shall we eat the dessert we received together, my lady?’
‘Sure! Hertiand, have you never tried the macarons from that patisserie?’

Thanks to Hertiand changing the topic, the atmosphere didn’t sink but became refreshed. The delectable macarons he brought were served on the plate. Pink shells with spring strawberries added, emitting a sweet fragrance.

Hertiand, looking down at them, asked Mikael, ‘Were there other macarons at the patisserie?’
‘By the time I went, many were sold out, so only a few types remained.’
‘What else was there?’

When Mikael seemed slightly flustered, Hertiand added, ‘Thinking of buying some before returning to the north.’
‘… There were ones with added orange and blueberry-flavored ones. I can’t remember the rest. There were so many people.’

Hertiand’s mouth curved up with a sly smile. His dark gaze turned towards me. ‘What’s the lady’s favorite macaron?’
‘Well…’
‘No, I asked a pointless question. Before returning to the north, I’ll buy strawberry macarons.’

Hertiand naturally assumed I liked strawberry macarons. Not strawberry, though. I had a different favorite macaron. ‘I actually like blueberry macarons the most.’
‘You do?’
‘Yes, I thought you didn’t buy them because I already had them.’
‘That’s…
‘Even friends don’t know each other’s tastes perfectly. Right?’

When Hertiand asked Mikael, who looked embarrassed, he nodded as if he had really forgotten. It was as if he genuinely had forgotten.

‘It’s okay. Strawberry is good too.’ I happily laughed while taking a big bite of the macaron. I was grateful for his consideration. I tried to let it go, but ‘For the blueberry, you can make it with the one you received as a birthday gift last year.’

My words didn’t elicit any response from him. Now that I thought about it, it was quite strange. Casian couldn’t possibly not know that I liked blueberries. That’s right. ‘Last year for my birthday, you made blueberry jam for me yourself. Have you forgotten?’

He didn’t show any reaction to my words. Come to think of it, it was odd. Casian couldn’t have forgotten the birthday gift he made for me personally.”
It was as if he truly had forgotten.

“It’s okay. Strawberry is good too.”

I took a big bite of the macaron, smiling happily. I was thankful for his consideration. I tried to let it go, but, “Since I received blueberry jam as a birthday gift last year, we can use that for the blueberry flavor.”

He showed no reaction to my words.

Now that I think about it, it’s quite strange.

There’s no way Casian wouldn’t know that I like blueberries.

That’s right.

“Did you forget that you made blueberry jam for me yourself as a birthday gift last year?”

There’s no way he could forget a gift he personally made and sent.