Thanks to him, I also learned about the story of the former queen. Suddenly feeling grateful, I looked at Karl, and he furrowed his brow.

“Why are you looking at me so ominously?”

“……….”

It’s just a bit unfortunate. I couldn’t stab a person with a fork, so I picked up a strawberry cake instead. Irritated, I piled the cake generously and stuffed it into my mouth.

“What is this strange taste?!”

Why does the cake taste like mint?

I wrinkled my nose at the indescribable combination of flavors. Seeing my expression, Machi nodded as if he expected it.

“As expected. You should reconsider acquiring that bakery.”

“Hmm.”

Karl sipped his coffee and nodded briefly.

“These damn guys!”

Come to think of it, the cream cake had completely shifted to my side. When I shot a look, Karl rolled his eyes as if asking what the problem was.

“This guy is not as bad as I thought!”

Struggling, I gulped down the cake.

“Well then, I’ll be going.”

After a farewell with a pouting smile, I tried to turn away, but Karl stopped me.

“Aren’t you hungry? It’s past lunchtime.”

“Yes. I ate the cake and I’m full.”
As soon as I cleverly parried, the sound of clinking cutlery echoed on the ship like a scene from a drama. It seems that I have managed to irritate this man. If not, such awkward incidents wouldn’t occur every time.

“The body is honest, unlike the mouth.”

“……. ”

“There’s a pretty decent restaurant nearby. It’s much better than the place I sat with that guy last time.”

The restaurant Karl brought me to was not just decent; it was quite excellent. I forgot my unease and focused on eating.

“Following reluctantly. Is it delicious?”

At Karl’s remark, mixed with laughter, I, realizing the awkwardness, coughed awkwardly.

“Well, it’s fine.”

“Seeing you eat so well, it seems unnecessary.”

“Are you making fun of me?”

“I don’t know.”

“Let’s just eat quickly.”

In response to my words, Karl lifted a piece of steak. The way he cut the generously sliced piece and put it in his mouth was not at all unpleasant; it was neat.

I have occasionally seen royalty dining, but Karl was no less compared to them. Instead, he was refreshing and elegant, making it impossible to look away.

With a fleeting glance in his eyes, he widened his lips.

“Why, can’t you take your eyes off me because I’m handsome?”

“……Please eat.”

It seemed fine, but hold on. As I jabbed my head up and down, I casually asked Karl.

“I have something curious.”

“Please go ahead.”

“To become a maid in the First Prince’s palace, you’re trying to match his preferences, right?”

“Yes.”

“But what if the First Prince genuinely likes you?”

As I choked on the steak in my throat, Karl offered a glass of water. After emptying two glasses at once, he looked at me with an expression that seemed to say, “What kind of nonsensical thing are you saying?”

“That won’t happen. He’s a cold-blooded person with no interest in anyone else. There must have been many people trying to approach him, but there are no rumors. If anything.”

I looked around and leaned forward. Karl followed suit, bending at the waist.

“If anything?”

“There are rumors that he’s not interested in women at all. He occasionally bathes and spends a lot of time with men. Handmaids gossip about it.”

With my meaningful gaze, Karl burst into a forced laughter.

“Where did you hear such rumors?”

“Handmaids murmur about it.”

I turned my body back, having leaned forward.

“Anyway, whether there are rumors or not, the First Prince, who has never had any rumors about women, showing interest in me is highly unlikely.”

“Then, isn’t it unnecessary to match the First Prince’s preferences?”

“It’s just a feeling of catching a straw. I heard that if he doesn’t like it, he might cut the throat with just a glance. I should avoid such things, especially since I am the sister of Lady Floria.”

Not “should avoid,” but absolutely should avoid. As I pledged to somehow survive, chewing on a piece of steak, Karl said something absurd.

“I’ve never had such an experience.”

“What?”
“It’s not like I’m a lunatic; I wouldn’t kill someone just because our eyes met briefly.”

“Really?”

He was talking like a madman a moment ago. As I shrugged my shoulders, I suddenly became curious.

“But you seem to know a lot about the First Prince.”

“I don’t not know.”

Ah, maybe he has already had some interaction with the First Prince. Come to think of it, what did he request from the guild?

Contemplating, I casually turned my head out the window. I spotted a familiar face getting off the carriage. My eyebrows furrowed slightly.