As I was sipping water, I spit it out.

“Ah, I’m s-sorry.”

I quickly wiped the table with a napkin. Fortunately, the good thing was that Cahillen didn’t spit as far as where he was.

“Your Highness, what I said earlier was, um…”

I racked my brain, but I couldn’t come up with a decent excuse.
It was a term that referred to Cahillen, no matter who said it. Even if I made excuses to that round-faced man, it was obvious it wouldn’t make any difference.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m used to it since it’s not the first or second time.”

“……. ”

Memories of gossip that I had poured out in front of him flashed by, making me dizzy. I discreetly avoided Cahillen, the single man. Pretending not to notice was the best option in situations like this.

Just then, the servants set plates on the table. Looking down at the food with the thought of quickly eating and leaving, I froze.

‘Carrots…!’

I didn’t expect to face the cautionary note directly like this.

No, how could they present carrots like this even after a horrific incident of the chef’s throat being cut off not long ago? Is there only a carrot on my plate?

“Tsk.”

Seeing him click his tongue unhappily, it seemed like that wasn’t the case. I asked the servant who had brought Cahillen’s food.

“Is Fabien back?”

“Yes.”

“That…”

“Wow, it looks incredibly delicious!”

I shouted to divert his attention before a catastrophe of someone’s throat being cut happened right in front of me. I quickly put a piece of steak in my mouth and spoke with a surprised expression.

“Quickly try it; the meat melts in your mouth.”

Although I doubted if saying this would be of any help, Cahillen, who had been silently watching me, smirked and picked up his cutlery.

“Claiming not to be hungry.”

Cahillen elegantly started cutting the steak.

I was worried that it might touch not only the chef but also my throat, but fortunately, nothing happened. Breathing a sigh of relief inwardly, Cahillen suddenly furrowed his brow.

“Wait. What misunderstanding is happening again?”

“What?”

“I heard absurd rumors about you before.”

Completely stopping his hand, Cahillen looked at me disapprovingly.

“What kind of nonsense have you heard this time?”

He raised his eyebrows as if telling me to speak quickly. Feeling the urge in his gaze, I reluctantly opened my mouth.

“…Have you ever cut the throat of the chef who brought the carrot?”

Right after I finished speaking, Cahillen sighed as if he couldn’t stand it anymore. He stared at me with a twisted jaw and a glance that seemed to be asking why.

“What misunderstanding is going on again. Even if I’m crazy, I’m not a lunatic who draws a sword at the mere sight of eyes.”

Damn, he remembers what I said. I bit my lip and asked.

“Do you dislike carrots?”

Cahillen, who had completely stopped his hand, looked at me discontentedly.

“Let’s get it right this time. No matter how crazy I am, I don’t casually cut people’s throats just because they look at me. It’s been over a decade since Fabien has been putting carrots on my plate.”

“Then why did such a rumor spread?”

“There are people who don’t like me no matter what I do.”

Cahillen answered nonchalantly.

Ah. Could it be that the false rumors were spread from the second prince’s side?

It was a natural inference considering the frustrated queen who couldn’t catch Cahillen.

“Then is the rumor about making a crying child sleep also false?”
“Oh, that’s true. Kids don’t really like me.”

Cahillen quickly admitted, lowering the hand that had been supporting his chin and adjusting his posture.

Then, he looked at me with a piercing gaze. Avoiding the somewhat dense gaze that was difficult to confront directly, I subtly looked away, and he smiled.

“One more thing. I don’t have any hobbies related to the color blue. I definitely like women.”