I led Jeiana to the reception room.

A pumpkin pie made by Michael himself was set out as a snack on the table.

Upon seeing the pumpkin pie, Jeiana asked skeptically.

“……Did the Prince actually make that himself?”

“Yes, he made it with Babito. Ah, Babito is the chef of this castle.”

Michael explained in detail, but it was far from convincing.

“Ah, yes. So, what exactly are you doing at the duke’s estate……?”

“I’m looking after the princes.”

Michael, who had left the imperial palace, had become a nanny at the duke’s estate.

Jeiana looked at me incredulously.

I spoke as if making an excuse.

“I’m not collecting royalty or anything.”

“You expect me to believe that?”

I had no answer to that.

‘Royalty just seems to flock to me wherever I go.’

It’s not my fault.

Michael stepped forward as if to explain on my behalf.

“I’m here purely of my own volition. I can’t thank you enough for welcoming us.”

“……Fine, I get it.”

Jeiana seemed to want to avoid getting further involved and changed the subject.

But she couldn’t avoid the pumpkin pie.

Hesitant, Jeiana stood back as I picked up a fork.

“Enjoy your meal. Michael.”

Michael’s eyes filled with anticipation.

I sunk my fork into the slightly charred crust and brought it to my mouth.

Crunch. The crust crumbled and moist filling filled my mouth.

‘Surprisingly tasty?’

It was moderately sweet, and the butter flavor was subtle.

“It’s delicious, Michael.”

“Really?”

“Yes. It’s a tremendous success for a first attempt.”

“Ah, what a relief. I also sent some as snacks to the twins, I hope they enjoy it.”

Next, Michael’s gaze turned to Jeiana.

It was a silent, expectant look.

Unable to withstand his sparkling eyes, she also finally picked up a fork.

“……It’s a bit burnt, but not bad.”

Although grudging, her comment brightened Michael’s face.

“I never realized how satisfying it is to serve food I’ve made.”

Naturally. He was royalty, and cooking himself would have been unthinkable.

Michael was genuinely happy.

Seeing this, Jeiana took a sip of tea.

“You seem to be doing well. I didn’t know the Prince was staying here.”

She couldn’t find him because he was here.

That seemed to be the implication from Jeiana.

Michael’s departure from the imperial palace had become public knowledge, but no one knew of his whereabouts.

Although there were a few who pretended to look for him, currently, even they were nowhere to be found.

‘If he’s happy, then what can be done.’

I had thought about informing others that Michael was staying here, but he had declined.

He wanted to keep it a secret for now.

Michael had been saying lately how happy he was.

That was still the case.

“Yes, every day is a joy.”

There was nothing more to say.

Jeiana also seemed to agree and put down her cup.

“But you knew Aileen was engaged, right?”

Splurt[Dash]!

I choked on my tea at Jeiana’s words.

The aromatic liquid splashed all over Michael.

“II’m sorry……!”

“Ah, it’s okay. Just wipe it off. But did something happen?”

Even soaking wet, Michael was concerned about me first.

Jeiana snickered at the sitcomlike scene.

“Don’t you know? Ah, but you wouldn’t, staying in the castle. Wouldn’t you leave if you knew what the Duke was up to?”

What Jeiana mentioned was related to Kashar’s audacity.

It happened after he accepted the engagement.

One day, he asked me for promotion methods.

‘Suddenly?’

‘You probably know better.’

I didn’t know the reason exactly, but he ran multiple businesses, so I didn’t think much of it.

‘Well, flyers maybe. Ah, how about hanging ads on carriages to go around the streets? You could even display advertisements in places like the square clock tower.’

‘That’s a good idea. How about on a continental scale?’

For a moment, I wondered if we were talking about diplomacy.
“I’m not sure about that. How about sending an official letter? People usually send it along with gifts.”

“Really?”

Kashar nodded.

A few days later, while visiting my shop, I discovered why he had asked such a question.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen someone announce an engagement like that.”

Kashar had truly pulled out all the stops, just as I suggested.

On the clock tower in the square, a portrait of him and me was hanging, painted who knows when. In front of the magic shop, a video capturing our engagement scene glittered and revolved 24/7.

“I’d almost forgotten.”

Even the advertisements were still ongoing, reported in the newspaper multiple times.

If I asked anyone randomly, they would probably know I was Kashar’s fiancée.

For a while, going out with a bare face was out of the question.

“Did he do it on purpose?”

Perhaps it was Kashar’s kind consideration, telling me not to waste any more time.

I speculated and shrugged.

“Enough already.”

“You must be shy. Congratulations on your engagement.”

“I had no idea this would happen!”

It was clearly a teasing remark.

However, Mikael didn’t catch on at all.

“Such an elaborate setup for love. Fate must truly be special. I’m really envious!”