Sparkling Smile
After the tea party ended, Catherine and I were brought to the royal family’s private terrace, a place I had been to a few times before.
There were the Queen, Prince Albert, Prince Fred, the usual trio of maids, and a young nobleman with a face both familiar and unfamiliar—someone who looked even more dazzling than the princes themselves. Around them stood the royal guards I already knew.
“Miss Catherine, Miss Joan, thank you for your efforts. Here, you may relax.”
““Thank you very much.””
“Still, it must have been troublesome to be tangled up with those strange girls. To think they were marriage candidates.”
Prince Albert smirked, though his words held some consideration.
“Miss Joan, how did you knock her down? Come on, tell me.”
Prince Fred, as always, was openly straightforward—for better or worse.
“… Tell you what? I didn’t do anything.”
“Lies! You did something before that lady fell, didn’t you?”
“Fred, is that any way to speak to a lady? Think before you talk.”
“But, Mother… I only thought if Miss Joan could handle herself in that situation, then maybe I could learn to do the same…”
Ah, so it was just curiosity…
Here I thought he was going to scold me for being unladylike.
“Miss Joan, I also don’t believe that girl fell on her own… Why not just tell us the truth?”
As expected, the calculating prince wouldn’t be fooled so easily.
I could tell them, but… there’s something else bothering me first.
“Very well. But before that, may I ask you to introduce that gentleman?”
“Ah, right. Miss Joan hasn’t met him yet. He is my aide.”
“Your… aide.”
“It’s a pleasure. I am Lucas Cutter, aide to Prince Albert.”
“Eh? Young Master Lucas Cutter…?”
Hearing the name, I turned to Catherine.
“Yes, he’s my brother.”
Now that I looked closely, his hair and eye color were the same, and his smile resembled hers.
No wonder he seemed familiar.
“Oh! A pleasure to meet you. I am Joan Lampail, eldest daughter of House Lampail. Cath—Miss Catherine has always been kind to me.”
“Ah, I’ve heard much about you from my sister. She speaks very highly of you as a dear friend. I hope we’ll get along well.”
He smiled brightly.
Ah… what a perfect, sparkling smile. Almost like a real prince. Honestly, I wished certain princes here would learn from him.
“Hey, Miss Joan? If you have something to say, why don’t you just say it, like usual?”
“… No, I have nothing to say. Unless you think I do?”
I snapped back with sarcasm, which left Lucas and Catherine staring at me in surprise.
“Tch. Lucas, Joan isn’t like the other noble ladies. You’d best be cautious. The same goes for you, Catherine.”
““Uh…””
“Alright, Albert, enough. Young Master Lucas, Miss Catherine, you see, Joan grew up around Albert and Fred, so they always talk like this. Surprised you, didn’t it? But don’t worry—she won’t become engaged to either of them.”
“”What!?””
The Cutter siblings looked baffled. Why wouldn’t I, someone who had known the princes since childhood, be a candidate?
“Hehe, it’s an old promise. Isn’t that right, Miss Joan?”
“Yes! A promise is absolute.”
“Normally, girls compete and fight for a chance to be betrothed. But Miss Joan here—she has no interest in us at all.”
“Yes! Absolutely no interest whatsoever!!”
“Joan…”
“Cathy, don’t look so worried. It’s not because you’re a candidate. That promise existed long before we knew each other. Now and forever, there’s no chance. I don’t have even the slightest interest.”
“… You know, being told that so bluntly really stings…”
Prince Fred muttered under his breath, but I ignored him.
“Well, perhaps she’ll serve better as a prince’s consort’s aide, hmm? Ehehe.”
““Huh?””
Cathay and I blinked at Her Majesty.
“Why, if Miss Catherine becomes Albert’s fiancée, wouldn’t Miss Joan be her aide?”
“Excuse me… aide?”
“Yes, similar to how Lucas serves Albert.”
“What? You mean as a close aide? … No no no, impossible! I couldn’t do that. At best, I could listen to His Highness’s complaints or frustrations.”
“… And why assume I’d have complaints or frustrations to share?”
“Well… wouldn’t you? Right, Prince Fred?”
“Pfft… Hah! W-wait, why drag me in!? B-brother, it’s a misunderstanding! I just laughed, that’s all…”
“Hmm. Fine. I’ll let it go. I’m feeling generous, since Lucas and Miss Catherine are here today.”
Albert looked smug.
I whispered under my breath, “Truly generous people don’t say that themselves.”
“Pfft! D-don’t say that now!”
“Fred? Joan?”
““We’re sorry!!””
“Well then, the matter will wait until His Majesty arrives. But for now, I’m glad it’s you, Miss Catherine. Albert?”
“Yes, I agree. To be honest, I thought Miss Catherine lacked confidence before—letting those count’s daughters talk down to her, as if she had no pride as a duke’s daughter. But after today, thanks to Miss Joan’s incident, she stood up for herself… Oh, and by pride, I don’t mean arrogance. I trust Miss Catherine understands. Training as a crown princess begins now. Rely on me when you need to.”
“Yes. Thank you. I will do my best.”
And so, Miss Catherine was officially announced as Prince Albert’s fiancée.
After that, every day once academy lessons ended, she would head to the royal castle for crown princess training. Lessons after lessons—it sounded like torture to me. Yet she seemed genuinely happy and eager.
She was so talented that they said she might finish before her debutante ball, allowing her betrothal ceremony to coincide with it. Then, two years later upon graduation, her wedding would follow.
At least, that’s what Her Majesty said as she munched on a giant snake grilled-riceball I had given her as a treat.
Though Suzy scolded her to either talk or eat—not both at once.
What do you think about this chapter?
