Chapter 56: CH 56

Perhaps the Countess of Madrina noticed my confused look, she said with a happy expression on her face.

“Ah, the Duchess, it must be your first time seeing him. This is His Majesty the Crown Prince has made a precious step for our meeting today! He likes books and expresses a deep interest in this selected poetry collection.”

What?

Gabriel, who came right in front of me, raised his mouth smoothly. He took my hand and kissed the back of my hand and whispered.

“This is Gabriel Hylister.”

He has officially revealed his name.

“Nice to meet you, Duchess.”

The back of the hand he kissed seemed to burn with heat.

Gabriel stepped back.

“Oh my.”

Countess Madrina exclaimed. The Countess Madrina whispered in my ear.

“The Crown Prince looks at his wife with warm eyes. Oh my, you were too beautiful today.”

It was definitely a ceremonial greeting.

If the Countess Madrina thinks like that, it seems that my relationship with Gabriel is close.

In fact, Cesare was married too, so there was some doubt about her, but not Gabriel, was it?

Gabriel couldn’t have liked me.

Still, the goal of gaining favor from the main characters seemed to have been achieved.

Cesare too, and he came to like me…

Gabriel and I has become close enough to the point of being misunderstood that he likes me.

****

The book club was quiet.

Gabriel has adapted well to the book club. Unlike when he didn’t get along well with the servants in the Burstoad.

But why did Gabriel come here? He originally said that he wouldn’t come to such small gatherings.

Is Gabriel also trying to win the favor of people to prepare for the throne?

“Did you happen to know the Crown Prince? Come to think of it, it said that his Majesty the Crown Prince had visited the Burstoad estate.”

“Right. I know that he went to the Duke Burstoad because of the fire at the Imperial Hunting Grounds before. So he was away. Maybe that’s why you seemed close….”

“The Crown Prince’s eyes on the Duchess looked unusual.”

The ladies laughed.

Ah, these girls… The Crown Prince has ears!

I can’t even reveal the story between me and Gabriel. Besides, Gabriel was a person who couldn’t love me in the original setting. Never.

It means that the woman is out of his interest.

I just smiled awkwardly and responded.

“He seems to have an affinity for me because he has stayed in the duchy before.”

“Ah… I don’t think it’s like that…”

It’s not like that, then what is it?

Uh… These people are thirsty for other people’s romance. In the first place, other people’s business is the most fun thing to do.

Whether you know what was going on or not, Gabriel was leading the meeting.

“It was a beautiful poem, Viscount. Did you say you wrote it yourself?”

“Yes, it is. His Majesty the Crown Prince.”

“That’s great. It seems that a man’s heart for the one he loves is desperately felt.”

“Th,thank you!”

At Gabriel’s praise, the young master was noticeably delighted. Gabriel smiled softly as if in response.

Come to think of it, there was a setting that Gabriel liked poetry and books.

Gabriel, who was discussing poetry, had a more intellectual vibe.

I sat down and glanced at Gabriel.

This is Gabriel whom I have met for the first time since I arrived in the capital. Fortunately, Gabriel’s body felt stronger than before, perhaps because he ate better than before when he came to the Imperial Palace. Is he learning swordsmanship?

It is in contrast to the previous appearance, which was dull and skinny.

Yes, you should eat well.

And the best part was that I didn’t feel like he had injured his arm at all.

To be honest, I was a little relieved because it was Burstoad’s fault who didn’t managing the servants properly.

Looking at it, I thought that Gabriel could get along without Cesare.

“……!”

I was blankly listing my thoughts, and Gabriel, who was just turning his head, met my gaze. Gabriel smiled at me.

I can’t pretend to be too friendly.

I quickly turned my head. I thought it would be best to step away from my seat for a while before further useless misunderstanding.

I whispered to the Countess Madrina.

“Madam. May I leave for a moment?”

Countess Madrina smiled softly and told me that the bathroom was at the end of the hallway. She is a very kind woman.

I walked out as it was.

“Whoa….”

I can’t live because my heart is pounding. After all, what’s the point of eye contact there?

I didn’t really want to go to the bathroom, so I looked around for a moment.

A small garden stood out through the hallway window.

Let’s spend some time over there. It was time to make that decision and move on.

“Daphne, wait a minute.”

I heard the door open, which had been tightly shut, and a cautious voice caught my footsteps.

It was a voice I knew so well that I could not ignore it even if I tried to ignore it, so I turned around.

“His Majesty the Crown Prince.”

“You promised to call me by name.”

How am I going to call you by name here, Gabriel? Take a look around.

The servants were stationed not far away. Fortunately, Gabriel seemed to have figured out what I meant.

Oh my, You can’t do this in the hallway.

I whispered a little to Gabriel.

“Would you like to take a walk in the garden for a moment, Your Majesty the Crown Prince?”

Gabriel nodded obediently.

Good.

So, the number of people visiting the garden to pass my time increased by two.

The servants looked at the two of us with interest as we walked out side by side.

It seemed dangerous to go to a place where no one was, and it seemed that I had to move only to a distance where no one could hear the conversation.

The garden was small and unpretentious because it was attached to a separate garden rather than the main garden.

Still, it was nice to see the modestly blooming flowers, whether they were well cared for.

After checking the distance from the people around me, I turned to Gabriel.

“How are you, Gabriel?”

“Daphne…!”

When I smiled kindly and greet him, Gabriel put on a slightly moved expression.

It seems that Gabriel has had a very difficult time.

Have you been friends with anyone? It looks like you’re good at it.

I gently raised my lips and threw a compliment first.

“Now you have become a real prince. The clothes, too. That’s really cool.”

“Thank you.”

Gabriel’s cheeks flushed shyly.

“Daphne is beautiful today too…

I know. I’ve gathered my soul to make sure they don’t look down on me today.

“I’m sorry earlier. Daphne.”

“Yes? What?”

“I pretended not to know Daphne earlier.”

Oh, I think you’re talking about the time I greeted you in front of the Countess of Madrina.

Gabriel hesitated.

“I thought other nobles would find it strange if I treated you too intimately.”

“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.”

Gabriel smiled.

Since he is the Crown Prince, everything he does is an issue.

Judging by the reaction of the ladies, it seems that they knew about Gabriel visit to the Duchy of Burstoad.

It doesn’t matter if it was known, but it was a secret that Gabriel had a time as a slave in the Duchy of Burstoad.

It’s an event that could be a weakness for the person who will become Emperor in the future.

Ever since they found out that Gabriel was the Crown Prince, Cesare was the first to control the servants mouths.

So, if you make a mistake, you could be taken away for contempt of the Imperial family.

I purposely smiled and change the atmosphere.

“After becoming the Crown Prince, Gabriel, did your acting increase a lot? Greeting so politely.”

“Daphne”

Gabriel smiled.

“Yes?”

“Of course, it was the same when you was in the Duchy… You look good in the capital, too. I’ve never seen you dressed up like this before…”

What do you mean by that?

“Gabriel looks good now, too.”

Gabriel blushed in embarrassment.

I suddenly found a leaf attached to Gabriel’s hair. I walked over to Gabriel and stretched out my arm.

“Daphne?”

I lifted my heels and stepped forward.

Gabriel was as tall as Cesare, so it was hard to reach.

If I try like this, shouldn’t I have to do manners?

Gabriel was stiff and didn’t really show any movement.

If only I was a little taller…!

“Got it… Ugh!”

I lost my focus because I wore shoes that were higher than usual. Gabriel quickly grabbed me, as I was about to fall forward.

“Daphne. Are you okay?”

Gabriel looked at me with a surprised look. Anxiety for me was dripping from his face, so I nodded in confusion.

“You scared me.”

“I just… There is a leaf attached to your hair, so I’m going to take it off…”

“Hah…”

Gabriel sighed. And as he sighed, Gabriel’s firm chest swelled up.

Wait, how do I know Gabriel’s firm chest swells?

I quickly lowered my head and placed my hands on Gabriel’s chest with both hands.

It was a pose that I couldn’t help because he was holding me by the waist…

No, what?

Holding? People are probably watching!