Chapter 29: Late Greetings

Evelyn stared at Rebecca’s green eyes.

“Are you sure about this?”

“Yes, if your opponent is that ugly trio you have to stand out.”

“……..”

Rebecca felt very sorry.

“It’s true that Liam lacks a lot, but he’s not a bad boy.”

“I know, So I don’t want that to happen.”

Not that she meant to close herself down, but now Evelyn’s heart was filled with happiness. Even if she didn’t find another love, she was happy to see the growth of Adrian in the arms of her family.

“And I don’t want to be someone who tarnishes Lord Liam’s reputation.”

Liam was the eldest son of the most influential person in the empire. His charming personality was the best candidate for a future husband in the kingdom. So he’s not supposed to be partnering with a divorced princess.

“No, Princess. It’s Liam who has the honor.”

“No. Find another partner for Sir Liam.”

“Even if my brother likes the princess?”

Evelyn laughed at the nonsense.

“Liam has a heart for the Princess. When he knew that you were going to be an empress, he cried all night and his eyes were swollen. It’s the same now. I am his sister so I can tell from his face.”

“No way.”

“Why not the Princess? Think about it. When the Wyverns attacked, Liam left me and rushed to you. In that dangerous situation, he shielded your back. The first thing he wanted to protect in times of danger meant that she was the most precious person.”

The statement could not be denied. At that moment, Adrian’s safety was more important to Evelyn except for her own life. Her body moved first before she could even think.

“It’s probably because he’s a knight.”

Evelyn tried to change the topic of the uncomfortable conversation. Liam had a lot more than his noble status as a duke. He was known for his gentle and affectionate attitude, so he was a man who had no chance of being a terrible husband.

“I have to raise Adrian. It’s about protecting the future of our kingdom, and most importantly, I’m happy.”

“Of course, who’s going to stop you…” said Rebecca. She was smiling brightly.

“It’s the best luxury to be able to play with the princess in the royal palace for a long time.”

“Really? Actually, there’s nothing special about the royal palace these days, because Adrian is the center of attention.”

“Don’t worry. I know how to play.”

Rebecca’s green eyes lit up. Fortunately, Evelyn was a patient friend. If it was Liam, when he saw her sister, he’d want to grab his nape again.

“We still have a lot of freedom to enjoy.”

“Rebecca, you’re such a good friend.”

“You too, Princess.”

Loving tea time had finally passed. Evelyn laughed and chatted with Rebecca as if she had returned to her teenage years. They were playing together and even matching each other’s dresses.

It was as if Evelyn’s lost youth had returned. The time when she could burst out laughing and didn’t care what happened in the world.

***

When the Emperor, who was an uninvited guest left, the atmosphere in the Felice Kingdom became more relaxed. The Princess’s friends who came as a guest was very cheerful and made the palace brighter.

“I see you, Your Majesty the King, the Queen, the Princess and the Prince.”

“Yes, Duke Akshire, please sit down.”

Liam naturally thought that his older sister, who was sitting next to Evelyn at the royal dinner, was vulgar.

No matter how close he was to the King, Liam felt that he was the only guest, while Rebecca looked like a member of the royal family.

“It’s a great honor to be invited to dinner.”

“No, I had to thank you for protecting the Princess at the festival.”

But only then did the Emperor come so suddenly, so they had to postpone it.

“The Duke will very busy in many ways. Fortunately, the atmosphere of this royal family brightened up after Miss Rebecca’s arrival. I feel like I have another daughter.”

“Oh, I’m so happy too, your Majesty.”

Liam felt mixed feelings when he saw his sister smiling happily.

“As the son of a close friend of mine succeeded the title, I want to give you a gift.”

“No, how dare I…..” said Liam, giving a textbook answer.

“Do you want to refuse it? Unlike Miss Rebecca?”

“Yes I’m sorry that my younger brother is like that. He’s grown up, but he’s like a stone so he’s not funny at all.”

Everyone laughed at Rebecca’s joke. But of course, Rebecca wasn’t kidding at all. For Liam, that’s why his sister was such a scary creature in the world.

“But Miss Rebecca’s words had some truth.” Miriam smiled kindly.

“Yes, what kind of prize would be good for you?”

“Liam is a boring child so he has no hobbies or anything he likes. Your Majesty understands that.”

Liam decided to have a big fight with his sister when she got home. He was very angry with his sister because she had made a Duke like him look like a lousy person in public.

“Well, It’s a matter for me to think about.” While Arthur nodded, Adrian struggled a little and dropped the dishes.

“No, Adrian.”

Evelyn spoke sternly to Adrian, then stood up and picked up the dishes that had dropped.

“Did you see? You can’t drop the dishes.”

Seeing Evelyn speaking in an unusual stern way, Adrian nodded with his little wide-eyes in fear. Arthur was so sad to see him, but he couldn’t help his grandson.

“It doesn’t matter if he drop a things. A maid can pick it up.”

“He can’t grow up like that. No matter what age, he’s needed to learn manners even though he’s a prince.”

After listened to Evelyn’s scold, Arthur shut his mouth tight.

“You have to warn the wrong thing right away. Adrian will understand it.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Arthur snorted. He knew it, too. He understood very well, but it wasn’t easy to see his cute grandson scolded like that. He did it kindly when he taught his daughter, Evelyn.

“But Adrian was bored because his meal time was longer than usual, so let’s take a walk in the park for a while. Right Adrian?” asked Evelyn.

“Boo Booo!” Adrian replied with a baby smile as if he already forgot he had been scolded before.

“But even this is a royal palace, it’s not good to see a woman go around alone with a child.”

“Then, I’ll escort her and protect them.”

Just in time, Liam, who was uncomfortable with Rebecca and the King, stepped up. Only then did the King nod. Evelyn looked at Liam with a sorry expression, but the only thing she could do was smile.

***

“It’s spring now, so the night air is warm.”

As Liam said, the day was perfect. Evelyn reached a large part of the garden, confirmed that it was safe, and let go of Adrian’s hand.

Adrian, who enjoyed his waddling stroll, wandered around the same area, showing off his walking skills.

“So, the greeting is late, ······.”

Evelyn had been in trouble for a while. If she followed etiquette, she could say, “You’re late to greet me…” but that’s too formal. But speaking in a light language like she did with Rebecca was too informal.

“Please, feel free to speak. You’re status maybe a Princess, but you’re my sister’s friend.”

“That’s…… right.” With Liam’s consideration, Evelyn was able to speak again.

“I heard that you threw yourself to save me and Adrian when Wyvern attacked I really appreciate it.”

“I just did my duty.”

The wind blew away Liam’s brown hair.

“Sir Liam is the precious Duke of Akshire. I know how great you are.”

“I’m ashamed when you say that to me.”

Liam smiled while drawing a line.

“Are you all right?” Liam asked. His green eyes shone affectionately.

“Me? Why….?”

“The Emperor was gone, so I thought you would be very upset.”

“Well I cleared my mind when I asked for a divorce, and now I don’t think much of it when I see him.”

Liam’s smile deepened when Evelyn spoke frankly and said, “The past is just the past, so I think it’s wise to forget it at all.”

“That’s true. That’s what Rebecca has always said.”

“…Don’t trust my sister too much.”

Evelyn burst out and laughed at the adorable brother and sister. It was unfortunate that she grew up as an only child, and sometimes she envied at the bickering of those two siblings.

“Why…… Whatever her words are….”

“No. Both of you seem to get along very well.”

“What? No. Absolutely not.”

Liam Immediately made a grim face after he heard Evelyn’s words.

“Why?” Evelyn seemed to be teasing him at this point.

“My sister is cunning and evil, anyway. Never! Never believe what my sister says.”

Evelyn was still laughing. When Liam talking about Rebecca, he was somewhat cute because he looked like a boy rather than a Duke of Akshire.

“Okay, I’ll trust you half.”

“No, don’t particularly believe anything about her.”

“Well, what about you, Sir?”

Suddenly Liam’s face blushed. To be honest, Evelyn had so much fun watching his reaction that she kept him talking.

“Oh, you mean …… who I like? Well …… who I have in mind.”

Evelyn smiled strangely.

“That’s all my sister’s lies. She’s trying to get me into trouble.”

Evelyn was so sorry for Liam, but she could understand Rebecca’s mind. How could she stop when his reaction was so funny?

“Then, Sir Liam doesn’t have a woman in his mind yet?”

“Me? I have ….no, no.”

There was something very astonishing. Liam, whose cheeks were immediately flushed, looked cute right now. Seeing him, Evelyn burst out with a laugh.

“Princess. Did you just make fun of me?”

Liam looked at Evelyn with a puppyish eye. Evelyn smiled awkwardly when he saw his eyes, which couldn’t lie.

“It’s not a joke, but because your sister looks so happy.”

“So you made fun of me like my sister did?”

“······sorry.”

Evelyn briefly and clearly apologized. Liam was still looking at Evelyn with sad eyes, and Evelyn felt a little guilty.

“Are you really sorry to me?”

“Well, then….”

“That you will never do this again?”

Evelyn was a very honest person. If she’d been good at lying, she’d be able to handle situations like this.

“No, I wasn’t so sorry.”

“…because your reaction was so cute when I made fun of you… Sorry.”

Liam’s face was hardened like stone. Even she was just joking this time, it made him really ashamed. The Duke was also of noble status, and Evelyn definitely crossed the line.

“Well, Sir Liam. That was just…”

“You said that I was… cute….”

“Yes. But, that is….”

Evelyn could hardly think of another word when she saw a beautiful young man who was considered one of the highest nobles in the kingdom. In comparison, Evelyn was smaller than him, and so far, nobody had ever dared to call him cute.

“I’ve never heard such a word since I was born.”

Uh – oh, there’s something wrong with that? What was strange was that Liam was slightly blushing and very shy.

“Since I was young, no one said I’m cute …”

Evelyn doesn’t know what to say.

“But I’m very happy for some reason to think that you’re the only one who sees me so special.”

If that embarrassing face could be moved, it would be Evelyn’s face now. However, Liam was still shy, so he couldn’t see Evelyn’s face properly right now.

Only

“I’ve been in the Knights Templar since I was a child, and the age I took part in the battle was early. Even now, at a very young age, I became a Duke, so no one looks at me very kindly.”

Actually, that’s not what Evelyn meant.

To be honest, she didn’t know which word was right to call a sturdy man like Liam, so she was just thinking about calling him cute.

“May I look forward to your warm gaze in the future?”

Evelyn felt like a big dog staring at her with sharp eyes. And she couldn’t say “no” to those eyes.

“If it’s because I said that you’re cute…well….”

Evelyn was smiling awkwardly. Then a broad smile spread over Liam’s face.