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Rieta was rather shocked.
It was the first time she had seen Noel do that for anyone.
Even in the original story, when he loved the female enough to give her his heart, he had never given her this kind of service.
Rather, he would scold her and ask, ‘Do you have no hands? Don’t you have any self-reliance? Can’t you take care of yourself?’
Before she knew it, the plate was almost emptied.
Noel then asked a passing attendant for a drink.
But when the drink came out . . .
The woman who came with Noel refused it.
It seemed she was unsatisfied with something.
Noel quickly put it down, procured water, and offered it to her.
He seemed on par with the attendants, with how swift his actions were.
Rieta glanced at Noel’s back as he took the empty glass.
. . . It’s sad.
Her shoulders almost drooped to the floor.
It wasn’t a romantic relationship, but one where he was picked on helplessly . . .
Rieta shook her head swiftly to oust her sympathy.
That can’t be true.
The two had (probably) even kissed.
Besides, they were serious enough to participate in a formal banquet like this.
So, Noel must be serving the lady he loved with joy.
“The Lord looks very happy.”
Elisha, who was right next to her, said the same thing.
“Right?”
“Yes. I am envious that he is able to serve like that.”
“Elisha is envious of such a thing?”
Elisha nodded his head.
“Isn’t that what you’re talking about?”
Did that mean that Elisha wanted to act that way toward her?
Turning to her side, he answered, raising his hand near his heart.
“But you don’t have to worry, Princess. I know I’m not good enough to replace your hands and feet.”
“Don’t say that. I just like to move on my own.”
“I will be careful . . . Oh, it seems that our target is moving toward the center. Come this way.”
Calling them ‘targets’ was a bit strange, but Rieta followed the direction Elisha was pointing.
She was rather quick.
“Princess.”
Elisha lightly blocked her and drew her attention.
“You can take it easy. If you continue like this, you will stand out.”
“Ah.”
Come to think of it, it was true.
In the academy, Rieta had been so busy moving around that she actually caught Noel’s eye.
“I’m sorry, I guess it’s because I’m not used to this kind of tension.”
“It’s okay. I just have to keep up with the Princess’s speed.”
Elisha held out his arm. This would make them keep pace together.
Rieta carefully grabbed his arm and looked closely at Elisha.
She was unaware, but it was the first time she and Elisha had been together like this.
Moreover, it was the first time the two of them went out alone.
They would always go with a guardian.
Mainly, Sir Jenkins.
It’s a little . . . exciting.
With that thought in mind, Elisha came up with a question.
“What are you so excited about?”
“Did I say it out loud now?”
“No.”
“Then how did you know? It was only in my thoughts.”
“That . . .”
Elisha stopped only when they arrived near the terrace.
This time, he even gazed at the target, as if observing Noel from here.
Rieta’s eyes turned directly to Noel.
He had started dancing with his partner. He had a stiff face, perhaps he was nervous.
What is with that expression on your face?
As she thought about it for a while.
There was an answer from Elisha, who was beside her.
But Rieta couldn’t listen to anything he said, as she was paying attention to Noel and the woman.
“Oh sorry.”
So she quickly turned her head and apologized to Elisha.
“I didn’t hear what Elisha just said. Can you tell me again?”
“It wasn’t a great thing.”
“Still, Elisha’s story . . .”
She wants to say that she wants to hear it, but Elisha points to where Noel is.
“The other person stepped on the Lord’s foot. Oh dear, he is enduring the pain.”
“. . . Elisha.”
Despite Elisha’s efforts to divert Rieta’s attention, her gaze was still on him.
Elisha had a rare, slightly troubled look.
“I’m sorry. But, you don’t have to worry about it, as I deliberately didn’t want it to reach the Princess’ ears.”
“Why?”
“Well . . .”
He seemed to ponder for a moment, but he soon gave an answer.
“If I told you how I guess at your heart, I am afraid that you will be careful not to reveal it.”
“But what if someone else finds out?”
“It’s okay. If they can recognize that, they must be someone who likes the Princess.”
“Um, is that so?”
“Did someone else notice already?”
“A little. The Imperial Princess and Darrel somehow seem to see through me, so it’s scary.”
“The two of them must like Princess Rieta very much, so it’s possible.”
“But, if you could notice that way. Then Noel . . .”
While Rieta spoke, Noel and the woman who stepped on his feet stopped dancing and cut between the crowd.