Chapter 13

author’s note: The latter half would be from Bailard’s POV

“Here Fania, ahnn~”

“I TOLD YOU that I can eat by myself, don’t you understand?”

“Today’s apple pie is crispy, you see.” Al who was in his normal mode didn’t bother to listen.

Just like any other day, today he also brought the spoon towards me.

“Oh, what a relief to see you’re doing fine.”

“Yes, such a relief.”

Jade and Zernite were looking over here but they seemed to space out.

“How nice to get along so fine.” Bailard beamed a smile while commenting ingenuously.

During tea-time, the three of them came to visit me. Despite being busy, everyone came every once in a while to the Inner Palace to show their faces.

Ever since I collapsed after eating the chocolate, I hadn’t returned to my house at the ducal residence. I received treatment here and was told that it was better not to move me anywhere, so I continued to stay in the guest chamber.

Once I managed to get off the bed, I requested to return to the ducal residence. Somehow my request was ignored, so even now I’m living in the Inner Palace.

On top of that, Al also didn’t move from the Inner Palace as well. Wasn’t he supposed to move to the Main Palace after the ‘Sword Bearing Ceremony’?

“No, this is not getting along as you think. This guy is just doing out of his way, so persistently. Yes, Al here..Uuk” I was trying to correct Bailard’s statement, but Al suddenly put the spoon into my mouth.

The apple pie came with fresh cream, certainly this was crispy and delicious, but wait a moment.

“Al, don’t just spoon me while I’m talking.”

“Um? You want to drink the tea next?”

”Listen to what I’m saying, didn’t I say I can already eat by myself? Don’t do embarrassing things in front of other people.”

“I’ll blow on it, okay.” He’s totally not listening…

“You should know what embarrassment is in person.”

I forked a bite-sized piece of apple pie placed before me and brought it to Al’s mouth. By the way, Al didn’t use a fork when feeding me as he worried he would hurt inside my mouth with it.

Al snapped the fork with his mouth. Then he joyfully grinned. To do that face in the presence of everyone here, what a foul!

“Uwah, I feel like throwing up sand”

“I think I’ll vomit sugar1.”

Jade and Zernite put their hands on their own mouth, like they were stopping something from pouring out. While Bailard then mumbled something as he looked over here.

“So nice. I also want a lover.”

“No-no, this… is not what you think. It’s not like we’re lovers.” I waved my hands dismissively in order to refute it.

I knew my face should’ve been red by now without anyone telling me. It felt hot on my face.

“Yeah, of course we’re lovers, but more than that, we’re engaged.”

Around my face seemed to be smeared, so Al gently wiped it with a napkin and stated that matter-of-factly.

The engagement edict by His Majesty was issued about half a year after I was poisoned, but the news was made known to others only recently. It was because they wanted to wait until my body had recovered and due to the special reason how it came to be, only very close contacts were told of this news.

“Oh yes, congratulations on your engagement. After all this time, finally.”

“Sorry I’m late in sending my wishes. Congratulations on your engagement. I just realized that you weren’t engaged yet.”

“Congratulations. I’m looking forward to the wedding!”

The three of them bowed their heads in sync. Aside from the complimentary wishes, there was something else slipped in, but I just pretended that I didn’t hear them.

No, I did not hear them. They definitely didn’t enter my ears. Especially the words by Bailard!

++++++++++++

Looking at Fania who seemed to be revolted every now and then but still would be treated as Alfred-sama pleased, Bailard thought to himself.

The only person here who doesn’t know the actual situation behind the engagement should be Fania himself.

The one who wished for the engagement to Fania was Alfred2. His Majesty had objected until the end.

As to how they would compensate Fania who lost his position in the ducal house, although his status would be lowered, he would be granted a new title along the line of a Baron with his own fief to ensure he has enough to eat and spend for all his life; that was what the kingdom had proposed.

If Alfred is engaged to Fania, that will become his shackle in regards to succeeding the throne. That’s the only thing that the King and everyone around him want to avoid, so they tried to coax Alfred out of it.

However, not only didn’t he listen to them, he made a fuss about it and aggravated the situation. It was too early for this to be in the open. Without proof, they cannot lay their hand on the most likely suspect, Lady Algarina and also her father who is the apparent mastermind. So it’ll be really bad if it turns into a big ruckus.

In the end, the King reluctantly allowed the engagement.

He must’ve thought that at present, Alfred was only guilt-stricken so he proposed the engagement, but later once he became interested in other ladies, he would ask for it to be annulled by himself. At that time, the matter will be settled by granting Fania a fief and letting him live far away.

Bailard gazed in front of him. Alfred was looking at Fania with fascinated eyes, while trying to drag Fania to sit on his lap. In return, Fania punched him.

Will things roll in the way that the King wishes?

“I would never sit on your lap. So don’t wrap your arms around my shoulder. And don’t you kiss my head!” Hearing Fania’s shouts, Bailard thought,

That’ll be impossible

Fufufu.Bailard broke into laughter.

chocolala: Al lives happily everyday taking liberties with Fania. But gosh, forget about his scumbag father, Fania’s mom has never been mentioned, is she dead?