New cutlery began to be placed neatly on the marble table.
No one said a word, even while the maids brought the tableware.
Everyone just sat in their seats and remained silent.
With the appearance of the uninvited guests, the atmosphere, that had been full of small talk, disappeared in an instant.
However, Rosenta couldn't keep silent forever. He was waiting for the right time to speak.
But he wasn't the first to speak.
It was Conitel.
“This is my mistake. I overheard the conversation of the ladies-in-waiting... … . His Majesty said that he was preparing a special dinner, so I assumed it would be a meal with the saint since we had a conversation about it the other day.”
Every time Conitel spoke, Yura's expression changed drastically. She fidgeted and cried to herself, then lowered her head.
Then, at Conitel's next words, she raised her head.
“All of this is my negligence. If you demand punishment... … I will take responsibility.”
"No!"
At Yura's lightning-like cry, everyone looked at her.
No matter how people looked at her, Yura didn't seem to care.
Tears welled up in those dark, yet shining eyes.
She stared at Theodore with wet eyes and put her hands together, as if begging for forgiveness.
“You promised, but you didn’t say anything… … I was sure that today's dinner was for me... … . Sorry."
It was so earnest and heartbreaking that it made Rosenta’s heart ache, regardless of what she actually said.
Not to mention Theodore.
In fact, Theodore kept his mouth shut, not hiding his confused expression.
Seeing that, Vivian snorted with an expression of amazement.
Then, as if that method hadn’t worked well enough, she pointed it out sharply.
“Don’t you usually ask in advance in such cases?”
Yura seemed to be properly hated by Vivian. In fact, Vivian was overreacting a little.
Could it be the coercion of the novel?
Rosenta doubted for moment. He shook his head.
Vivian and Theodore had become close quickly because of his intervention.
First of all, he quietly listened to Vivian's words with the intention of observing.
“I heard that you are from another world. Don’t they teach you these basic manners there as well?”
This time, Vivian changed her target. Staring at Theodore, not Yura.
Her red eyes were burning like fire.
“In addition, no matter how much His Majesty told his servants not to let anyone in... … When the saint came to the dining room, she wasn’t stopped by anyone. Their discipline is very lax.”
He was still listening to Vivian, when he heard sobs next to him.
Conitel, next to Vivian, jumped up from his seat and approached Rosenta, holding a white handkerchief.
He looked to the side. Yura was in tears.
“Don't scold them. It's just that they couldn't stop her because she is a saint. We will make sure this does not happen in the future.”
The atmosphere was indescribable.
Rosenta just hoped it wouldn't get worse.
Theodore kept his mouth shut, like someone who had lost his ability to speak.
Just as silently, Vivian had her arms crossed and her eyes fiercely open.
Yura and Conitel were no different.
Yura, who had barely stopped crying, continued to sniffle, and Conitel just smiled as always.
Rosenta was worried that he would get indigestion when he returned to the duchy.
He didn't like this atmosphere, so he was looking for someone to talk to.
Then, just in time, he met Yura's eyes.
“I don’t know if the saint remembers me.”
Yura opened her eyes wide.
She made a surprised expression, not knowing if he was talking to her.
Then, she quickly managed her facial expression.
“Of course, you are Duke Estella, right? Even though we couldn’t speak properly, I remembered your face from that time.”
"Yes. Have you found anything inconvenient about living in the imperial palace?”
“Anything inconvenient? Not at all. His Majesty has treated me well... … Others are kind to me too.”
The conversation continued smoothly.
The uncomfortable atmosphere seemed to soften little by little.
Even though it was just the two of them talking.
‘Did Yura become more comfortable while talking with me?’
Suddenly, she clapped her hands.
"Ah! I have a question for you. I heard that the duke has a lover... … . is that true? I'm very envious of whoever has the kind duke as a lover.”
‘Do I have a lover?’
Rather, there were rumors that he had a crush on Vivian. He had never heard of rumors that he had a lover.
Were there new rumors spreading since he'd been hanging out with Vivian so much lately?
He wanted to inform Yura that there were no such rumors.
But before he could speak, Vivian interrupted.
“Why do you want to know that?”
"Huh?"
“The saint is too interested in other people's private lives.”
Vivian wiped her mouth with a pure white napkin.
She patted her lips nervously then jumped up from her seat.
The sound of a chair being pushed back resounded because of violently she got up.
“Your Majesty, I’d like to go. Would it be okay if I excused myself first?”
Then she added an afterword.
“It feels like I’m at someone else’s table. To begin with, I don't have much of a relationship with the saint... … I feel like I’ll be forced to stay in an awkward position.”
“Vivian.”
Theodore said to Vivian with a light sigh.
"Sit down. It's not like that.”
Out of the many years the three of them spent together, it was the first time that their hearts weren’t in sync.
And everything was so sudden that Rosenta wondered if it would turn into a last-minute drama.
There had been no foreshadowing. How could events develop this way?
Is this a buff for the female lead? It wasn’t a very pleasant situation to be subjected to.
"No, I do not want to."
Even when Theodore told her to sit down, Vivian remained standing.
It was common for Vivian to maintain her stubbornness. She was famous for her stubborn nature.
For everyone who knew her, it wasn’t a big enough deal to scream about.
Still, Theodore screamed. Very loudly too.
His harsh, cracked tone filled the dining room.
“Vivian! I ordered you to sit down!”
Then, as if to stop himself, Theodore shut his mouth.
Vivian was so startled that she drew in her breath and remained as still as a corpse.
Rosenta was as surprised as she was.
He began to doubt whether this was the Theodore he knew. Was this something to be so angry about?
It was not like Theodore.
He got up and called Theodore.
"Your Majesty."
A clouded golden eye turned to him.
“I’ll come to your side for a moment.”
Even though Theodore didn't say anything, he moved closer.
He could see cloudy golden eyes that were strangely losing their light.
Standing in front of Theodore, he faced his blurred gold eyes and grabbed his shoulders.
He bowed his head.
He whispered close to Theodore's ear, so low that no one could hear.
“Your Majesty, you look very tired. How would you like to stop here today? Let's see each other later.”
He raised his head.
His golden eyes were clearer than before.
It felt like he was finally back to the Theodore he knew.
He’d had a feeling that there was something strange about him. He’d tried to say something earlier but had been interrupted.
“Your Majesty, we will go now.”
But now was not the time to hear from Theodore.
He also seemed very confused, and now there were many eyes watching.
Rosenta decided it was best to take Vivian away now.
He approached Vivian.
“Lady Marigold, let's head out together.”
Vivian let out a deep breath as he approached. He could see the color returning to her face.
Vivian spoke with her chest stretched out and her chin held up.
"Yes. Let's go, Duke.”
Escorting Vivian to the door, he slightly turned around. It was because he had to say goodbye to the rest.
He said goodbye briefly with a short smile.
“I'll see you next time.”
All the while, Theodore just watched them. Again, the light in his golden eyes dimmed.
It was as if an opaque piece of plastic had been put over Theodore's eyes.
Soon, Theodore opened his mouth. As if he wanted to convey something.
"Sorry… … .”
**********************************************************
The dining room after Rosenta and Vivian left.
Theodore was staring at the tightly closed door.
Yura looked at Theodore and Conitel just watched Yura with a smile.
It was a situation where each had completely different thoughts while staring at others.
Soon, Theodore's soft groans echoed through the dining room.
"Ha."
It was just one word, but for some reason there was bitterness and anxiety in its tone.
It was clear that it was a feeling directed towards those left in the room.
Yura quietly looked at Theodore's profile, then summoned up the courage to speak.
“Your Majesty, are you okay?”
It was a careless thing to say.
Theodore couldn't understand why she would ask if he was okay. Theodore's brow furrowed slightly as he thought about the subject of the question.
Seeing that frown, Yura lowered her eyebrows sullenly.
Then, cautiously, she said something that seemed meant to comfort Theodore.
"Fiancée… … . So, I've heard that Lady Marigold is Your Majesty's fiancée. The fiancée who just left... … She left out with the Duke... … .”
Only then did Theodore understand Yura's question. But the furrowed brow did not unfurl.
Most thought of Vivian as his fiancée.
At such times, Theodore often thought, ‘Why does everyone think Vivian is my fiancée?’
Vivian was like a little sister to him. He'd rather Rosenta... … .
"Ah… … .”
For a moment, he was stunned by the thoughts he had without even realizing it.
Not understanding how he took her comment, Yura spoke up again.
About Vivian and Rosenta.
“I heard that the three of you were close since childhood, your, your fiancée, and the duke. But if I hadn't heard about that, I would have thought that the Duke and Lady Marigold were betrothed.”
It was a very light-hearted comment, a joke that was brought up to ease the strange tension.
However, Theodore didn't seem to take it that way.
“Saint!”
Theodore rose suddenly.
Because of the suddenness, Yura trembled.
Theodore was also taken aback.
For the first time, he felt like he was moving his body according to his own will.
‘Why, all of a sudden?’
‘Is it because of the level of anger I inexplicable feel is greater than the unknown compulsive force?’
“… … It’s not good to speak that way. If you want to live in the imperial palace from now on, you'll have to be careful what you say, even if it's a joke.”
Even as Theodore spat out those words, he was startled inwardly.
Today was an exceptionally strange day, one where he couldn't even casually spit out words.
As a result, Vivian and Rosenta left him. His feelings at that time were indescribable.
But even then, he couldn't move his body, nonetheless speaking words or taking action... … .
At this point, there was reason to be suspicious.
It was clear that something was wrong with his body.
"Your Majesty?"
Despite hearing Yura's puzzled voice, Theodore was unmoved for the first time.
It seemed like these were his actual feelings from the beginning.
Theodore knew.
These days, some people go around saying that the emperor liked Yura, that he was two-timing Vivian.
He could deny liking Vivian, but he was confused when it came to Yura.
That's why there were times when he thought that he might like Yura.
Because his condition was strange when dealing with her... … .
However, such an unpleasant and frustrating feeling could not be love.
Once he was able to move his body at will, he no longer wanted to stay in the dining room.
“I will leave first. Saint, please finish your meal with Priest Conitel.”
He left his seat coldly.
Theodore never looked back. He had no regrets about those he had left behind in the dining room.
Then a question arose.
When he got angry with Yura, he really couldn't control his irritation.
At that time, he was angry of his own will. But why was he angry? What reason did he have to be offended?
Was it the illusion of Rosenta and Vivian being engaged?
Was that something to be angry about?
It would be a blessing if his two dearest friends got engaged.
Moreover, Vivian was very close and obedient to Rosenta... … .
“Oh, no.”
One side of his chest throbbed.
"Why would I… … .”
Eventually, Theodore admitted that he was angry, that he was jealous.
And then he got confused.
‘Who the hell are you jealous of?’ he asked himself.
At that moment, someone appeared in Theodore's mind.
“I’ve been experiencing strange things lately… … I must be going crazy.”
Theodore closed his eyes tightly.
As if to erase Rosenta's face from his mind.
*