♦　♦　♦

—Day 6 of the Super Loathsome Operation.

Ah, they look very close…

At the corner of the cafeteria, Hielo and Constanze could be seen having a pleasant conversation.

…Well, putting aside whether or not it’s “pleasant” to lift a gentleman’s chin with a fan.

Even so, I couldn’t help but smile wryly at the two who decided against annulling their engagement.

“Did you know, Lumiere? Yesterday evening, I heard that Sir Hielo prostrated himself before Lady Constanze, and rumor has it that Ms. Irene is in on it.”

It was the second prince, Grimwald von Nerneige.

He was the younger brother of my fiancé, Prince Redmond.

We were in the same grade. His appearance was that of a lovely youth with a relatively small stature. At the same time, the people in the castle respected him for his quick-wittedness.

…Said second prince rested his face on his palms as he waited for his food.

“Who would’ve thought that they’re friends with Ms. Irene! Could it be, Lumiere knows something about this?”

He asked with a smile, and I shook my head.

“Furafura.”

Apparently, Irene contacted Constanze before Hielo could yesterday evening. As for the contents of their conversation, only God knows…

Of course, I could also just ask Silver. After all, he seemed close with Irene. However, as of yesterday, no matter how much I asked him about Irene, he kept avoiding the topic.

Faster than I could follow said butler who was about to fetch our food with my eyes, Prince Grimwald chuckled.

“The cursed Lumiere is so lovely. It seems that my brother and the others are busy trying to figure out how to lift your curse—but why, though? You’re perfect as you are. Besides, you can talk normally with anyone other than us, right? So, what’s the problem?”

As he rested his chin on his hands, the second prince narrowed his eyes.

“C’mon, you can keep doing ‘Kyururun’ to your heart’s content.”

—Did… Did I get found out?

As beads of sweat began to form on my forehead, Prince Grimwald went on.

“Hey, did you know? Apparently, Silver is in love with Ms. Irene.”

“What about me?”

Just as an unknown sensation started to rise in my chest, Silver returned.

As he bowed respectfully, Silver tried to serve me the food on the tray as naturally as he could. Prince Grimwald’s attendant also responded with a gesture of courtesy.

However, while I was shaken by the second prince’s remark, the conversation between Silver and Prince Grimwald went on.

“Oh, Silver? Let me do it from here.”

“I can’t possibly allow that.”

“Haha, I said it’s fine, didn’t I? If you want to serve me that badly, can you fetch me a drink? My throat is parched.”

“…Understood.”

Silver looked at me as if to say something.

I couldn’t reply.

—Silver is in love with her…?

The day before yesterday, I saw how intimate the two were.

Hence why, it was nothing new…

Yet, for some reason, when I heard it from someone else’s mouth, my heart sank…

“Ahn?”

However, the onomatopoeia and the spoon held out in front of me brought me back to reality.

Before I knew it, Prince Grimwald had moved next to me and was offering me a spoonful of food with an adorable look on his face.

“…Koten?”

As soon as I tilted my head, the second prince’s expression shifted.

“You don’t want to eat it…?”

“No—”

I was about to refuse when I saw his tearful eyes, before realizing that I had messed up! …Well, almost.

—Oh no…!

I shut my mouth. Even if I shook my head or said that I was too shy, I had a feeling he’d just gloss over it the same way he did with Silver.

Above all, the smile of Prince Grimwald, who held out the spoon just now, seemed to be challenging me.

‘—Can you refuse with just onomatopoeia?’ It said.

Thus, I gave up and opened my mouth obediently. When asked, “Is it good?” I honestly had no idea how it actually tasted. When I averted my gaze out of embarrassment, the second prince tilted his head.

“Huh? But don’t you often do this with Silver?”

—What!?

I wasn’t a baby who needed to be spoon-fed!

When I fervently shook my head, Prince Grimwald narrowed his eyes.

“…I think I should abandon my title as a duke and apply to be your caretaker. If I grow a little taller, do you think a tailcoat would suit me? My knees have been aching lately, so I believe that I’ve grown somewhat taller…”

Certainly… if the second prince grew taller, he’d be a fine-looking young man. Unlike Prince Redmond, he’d be radiating charm—just like Silver…

However…

—Is that allowed?

I don’t think a member of a royal family would be allowed to become someone’s caretaker…?

When I was lost in thought, the second prince laughed.

“Haha, I’m just kidding.”

At that moment, my current servant, Silver, came back with a glass of water.

What a relief.

With this, I could put an end to this nonsense… But just as I was about to exhale in relief—

“—Ouch!”

Suddenly, Silver yelped and fell. Naturally, the glass shattered beside him. The floor was drenched, but thankfully, Prince Grimwald had only been splashed a bit.

Silver looked up and rushed to apologize.

“I-I’m so sorry…”

“Ahaha, it’s just water, so don’t worry. Silver must be tired, too. Hey, Lumiere, why don’t you give him a break once in a while?”

The second prince looked cheerful.

—But I saw it.

Just before Silver fell, Prince Grimwald stuck out his knee.

“No, I was just being careless. Milady, there’s no need to worry—”

—When Silver tried to explain himself, the second prince interrupted him.

“Well then, you should clean up after yourself, alright? Oh, by the way, please clean it with a rag instead of a mop. I don’t want to watch someone else clean while eating, it’s unpleasant. Do you understand?”

“…Understood.”

After bowing, Silver rushed to fetch a rag.

“Back to the topic at hand.”

—I couldn’t confront the second prince in public.

That was probably the same reason why Silver could only endure his dissatisfaction.

As I looked at Silver, who was wiping away the water on all fours, and then at Prince Grimwald, who was smiling, I opened my mouth—

---

***T/N: Lol I hate brat. Especially one with authority.

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