I Tamed the Monstrous Prince - Chapter 55
Chapter 55
“Don’t do that.” I had to intervene. This wasn’t going to work. She looked at me, surprised, clearly not understanding my objection. “I’m trying to help His Highness.”
A familiar wave of unease washed over me, the same feeling that had been plaguing me. I carefully kept my voice steady. Mercedes was on Cesar’s side, after all. And she was supposed to be on mine, too.
“Remember, I said I would teach Cesar proper etiquette.”
Did she not understand? Yet, she remained silent, continuing to use the fork to feed him. This was the kind of thing you wouldn’t even do for a five-year-old.
“Don’t treat him like a child.” She still didn’t respond, continuing to fuss over Cesar, as if she hadn’t heard me. “His Highness hasn’t eaten for days. I’m worried he’s become weak.”
“That doesn’t mean you have to do this.” But she picked up the fork again, clearly unwilling to heed my advice.
Before I could think, I reached out and grabbed her wrist.
“Madam.” It was a significant breach of etiquette, but I couldn’t back down now. She looked up at me, her gaze unwavering. “What are you planning to do?”
Instead of answering, I took the fork from her hand and gently placed it in Cesar’s.
“See? Like I showed you before, you use this to eat.”
“Mmm.”
Cesar took the fork, examined it briefly, then tossed it aside. Mercedes’ face lit up.
“See? It’s too difficult for him. Let me do it.” She spoke as if she’d been waiting for this. I had to stop her again.
“Not yet.” I shook my head and signaled to Delphina, who brought a new fork. I took it and placed it back in Cesar’s hand. “Don’t throw it this time.”
I reiterated. But Cesar, now seemingly amused by this game, made to throw it again. I quickly grabbed his wrist. Mercedes’ face turned red, clearly wanting to say something.
“Uh—”
Distracted, I missed the fork flying through the air again.
“Hehe.” Cesar just laughed innocently. Delphina brought another fork. I smiled. “Is this a challenge?” He seemed to think this was some kind of game. This foolish husband of mine. But I was nothing if not persistent. I could do this dozens, no, hundreds of times if necessary.
After a prolonged struggle, Mercedes had fallen silent. She sat with her head bowed, muttering to herself. Just as I was about to ask what was wrong, she spoke. “You said you were going to attend the banquet with Cesar, didn’t you?”
Her head remained bowed, her expression hidden. But an unsettling energy radiated from her, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. “Yes.”
Mercedes clenched her skirt so tightly that her knuckles turned white. “Is that…” Her body trembled, and she paused to catch her breath. I waited silently for her to continue. “Is that not His Highness’s wish?”
I slowly shook my head. “No.”
Mercedes’ back convulsed, and she abruptly lifted her head. Several expressions flickered across her face, as if she were struggling to contain something.
“…Do you intend to make him a laughingstock?”
“What?” Her face hardened. “In that banquet hall! In front of all those people… How could you!”
Her slender frame shook with barely contained emotion. Make him a laughingstock? That was never my intention. But she was so agitated that I didn’t know what to say.
“A laughingstock? Madam, that’s a bit much.”
Tears welled in Mercedes’ eyes. But even through the tears, her brown eyes burned with a chilling intensity.
