Who Could Have Loved the Monster Princess? - Chapter 20
Carnelian struggled to compose his expression in the face of my icy stare.
After finally managing to meet my eyes, he said, “I’ve just realized that you are a lady.”
I’m not sure what made him realize that. Did he think the covered parts were the only ladylike bits I had? What a strange thing to say.
‘My covered parts are that of a lady’s? …Wait, did he mean under my clothes?’
Did he just imply he imagined my body?
“Your Highness. Surely… did you imagine?”
“I apologize.” Carnelian admitted it cleanly.
‘No, I had nothing better to think about…. me, my body?’
As he continued to stare at me, Carnelian apologized again. “I’m sorry, Belienne.”
“No, it’s fine.”
I was too stunned to be offended. After all, they never saw me as a person in the first place. But now Carnelian’s words seemed to imply that he saw me as a woman.
“It seems like he’s interested in you.”
I don’t know why this reminded me of Mir’s words at my last coming-of-age ceremony, but as soon as they came to mind, I impulsively asked, “Your Highness, aren’t you engaged?”
In this situation where he had brought up my status as a lady, bringing up engagement talk made Carnelian look uncomfortable. Perhaps he heard about my lack of a lover and got some silly thoughts.
“There should be someone.”
There were many ladies of sufficient status to become Prince Carnelian’s princess. The only one who should have trouble finding a suitable match was Princess Cetiletty.
“Aren’t there candidates among the ladies at tea today?” Including me.
Carnelian let out a soft sigh.
“Who do you think I should marry?”
Why would he ask me that? After all, royal marriages are decided based on various factors such as political influence, external factions, and other important elements within the imperial family. And honestly, considering all that, the most suitable candidate was probably none other than myself.
But I couldn’t say that in response to this question. It’s not like I wanted to become a princess.
When I fell silent, Carnelian said, “Even though only five years have passed, they put their own interests above a hero’s sacrifice.”
The implication was that I wasn’t even a consideration. Of course not.
“…Doesn’t the royal family need to value the sacrifice of our heroes? Isn’t the prosperity of the royal family synonymous with the prosperity of the empire?”
“Belienne, I know you don’t think that way. But just because the royal family has been indifferent doesn’t mean I should be too, right? I don’t want to become a passive person.”
“Is that so?”
Whether Carnelian was aware of the fact that he had insulted his own parents as being indifferent, his expression remained confident. I knew he harbored gratitude toward those who defeated the Demon King. So, even though he teased me, I couldn’t bring myself to dislike him.
‘I’m kind of proud of him.’
If I were in his shoes, considering my parents, I might not have been able to express gratitude and repay the favor to someone I didn’t even know even if they were reputed to have defeated the Demon King.
Carnelian seemed to be pondering his concerns about who would be the future Crown Princess. He glanced back and forth between me and the room where the Princess was having tea.
Finally, as his lips parted. “You are…”
“Your Highness, your break time is up.”
His aide came over and inclined his head toward Carnelian.
“Ah, is it already? I should go then.”
“Thank you for your time.”
“It’s nothing. I interfered unnecessarily in matters you know how to handle. Still, since you showed your face at Ceti’s teatime, try not to be too stubborn and lose your temper.”
“I’ll just leave the palace then.”
With my firm response, Carnelian chuckled and left with his attendant. Reflecting on today’s conversation with Carnelian, it became clear.
‘He does care about me.’
However, it wasn’t what Mir was suggesting. He wasn’t showing interest in me as Lady Staedt, meaning he wasn’t looking at me as a potential companion or lover.
If anything, he cares about me in a way similar to how he cares about Princess Cetiletty.
‘Of course he does.’
What more could I expect from someone who only realized today that I was a lady?
I sighed and asked the palace servant to bring my carriage. The way he treated me reminded me of Ken’s peaches, which despite their kindness, only made me feel sad.
