Chapter 32
Had Eric von Cardion ever offered to host lunch for someone first? Dante could
declare it with confidence. Not once. Not once in his entire life.
What in the hell is he planning?
He glanced hesitantly between Elisha, sitting across from him, and Eric, sitting
at the head of the table, his eyes moving anxiously.
Eric is one thing, but Elisha, you shouldn't be this calm...
Who in this world could be this calm while dining with the Emperor?
"I am not sure if the food is to your liking."
Eric suddenly began in a gentle voice. At that moment, Dante dropped the fork he
was holding.
Has he truly lost his mind?
"Eric, they say that people who act strangely are about to die..."
"And they also say that a follower who does not watch his words before the
Emperor is about to die."
"Are you ignoring me now because you found one new talent?"
Don't tell me this is why he's going this far? Because he thinks he's found
someone more talented than me?
"He should have treated Elisha this well."
Dante's purple eyes turned for a moment towards Elisha. If he was this confused,
how bewildered must Elisha, the person in question, be? To be treated like this
just because her appearance had changed.
He didn't know for sure how bad things were between Elisha and Eric before, but
he was certain that Eric was never this friendly.
"If he were, he wouldn't have said those things to Elisha."
Dante Renard's gaze turned once more to Elisha. Regardless of that, Elisha's
eyes were fixed on the silverware in front of her.
How long had it been since she ate here?
After Eric became the Crown Prince, he was always busy and would postpone their
lunches. And after Bernard fell ill, she was always the one avoiding meals with
Eric. It had been years since they sat face to face for lunch like this.
And so, the only memory she had left of this place was the memory of Eric
refusing his food, saying he did not want to eat carrots...
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
At that moment, Eric asked, the corners of his eyes curving into crescents as he
smiled. Only then did Elisha realize she had been staring at Eric. Elisha slowly
lowered her lashes and opened her mouth.
"Your Majesty."
"......"
"You smile a lot."
Just as you did for me in the past, always without change. After she spoke,
Elisha directed her gaze to Dante Renard. As usual, he was staring at her with a
look of utter shock.
To say that in front of Eric.
Are you mocking him, saying: 'You never smiled once before, but now you're
kinder than anyone in the world'?
Dante's mouth hung open, unable to comprehend. Elisha once again casually
ignored his reaction. Eric also acted as if Dante did not exist, his eyes taking
in every movement Elisha made.
Eli.
No matter how many hypotheses he formulated from a glimmer of hope, the answer
was always the same. The woman before him was undoubtedly Elisha.
For reasons he did not fully understand, she had returned here in disguise to
hide herself. The fact that Elisha was hiding her appearance meant she did not
want to reveal her identity to him. Even if this reason stemmed from the
ridiculous idea that she must keep her promise to him.
In this situation, revealing that he knew she was Elisha would not benefit him
at all. Rather, she might try to leave again. No, she would definitely leave.
That was her nature.
"I cannot allow that to happen."
Do you have any idea how I've been while you were gone?
Even if we have to remain strangers forever, as long as you stay where I can see
you. That alone would be enough for me to...
"Lucy, you are spilling your food."
...It seems it won't be enough. Upon seeing Dante lean toward Elisha to hand her
a napkin, Eric's eyes immediately hardened. Then, he tapped the glass he was
holding firmly, and—
"Lucy Forte."
He called Elisha with a somewhat affectionate smile. Dante froze mid-lean and
swallowed hard.
His tapping the glass in a fit of pique—that he could understand. Eric often did
that in front of him. But to smile? That made no sense at all.
What is truly wrong with him?
Did he go crazy searching for talent after Elisha left? Or did he perhaps fall
in love with Elisha's disguised appearance?
This would be the worst kind of drama, you bastard...
After a moment, Dante stiffly turned his head.
"You said you received sponsorship from Dante Renard."
Eric began, his eyes curving gently. His smile was a stark contrast to his
actions a moment ago. Dante suddenly felt a chill run through his entire body.
It seems my guess was correct...?
What in the hell was he supposed to do about this?
"Then I assume you are receiving lodging from him as well."
Unaware of Dante's turmoil, Eric continued while still smiling. Elisha seemed to
think for a moment, the corners of her lips twitching, before slowly parting
them.
"Fortunately, Lord Renard provided me with a place to stay."
"It seemed like you two entered together, so perhaps—"
For a moment, Eric's grip on his knife tightened. It was a subtle movement,
invisible to others. Then, after a soft exhale, Eric asked in a casual tone:
"Are you living together?"
"No."
Elisha flatly denied it at the same time. Her voice cut through Eric's before it
completely vanished into the air.
"I was staying at an inn until recently, but I have now moved to an old Renard
family estate."
She then answered, her gaze lowering slightly to stare intently at a single
point. Dante looked back and forth between Elisha and Eric, his eyes wide with
surprise.
Was it okay for her to reveal that? It won't violate the pact since she revealed
it herself, but still.
I must talk to her about this later.
"I see."
Meanwhile, Eric responded with a slow nod. All the while, Elisha's gaze remained
fixed on that single point. Eric slowly lowered his head to follow her line of
sight.
...There didn't seem to be anything.
"Lucy Forte?"
"Ah."
At Eric's call, Elisha's eyes quickly moved away. Eric did not miss the movement
and saved it in his memory. Regardless, it was a relief that Elisha and Dante
were not living together.
Her staying at a Renard family estate was likely part of their contract. Dante
Renard was not the type to let Elisha go so easily. He wanted to ask about the
exact terms of the pact, but he could not ask recklessly without knowing for
sure what they had promised in exchange for what.
"From now on, the three of us will have lunch together often."
So there was no choice but to gather information through meeting like this. Eric
said with a gentle smile. Dante despaired inwardly, over and over again.
We're doing this again? I'd rather work a cozy night shift with Mullin Cassus!
"Thank you for the offer, but."
At that moment, Elisha, who had closed her lips, spoke.
"Dining with a specific member of the squad multiple times could be seen as
preferential treatment."
"Th-that's right, Eric. I am one thing, but to coddle someone who just joined
the squad like this is..."
Dante immediately stepped in to support Elisha's words.
"You are right."
Eric said, his blue eyes curving into crescents.
"I am giving you special treatment right now."
Because you are someone who deserves even better treatment than this.
Because you are Elisha.
"He's lost his mind..."
Dante muttered at the same time, a stunned look on his face. Whether he was a
talent-obsessed maniac, or a man whose tastes leaned in that direction and had
suddenly gone mad over a woman—Eric von Cardion was undoubtedly the stupidest
bastard in the world.
A completely mad bastard.
"Hey, you can't be like this."
Whatever the case, you can't live like this.
Dante finally regained his senses and conveyed his pure sincerity. Eric easily
ignored him and spoke again.
"Nonetheless, if you need a reason."
"......"
"You will be assisting Renard during the upcoming Allied Nations Conference.
That should be sufficient reason to be seen together."
After he finished speaking, Eric once again raised the corners of his mouth.
Dante decided to give up on thinking.
Fine, do whatever you want. You damn boss...
Alright, no people around, check.
No mana traces detected, check.
"Honestly, people will still talk."
Dante, who was accompanying Elisha on the way back after lunch, spoke weakly.
"Gabrielle... well, he is someone who believes in meritocracy to the core, so he
won't say anything. But the others will likely whisper."
"I think they were doing that already."
"Part of that is because of me, but now Eric will be added to the list..."
I really don't know what he's planning.
He ran a hand through his hair and grimaced. Elisha tilted her head and replied
calmly.
"I am already used to rumors, so it is fine. Besides, assisting Eric was
something I was planning to ask you for anyway."
"You aren't normal either..."
"But there is one thing that bothers me."
She continued.
"Eric does not seem like Eric."
Her expression was more serious than ever. Dante's face became serious in turn
as he stopped walking and waited for Elisha to continue. For Elisha to show this
expression, it had to be something grave.
"Did you notice something strange..."
"He ate his vegetables without any hesitation."
"......?"
"He is not the type to do that."
The mana I feel is definitely Eric's, but could it be that he's been
brainwashed?
Elisha muttered with an extremely serious attitude. Dante decided to stop
thinking once again.
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