Resetting Lady

Prince Lewis was the same age as Lady Lianne. If she was going to be the prince’s consort, then she would be walking down a flower path where she’d experience only good things.

Though regardless of whether that would really happen, the gathering was a gathering of high nobles. Even as the children were still young, they knew about how they needed to start getting closer to each other from now on. Conversely, no matter how much wealth Verdic manages to build up, he would never be able to rise up the ranks and be part of the nobility’s inner circle.

“I thought about it again, but I really don’t think I’m worthy of attending such a gathering. What should I do, Madam?”

In any case, it’s an opportune gathering. But it wasn’t a place where Carynne fit in. Crown Prince Gueuze had called for Carynne several times in the past, but never to this kind of gathering. He often summoned her to places that were rampant with gambling and women, and it would end with him just roving his eyes at her. But this time, he was asking her to come to an official gathering?

Countess Elva interpreted Carynne’s reluctance as nervousness, and so she comforted the younger woman with a bright smile.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. In any case, you’ll be able to get a lot of advice for when you have your own child later. You can hear about how to get a nanny, a good governess, and so on. You’ll be married soon, and you’ll have to prioritize having a baby right away—it’ll be too late to receive advice by then.”

It wasn’t a matter of the crown prince taking a liking to Carynne or not. The problem was the unnatural invitation to this gathering. Thus far, he never once summoned her to such a ‘bright’ gathering. It was always to a place full of gambling and women, to a comparatively loose gathering of people while they weren’t segregated by class or gender.

“You look like Catherine.”

That was all.

“It’s still too soon… I don’t have a child yet.”

Why was he calling to meet her so fast this time? Was gambling with Baron Ein the trigger? Or did she catch his eye because she became Verdic’s adopted daughter? Maybe his interest was piqued because her father died? If not…

“Is it related to Mother?”

“Perhaps. It’s a well-known fact that His Highness had been quite enamored with Lady Catherine back in the day… So it’s no wonder that he’s curious about the Lady’s daughter. Oh my, that sounds positively romantic. Surely he views you in a good light.”

Well, that had never been the case all this time. Carynne looked down at her teacup, troubled. This was a good opportunity for her, she knew. Because she’d personally be able to find out more about Catherine. If things were like how it was before, it would be difficult to make contact with him. There’s nothing wrong with being acquainted with a man high up on the social ladder.

“It’s something to be grateful about, of course…”

In this life, everything was progressing at a gradually hastened pace. There’s nothing strange about that. She had always experienced changes to this extent.

“Will His Highness Gueuze attend as well?”

He would, if he wanted to see Carynne. However, Countess Elva lilted her head to the side and wondered.

“Hm, I’m not so sure about that. Maybe he wouldn’t again this time? Prince Lewis usually hosts the gatherings, even at his young age.”

“Carynne, Carynne. You know, about His Highness Lewis. He’s very smart.”

Next to Carynne, Lady Lianne shared this about the prince as she stared into the air with dreamy eyes. How precocious. Looking at her daughter with a pleased expression, Countess Elva patted Lady Lianne, who had a big crush on the prince.

“Of course, His Highness Lewis is so mature that I don’t think there’ll be any problems.”

With the way they’re letting a ten-year-old kid host an aristocratic gathering like this, it seemed as if this country would soon be ruined, huh. Carynne laughed at the thought, but Countess Elva and Lady Lianne continued to smile and talk about how they believed in Prince Lewis’ very much.

* * *

“Are you still worried about it?”

Raymond saw how Carynne had set aside the catalogue as she was immersed in her thoughts. He stopped writing on his document as well.

Carynne let go of the fabric and sighed.

“I don’t know what I should wear to a kids’ gathering.”

“You did say that you’ve lived for a hundred years. What were you up to during that time?”

“I was in love.”

“Ah… I see.”

“Oh my. Sir Raymond, if you were to live and die 100 times over, what would you do?”

To Carynne’s question, Raymond shrugged and replied without hesitation.

“Isn’t it obvious? I will strive for world peace.”

“Are you joking?”

“Who knows. But what I don’t understand is how you’ve lived this long but you’re still worrying about something like that. It’s happening two days later. And it’s not like it’s a banquet meant for the selection of the Crown Prince’s bride—it’s just a gathering. I mean, even if it is, is it not too much for you to worry about this for a week? You left me alone with all this work.”

Raymond glanced over at the fabric sample catalogue that Carynne was holding earlier. In response, Carynne stuck her tongue out.

The catalogue was as thick as the countess’. Most of the available fabric could be seen inside. It’s tough to make decisions.

Carynne wagged a finger as an answer.

You still don’t know what’s important here, huh. In the end, isn’t this the most important thing for me? He’s Catherine’s ex. And, to top it off, he’s the country’s crown prince. It’s a meeting that she’s never had the opportunity to have before. Beauty is a woman’s weapon, and clothes are a woman’s army. Shouldn’t I prepare this much to ensure victory?

“It’s my first time attending this gathering. And Sir Raymond, why, are you worried about me?”

“It’s only natural. We’re tied by contract. Hearing you say that makes it feel as if my heart is being ripped apart.”

At what Carynne said, Raymond theatrically and emotionally clutched a hand over his heart. A big smile graced her lips.

“In any case, victory is guaranteed anyway.”

“…Um, that’s a little comforting to hear.”

“Are you not coming, Sir Raymond? Did something come up?”

With a subtle smile, Raymond replied.

“Try to guess. You know the future, after all.”

“There wasn’t a time that we were together during this part.”

Carynne discontentedly threw out the excuse, but as she saw his smile grow wider, she forced herself to think.

“Mmh, if you have somewhere to be… It must be a military operation. The events have been pushed up a bit, but that’s usually what you do when you have to go around this time.”

“Isn’t that something that anyone could piece together?”

“Around this time, you’ll be called to test a gun with a silencer for the first time. And you went to do something you didn’t want to do. But you’ll be back in three days.”

“What exactly happened?”

“You never told me.”

“Is that so? Well, anyway, it’s obvious what a soldier is meant to do.”

Raymond nervously swept up his loose bangs. Carynne now felt a bit awkward about choosing a dress. But that didn’t necessarily mean there’s nothing she could do for him.

“I wish you could come with me. It’ll help with the future, too.”

“It would have still been difficult to accompany you had I not been called to duty. The invitation is obviously only for you.”

“Is that what you think so, too, Sir Raymond?”

That’s what made it more uncomfortable. Even if only the man was invited, it’s not uncommon for his fiancée to accompany him to that event. However, it would be unusual for a man to go to a place where only women were invited. This subtlety within etiquette was a nuisance.

“Sir Raymond. Do you think Crown Prince Gueuze will show up?”

“It seems to me like he will. But I don’t think that’s a good thing.”

“Have you heard anything about him?”

“Briefly… I’ve run into him a couple of times. Here and there.”

Raymond didn’t want to speak about it, so this was all he said. Carynne stared at him for a moment, but she soon spoke.

“I heard he followed around my mother before.”

“He must have been momentarily swayed by her face.”

“Are you talking about yourself?”

“…I have no response to that.”

“Anyway, what do you know about him?”

“Most men wouldn’t want to introduce their woman to him.”

“Isn’t that something that anyone could piece together?”

“……”

As his own words were flung back at him, Raymond shook his head.

“I don’t want to hear that from a woman like you.”

“Oh my, are you criticizing me?”

“No, no. Nothing like that.”

Raymond waved a hand at Carynne. He looked a little flustered.

“…Um, he’s not someone who has a good record when it comes to women.”

“Can you be more specific?”

“Mm… Why do you think Crown Prince Gueuze summoned you?”

“Because he’s my mother’s ex-lover, so he must be curious about me?”

“Outside that.”

“He hates me?”

“No, not you. Me.”

Raymond pointed to his own chest.

“He hates me.”