The last week of our life together with a commoner was quiet and peaceful. It was the first time in my life that I spent so much time with another person. Moreover, he is almost a stranger to me.
Despite the fact that the commoner and I met by chance and had nothing in common, we easily managed to find a common language. We can even say that we became friends.
I think I'll even miss her for a while when we break up.
The sideways glances of the servants in our direction evaporated quite quickly, so we quietly strolled around the residence. Even that jerk finally calmed down and stopped bothering me.
It seems that Yufil has finally come to terms with the presence of a commoner here. But why...?
If I had my way, I would certainly want to investigate the reason for this sudden change in his behavior. But unfortunately or fortunately, I was too indifferent to care about it. This man, as well as the Duke, did not interest me at all as a person.
From now on, I decided not to waste any more time on people who didn't care about me. That's why my older brother's impulsive outbursts passed me by.
Let him do what he wants. As long as it didn't concern me, I didn't care.
Instead, I chose to say a proper goodbye to the commoner before she leaves this place forever. The girl's wounds healed quickly, and I realized that the moment of our parting was closer than ever.
As expected, according to Xavier's forecast, in ten days the commoner could stand firmly on her feet. She didn't need my help anymore.
I've decided to send her on a "free float" tomorrow. And today we will organize a farewell tea party in the garden.
I wanted as many good memories as possible in her new and undoubtedly difficult life. Moreover, it was not so difficult to arrange it.
I told Elisha to set the tea table and put it in the garden planted with white roses. A lace tablecloth was neatly spread over it, and white pillows lay on the chairs. The end result was elegant and cute. Just the sight of it took my breath away with delight.
I usually didn't ask the chefs to cook so much for me alone. But today was an exceptional case.
The table was filled with a variety of sweet desserts, such as colorful macaroons, shortbread cakes with lots of strawberries and a chocolate cake with delicate chocolate side dishes.
My mouth was literally watering.
— I didn't know what you liked, so everything was cooked to my taste. You don't mind, do you?
When Camille flashed her a dazzling smile, Kaena slowly nodded her head.
In fact, upon seeing the contents of the tea table, the Crown Princess unconsciously winced. "There's too much sugar in here." Kaena didn't like this kind of food too much. However, when she wanted to voice her displeasure about this, the smiling face of the woman, who was happy at that moment, stopped her. As a result, the princess unknowingly decided that she would just drink tea.
I was sitting relaxed on a chair and eating my dessert a little bit. At that moment, I saw a commoner lift a cup and do it so elegantly that it seemed unusual to me.
"Hmm, that's a little weird."
Tea is a rather expensive product, which was mainly inherent in the diet of aristocrats. Poor people rarely had the opportunity to taste tea, so how could she learn to drink it with such a casual manner? It couldn't help but give me some thoughts.
"Well, it must be because she has such a beautiful appearance, her eating manners also seem very attractive."
Indulging in ridiculous fantasies, I didn't even notice how stupidly I was staring at her.
— Why are you looking at me like that?
— Oh... me... I wanted to tell you something.
The girl raised her head and looked at me. She put the cup down on the table.
— What is it exactly?
When I heard her question, I smiled contentedly.
Surrounded by the scent of white roses, we spent time in the garden, and the atmosphere was just wonderful. It seemed to me that this was the most appropriate moment to do this.
I put down my empty cup with a sense of enjoyment and was about to give her my parting gift. Well, since I couldn't just give her a wad of money, I had to resort to a more ingenious method.
I had no funds of my own, since all the property was under the control of the Duke. All I could do was ask him to write me a check every time I needed to buy something.
Actually, that's why I bought so many jewelry and expensive things. One day, before my escape, I was going to sell them and use the money to provide for myself for the first time.
After that, I will already think about what to do next...
A necklace with a rare pink ruby was one of the most valuable in my collection.
I was sorry to part with it, but nevertheless, I did not hesitate to put it in the palm of a commoner. She's obviously going to need it more than me.
— Take this with you. If you sell it, you'll have enough money to rent a place and hire a good doctor.
Seeing the sparkling necklace on her palm, the princess's face became puzzled.
"Why did she decide to give me something like this?"
There were only two options. Either she wanted to insult her on purpose, or she suggested it out of ignorance. But... The latter option did not sound very plausible.
If this woman had read the news at least once, she should have known that her fortune was twice the size of the emperor's treasury. Kaena stared at the duke's daughter doubtfully, trying to figure out her motives.
— I have money.
I sighed and shook my head.
"Now is not the time to show pride."
Although, perhaps, it really did not sound quite appropriate. Even among the commoners, there are proud people. I didn't want to humiliate her with my pity. Anyway, the thought that this commoner might be suffering from hunger upset me. Therefore, I had to approach this issue from a different angle.
— I'm giving it to you for a reason. If there comes a time when I find myself in a difficult situation, you will have to help me.
I gave her the necklace as an advance payment for a future favor — so it shouldn't have embarrassed her. Of course, as a lady from a noble family, it is unlikely that I will ever need to ask for help from a commoner, so this was just an excuse.
But the frown returned to the princess's face.
"Is she really trying to bribe me with this...?"
Kaena thought it was some kind of joke.
In her life, Kaena de Ronan has met many people who tried to bribe her with money. In this way, they tried to save their lives, avoid trouble, or enlist the support of the princess. But such deals did not interest Kaena at all. She wasn't going to let anyone manipulate her with money. In front of. More often than not, such a person lost his life even faster.
So far, no one has been able to make a deal with the monstrous Crown Princess.
However, what surprised Kaena the most in this situation was not the fact that this woman was trying to bribe her. And the way she wanted to do it.
In her eyes, this necklace was completely worthless. Even one button on the clothes that the Crown Princess usually wore was worth more than this piece of jewelry. This woman really must be out of her mind if she hoped that she could bribe the second most powerful man in the empire with something like this.
And yet...
— good.
As she said these words, she saw a smile appear on Camille's face. It seemed quite enough to Kaena. The princess grinned and brought the cup to her mouth.
"I wonder what she's going to ask me for?"
Having made a deal with the crown Princess of this Empire herself, this woman must have had certain ambitions. Destroying your family and becoming the head of the family? A place of honor at court? An increase in status in society, or an attempt on someone?
Anyway, the fact that some duke's daughter actually managed to bribe her with a low-grade necklace seemed unheard of. Not long ago, the Crown Princess would never have believed it. However, now she thought that this deal was not so bad.
"Does that mean she wants to keep dating me?"
— Well, we had a good time today. I'm taking you to the city tomorrow, so we'll need to go to bed early.
«...»
Hearing these words, Kaena's mood plummeted.
"Oh, right."
The girl completely forgot that she had to leave here tomorrow.
For some reason, this fact upset her greatly.
She glanced at Camille, but as soon as their eyes met, she felt that she was in a difficult position. Moreover, when a wide smile appeared on the girl's beautiful face again, the princess's mouth went dry.
The hand with which she was clutching the cup seemed hot.
The Crown Princess had a strange expression on her face all evening, but Camilla didn't pay attention to it.
After all, we spent a lot of time together. She must have been sad to say goodbye too. But it's for the best.
If I can't even protect myself, then how can I take responsibility for another person? So it's better if we both go our separate ways.
I promised the commoner that I would escort her to the capital tomorrow afternoon. In the meantime, we should have had a good rest.
My eyes were already closing involuntarily from fatigue. I took a bath with fragrant oils and went to bed, feeling that it was one of the best days in recent times.
Tossing and turning sweetly in my sleep, in the morning I did not immediately realize that someone was waking me up. Opening my eyes with difficulty, I found in front of me the worried face of Elisha, who suddenly burst into my room early in the morning.
— Uh...?
I was so sleepy that I could barely put words into sentences.
"My Lady, something has happened!"
I muttered indistinctly in my sleep.
But her next words sobered me instantly.
— The commoner you sheltered fell from a tree this morning...! — the maid announced out of the blue.
— What?!
I was so surprised that I jerked out of bed. Am I still dreaming about this?! Stuttering, Elisha continued:
— My Lady, I think she broke her arm!