Treats [Part 3]
“Your Highness, I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.”
Emma, who came to the drawing room after she had changed, bowed and smiled at the Prince. Because she ran back from the garden to the mansion and changed her clothes in a hurry, she needed to catch her breath in secret so that the Prince and the other guests wouldn’t notice.
“Emma, how are you feeling?”
The Prince stood up and put his hands on Emma’s waist unconsciously as he reached out for her hand to support her. He felt that Emma’s usual translucent white skin looked a little reddish today. ‘I knew it. She probably got a fever from the shock.’ Thinking so, the Prince lifted his hand up to Emma’s forehead to measure her temperature. However, right before his hand could touch Emma, Leonard grabbed his hand.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness, but… touching our girl is prohibited.”
Contrary to his smiling face, he kept increasing the strength of his grip to the point that they could hear the Prince’s bones creaking.
“Oh, Father. Please don’t make it sound like we are in a hostess bar.”
Emma puffed out her cheeks in anger.
‘Touching is prohibited’
The Prince was stunned by those words.
What did I do just now? What was I thinking of doing?
Taking Emma’s delicate hand, putting my hand on her slender waist, and touching her smooth forehead…?!!!
The Prince’s face turned red in a flash.
“Your Highness?! Are you alright? Your Highness? Your Highness?”
Emma shook her hand in front of the Prince’s face, but he stood frozen in place without giving any response.
“Puff—”
Arthur, who had been watching the chain of events quietly on the side, finally couldn’t hold back his laughter anymore.
“Pfft, HAHAHAHAHA hehehehehe… L-Lady Emma. His Highness has hardly rested because of that turmoil!!! Hahaha haa, p-pardon me, but… can you please take care of His Highness? I-I’ll be the one to listen to your testimony.”
Arthur still didn’t forget to give the Prince a clever assist even when he was busy laughing till his stomach hurt.
“Your face is bright red, Your Highness! How about having a seat? Shall I prepare you something cold to drink?” Emma pulled the Prince’s hand and let him sit on the sofa.
While looking at the Prince’s docile and obedient appearance from the corner of his eyes amusedly, Arthur suggested to Leonard, “Count Stuart, His Highness didn’t sleep a wink last night, so could you let him rest here for a while? And if possible, I would like us to talk in another room so as to not disturb His Highness’ rest.”
“…I suppose I have no choice…”
Leonard reluctantly ordered a servant to prepare another room. It was as though he was making a painful decision.
Leaving Emma to look after the Prince, the other people in the room started moving rooms. But when George was about to head to the door, he was stopped by Leonard.
“You stay here in this room, understood? I don’t care if he is a prince. If he thinks of doing something to Emma, show him no mercy. I will take responsibility for whatever happens after that. You got that? George.”
“…Yes.”
Emma… you… To cause a ruckus just by entering the drawing room…
And Father… your daughter is almost 40 on the inside, so I don’t think you need to worry that much… right?
While George wouldn’t go against his father, he still grumbled silently in his heart.
♠♠♠
“Your Highness, I think you should lie down and sleep for a while. Ah, I will lend you my lap. How about using my knees as a pillow? Fufufu, how nostalgic. This reminds me of that time last year.”
“Emmaaaa! Why must you push things further like that?!”
The Prince’s face, which couldn’t have turned any redder than that, was an amazing sight to see in its own way.
George glared at his younger sister as he held his head in his hand.
“??? What are you talking about, Onii-sama?”
While putting the Prince’s head on her lap and stroking the silky black hair, Emma tilted her head in confusion.
♠♠♠
Author’s words: Treats in turn for everyone.
