I’m Supposed to Be the Neglected Princess in the Future, but Something Seems Strange... - 16 - Searching for Lea – 6

Rose had lunch with Raphael, who came to her room just before noon.

Instead of going to the restaurant, he had lunch prepared on the balcony of her room.

When Raphael entered Rose’s room, he smiled gently at her—but for some reason, he looked like he was angry.

While the food was being arranged on the table out on the balcony, they sat next to each other on the sofa, quietly waiting.

Raphael didn’t talk much. He would say one or two words, then fall silent again, lost in thought.

For someone who usually talks a lot, this was very strange.

(Did I… do something wrong?)

Rose started to feel worried.

Maybe she upset him without realizing it.

Just like Raphael always says, she can be careless.

Maybe she said or did something rude?

Should she apologize?

But if she didn’t know what the problem was, just saying sorry might be disrespectful to him.

As Rose was thinking, Raphael looked at the flower vase on the low table in front of the sofa.

He gently touched the petals of the red rose inside and spoke.

“Did I send this rose?”

“Yes. Thank you for the beautiful gift. It was the first time I ever got flowers. I was really happy.”

Rose smiled brightly as she answered, but Raphael fell silent again.

He touched his chin and looked down, like something was troubling him. Then suddenly, he looked up and spoke with a serious expression.

“Whether we find Lea or not, I want to officially invite you to the Kingdom of Martan.”

“Huh…?”

It was so sudden that Rose blinked several times.

Then she gasped.

Why would Raphael say something like that out of nowhere?

Does it mean they’ve given up hope of finding Lea?

Lea was supposed to still be on the ship, and Raphael had told the staff to look for her.

But there was still no clue.

So…

Was Raphael giving up on Lea already?

Was he going to follow the letter she left and treat Rose as his cold, neglected consort?

“B-But…”

Rose held her chest and looked around in confusion.

She had made up her mind to avoid a future as the neglected consort.

But now, just thinking that her life wouldn’t change much anyway made her want to stay near Raphael. That idea frightened her.

At the same time, she imagined a future where Raphael, who was being so kind now, would look at her with cold eyes, surrounded by many mistresses, never even visiting her.

The thought made her heart ache.

Seeing her confused, Raphael’s expression softened.

“There are many beautiful things in the Kingdom of Martan. I want you to see them.”

What did that mean?

If he wanted her to see them, then maybe she wouldn’t be locked away in some tower?

Still puzzled, Rose tilted her head.

Raphael reached out and gently patted her head.

“I wish I had noticed sooner… If I had, I could’ve saved you earlier.”

Rose didn’t understand what he meant.

Just then, the staff who were preparing lunch on the balcony called out to them.

It seemed everything was ready.

When they both went out to the balcony, they saw the round table was filled with food.

Compared to the meals she had on the back side of the ship before, this was much fancier.

It likely wasn’t part of the free meal service, but a special one with extra cost.

“I had them make special food from the Kingdom of Martan. I hope you like it.”

The Princess Lea ship belonged to the Kingdom of Gridor, so it usually served dishes from that country.

But the Kingdom of Martan is located in the south of the Evere Inland Sea, in a warm climate, and its food and culture are very different.

Rose had never been there before and didn’t know anything about its culture.

All the dishes looked unfamiliar to her, but they all looked delicious.

She started to feel excited about trying food from another country.

Most of the dishes were meat-based, but not big steaks.

Everything was cut into bite-sized pieces or thin slices.

Some were grilled on skewers.

While she was wondering how to eat them, Raphael said, “You eat it with your hands,” and showed her how.

Rose’s eyes widened in surprise.

In Gridor, the only food they usually ate with their hands was bread.

But following Raphael’s example, she picked up a skewer and took a bite.

He smiled, happy to see her try.

“You don’t mind it, do you, Rose?”

It wasn’t exactly true that she didn’t mind, but it wasn’t gross or anything.

If this was their culture, then eating this way was probably the most delicious.

The grilled meat was very spicy.

A sharp heat spread across her tongue.

Seeing her surprised face, Raphael offered her yellow saffron rice.

Rose, who only knew about risotto, was surprised at how firm the rice was.

“It has color but no flavor. That skewer has strong seasoning, right? Eating them together balances it out.

Also… that one is beef, but this one is lamb. The lamb is lighter but spicier.

This salad has a lemon taste, very refreshing.

This here is mashed boiled beans, it has a strong flavor so it’s good with bread.

And this is rice wrapped in grape leaves. You can’t eat the leaves, so peel them first.

Then…”

Raphael explained each dish one by one, encouraging Rose to try them.

The food from the Kingdom of Martan was all delicious, and Rose happily ate while listening.

Before she realized it, Raphael was smiling again and talking just like his usual self.

“The coffee tastes different too—much stronger.

If you want to try it, we’ll have to add lots of milk and sugar or you won’t be able to drink it.

Want to try it after we finish eating?”

“Yes, please!”

With lots of milk and sugar, it would surely be delicious.

Rose nodded enthusiastically.

Raphael’s beautiful pomegranate-red eyes softened gently.

“Rose, is there anything else you want?”

“Something I want…? Hmm… I can’t think of anything.”

Raphael had already bought her art gallery brochures and opera pamphlets, and even sent her roses.

That alone made her feel so happy it was almost unbelievable.

She couldn’t think of anything else she wanted.

“Dresses, jewels… hmm… If you wish, I could even buy all the paintings in the gallery for you.”

“But then, no one else would be able to see them.”

“…I see.”

Raphael reached out and wiped a bit of sauce from the corner of Rose’s mouth.

“It doesn’t have to be something you can hold.

It could be something else… like you—… No, never mind.”

He suddenly stopped talking, then picked up a sweet pie-like treat from the table and pressed it to Rose’s lips.

She smiled as she ate it, and he smiled too.

“If you’re smiling, then that’s all I need.”

Rose didn’t really understand what he meant,

but the sweet flavor of the pastry filled her mouth,

and it was sweeter than anything she had ever eaten.

That warm sweetness made her gently relax and smile.