My Second Engagement: Loved by the Duke’s Son and Thanked for My Healing Magic ~ My Selfish Sister Took My Fiancé, but Gave Him Back Because She Didn’t Want Him Anymore~ - Episode 25
“G-Good… good after-afternoon…”
“I am Thomas, the gardener. Your Highness, I sincerely congratulate you on your recovery.”
Princess Maria was trembling, but Thomas remained completely calm.
“H-How… did you… know that my injury is healed?”
She held onto my arm tightly, trying her best to speak. Seeing her efforts, I felt an even stronger desire to help her.
“You received healing from the legendary light magic user, Master Relele, who is currently in the Kingdom of Gress-grace, correct?”
“Y-Yes!”
“Was Master Relele a man?”
“Y-Yes!”
“I see. Did that make you nervous?”
“Y-Yes.”
Thomas continued asking simple and casual questions. Little by little, Princess Maria’s responses became more natural.
“How have you been feeling since your recovery?”
“Um… I feel better… and I think… I need to try harder…”
“I see. That’s why you decided to reach out like this.”
“Y-Yes. Thank you very much!”
Thomas smiled kindly.
Princess Maria still couldn’t look directly at him, but her gratitude was clear.
“It’s all thanks to Master Relele. I am… really grateful to him.”
“That’s good to hear. I am sure you went through a lot, but I believe you can overcome it.”
“Yes!”
Princess Maria smiled brightly.
Thomas’s gentle approach had helped her open up.
“Thank you, Thomas, and also Lady Reina.”
“Oh, I didn’t do anything.”
“Because you were by my side, I felt brave. Thank you.”
For some reason, she thanked me as well.
I couldn’t help but feel curious about how much admiration and affection she was showing toward me.
♢♢♢
“Good day, Lady Reina.”
“You’re working hard again today.”
“Yes! Please accompany me again!”
Princess Maria came again today.
After accompanying her for these training sessions to overcome her fear of men, we had become quite close.
She even shared parts of her past with me, making me want to support her even more.
“Why not host a tea party?”
“M-Me? A tea party!?”
“Your Highness can already speak with me and the head butler. Why not invite some trustworthy young noblemen?”
“But… I have always stayed inside the palace. I refused all marriage proposals and never fulfilled my duties as a princess, so I have no acquaintances…”
She could now talk to Thomas without being nervous.
Since there were no other servants her age in the Duke’s mansion, Thomas’s idea was worth considering.
As I thought about it, I realized I only knew one person who might be willing to come.
What should we do?
“So, this is where you were. Maria, Thomas, if you’d like, please come to the dining hall.”
“Me too!?”
“Yes. I have invited a very skilled chef. Let’s all enjoy his cooking together.”
Sir Julite had arranged this gathering for Princess Maria.
And the chef he invited was Belard Bettom.
♢♢♢
“This is so delicious!”
Princess Maria struggled with the chopsticks but praised the Japanese-style meal.
Everyone—including the servants, the head butler, Sir Julite, and I—enjoyed the meal together.
This time, the dishes were different from before, but the gentle and delicious flavors were just as wonderful.
“When Sir Julite asked me to cook, I thought carefully about what to prepare. I’m really glad you enjoyed it. Thank you.”
“That person… made this food?”
“Yes. This is Belard Bettom, the third son of Baron Bettom.”
“Oh wow…”
Princess Maria stared at Bettom, and her cheeks turned slightly red.
Noticing her gaze, Bettom walked over to us.
“Lady Reina, thank you for the other day. And thank you, Your Highness, for enjoying my cooking.”
“Y-Yes! T-Thank you… f-for the meal!”
She didn’t seem scared.
She was just nervous.
This could be a great opportunity for her to become more comfortable around men.
Fortunately, I was allowed to introduce her.
Bettom should be a safe person to share this with.
“She is Maria Gress, the First Princess.”
“W-What?! Your Highness?!”
“A-A-A-Ah… I-I am M-M-Maria G-Gress… It’s an honor to meet you!”
This was completely different from when she met me or Thomas for the first time.
Could it be…?
“Did you enjoy the food, Your Highness?”
“I-It was d-delicious! I… I want to eat it again!”
“I am honored to hear that. Thank you.”
The atmosphere was quite pleasant.
“Sir Bettom, why don’t you sit with us?”
“Me? Sitting next to the princess is too much…”
“We were just talking about how we wanted to learn more about your cooking. Right, Maria?”
“Then, I’ll gladly join. Excuse me.”
Bettom didn’t seem overly intimidated by talking to a princess.
He was close to Sir Julite, so he would probably get along with Princess Maria as well.
After all, Sir Julite had arranged this meeting for a reason.
As we continued chatting, the mood became more relaxed.
“I will definitely visit your restaurant.”
“I will prepare a private space for you.”
“It’s fine. No one knows my face anyway.”
“Even so, I want you to enjoy your time comfortably. I look forward to it.”
Although she was nervous at first, Princess Maria quickly became friends with Bettom.
She had worked so hard every day to speak with men.
She had finally overcome some of her fears.
I needed to thank Sir Julite for his kindness.
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