Tea Time

Two teacups were placed between them. Soon, a light dessert was placed down.

Finally, Emily winked at her and left the room.

“…….”

'I’m going to lose my mind.'

“Will you not take it up.”

Without even looking at his teacup, he looked at her directly and asked. She furtively looked away and grabbed her teacup.

“…..You should also take yours. I heard this tea is good for relieving fatigue.”

She said with difficulty.

“You still haven't answered.”

He quietly drank the tea while savouring it. She had been drinking however she wanted, but he drank like a painting as if he were following standard procedure for a tea ceremony. She glanced at his proper hands and wrists, slightly raised chin, and the thick line of his neck.

“……Were you hurt anywhere?”

"Don't change the subject, what are you going to do with that girl?" Richard didn't ask but demanded, yet even he saw the invisible line between their stations and calmed himself. "No... I wasn't hurt."

“No?”

At her incredulous tone, he quietly lifted the corners of his mouth. His almost smile jumbled up her insides.

“There were several times I found myself in danger, but I am alright now.”

“…..You were in danger.”

“There was one time that I almost had my throat cut. There was an enemy ambush ... Long story short is that I am unhurt, as you can see.”

When he had finished, he sipped his tea like he had said nothing important.

“……That’s a relief.”

At her words, he raised his eyebrows and examined her face.

“……..Is that so.”

He smiled with an expressionless face. There was no love in his eyes. Like the dark and deep sea, they weren't filled with warmth and hate, only empty. Then he asked. “There was something troubling me. Whether your desire was victory or my ****.”

There was no way he didn’t know.

“Or if it was both victory and my ****.”

The princess had sent him to die.

“Everyone said it was my ****.”

“……”

“However, you didn't order me to die when you sent me off. You only ordered me to fight.”

“……You’re right.” So, she responded in the princess’s stead. "I did want you to die but changed my mind."

"Changed your mind?"

"I didn't know what I was thinking, seriously it's not like me to change my mind about anything yet it happened."

"Princess, you still haven't told me what you plan to do with that girl."