How About a Refill? ~The Elegant Tea Party of the Grand Witches~ - Chapter 41

Engagement and an Incognito Date

Clunk!

“Dear, you dropped your fork?”

Ferdinand had just let go of the cutlery he was holding. The footman quickly picked it up and replaced it with a new one.

After coming back home, Miriam decided to tell her family about Emilio’s proposal, and the fact that the royal family may pay a visit the day after.

Leonardo had also come home early today so everyone was present during dinner. Thinking it a good opportunity, she announced the news to everyone during dessert.

“M-millie… Did I hear wrong? I think I heard you say you were in love with His Highness, Prince Emilio? What’s more something about engagement or something… Wait! Maybe I’m hallucinating…!?”

“You’re not hallucinating, dear. Please don’t try to escape from reality.”

Tatiana admonished her husband who looked like he couldn’t believe his ears. Then she turned her goddess-like smile towards Miriam.

“Millie, if you have decided on this then I won’t stop you. However, you do understand what it means to accept a proposal from the First Prince Emilo right?”

It would mean that the daughter of one of the most influential families in the kingdom would be marrying the First Prince.

In other words, the Caparoni family would become an important support for the prince.

It would bring the competition between the two princes to succeed the throne to an end (actually it had already been tacitly decided), and would help Emilio succeed as the crown prince. That would mean he would one day inherit the throne.  

In short, Miriam would become the crown princess and, eventually, the Queen. She would one day rule over the kingdom with Emilio as the King.

Naturally, as soon as the engagement would be finalised, she would have to take lessons to be a suitable ruler, and would have to socialise even more in society.

Her lifestyle would change completely, and a lot of people would try to get close to her.

Miriam swallowed her fear and gazed at her family with surety in her eyes.

“Yes. I am ready for it. I will look after the kingdom with Prince Emilio as the crown princes, and eventually as the Queen.”

Her family was surprised to see this expression in her eyes, she’d never looked at them with such surety before. Since when did she become so strong? Just until recently she lived quietly in the family, always smiling modestly as she stayed one step behind them.

Her family had always worried about this state of hers. They had always loved her beauty that was like a small flower, and her courage.

However, right now, her beauty was shining with confidence they had never seen before. It was like the small flower had blossomed into a gorgeous bouquet making her look even more beautiful.

At that figure, both elder brother and sister nodded in praise, her mother smiled, and her father… wailed loudly.

“Millie…. My angel…. Leo, I’m going to retire and shut myself in the country. Go ahead and take over the marquesate.” 

“I’ll take over one day, but not now.”

Ferdinand, who had declared retirement in his shock, was immediately refused by Leonardo.

The next day, as per protocol, an official arrived from the palace and requested for the Caparoni family’s second daughter’s hand in marriage for the First Prince Emilio. The Caparoni family accepted.

They decided to hold an engagement ceremony in three months time, and the marriage was to be held in one year.

　◇

Miriam and Emilio walked with their hands intertwined together.

Miriam was wearing a polka-dot dress with simple accessories. Her hair was tied with a blue ribbon into a loose braid with a white hat decorated with blue flowers on her head. Emilio was wearing grey trousers with a white shirt and a balck waistcoat over it. He had on a coat the same color as his trousers, and a brown tie. The ensemble was finished with a black hat.

He looked like the son of a slightly wealthy merchant, out with a young lady. They were on an incognito date to the town as they had decided a few days ago.

“Where is the place you wanted to take me, Prince Emilio?”

“It’s a secret, Millie. By the way, you can’t say that. We don’t want people to know who we are so call me Emil. Don’t address me as Prince.”

Emilio wrapped an arm around her shoulders and urged her to call him by the nickname.

“…E-Emil.”

‘Uwaaaaaaaaa! She’s too cute, too cute! The cute attack is too strong!’

Emilio rubbed a hand over his chest to calm down his beating heart.

Miriam, startled at his strange behaviour, placed a hand on his arm.

“Um, there are a lot of people out today, right? Is it ok to hold onto your arm like this, so we don’t get separated?”

When Miriam looked up uncertainly at him, Emilio became overcome with emotion and picked her up in his arms. 

“You can hold it as much as you like! If you want to you can even hug me!”

“That’s still a bit embarrassing so please let me go!”

Ever since their engagement had been finalised, Emilio would touch her freely without hesitation. Miriam was perplexed at the happiness and embarrassment that seemed to overtake her every time he touched her.

“Emil! Just holding hands is fine! We’re in public!”

At those words, Emilio pouted and reluctantly let her down.

By the way, they were being followed by royal knights dressed as ordinary citizens for protection. They looked on warily as the Prince showered his affection on his fiance.

They walked slowly around the town, and soon arrived in front of a small shop.

“We’re here. This is the place.”

Miriam smiled broadly when she saw the sign.

“Hey! This is Prodotti da Forno!”

Miriam pressed her hand to her lips and smiled happily. Emilio grinned at her obvious delight.

“I did mention I wanted to come here in my letter, right?”

“You remembered! I’m so happy!”

Saying so Miriam grabbed his arm without realising.

Emilio was so happy he felt like he would fly into the sky.