How About a Refill? ~The Elegant Tea Party of the Grand Witches~ - Chapter 52

Conversation with Ivan 1

“Have you calmed down?”

Ivan asked Miriam while he drank his tea.

“Yes, thank you for your concern.”

“I see.”

“………”

“………”

The conversation came to a halt. They sat like that in awkward silence. The room had three people: Miriam, Ivan and the maid. SInce they were not talking, all they could hear was the clattering as the maid tidied the tea.

“Ah, how has my brother been these days?”

“He’s fine. However, recently, he has a lot of work and stays in his office till late every day.”

Ivan, guessing it must be because he had to take over Ivan’s shar as well, hung his head with a muttered ‘I see’.

Heavy silence settled over the room once again.

“…I’m really sorry about your sister as well. I’ve always wanted to apologize.”

Ivan exclaimed and bowed his head to Miriam.

“Please rise, Prince Ivan.”

“But…”

“A member of the royalty shouldn’t bow their head so easily.”

Ivan raised his head and saw firm hazel eyes looking at him.

“What you did to my sister is something that can’t be forgiven. In fact, I have no intention of forgiving you.”

　その言葉に肩を落とし、項垂れるが「…ですが」と続く言葉に再び顔を上げる。

Ivan’s head sunk down again at those words but he perked up again as Miriam continued.

“But, Your Highness is Prince Emilio’s younger brother. After I marry him you will be my brother-in-law. That’s why, even if I can’t forgive you, I want to have a good relationship with you.” 

“I see… thank you…”

A drop of tear ran down Ivan’s face.

Since there was nothing else to do, they started talking. The subject was exclusively about Emilio.

“You know my brother! He doesn’t stand out much but he’s really skilled in martial arts, and also excelled in academics. Yet he doesn’t stand out much!”

“I can’t tell if you’re praising him or insulting him…”

“And he even has that fearsome face! That black hair and blue eyed appearance! Both his height, and his personality is also good! He’s too handsome!”

‘So, he really does look up to his brother after all…’

Miriam watched on as Ivan, speaking as if he was disparaging him, sprouted praises of his brother.

“…I’ve always thought my brother should be the one to succeed the throne. That day I told my uncle to stop hindering the royal council with stuff like factions and whatnot.”

Miriam’s eyes widened at Ivan’s words. Didn’t Ivan cause the previous incident because he felt like he may lose the chance to succeed the throne?

“Prince Ivan, you didn’t want to become the Crown Prince…?”

Ivan nodded his head.

“Both me and my mother have never cast our eyes on the throne. My mother is also on good terms with the Queen. In fact, it was my mother who originally helped father get married to the Queen.”

“Oh, it was like that!?”

“Yeah…”

　――――――――

The current rulers of the Avilier Kingdom, King Sasha, and Queen Olnera, had, breaking tradition for royalty, married for love.

Sasha already had a betrothed. She was the eldest daughter of Duke Saint Angelo, Benedicta, the current consort.

However, since their engagement had been arranged since birth, the actual individuals harbored no feelings of love for each other. Because of Benedicta’s strong-minded personality Sasha thought of her as a good male friend rather than as his fiance.  

Sasha met Olnera at a certain count’s residence when he went to stay there for a royal inspection of the territories. She had black hair like silk with glistening violet eyes, and a small build which made him want to protect her. Sasha fell in love with her at first sight

Olnera was also charmed by the blue eyed brown haired Sasha. However, he was a Prince while she was a Count’s daughter’ their social statuses were too far apart. On top of that, Sasha was already betrothed to Benedicta. No matter how much he tried to persuade her, she always refused. 

It was none other than Benedicta who pushed the two together.

She urged Sasha saying, “If you love her so much you shouldn’t give up. No matter what happens, or what others say you should fight for her.”

To Olnera, she said, “I think of Sasha as a brother or a friend, and he also feels the same way. The only one who can love him as a man is you, Nera.”

And to the people who complained about the difference in their status, she silenced them saying, “If it matters that much then I’ll become the consort, then I’ll still be able to support him as the king. Any complaints?”

And so, Olnera eventually gave in to Sasha’s persuasions and the two ended up getting married.

　――――――――

“And now, rather than the Queen and my mother fighting for my father, it is my mother and my father fighting for the Queen.”

“Really?”

Miriam let out a surprised exclamation without realising at Ivan’s statement.

“How should I put it, my mother is weak for cute things… The Queen doesn’t even look like she has a grown up child at her age.”

“Ah…”

Miriam recalled the meeting when her engagement had been finalised. Emilio’s mother, Olnera, looked like she was in her twenties. She had a lovely appearance. She still remembered her clear voice like bells, and the gaze of the king looking at her full of love.

“She showered both me and brother with her love when we were younger. By the way, I am looking forward to you becoming a part of our family. I think mother would like to have tea with you and the Queen sometime.”

“With me as well? There must be a mistake.”

“Well I think you are more cute than you think. It’s just your family has different characteristics. It’s like a kitten among unicorns, something like that.” 

Miriam narrowed her eyes at being compared to the kitten. But she let it go and turned to ask Ivan about ‘that day’.