How About a Refill? ~The Elegant Tea Party of the Grand Witches~ - Chapter 80

Prince Charming?

Some time after Miriam and Emilio got engaged, before the kidnapping.

“I’m completely lost…”

This was the royal palace of the Avilier Kingdom.

And, Miriam had lost her way inside it.

Miriam used to periodically come to the palace to take part in Queen lessons ever since she got engaged to Emilio.

Previously, she used to be summoned directly here to Beatrice’s mansion. And, on her way back, she would be escorted by Emilio through the corridors to the horse carriage.

Hence she still had to learn the layout of the palace. Not only that, but she also had to study the history and economy of the kingdom, and the neighbouring kingdoms; she had to review and go over etiquette and conduct suitable for royalty; and also learn the various rites or traditions that the royal family took part in. 

Today too, she had set out to learn the layout of the palace, but had gotten distracted by some flowers that decorated the corridors, and had lost sight of her guide. She tried to chase after him, but after wandering aimlessly around for a while, she realised she was completely lost. 

“Calm down, Miriam. Hmm, I did learn that the various buildings in the palace were constructed around an inner courtyard, so all I need to do is go out to the courtyard and everything should be fine!”

Miriam carefully surveyed her surroundings trying to look for something that might tell her where she currently was.

“Ah! That’s right! Every building in the palace has linens of different colours! I just need to look at the colour to find out which part of the palace this is!”

She looked around to see if she could find something made of cloth when she spotted the flowers that had resulted in her getting lost.

She looked down to the ribbon that was used to tie the flowers together.

“Yellow… Hmm, so this must be the Amber Palace. Then if I go to the courtyard, the building on the right should be the Diamond Palace, and the one on the left should be the Ruby Palace. If I can find my way to the Goldfish Palace, I can go to Prince Emilio’s office!”

Feeling determined, she started to walk when she heard a “Pfft!” sound from behind her.

Miriam turned around to see a tall slender man standing behind her and laughing. He had waist length chestnut coloured hair, and narrow amber eyes. 

He was dressed in a knight’s uniform of gold embroidery on white cloth which made him look like a prince that had come out of a book. Miriam blushed as she stared at him.

“Hahaha, you finally got fired up, but you’re walking in the opposite direction. What a cute young lady!”

It looked like Miriam was walking towards the Diamond Palace, not the Ruby palace where she’d wanted to go.

“Th-thank you for the tip. I am Miriam Farina Caparoni, the second daughter of Marquess Caparoni.”

The man’s eyes widened when he heard her name. He quickly extended a hand to her with a smile.

“Nice to meet you, my lady. I am, well… call me Dick.”

“Dick…?”

The man smiled at Miriam’s confused expression then, pulling on her hand, led her towards the Ruby Palace.

“You’re lost, right? Come, I’ll escort you to Emil’s office.”

‘He’s calling Emilio by his nickname? Just who is this person? Maybe he’s Prince Emilio’s cousin or something? But he resembles Prince Ivan more than Prince Emilio…? Putting that aside, why am I getting flustered over him… Is this infidelity…’

Dick pulled her along through the Ruby Palace to the Goldfish Palace.

He seemed to know a lot  about the palace and explained the layout, the rooms and corridors to Miriam better than her guide.

And then, when Emilio’s door appeared, he smiled and let go of her hand.

“Well, you can take it from here, right? It was fun. Thank you, cute young lady.”

“I-I should also thank you for helping me out. Ah and I really appreciate you telling me all those things about the Palace.”

Miriam curtsied slowly.

“Haha, you don’t have to be so formal. That’s right, it would be nice if we can have tea together some time. I’ll ask Emil about it.”

“U-umm, Dick, who are you exactly?”

Dick raised his index finger and placed it on Miriam’s mouth with a wink.

“Hahaha, you’ll find out soon enough. Then, see you!”

After saying goodbye, he made a gallant exit.

Miriam stared after him with her face still blushing before quickly coming to her senses and rushing to Emilio’s office. She announced her presence to the guards outside his office.

Perhaps they knew about Miriam getting lost while walking, but the guards quickly knocked on the door to announce that she was here. She heard a cluttering noise from inside followed by a loud thump before footsteps came running to the door. The door opened and Leonardo rushed out.

“Millie! My angel! Where have you been! Ah, I was so worried!”

He hugged her tightly. The door opened again and Emilio came limping out with teary eyes and a hand rubbing his shin.

“Oi! Leo! Let go of Miriam! I also want to!… Ah! Ouch!”

“Hm! It’s because you’re not attentive that you hit your leg on the table! Ah, Millie, did you get lost!?”

“B-brother! It hurts!”

Leonardo reluctantly let go of Miriam but, this time, Emilio swept in to hug her.

“I was so worried when the guide told me you got lost. And just when lady Beatrice isn’t here either, I thought I would die from worrying!”

“I’m sorry, Prince Emilio. I got distracted by the flowers decorating the corridors, and got lost.”

“I see. Did you find your way here alright?”

Miriam thought about Dick and decided to tell it to Emilio honestly.

“Ah, actually when I was lost in the Amber Palace someone helped escort me till here.”

“Someone?”

“Yes, he said his name was Dick. He was wearing a white uniform, was tall and slender, and had chestnut coloured hair with amber eyes. Also… I really apologise but I couldn’t help but feel flustered around him! I know I shouldn’t have…” 

Emilio had been looking at Miriam’s upturned, tear-filled face lovingly. But then became agitated when he heard the last part.

But then he recalled the person’s appearance that Miriam had described.

‘Slender and tall, chestnut hair and amber eyes, and wearing a white uniform… Dick… Ah!’

“Don’t worry, Miriam. It’s fine if it’s that person.”

“Do you know him?”

“Yeah. Miriam will also meet them soon.”

Emilio laughed after saying so.

It was later, when the Queen invited Miriam to have tea with her and the consort, when Miriam found out Dick’s true personality. She found out it was Benedicta when she was introduced to her, who was smiling pleasantly beside the Queen at the tea party.