Chapter 61

A Lady-Killer, Perhaps? [Re]

Stepping off the carriage, I was prompted by Prince Lian to head toward the nearby food stalls.
Placing my foot on the step, I descended onto the lakeside.
The area was surrounded by trees, and beyond their branches, I could faintly see a pale blue lake.

That must be the famous lake, the tourist attraction.

The ground was covered in soft grass.

(I wore lace-up boots for easy walking, but I should still be careful…)

As I thought this, Prince Lian extended his hand to me.

“Felicia, here.”

“…We’re outdoors, and it would draw attention. I’ll gratefully accept your kindness, but I’m fine.”

“Is that so? But—”

The moment I declined and started to walk—

Slip!!

“!?!?”

…I slid spectacularly, as if accompanied by a dramatic sound effect.

(…The grass I stepped on!! The soil!! It’s wet!?)

Why is it wet!?!?

My right foot shot skyward with the flair of a cheerleader’s high kick—spinning me half a turn in place.
Following gravity, I was about to fall headfirst when—

“…!”

A strong force pulled me back, catching me by the waist.
It was Prince Lian, standing beside me.

Thanks to him, I avoided the misfortune of becoming mud-covered right after arriving!

“…”
“…”

When I looked at him, Prince Lian had a look that seemed to say something—like, I told you so.
He gazed at me as if I were a troublesome child.

(Ugh, so embarrassing…!!)

My cheeks burned as if they were on fire.
I haven’t fallen this spectacularly even as a child!?

As Prince Lian gave a wry smile, the heat spread from my cheeks to my ears and neck.
Feeling the creeping embarrassment, he said with a hint of a chuckle,

“…This area is near the mountains, so the weather changes quickly. It rained last night, so the ground is slippery if you’re not used to it. I should’ve warned you earlier. My apologies.”

“…Thank you for your concern.”

If I could be picky, I wish he’d told me before I declined…

Prince Lian gave another wry smile at my response and slowly released his hand from my back.

“Are you injured?”

“I’m fine. Thank you for saving me. I nearly ruined our visit to this lovely tourist spot.”

After saying this, I added casually, as if it were an afterthought,

“…Um, just so you know, I wasn’t particularly tomboyish or bold back in the Tsaobera Kingdom, okay? If anything, I was quite reserved… I mean, I was the crown prince’s fiancée.”

But no matter what I said, it sounded like an excuse.

(It just sounds like I’m covering up a lie…!)

Continuing would only make it worse.
To avoid further blunders, I shut my mouth.

Prince Lian smiled again at my words.

“Felicia, you’re someone who never gets boring to watch.”

“Eh?”

Like… watching a rare animal in a zoo!?

My mind conjured images of a gorilla performing tricks in a zoo cage and a chimpanzee nimbly swinging from bars overhead.

(I haven’t performed any amusing tricks like that…!?)

For the record, I have no talents like performing stunts.

(Even if I were put in a zoo, I doubt I could compete with the crowd-drawing power of chimpanzees or gorillas…)

As these off-the-mark thoughts raced through my head, I snapped back and looked at Prince Lian.

But by then, he was already gazing into the distance.

“Let’s get lunch while the weather’s nice. The stalls will close up if it rains.”

“…Yes.”

It seemed the matter was already settled for him.
Unable to bring it up again, I nodded quietly.

To avoid a repeat of earlier, I gratefully took Prince Lian’s hand and started walking.

Then, thinking about his earlier words, I quickly came to a conclusion.

(Oh, he meant as an observation subject…!)

Prince Lian is a magic ot—er, someone deeply interested in magical studies.
[TL/N: Ot- as in she was about to say“Otaku”]
An anomaly like me must be endlessly fascinating as an observation subject.

Right, even if we’re from different dynasties, he wouldn’t compare a noble lady to a zoo animal.

Phew, good.

As I felt inwardly relieved, another emotion welled up.

“…”

I couldn’t help but stare at Prince Lian.

“…Something?”

Noticing my gaze, he tilted his head.
His long golden hair swayed lightly.

“…No, I’m just looking forward to the stalls.”

As I answered, I grew more certain of one thing.

(Prince Lian…
Isn’t he kind of… a lady-killer…??)

That line earlier—even though it made me think of zoo animals from my past life—some people might take it as a flirtatious remark.

(I mean, wasn’t that basically…)

A ‘You’re an interesting woman’ comment!?!?

He might not have meant it that way at all!!

(This guy!! He’s a misunderstanding generator!!)

A real-crush generator!!

A phrase from my past life popped into my head, and I couldn’t help but (mentally) blurt it out.

Behind us, Matthew, Zacks, Wellno, and Marcus followed as our escorts.

I’d love to hear their opinions on this.
I bet Magnolia isn’t the first to fall head over heels for Prince Lian.

(…Maybe I’ll ask them quietly later.)

As I thought this, the stalls were already in sight.