The Abandoned Princess’ Secret Bedroom - Chapter 16

Chapter 16

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Llewelyn moved between the women.

“By the way, the princess came wearing the same clothes as before.”

“I saw. They’re good riding clothes, but your sleeves and skirt look short… are you okay?”

Llewelyn smiled brightly as she walked.

“Because of the maids, I haven’t gotten any new clothes yet.”

“Oh my gosh. Are you saying that the maids don’t listen to the princess?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

They looked sad. Of course, that pitiful gaze was not a gaze of genuine compassion. 

Llewellyn added. “Because no one wants to be my lady-in-waiting.”

“Oh my gosh. That must be so hard. Still, you must have a lady-in-waiting…”

Llewelyn smiled even more deeply and said. “Does the young Countess Rocher want to be my lady-in-waiting?”

Startled, the young Countess Rocher smiled laboriously. “Wow, what are you talking about? I am from a lowly noble household.”

“Your mother,Countess Rocher, is my mother’s maid, and she is doing fine.” Llewelyn, who responded softly, smiled. 

Low-ranking aristocrats would have to adhere to Pamela’s orders to monitor the princess, but the Rochers were a family that had amassed enormous wealth from textiles. To become the lady-in-waiting of Llewelyn, who had no future, her reputation had to be awful. There were many reasons to decline her offer.

“Princess, I will, uhm, go riding for a bit. Have a good time.”

The young Countess Rocher quickly walked away, fearing that Llewelyn might catch her. Then the other girls, like her, withdrew.

As the crowd left, Llewelyn grinned and found Almondite. His face was not visible. But instead of going to him, she looked at the place where women had gathered, and went there instead. She thought it would be better to sit than to stand still. But no one gave her a chair.

“Princess.”

Llewelyn saw the person approaching her.

“Sir Jayad?”

Llewelyn had a puzzled expression on her face. Tristan was wearing a riding suit, not the armor he always wore. The riding clothes fit snugly to his body and emphasized his body shape.

His broad shoulders were outlined by his dark-green jacket, which complimented his brown skin wonderfully, and was cut in a way to expose the muscles in his arms. Perhaps because of his developed pectoral muscles, the buttons were tight and the buttoned jacket looked as if it would pop open at any moment.

The tight-fitting pants also emphasized his firm thigh muscles that were hidden by his usual armor. One of his thighs seemed thicker for some reason. Llewelyn turned her gaze toward that asymmetry without knowing it, and then looked at Tristan’s face.

Even though he wasn’t naked, he was overly suggestive.

“Your clothes look good on you.”

They were words that came out of her mouth unknowingly. But they were also sincere. Llewelyn’s eyes widened as if realizing what she had just said. Just… a little too far. Didn’t she treat Tristan coldly during their last meeting? But in her defense, his clothes did fit well!

“That… Is that so?” Tristan also seemed surprised by her sudden praise. He raised his arms and looked down at his clothes. He looked like a caveman wearing clothes for the first time. Llewellyn came to her senses and asked.

“Are you participating in the riding event today?”

“Yes. I came here at the recommendation of Lord Darrell, the commander of the White Knights.”

“I see.”

Llewelyn looked around. Everyone was mesmerized by the sudden appearance of Tristan. She was as well. Tristan was showing off his masculine charm overwhelmingly right now. She didn’t think he meant to, though.

“Oh, Sir Jayad! What are you doing here?”

In the end, young Countess Rocher could not bear it and approached him secretly. Tristan’s face hardened as she approached.

“I have come to greet the princess.”

“Sir Jayad is a model for knights.”

As the young Countess Rocher smiled sweetly like an angel, sickly sweet smiles spread among the others as well. Llewelyn’s refusal to allow Tristan to escort her while also insulting him was a popular topic of gossip in the social world.

“Greetings, Sir Jayad. As you can see, everyone is concentrating on the excitement of the horse riding event. I hope today will be filled only with joy. Please postpone formalities.”

“It is a natural courtesy to greet the royal family.”

Tristan said firmly. However, it was only ever Llewelyn who was criticized for how Tristan behaved. Tristan continued to speak, whether he knew the atmosphere or not.

“I don’t think there’s anything more foolish than forgetting your duty for your own enjoyment. Especially for those who follow etiquette as if it were their life.”

However, his words brought more attention to himself than to Llewelyn. It was because it was a remark that shot down all the nobles who ignored Llewelyn.

Even Llewelyn’s eyes widened. What was this man doing? The nobles shifted uncomfortably. Among them, there were many who looked very displeased with Tristan.

“Yes. Courtesy is very important.”

Llewelyn wanted to shut the mouth of the young Countess Rocher who was talking stupidly over there. “Sir Jayad, you are a knight, so aren’t you familiar with horses? How about spending some time with those who don’t know how to ride?”

Some of the young girls agreed with young Countess Rocher. They didn’t seem to care about Tristan’s sharp words. Some even thought that was his honest charm. However, Tristan hardly took young Countess Rocher’s suggestion to heart.

“I don’t think I need to, as there are already other people helping them. But, if the princess rides a horse, I will help her.”

Even when he spoke words of refusal, he didn’t even look at young Countess Rocher. But for Llewellyn, it was different.

“Princess, do you have any horses you want to try out?”

Llewelyn, who met Tristan’s gaze, was slightly perplexed. Why was he here? She didn’t know much about Tristan. Wasn’t he praised for respecting his Lady and keeping chivalry? But why did he have this attitude? In this situation, it wasn’t wise at all.

“No… That’s not it. I just want to watch.”

For fear of spreading rumors with the Duke of Biserk, Llewelyn did not reveal her purpose.

“Then I will stay with you.”

She looked at Tristan. He had an unchanging, straight glance. What would happen if she held Tristan’s hand here? Tristan had spoken of nobles who gossiped about him. Surely, with her action, he would be pointed at even more.

Llewelyn never treated Tristan properly. She even warned him not to cross the line last time. Since then, he had been keeping his distance without speaking a word, but why…

Should she hurt him again? Llewelyn glanced at the nobles. She hated hearing their gossip. She was speechless.

“Sir Jayad, I…”

“Oh, what a wonder.”

The voice she heard was Almondite’s. Why was he appearing now? Almondite smiled and spoke to Llewelyn. “Hello, Princess.” 

As he approached, people’s eyes turned towards them again. Almondite,  in his riding suit, was also surprisingly seductive. The navy blue outfit, which was the opposite of the color of his hair, made his appearance stand out even more. If Tristan showed off his physical beauty, Almondite showed off his natural beauty.

“Hello, Duke.”

“Sir Jayad. No, sorry, Count.”

Llewelyn was slightly offended by Almondite’s correction. Although Tristan Jayad did not receive any territories, he was awarded the title of Count. Compared to the Duke, his rank was low. But Tristan didn’t seem to mind.

“Why are you here?”

“I have an agreement with the princess, and I am going to fulfill it. What are you doing?” he said, while wrapping an arm around Llewelyn’s shoulder as if claiming ownership. Looking at his arm, Llewelyn frowned and looked up at Almondite. “Duke of Biserk, I will accept your offer to watch the horses.”

A smile lingered on his lips, even as he lifted his arm off her shoulder.

“And I will also accept Sir Tristan’s favor.”

The smile vanished and his arm came around her shoulders again, tighter.

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