How Do You Do, Sire?

"Haaa…" I groaned, lying on my stomach, hugging a pillow against my chest.

"Good morning, my lady?"

It was Maya, my ever-dutiful maid. She pulled open the curtains, allowing the morning sunlight to spill into the room, announcing the start of a new day.

"Ugh…" another groan escaped as I curled up tighter beneath the covers.

For the past few days, I had done nothing but stay indoors, lounging around, reading books, and indulging in food. Before my coming-of-age event, I had starved myself for two weeks—eating just enough to fit into those damned gowns. Now that the event had passed three days ago, I was making up for it by being as lazy as possible.

Yet, despite all the resting, I still felt exhausted.

I rolled onto my back, the pillow still clutched to my chest, sighing for what felt like the hundredth time.

Since my days had become a repetitive cycle of idleness, I had finally agreed to meet up with Marian and Cassandra later. We planned to promenade along the riverside park.

"Ugh…" I groaned again. No more lazing around today. It was only seven in the morning, yet I had to start preparing already.

"Haaaah…" My endless sighing and groaning filled the room, accompanied only by the quiet rustling of Maya as she arranged my outfit and prepared everything for my outing.

Even after a full night's sleep, I still felt sluggish. Though, calling it a full night's sleep would be a stretch—after all, I had barely slept properly for the past three days. My mind had been consumed by one thing…

Him.

Specifically, what had happened between me and the Crown Prince.

Every time I closed my eyes, I could see it again—the moment replaying in my mind like a scene from a drama. It was all I could think about.

A slow smile crept onto my lips. My cheeks burned with heat.

I finally did it. My first kiss!

And it had been a good one.

Some might say it was too fast, considering we had just met. But in the modern world, people had one-night stands with strangers. Compared to that, a kiss was hardly scandalous. Besides, I had been more than ready for it. I was determined.

My heart fluttered as I tried to process this feeling. It was almost intoxicating.

The Crown Prince was such a good kisser. Just how many women had he kissed to become that skilled?

"Haven't you had a good sleep, my lady?" Maya's voice pulled me from my thoughts. Her tone was laced with concern.

"Can you tell?"

"Your eyes say otherwise."

I sighed dramatically. Yeah, my eye bags must be looking anything but flattering right now.

"You're right. And to think I have to go out today in this state… Maya, I leave it to you. Make me look presentable."

I chuckled, still refusing to leave the comfort of my bed.

𓍼ོ

𓍼ོ

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"Thank you for your hard work. I will see you later, sir," I said to the knight escorting me for the day.

As an unwed woman, it was simply non-negotiable to wander the streets alone. However, now that I was with my friends, I was no longer considered unattended, and the escort was dismissed, set to return when the day came to an end.

"Aerin! It's so good to see you!"

"It's good to see you too, Cassandra," I responded with a smile, though my gaze instinctively wandered, searching for the other lady who was supposed to be here.

"Ah! She's over there with Erol," Cassandra said knowingly, following my line of sight.

I spotted them a short distance away—Marian and Erol, once again locked in what seemed to be a heated exchange. Those two never seemed to part, yet whenever you see them, they always bicker about something or another. Though I couldn't hear what they were arguing about this time, their animated gestures and narrowed eyes spoke volumes.

Cassandra motioned for us to move toward them, and I followed her lead.

As we neared, I decided to interject, "What are you two going on about this time?"

Marian, her striking red hair catching the sunlight, turned first and beamed at me. "Oh, hello, my dear Aerin!" she greeted, her tone light and airy—too airy, as if deliberately avoiding my question.

Erol, whose back had been turned, glanced over his shoulder. Upon seeing me, he offered a polite nod and a small smile. "Aerin."

I raised a brow at their lack of response. "Well?" I prompted, looking between them.

Instead of answering, Marian looped an arm around mine, steering the conversation away. "We've barely seen you these past days! What have you been up to?"

"Yes," Erol added, eyes studying me carefully, "you disappeared after the event. You must have been busy."

I blinked at their obvious deflection. But rather than press them, I decided to let it slide.

"Nothing much," I said with a shrug, keeping my voice casual. "Just catching up on rest… and indulging in food."

Marian hummed, unconvinced. "Food, huh? Nothing else?" Her lips curled into a knowing smirk, as if expecting some kind of scandalous reveal.

"Nothing else," I replied smoothly, though the warmth creeping up my neck at the memory of my kiss with the Crown Prince threatened to betray me.

They all narrowed their eyes slightly but said nothing.

Marian finally sighed dramatically. "Well, whatever it is, I'm sure we'll drag it out of you eventually."

"And whatever you two were arguing about," I shot back, "I'll figure that out as well."

The way both of them stiffened for a fraction of a second only fueled my curiosity further.

But for now, I decided to let it slide.

I shifted my gaze to Cassandra, who was already watching me with amusement. She wiggled her brows knowingly before letting out a soft laugh, clearly enjoying the sight of Marian and Erol squirming under unspoken suspicion.

We continued our leisurely stroll along the riverside, chatting about various things—though, for the most part, I was content just listening. Erol had left after dropping off Marian, making this an official girls' outing.

As we walked, my attention was drawn to the charming booths lining the path. Vendors displayed an assortment of goods—delicate trinkets, printed gossip columns, newspapers, finely woven hats, lace, ribbons, and other colorful accessories. The vibrant market, set against the serene backdrop of the river, made the whole place feel lively and inviting.

The park lived up to its reputation as the capital's prime spot for socializing and seeking potential suitors. It was an unspoken alternative to grand balls, a space where nobles could mingle casually without the need for lavish preparations or formal invitations. After all, hosting a ball required extensive planning and significant expense, and even attending one meant investing in extravagant attire. Tea parties were much the same. Here, however, nobles could present themselves and interact with others in a more relaxed and accessible way.

Eventually, we arrived at the boating area, where a wooden dock stretched over the gently flowing river. Several couples and groups were already renting boats, drifting along the water. Just before the dock, there was a grassy picnic area shaded by large trees. We made our way there and set up our picnic mat beneath the cool shade, arranging the light snacks we had each brought from our baskets.

The soft rustling of leaves and the occasional laughter from other picnicking groups added to the peaceful ambiance. Some distance away, lovers and friends enjoyed their time on rented boats, the gentle ripples of the river reflecting the sunlight.

As I settled in, removing the ribbon securing my hat under my chin, Marian turned to me with a knowing glint in her eyes.

"So, what's with the coat?"

It didn't take long for me to realize what she was referring to. And, speaking of that coat—I had yet to return it.

"He took pity on me for shivering that night and let me borrow it," I replied nonchalantly, setting my hat beside me.

Marian hummed, resting a finger on her chin, her expression unconvinced.

"Of all the events I've attended where the prince was present, that's the first time I've ever seen him offer his belongings to someone," she mused. "Right, Cassie?"

Cassandra, sipping her iced tea, nodded. "Not that I'm aware of, no. And just like your dress that night, it was a refreshing sight."

I shrugged. "That's probably because it was also the first time someone wore such an open dress to a formal event. Normally, with all the layers and structured designs, there's no need to worry about the cold. But mine was an off-shoulder gown with an open back, so naturally, I got chilly."

A perfect excuse. I was a very good liar.

"Well, you do have a point." Marian conceded, though her skepticism remained.

"But," she continued, narrowing her eyes, "isn't it strange that he didn't dance with his supposed partner that night but danced with you instead?"

I barely stopped myself from rolling my eyes. She really wasn't letting this go. And this was exactly why I had put off meeting them.

"He didn't?" I asked, feigning surprise. Truthfully, after I left with my father, the party had still been in full swing, so I had no idea what had happened afterward.

"Nope! You were the only one he danced with that night," Marian confirmed.

"Really?" I frowned, realization dawning on me. Did that mean I had unwittingly become the center of attention yet again?

"Well, to be fair," Cassandra interjected, setting down her tea, "the prince does that at every ball. He only ever dances once, and that's it. The rest of the time, he either entertains nobles or just sits at the royal table, watching the festivities."

Oh. So it wasn't anything special after all.

I felt a sense of relief wash over me. My imagination had gotten ahead of me again, making me believe I'd become the subject of gossip. Thankfully, that wasn't the case.

"But, Aerin," Marian suddenly leaned in, her gaze sharp with curiosity, "your family has close ties with the royal family, doesn't it? That means you and the prince must have met several times before—perhaps even privately. Maybe that explains the… atmosphere between you two."

I blinked. "What atmosphere?"

"You know," she waved her hand vaguely, "something I can't quite put into words, but it's there."

I let out a laugh. "You're just imagining things."

Cassandra chuckled along with me, but inwardly, I wasn't so sure.

Before I possessed Aerin's body, had she and the prince actually been close? Since my arrival in this world, I hadn't met him or any of the royal family until that ball. If the original Aerin had a past connection with him, wouldn't people—especially my servants—have mentioned it by now? But they never had, so I doubted it.

"But," I admitted casually, "I would say he's a friend."

That much, at least, was true.

"Oh, I see… so that's it," Marian muttered, tapping her fingers against her knee.

Cassandra tilted her head. "How long have you two been friends? I heard you used to visit the palace often as a child with the duke. Probably since then?"

I hesitated. Of course, I had no way of knowing that. But if the real Aerin and the prince had been close since childhood, surely the empire would already be aware of it. And yet, there had been no such indication.

"Not that long," I said, shaking my head. "Just recently."

"If you say so."

"Oh! Speaking of the prince… how is Lady Juliana?"

Marian suddenly brightened, her eyes twinkling mischievously with my question.

I raised a brow at her, immediately sensing what she has in mind. "What? I'm just asking," I said, feigning innocence. "Just in case I accidentally stole someone's man that night."

"Oh, no, you're fine," Marian said with a laugh, waving off my concerns. "They're merely friends. If there was something more, an engagement would have been announced long ago."

That was exactly what Maya had told me before.

"It's just the nobility exaggerating things," Cassandra added.

"Right! Lady Juliana is just a familiar face. People have gotten used to seeing her with the prince at events, so they assume there's something there."

"Sometimes, he doesn't even escort her," Marian pointed out.

"So, yeah. That means the prince is a legitimate bachelor."

I hid my smile behind my teacup. That was a relief. I had worried I might have unknowingly interfered with an existing relationship, but it seemed I had nothing to feel guilty about.

With that matter settled, we continued our chat.

"Oh, how long will you be staying here in Rone, Aerin?"

Rone—the heart of the kingdom. A city of grandeur and endless social engagements, where nobles paraded their wealth and influence under the guise of civility. It was a place where reputations were built or shattered over a single misplaced rumor, and where the noble daughters, like the three of us, were nothing more than flowers waiting to be plucked by the highest bidder—err, I mean, suitor.

"As you know, my father has already returned to Beaufort," I said, adjusting my posture slightly on the picnic mat. "He told me I can stay here from now on if I wish, but I'm not sure if I'll stay for long or go back."

"Will you be managing your estate here?" Cassandra asked, popping a sugared berry into her mouth.

"He said I could, but honestly, I don't think I'm fit to act as the lady of the house. Managing a household, entertaining guests, keeping track of finances—sounds exhausting." I sighed dramatically. "However, I will try my best."

Marian waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, you'll get used to it. It's just like playing hostess at a never-ending tea party, except with more ledgers and less cake."

"What about you two?" I asked, diverting the conversation.

"Well," Marian stretched lazily, a wicked grin forming on her lips, "I'll be staying here with Cedric and Mother, continuing to parade myself like a prized filly at auction in the hopes that a wealthy, respectable suitor finds me irresistible."

"As for me," Cassandra said with a smirk, "I'll be continuing my lifelong duty of being a thorn in Marchioness Purvell's side."

We all burst into laughter.

"You mean your mother?" I teased.

"Yes, yes, her. The woman who acts like my entire existence is merely an inconvenience until I can be successfully sold off to the highest bidder." She threw her hands in the air dramatically. "Honestly, I swear she has a ledger somewhere, calculating my marriageable value like a merchant selling fine silk."

Marian groaned, flopping back onto the mat. "Ugh, don't remind me! The way these mothers hover around eligible men at social gatherings, you'd think they were merchants selling fresh produce at the market. 'Look at my daughter! A fine young lady of excellent breeding! Healthy, well-mannered, and capable of producing heirs! Buy her now before she's past her prime!'"

Cassandra choked on her tea, laughing. "Oh, absolutely! And don't forget the special offers! 'This one comes with a sizable dowry and an estate in the countryside! A deal you simply cannot refuse!'"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "And here I thought I was the only one who felt like a product on display."

Marian sighed, feigning exhaustion. "It's ridiculous. They're just waiting to offload us so they can finally relax and spend the rest of their days hosting luncheons and bragging about which of their daughters married the highest-ranking lord."

"At this rate, we should start carrying price tags," Cassandra muttered, stirring her tea. "Might save everyone the trouble."

I laughed along with them, but as the conversation carried on, a quiet thought settled in my mind.

Unlike Marian and Cassandra, who had mothers eagerly arranging their futures, making sure they were properly courted and admired, I had no one to do that for me. No mother to whisper in my ear about promising suitors, no guiding hand nudging me toward a strategic match.

But I was fine with that.

I simply smiled, pushing the thought aside.

Our picnic continued, filled with laughter, playful complaints, and harmless gossip as we indulged in sweet treats and watched the lively scene of the riverside unfold around us.