The Cunning Prince. 

After arriving at the mansion I did what I should've done, fixing the tea set, having it served to Ophelia and Timothy but somehow… 

"Oh my, The Crown Prince and my lady surely have a good relationship!"

"It's a match made in heaven!"

The gossiping maids can be heard from here. Since the sun is still high the meeting between the Crown Prince and Ophelia was done in the nearby gazebo. 

"This meeting is pleasant, Right my lady?"

"Haven't I told you to call me Ophelia?"

"My apologies, Ophelia"

Both parties are looking at each other with smiles on par with adults, it's quite concerning that this is happening instead of a lovey-dovey atmosphere. 

"Of course, the meeting would be pleasant, it was done by my personal Butler after all!"

"Oh! Is it Samuel's planning?"

"Of course!"

Ophelia huffed her chest, proud of my duties. 

"Oh, then I guess…"

Timothy's smile grew deeper then he looked at me. 

"I owe you one."

I was genuinely surprised, but I'm not the only one, Ophelia understanding the meaning of his actions was quick to retort. 

"You don't have to owe him anything, it's his duty!"

The reason Timothy said that is to build a connection, not with the Marquis but with Samuel himself. After all, he was a talent that everyone will covet, Timothy is no different. 

"Oh my… but I consider him as a friend, so it might not be so far when I say that!"

Timothy chuckled. For everyone, it seems like the Prince and Ophelia are having a pleasant conversation. 

But for me who is in here, I just wanted to leave. 

Ophelia looked at me with disbelief, with my eyes I conveyed confusion which she caught on to quickly. 

"I see. The Prince and Sammy are the same age"

"Ahem."

Giving nicknames is something you only do when you are close to that person, for Ophelia to say my nickname in front of the Prince… My stress levels are just high. But my face won't allow it to show. 

Timothy narrowed his eyes as he looked at me and Ophelia. 

"Oh… is that so? Then… "

With a snake-like smile, he looked at me and said. 

"Then can I call you Sammy too?"

I just wanted to go, why are both of you having a war of nerves with me as the subject? 

Just what did I do wrong to be in this situation?

"Your highness—" Ophelia said a bit perplexed

"Oh don't call me by such stiff honorifics."

His smile wasn't fading, it's like he knew that would happen. 

"Call me by Tim"

Ophelia flinched, she just understood what had transpired. I on the other hand could not voice myself. 

Timothy keeps using me to corner Ophelia. But you know what, I won't stay still. I've had enough. 

{GO SAMMY!!!}

[LETS GOOOOO]

"Your Highness of course"

Both eyes looked at me. 

"You can call me by the name"

Timothy blinked a bit and shook, but he quickly recovered and with a smile looked at me and said. 

"Oh why thank you, Sammy"

"So… Can I also call you Tim?"

I asked with a slight smile as if being shy. Timothy saw this, his brow twitched but he didn't let his emotion show. 

"Why of course!"

"Then, My lady, why won't you have a conversation with Tim, I'll prepare the snacks"

"eh-uh... Un.. " she nodded

With that, I dragged Timothy's attention off Ophelia and had it change with my sudden act of closeness. I hope they won't have a sudden war of nerves while I'm gone. 

But as I was walking off I heard something about me again. 

"Say, is Sammy attending Asella Academy with you?"

"Are you talking about another guy when talking with your fiance?"

I just walked off after that. I don't want to hear that anymore!

Though Timothy's questions are right, can I attend Asella Academy? Am I worthy enough?

I have to stay by Ophelia's side and I'll make sure to do so. I'm attending the same classes as she and I am pretty sure I'm smart enough to attend. 

Meanwhile, 

"Yes, Sammy is attending with me towards the Academy, why?"

"Well, just making sure. After all, if he didn't I'll have to accompany you"

"You're saying that like I'll be lonely"

"Well, aren't you?"

"..."

Ophelia contemplated a bit at Timothy's words, Then Timothy spoke again. 

"I was sincere on accompanying you in the Academy though"

But Ophelia just sneered at his words, Timothy didn't miss such action. But he didn't do anything, instead, he looked at Ophelia softly. 

This caught Ophelia off guard. 

"Ophelia, if I met you first you know I won't let you go you know?"

"That made me shiver" this time Ophelia didn't bother to hide her disgust. 

Timothy is still smiling but his eyes show sadness. But that quickly washed away as his normal smiling poker face returned. 

"I'm serious, you know?"

"..."

"That I wish that I met you earlier"

Ophelia looked away for a second. 

"Stop saying that, you're like an old man… "

Ophelia didn't know why she averted her gaze for a second, but she didn't consider it seriously. 

But for Timothy, her slightly red ears didn't go unnoticed. That at least eased his tense heart. 

'I at least have a chance.'

Then a familiar footstep chimed in, it feels like the footstep is being deliberately being made as it sounded unnatural. 

Along with a tray that carried a plate full of circular bread. 

"What… is this?"

Timothy asked me with a curious look. 

"it's bread roll"

I placed it down along with the sauce holder. It is filled with ketchup. 

Ophelia's proud aura can be felt from here, she is seemingly proud to have me as her Butler I guess. 

"I always have this different type of snacks, it's always delightful to have them"

Timothy is curious, but he took a fork that came in with the plate and took a bite out of the bread roll. 

"Oh— this is… a really good snack"

"is it~?"

"Who made these?"

Timothy asked genuinely but before I could answer Ophelia immediately answered something I have trouble understanding why she would. 

"of course it's Sammy!"

'... Give me a break Lia…'