Bitter

Just a moment ago~

"Your highness! I heard that bakery over there bakes the best of bread throughout the city!" Emilia pointed to a bakery shop with a sign on it that says, "Infinite." Looking rather fancy than the rest of the stores around it. Emilia pulls the hand of Lawrence towards the bakery, smiling.

Lawrence gave a sigh and smiled, "Then shall we buy some bread for our servants?" he suggested.

Emilia's eyes sparkled at the idea, "It will definitely increase their esteem and confidence towards you." she said to herself, nodding at each word. "Yes. Definitely," she replied to Lawrence.

Lawrence laughed at the priceless innovation Emilia showed, "That was terrific." he said in between his laughs. "Then let's." wiping his tears of joy as he lets himself pulled towards the bakery.

They picked various bread before exiting the bakery with laughs and a mouthful of delight. Everything was smooth and steady. The two of them enjoyed themselves, joking and telling each other stories. It all so happens when the joyous atmosphere disappeared in an instant.

Just like a landslide, Lawrence's cheerful and joking atmosphere dispersed. His eyes stared at the distance as if he was staring at the abyss. Smile overlapped by bitterness wince and the angry icy stares. His vision of his father, the granted marquess, and his children along with the granted marchioness. Laughing and cheering with each other, as a family would.

'Despicable.'

Emilia wondered her eyes to where Lawrence's reached. Gasped, she covered her mouth with both of her hands. 'How awful!' she thought to herself, returning her gaze at Lawrence, who gave the cold and unsatisfied atmosphere. Emilia stiffened at the aura Lawrence transmitted around the area.

"Y-your h-highness..." Emilia hesitantly called Lawrence. Lawrence turned his gaze towards Emilia, dull and cold eyes. Emilia avoided his gaze and spoke, "I-I'm sorry!" frightened by the prince's atmosphere, she bowed down and apologized.

Lawrence snapped out of his glaring state, sighing. "Please, stay at ease. It was my fault," he said, covering his head with his palm. "Let's go back to the manor. This view is an eyesore," he added before turning behind towards the carriage.

"Y-yes, your highness," Emilia replied as she moved behind Lawrence.

Just before they step into the carriage, Grace noticed the two of them. "Lawrence?!" she called, fifty-fifty about her guess. As Lawrence was about to step in, he stopped himself.

Turning his body towards Grace, smiling forcibly. "Milady," Lawrence answered.

"So it was you!" Grace smiled. "I just knew from afar!" she proudly said to herself.

Behind her, the Marchioness stepped in, "What do we have here, honey?" she pulled Grace gently. She turned her face towards Lawrence with a shocked expression, "L-Lawrence! What a surprise! I had never known you visit the city." she said. Her face was nervous and hesitant, knowing his situation.

"The glory upon the empire, Madame Marchioness Sage." Lawrence stepped down from the carriage and bowed. "The glory upon the empire, your majesty," he added, seeing his father popped up beside Grace. He tried his best not to sound bitterly towards his father but failed.

"At ease." authoritatively, Leighton stated.

Lawrence moved his body upwards, masking his face into a fake smile. But his intimidating aura was once again turning on. "Please excuse my rudeness, your majesties. But his highness Lawrence is behind his schedule. We must return to the manor." Emilia interrupted the greetings, acting on instincts.

"W-we understand." the marchioness answered. "We'll be seeing you later, Lawrence." she greeted goodbye while Emilia and Lawrence stepped into the carriage.

Silence fills the carriage for the whole ride. Finally, arriving back at the manor an hour before dusk. Lawrence sighs and steps out at the carriage first. He stopped from below and handed his hand towards Emilia, smiling genuinely.

"I must thank you for saving me from the awful situation," Lawrence said gently to Emilia, aiding her down the carriage.

Emilia sadly smiled, "I'm sorry. If I haven't dragged you to the bakery, you wouldn't have seen that sight. I'm very sorry, your highness-"

"It's fine." Lawrence cut her sentence off. "Better know now than never. You have nothing to apologize for, plus, I enjoyed the visit to the city. I wouldn't want to spoil that memory by hating one scenery." he said.

Emilia nodded. 'What will happen now at the banquet?' she thought to herself, nervous.