Resetting Lady - Chapter 77

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Louis resembled the Current King more than Prince Guiz, and the Current King also openly favored his grandson more than his own son.

The Current King had not passed the throne to Prince Guiz despite him reaching middle age, nor had he appointed those close to Prince Guiz to important positions. But when the king died, Prince Guiz would inherit the throne unless a rebellion occurred.

‘Even if I were Prince Louis, I would consider killing my father.’

And that would be the same even for Prince Guiz.

“You and Miss Karen Evans are not meeting for the first time, are you?”

“Yes. But her gentle nature and excellent wit brought joy to everyone.”

Glory be, little royalty. This humble daughter is so moved she knows not what to say. Though the content is rather hard to agree with. Karen bowed her head and expressed her gratitude. Prince Guiz looked at Karen. And for a moment he seemed about to say something, then stopped, and soon opened his mouth again. Prince Guiz was clearly showing more interest in Karen than in his own son.

“Everyone, please begin your meal.”

Rustle, rustle.

The sound of silverware moving simultaneously was somewhat eerie at first, but was soon drowned out by the musicians’ performance. Sixteen musicians for lunchtime. Karen found the grandeur of that wasteful sound rather fortunate. Without that music, some of those tensely sitting at the far end might vomit.

“Today’s ingredients are fairly decent.”

Though it didn’t completely ease the atmosphere, Karen could still afford the leisure of cutting her meat into small pieces, putting it in her mouth, and savoring it. Prince Guiz’s gaze was burdensome, but what could she do about it?

Karen focused on the food before her. Let’s focus on what she could do. What Karen could control was ultimately just the difference between eating the food before her deliciously or unappetizingly.

“Does it suit your taste? Miss Karen Evans.”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

Karen answered with a smile. That smile seemed to please Prince Guiz.

“You really resemble Catherine so much.”

That voice mixed with laughter was chillingly smooth.

“So very much alike… Even a daughter wouldn’t resemble her this closely.”

Should I eat or should I speak? Karen was caught in contemplation as she looked down at the fork she had stabbed into the meat she had cut. When Karen’s hand stopped, Prince Guiz tapped the dining table with his index finger, making tapping sounds. He seemed displeased.

“Keep eating.”

“…Yes.”

“No need to answer. Just put it in your mouth and… chew.”

Karen did as he said. But she could no longer taste anything in her mouth. The feeling of having even the most basic human will of eating controlled was not pleasant.

But without showing it, Karen chewed diligently and swallowed. Prince Guiz’s eyes were fixed on the movement of Karen’s cheeks and lips.

“How moving.”

“…”

“It feels like Catherine is alive.”

I feel like I’m going to die. Karen found it strange that she couldn’t taste the dish that the royal chefs must have put their heart and soul into making. She thought she would get used to it, she thought those lustful gazes would be nothing. She still lacked experience.

Scrape.

Prince Guiz rose from his seat. Was it over? It wasn’t. Prince Guiz gestured with his hand for those who hastily tried to stand and bow to sit back down.

“Everyone continue your meal.”

He simply wanted to stand up. A person who didn’t need to follow etiquette or order. He was a person of that level of position.

Step, step, step.

Prince Guiz slowly walked around the dining table. First he went behind his son and looked down at the top of his head. Those eyes were different from how other nobles looked at their children. But that was only brief, and he slowly looked down at each of the nobles’ heads from above.

Everyone would probably complain of stomach aches as soon as the meal ended. Karen resolved that she, at least, would digest well. It was childish competitive spirit. But that resolution wavered bit by bit as Prince Guiz stood behind her and didn’t move.

“Of course, you keep eating too.”

“…”

It was phrased as a suggestion, but it was ultimately a command.

In the end, his getting up and walking was just an action to see Karen from various angles. Slowly, carefully. Since there was nothing left in her mouth, Karen had to cut anew and put it back in her mouth. Let’s focus on the food. What is this made of? Let’s only think about that. It’s fine.

“The way your head moves is cute. No, you don’t need to answer.”

Prince Guiz stood behind Karen. The back of her head felt hot. Karen maintained her expression and chewed diligently. Karen felt some relief that her outfit today was modest. But not her neck. Since her hair was pinned up, her nape was exposed. Karen hoped her neck wasn’t getting goosebumps. Because she felt fingertips approaching her neck. Let’s focus on the meal. The man’s index finger pressed on Karen’s neck just below her head.

“Your neck looks a bit bare.”

He traced downward. Karen suppressed a weak moan that almost escaped. He had pressed the end of the wound Verdick had made. The moan was quiet enough that others couldn’t hear it, but Prince Guiz right behind her heard it. It hurt. It was a moan from pain.

But he seemed to interpret Karen’s moan differently. A satisfied laugh could be heard. He continued speaking in a voice mixed with laughter.

“I have something I was going to give Catherine. I think it would suit you. I’d be pleased to give it to you.”

“I am… grateful.”

Karen naturally pictured herself serving Prince Guiz at the dining table. She hoped he would at least not forget that there were many nobles here, even his own child Prince Louis.

“Yes, I do hope you’ll wear it when you come out.”

But such things seemed to feel trivial to him. Every word and gesture carried sexual meaning. It wouldn’t be easy to act this way without using a single explicit word.

Surely he wouldn’t tell me to lift my skirt while eating. No matter how promiscuously she had played around until now, she hadn’t considered such a case.

Taking off clothes in a place with only lewd people was different from having clothes stripped off in front of parents and children, and relatively decent people at that – for example, those who go to the sanctuary every week to worship and make confessions.

“Father.”

“…”

“Do you know Lady Karen’s mother well? You seem pleased.”

The heavy and stifling air like being trapped in glass was broken by the boy’s voice. Prince Louis courageously spoke to his father.

‘Oh no.’

Karen realized that Louis had mistaken lust for gentleness. Because Prince Guiz’s voice when speaking to Karen was unusually soft, unlike when he spoke to others. That voice was far from pure. The Prince didn’t know this yet. No matter how mature, he was too young to understand sexuality.

But the one who didn’t know was Louis, not Guiz. Prince Guiz seemed to know what his son was thinking. He laughed.

“…That’s right. I know her well.”

But his voice was locked.

“But it doesn’t seem like you’re asking without knowing.”

“No, Father. I’m curious.”

Karen closed her eyes. You didn’t notice. Just stay quiet. You’re making him displeased. His bravery made his father laugh but was making him uncomfortable.

How dare you, to me. You talk too much. Don’t act that way.

“I see.”

His voice was soft.

“You want to know more.”

Karen felt a hand gripping her shoulder. It was heavy.

She couldn’t see the face of the man behind her, but she could easily imagine what expression he was making.

His eyes were the same brown as his son’s, but the saturation was unusually pale, closer to gold than brown. And his wrinkled face created expressions that highlighted his cruelty even more.

Sometimes his eyes and wrinkles combined to make an expression that seemed more like a beast wearing human skin than a person. He was probably looking at his son with such a face now. Because Prince Louis’s face had turned ashen.

“I’m sorry, Father. I seem to have asked too much.”

“It seems too early for you yet.”

Laughter was heard by her ear. Prince Louis bit his lip slightly and he too began focusing on his meal. In the end, all we can do is finish the meal before us, isn’t it? Karen suppressed a sigh as she cut her food.

The children’s gathering ended in discomfort and pretense because of an adult.

This couldn’t be the end. The Countess and Lian maintained silence throughout the carriage ride. Lian tried to add a few words, then noticed the Countess’s silence and closed her mouth. At least it was fortunate they weren’t asked to stay overnight.

“How was it?”

“Hah.”

It was disgusting. Finally able to sigh freely, Karen sighed. Donna helped Karen undress.

Women wearing corsets cannot eat much. Especially at social gatherings. Meals at gatherings are just tools to feel a little pleasure for the mouth and to praise the host.

But Karen had eaten too much today. Because of Prince Guiz. Forcing someone who didn’t want to eat to have a meal while enjoying watching it. It was a nasty taste that Karen couldn’t understand.

“Haah…”

When the corset was loosened from behind, her stiff body finally began to relax bit by bit. But she wasn’t comfortable inside. Her waist and stomach hurt as if her muscles had been compressed.

“I think I have indigestion. My stomach feels heavy.”

“Shall I bring you some digestive medicine?”

Donna asked worriedly.

“Yes, please.”

At Karen’s answer, Donna left.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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