Chapter 45: Third-Wheeling

Imperial highness?! Michael looks at Jessica-the first princess-Starkirt then Selina then Jessica in shock. First day at the capital and he isn't about to piss off a powerful noble! Michael offers his sincerest apologies while Jessica laughs them off with a smile.

"Amy mentioned you aren't from here." 

"Yeah, I came from the west, Sylenova to be exact."

"Ah, I have a few relatives living there, may I ask which house you're from?" Jessica asked with a smile while Beatrice crossed her arms, a displeased look on her pretty face.

"He's from the Amister house; he's my person who's currently assisting me on my little outing. " Selina answered for him protectively. 

Nice assist. Michael gave her a hidden thumbs-up.

"So he's a commoner; no wonder. You shouldn't treat your servants so kindly, they might get…complacent." Beatrice cuts in.

Selina knew what she meant. MIchael in his current getup was far from regal looking and he also had a bit of chocolate on his lips from eating. 

"Beatrice, I can assure you that I know how to take care of my people. A little indulgence doesn't cost a penny to me~" Because it came out of Troye's pockets.

Jessica casted Beatrice a…strange look but she shutted up immediately.

"Amy, I apologize, but I have another matter to get to. It was lovely to see you again, good day" She dragged Beatrice away. 

After they were out of sight, Michael finally let out the breath he was holding.

"They left pretty quickly." He remarked.

"Those two are one hundred percent fucking by the way." Selina casually dropped.

"Girl WHAT?!" Michael was flabbergasted.

"Spill."

"Nah, the memory scares me still." Selina shuddered. 

"...Di-did you watch them or something?"

"What no! Of course not. Don't worry your dumb head over it."

"No need to tell me twice."

Selina ordered more to eat, Michael's stomach seemingly insatiable.

"Fatass." She quipped.

"Shut up, I'm a man, I eat more." 

"Not three stomachs more. I don't know man, seems kind of unhealthy."

"Shhh, when did I ask?"

"You didn't need to ask because I was making a statement."

"Touche." 

…

After running around in circles and entering literally every store possible, Reinhart finally entered the damned pastry shop. If Amelia was actually here, she would throw a fit.

And low and behold, she was there with that man. For fuck's sake, she could've just went to this damned place first instead of spending so long running around! Oh wait, Amelia seems to have company. Gasp, it's her lady's arch-nemesis! And that princess. Should she intervene? Wait, Amelia managed to ward them off.

Reinhart watched as Jessica and Beatrice left the store.

What should she do now? Going up to talk to her would be the most obvious decision to make or maybe she should wait for the hobo to slip up and rescue Amelia like the valiant hero she is…Who is she kidding?

"Lady Amelia, you're here too?" She prayed she didn't sound too unnatural.

"Who is it this t–Reinhart? What are you doing here?" 

"I-uh…wanted to get something to eat." She answered nonchalantly.

"But I thought sweets were too 'chidlish', hm?" Selina was not buying it.

"I was just too embarrassed back then to eat" Reinhart readily admitted, her cheeks turning a slight pink.

"Ha! I knew it. Take a seat and eat with us." 

Michael was still stuffing his face, lamenting over how successful his sister was with women and why that couldn't be him with men.

While they were eating, he couldn't help feel a bit of tension in the air, specifically, tension pointed towards him. It was like he was air to Reinhart. At first, he thought that she was just not used to his presence, which makes sense, but seeing the arm wrapped around his sister's waist..he could think of more reasons. Nevertheless, as a good older bro, he accepted the role of third wheel and cheered his sister on.

"Is it good?" Selina's full attention was on the woman next to her. Seeing the bit of cream on her face was oddly cute.

"Yeah, I would eat again." The other woman remarked. 

"Then I can buy it again, anything you want. My gift to you~" Selina grabbed a napkin, wiping the mess off of Reinhart's cheek.

"What was that for?" The redhead held her palm to her cheek, staring at Selina with confusion.

"You had a little something on you and I got rid of it." Selina replied with a smile, setting the napkin aside.