Transmigrated into a Fantasy World with No Clue What To Do Chapter 42: Chapter 41: An Afternoon Out / The Royal Conservatory of Art and Antiquities

Read chapter 42 of Transmigrated into a Fantasy World with No Clue What To Do by PrincessArylin on NovelPedia.

Chapter 41: An Afternoon Out / The Royal Conservatory of Art and Antiquities By the time we return to the estate, the lingering tension from my encounter with Catalina has dulled into something quieter. Mary meets us at the door and, after a brief exchange with my mother, ushers me back to my room to prepare for the afternoon. She lays out several dresses for me to choose from, each more elegant than the last, but I find myself drawn to something simpler. A soft powder blue. The fabric is light, flowing just enough to move comfortably without feeling restrictive, it is practical more than anything else. “Do you expect you’ll be on your feet, My Lady?” Mary asks, watching me consider it. “Most likely,” I say, nodding in confirmation. She hums softly in understanding and produces a pair of matching flats, setting them beside the dress without needing to be told. Lunch is… uneventful. Conversation drifts easily between topics, none of them particularly important, and for once, I find myself grateful for that. I don’t realize how much time has passed until Mary quietly informs me that Prince Angus has arrived. My heart skips a beat from anticipation. By the time I make my way down to the front hall, I can already hear voices carrying faintly from the entryway. “…you have my thanks for allowing me to borrow her for the afternoon.” Angus. My steps slow just slightly as I round the corner. He stands near the door, posture straight but not stiff, dressed far more simply than I’ve seen him before. No formal attire, no courtly embellishment, just clean lines and practical fabrics that somehow still manage to look regal on him. Maybe it’s because he’s a prince… or maybe I just find myself more attracted to him every time I see him. My mother stands across from him, composed as ever. “Ah,” she says as she notices me. “There you are.” Angus turns… and just like that, whatever he had been saying disappears. His gaze settles on me, and for a moment, he just… looks. Heat creeps up the back of my neck. “Y-you’re staring,” I say before I can stop myself. He blinks, then lets out a quiet laugh. “Can you blame me?” he asks. I look away, suddenly very interested in the floor. “You both will be back before evening,” my mother says, cutting cleanly through the moment. “Of course, Duchess,” Angus replies immediately, all composure once more. I can feel her eyes on me, making me straighten slightly. “We will.” I say, glancing up just long enough to meet her gaze. There’s the faintest shift in her expression… approval, subtle but unmistakable. “See that you do,” she says, nodding before turning to walk away. Angus steps forward and offers his hand. I hesitate for only a fraction of a second before placing mine in his. His grip is warm and steady, providing grounding against the fluttering in my stomach. Together, we step out of the doors and into the afternoon light where a rather plain, nondescript carriage awaits, which surprises me. I must have had a look on my face because a moment later, Angus explains. “I thought that being a bit more discreet might be better for getting around today,” he says as he offers his hand for me to climb into the open door. “I know our faces are known, but this lessens the chances our standing out… er, not that you don’t stand out. You’re lovely today, by the way.” “Thank you,” I say as I feel the heat rising in my face again. ‘Thank you’? That’s all you can say? I mentally berate myself for a moment as I take his hand and enter the carriage with him following closely behind. The carriage ride begins in silence. Not the uncomfortable kind, just… quiet. I sit across from Angus; my hands folded loosely in my lap as the city passes by outside the window. The noise of the busy streets doesn’t really penetrate to the inside of the carriage, instead it becomes a soft comforting clatter in the background. Occasionally I glance out the window and wonder what these people would do if they knew that one of the royal family was se