By the time Asa returned to our table, Camellia and I were already halfway through our meal, causing Asa to pout. It's not something I enjoyed seeing on my face, so I stuffed another roll into her mouth to stop it.

Teaching Asami table manners was difficult, but it seemed like she was slowly getting the hang of them. She was trying not to look like she was struggling with her dessert fork when an arm looped itself across her shoulders.

"Well well well, interesting company you have here, Vel."

My half-brother, Luce Salvia, dressed in a gaudy gold brocade blazer and purple vest to match his blonde hair and violet eyes, slid into the seat across from me next to Asa. 

I fought not to close my eyes and grit my teeth in frustration. Luce is known as the family black sheep. The illegitimate child of my mother and a minor noble, he flaunts his vague status by gambling away his family’s money and sleeping with multiple men and women alike, to the point where he makes Marion look like genuine husband material. He's a troublemaker, a nuisance. A dark stain on my family's history. 

Despite all this, Asa likes him. She says he can become a close friend through the first playthrough, and there were hints at him becoming a love interest through the second.

She looked at him with adoring eyes (my eyes), and Luce flinched a little. I caught her gaze and gave her a meaningful look.

She immediately snapped to attention, assuming the cold and distant air I carried with me in my life as Prince Vel. "What do you want, Luce?" It is common knowledge that my brother and I do not get along.

"I'm just wondering how you finagled the company of the two prettiest girls in school, especially when the two of them can't bear to be in the same room as each other."

Camellia gave me a guilty look. I don't think she realizes how loud she is when she starts to tell her rivals off for hanging around a taken man.

Somehow my brain shut down momentarily for the second time that day. She sees them as rivals, but she really has no rivals. I am taken by her. She is mine.

When I do eventually get my body back, I am going to marry her.

I forced my attention back to the conversation, half in-shock at my own complete lack of decorum and broken train of thought. What had gotten into me?

"They're getting along better nowadays," Asa said assertively, more confident than I would have been about the assumption. "But why the sudden interest?"

"Well, if you're taken with this newcomer, maybe that would free up your fiancée~" 

Camellia started to act agitated, but it was nothing compared to my reaction.

"What are you implying, Lord Luce?" The voice that came out of my mouth was like a stone sinking to the bottom of a lake. Even I was surprised by the cold rage contained in it. "Camellia is not for your tainted hands."

Camellia looked at me in surprise. I covered my mouth, realizing that was rather out of character for the heroine. My half-brother brings out the worst in me, and it's something he tries to do on a frequent basis.

He took his hand off of Asa's shoulder and spread his arms wide. "Well, maybe I'll clean myself up a little, become respectable. Although I'm surprised you object so strongly, Lady Raine. I thought I would be doing you a favor."

His words stung Camellia. I could tell by the hurt expression on her face. She wouldn't have been that hurt if she didn't believe him.

"Listen, you self-important prig, you have no right to suggest that anyone else other than Lady Camellia is suited to marry the prince and be the next queen. If you're going to make trouble, do it elsewhere." 

Luce's face went blank in reaction to my outburst, but he quickly recovered himself.

"Wow, who knew Lady Raine had such a temper? And here I heard you were an ice princess." He looked over at Camellia. "I guess that's what happens when people insult your friends."

He shrugged, smiling. "I really didn't mean anything bad. I honestly think Camellia is cute. I'm terrible at expressing myself. But you're right, I am a troublemaker, so I guess I'll excuse myself for now."

He stood up with a rustling of silk and blew a kiss in our direction before flouncing away. 

I felt my hands involuntarily clench into fists. That peacock was right, Camellia is cute. I would rather not see her end up with someone as careless as him.

Asa was looking at me with concern as she forked up her final bite of flan. I wished she wouldn't put that junk in my body.

I felt a small pull on my shirt, and looked down to see Camellia clutching the fabric at my waist.

Her face was red, and for some reason, she was not meeting my eyes, just as she always did when I was Prince Vel.

"Thank you." Her voice was so small, it was almost imperceptible.

"For what?"

"For standing up for me." She looked up, and her glistening scarlet gaze hit me like a ton of bricks. Her lips were trembling. It took courage to do this, to show gratitude to someone she considered an enemy. "You said I was…suited to be the next queen."

It must not be something people told her often. In fact, I rarely heard anyone offer her an encouraging word. It seemed like she was always alone, unless she was around Asa and I. Perhaps she was lonely?

Asa peered at us with scrutinizing eyes, as if she was watching some kind of stage performance.

But Camellia wasn't even looking at her. All her attention was on me.

"I only spoke the truth. It was nothing," I said shortly.

What was this strange feeling of satisfaction?