The Obsessive Male Lead Is Jealous Of My Doll - Chapter 77

Chapter 39.1

“Now that you’re all ready, shall we head to the dining room? I’m sure the gentlemen are waiting eagerly. With how stunning you look, even His Highness won’t be able to resist falling for you.”

Karentina’s eyes widened in surprise at Madam Sharon’s words.

“It’s not like that between His Highness and me. It’s only because my brother and His Highness are close friends that he treats me kindly.”

When Karentina frantically waved her hands and denied it again, Madam Sharon spoke with a knowing smile she tried to hide.

“Alright, alright. Let’s get going.”

She gently pushed Karentina’s back, and before Karentina could protest, they had already reached the dining room.

When the door opened, Baron Rodon rose to his feet, his eyes widening in surprise.

“I can’t believe someone so beautiful is in my home. It’s as though an angel has graced us and filled the house with light. Please, have a seat.”

Karentina’s face flushed at the overly flattering words. As luck would have it, her seat was right beside Ignis.

He glanced at her without much expression before standing up and pulling out her chair. It was only the second time he had ever done that, aside from their very first meeting.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, she quietly sat down.

“Alright, let’s start dinner, shall we?”

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ୨ৎ ໒꒱ ‧₊ ୧‿︵

Karentina’s eyes widened at the sight of the mountain of oysters piled high on the table. The plump, glistening oysters, with their creamy sheen, looked incredibly fresh and appetizing.

“These oysters are a winter delicacy from the West. They’re at their best right now—plump, delicious, and great for your health.”

“They look delicious.”

With a proud smile, Madam Sharon piled Karentina’s plate with a generous helping of perfectly shucked oysters.

Alongside that, the table was neatly filled with dishes like herb and spice oyster stew, fried oysters, and an assortment of seafood, including clams, shrimp, and lobster.

The savory, briny smell of seafood made Karentina swallow without thinking. She was just about to squeeze a lemon wedge over the plump oysters and take a bite when, out of nowhere, a hand reached over and snatched the plate into the air in an instant.

Still gripping her fork, Karentina stared dazedly at the plate now held high above. Moments later, a bowl of steaming tomato oyster stew was gently placed in front of her.

Ignis had swapped his plate with hers. Karentina glanced at him sharply, clearly asking for an explanation.

“You fainted not long ago, so you shouldn’t eat raw oysters.”

“Ah…”

‘…Was he worried about me?’

Karentina blinked in disbelief. Ignis, avoiding her gaze, quietly started eating as if nothing had happened.

‘It probably didn’t mean anything.’

As she thought this, she set down her fork and reached for her spoon to try the stew, but then she froze for a moment.

When she glanced over, Karentina noticed there were two kinds of stew, both with oysters—one creamy and the other tomato-based. She couldn’t handle dairy well and often got stomachaches from it. So, aside from desserts, she usually avoided anything made with milk or cream.

‘Does he know I can’t eat food that contains dairy?’

Even though she told herself it couldn’t be, a strange, tingling sensation spread through her body.

Right then—

[ Lady Karentina? Is something wrong? ]

Leah’s voice rang out, filled with urgency.

‘Ah, no. I was just about to have dinner. Why do you ask so suddenly?’

Leah, seemingly tilting her head in confusion, quickly responded.

[ Lady Karentina, your heart was racing so much I thought something had happened. ]

Karentina was so startled by Leah’s words that she almost shot up from her seat. Even though she appreciated the emotional connection she had with the dolls, it was still embarrassing that even something so small had been picked up.

‘I-It’s nothing. There’s just so much delicious food that I guess I got excited without realizing it.’

[ Still, your heart was beating way too fast for that… I’m sorry for disturbing your meal. ]

Feeling embarrassed, Karentina bowed her head low.

“Is the food not to your liking?”

Baron Rodon’s concerned question made her quickly raise her head.

“No, not at all. It’s really delicious.”

She wasn’t just saying it. The food was so good that it nearly made her eyes widen in surprise. The pairing of fresh seafood with seasonal vegetables was absolutely perfect. She had never eaten many oysters before, but the plump, ocean-scented stew suited her taste perfectly.

“Well then, let’s bring out the main course.”

‘…Wait, that wasn’t the main course?’

Karentina blinked in disbelief.

A few servants brought over dishes that gave off a rich, smoky aroma and set them on the table.

“What’s this?”

“This must be your first time seeing it, right? It’s sea eel from the West, known for restoring energy and stamina.”

As Baron Rodon quickly answered Ignis’s question, Karentina’s eyes grew wide.