The Lunch That Was Never Meant to Last

Without thinking, Eren stood up awkwardly and turned his body in the direction Kazen was looking.
To his surprise, the person Kazen was greeting was Arnold Harrison.

“Is that not the Duke of Clifford?”

Approaching with a surprised look, as if he hadn’t expected to meet Kazen either, Arnold spotted Eren beside him and showed a puzzled expression.

“The gentleman beside you… I don’t believe we’ve met.”

“This is my aide, Eren Lloyd.
Eren, this is Mr.
Arnold Harrison.”

Eren was utterly bewildered by the sudden turn of events.
Kazen, in contrast, calmly introduced Eren to Arnold as if he had anticipated all of this.

“Ah, Mr.
Lloyd.
I’ve heard many rumors about you.”

At the word ‘rumors,’ Eren’s eyebrow twitched slightly.
This was the first he’d heard about rumors concerning himself.

Could it be referring to rumors about being the Clifford family’s ‘loyal dog’ or something similar?
Eren had heard that nickname in passing recently.
It wasn’t particularly welcome.

“Hello, Mr.
Harrison.
I’m Eren Lloyd.”

“Yes, pleased to meet you.”

Eren absentmindedly shook the hand Arnold offered.
His mind was still in turmoil, but he tried his best not to show it outwardly.

“By the way, Mr.
Harrison, are you here for a meal as well?
Surely not alone.”

Even though Arnold seemed as disoriented as Eren, only Kazen continued the conversation as if nothing was amiss.

“Ah, yes.
I was supposed to meet another party, but upon arriving at the restaurant, they had to cancel urgently.
I was just thinking of heading back.”

“In that case, why not join us?
It would be better than having your valuable time go to waste after coming all this way.”

Responding to Arnold’s regretful tone, Kazen immediately suggested he join them.
Only then did Eren realize.

Kazen had known Arnold would come to this restaurant today.
And that his appointment would fall through.
Eren wasn’t a fool; he could tell this wasn’t a simple coincidence.

“If it’s not an imposition…”

“Not at all.
On the contrary, I’m delighted to have your company.”

With his relaxed demeanor, Kazen signaled to Eren.
Responding in kind, Eren quickly moved to pull out an empty chair beside them.

“Please, have a seat, Mr.
Harrison.”

“If you insist so kindly, then I’ll accept.
It’s fortunate, as I had much I wanted to discuss with you, Duke Clifford.”

Not one to be shy, Arnold smiled skillfully and took the seat Eren offered.
Only after confirming he had even placed his order could Eren return to his own seat.

“To have a meal with someone of your standing without even an appointment.
Just moments ago, I thought I was unlucky, but I’ve caught greater fortune instead.”

Despite the sudden situation, Arnold amiably engaged Kazen in conversation.

“I believe it is I who has caught fortune, being able to meet someone who is currently the most talked-about figure in the social scene.”

And Kazen, who had likely orchestrated all of this, also smiled nonchalantly.

It seemed Eren was the only one surprised by this situation.
But to avoid showing his bewilderment, he tried his best to act normal, observing Kazen and Arnold’s expressions.

“A famous figure?
Far from it.
I haven’t been back in the capital for very long.”

“Come to think of it, I heard you studied abroad in Pelosia for a long time.”

“Yes, I studied law at Trisset University.”

It was fascinating how smoothly the conversation flowed.
Eren observed the two men talking intently.
Both were smiling, yet a strangely tense, almost confrontational atmosphere was palpable.

“His Highness Harold also attended Trisset.
Have you perhaps met before?”

So they had the common ground of being alumni.
Eren now understood why Harold had invited Arnold to the party.
He still didn’t understand why he was invited, though.

“Ah, yes.
He actually invited me to the upcoming palace party and proposed today’s meal first.
But he had to cancel due to an urgent matter.”

Was he supposed to meet Harold here?
At the same time Kazen coincidentally brought me?
And then it just so happens to be canceled?

Eren had thought it was all Kazen’s plan, but with Harold involved, he was only left more puzzled about what was really going on.

“Speaking of which, I heard you’ll be attending the Royal Party hosted by His Highness for the first time this year.”

Kazan brought up the party topic with remarkable smoothness.
Eren also felt he should gradually join the conversation and observed their expressions.
If he accidentally ruined the mood, Kazen would reprimand him.
He had to stay sharp.

“That’s correct.
I heard it’s a small party only for nobles, but His Highness was kind enough to invite me this time.”

“His Highness seems to have diversified his guest list a bit this time.
My aide, Eren, has also been invited to that party.”

Finally hearing his name mentioned, Eren stiffened his shoulders.

“Oh, is that true?
So you’ll be attending as well, Mr.
Lloyd?”

Arnold looked directly at Eren and asked.
Caught off guard by his unexpected question, Eren couldn’t immediately think of a reply.

As Eren stared blankly at Arnold, Kazen, sitting beside him, stretched his foot under the table and kicked Eren’s shin.
Snapping to his senses, Eren hurriedly opened his mouth.

“Yes, His Highness was kind enough to extend the offer.
I was actually just on my way back from having my formal wear fitted.”

“I see.
It would be lovely to see you at the party.
I think we could have a very enjoyable time.”

Contrary to what Kazen had described, Arnold seemed quite gentlemanly and proper.
To the point Eren wondered if Kazen had heard some wrong rumors.

“Of course.
I’m sure we will.
Right, Eren?”

Kazen asked Eren in a somewhat meaningful tone, as if testing him.
Feeling uneasy, Eren forced a smile and nodded.

“Yes, the party seems like it will be very enjoyable.”

Perhaps finding Eren’s blunt reply dull, Kazen frowned slightly.
Just then, as if to save him, the food began to arrive.
Having not had a proper meal since morning, the smell of food made him feel his hunger.

Suppressing the urge to eat ravenously, Eren carefully picked up his fork.
Hoping he wouldn’t breach any dining etiquette, he slowly brought the food to his mouth.

“Duke Clifford, why aren’t you eating?”

Arnold, who had also been eating slowly as if savoring it, looked at Kazen and asked curiously.
Only then did Eren also notice the untouched plate before Kazen.

Kazan was never one with a big appetite to begin with.
But seeing he hadn’t even picked up his fork, something was clearly bothering him.

“Is there something making you uncomfortable, perhaps?”

The moment Eren cautiously asked, Kazen set down his glass, which he had been fidgeting with, as if tossing it.

“Goodness, look at me.
I just remembered I have an urgent appointment this afternoon.
Eren must have forgotten to remind me.”

There was no such ‘urgent appointment,’ but Eren sensed he wanted to leave.
Taking the hint, Eren also set down his fork and nodded.

“Yes, I should have mentioned it earlier.
My apologies, Your Grace.”

“These things happen when one is busy.
If it’s not an imposition, may I excuse myself first, Mr.
Harrison?”

At Kazen’s rather brazen question, Arnold waved his hand as if to ask why he was even asking.

“Of course, I was the one who joined your meal.
Please, attend to your business.”

“Thank you for your understanding.”

Although the farewells were done, Eren was reluctant to get up easily, his eyes lingering on the untouched lobster dish on the table.

Couldn’t he at least let me eat in peace?
If he was going to do this, why suggest coming to a restaurant?

The lobster looked so mouthwatering he couldn’t help but think such thoughts.
He even felt the impulse to secretly pocket it when no one was looking.

“What are you doing?
Aren’t you getting up?”

Kazen stepped hard on Eren’s foot, giving him a signal.
His toes hurt from being stepped on by the shoe heel, and he almost let out a yelp.
Barely swallowing a groan, Eren sprang up from his seat.

“I’ll go prepare the carriage right away, Your Grace.”

As Eren bowed and turned to leave, Arnold’s interested gaze followed his retreating back.