A Guide to Raising a Villainess-Chapter 129: Meeting in a cafe

The next day, I ultimately had to go to a café in the very center of the city to meet with Richard.

From early morning, a strange feeling had not subsided within me — a mixture of curiosity and caution. I did not know what to expect from this meeting, and that was precisely what troubled me most.

I decided not to tell anyone about this meeting. Not even Ruby.

Instead, I merely mentioned casually that I was going into the city to do some shopping — to replace my gloves and perhaps stop by the bookstore.

Since I still had not the slightest idea of the true purpose of this invitation, I preferred to keep everything a secret. Just in case.

The café turned out to be small but elegant — light-colored walls, neat little tables, a delicate aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sweet pastries lingering in the air. It was located just a few steps from the central square, yet secluded enough to avoid unnecessary glances.

When I entered, he was already there.

The prince was seated at a table by the window, where soft daylight fell gently upon him. His golden hair shimmered in the sunlight, and his posture remained impeccably straight, even when he appeared relaxed. He noticed me almost immediately.

The young man stood up as soon as our eyes met.

"Lady Weinstein, you did come after all," a faint, almost satisfied smile appeared on his lips.

I approached the table smoothly, maintaining my composure, though my treacherous heart was beating slightly faster than usual.

"Of course," I replied with a polite bow. "How could I not come when His Highness himself invited me?"

There was courtesy in my words, but I carefully watched his reaction.

Whatever was hidden behind this meeting, I intended to find it out today.

Well, since a prince was sitting before me, I had to maintain impeccable politeness.

I allowed myself a light, slightly strained smile — exactly the kind one expects from a well-bred lady of a respectable family. No more, no less.

Richard de Stone did not yield in courtesy. As soon as I approached the table, he immediately pulled out a chair for me, even though I asked him not to trouble himself.

"Your Highness, truly, there is no need..." I said softly.

But he only gave a barely noticeable smirk, as though such formalities were not an obligation for him, but a habit.

In any case, I did not argue further. We took our seats, and for a moment, a pause hung between us.

As soon as we settled, the prince gestured for the waiter and offered me to place an order.

"It’s all right," I replied. "I’m not very hungry, so I will only have a black coffee."

"Very well," he nodded, not taking his attentive gaze off me. "In fact, I do not particularly wish to eat either. So I shall order the same as you."

Only a few minutes later, we were served cups of steaming, richly fragrant coffee.

I wrapped my fingers around the cup, feeling its warmth through the porcelain.

After hesitating slightly, I finally decided to break the silence.

"...Your Highness," I began cautiously, lifting my gaze a little, "may I know the reason why you wished to see me today?"

The question sounded gentle, but direct.

I did not intend to beat around the bush for long.

In the end, it was this very question that concerned me most.

If the prince personally arranges a secret meeting in the city center, then there must be something more behind it than a polite conversation over a cup of coffee.

I ran through dozens of possible reasons in my mind. Politics? Possible pressure on our family? Or... a warning?

But contrary to all my expectations, Richard suddenly said something entirely different:

"Do not worry. I had no particular reason for this meeting. In fact..." he held his gaze on the surface of his coffee for a moment, "I simply wanted to see you."

He smiled slightly and calmly brought the cup to his lips, as though he had not just said anything unusual.

As for me — I was stunned.

"What?" The word escaped me faster than it should have.

The prince looked remarkably composed. Not a hint of a joke, not a trace of embarrassment.

"I merely wished to know how you are," he continued just as calmly. "As I have heard, you recently encountered difficulties with the mine in the south. But it seems you managed to resolve everything safely."

My fingers tightened around the cup.

"Your Highness is remarkably well informed," I said with a light, carefully measured smile.

I took a small sip of coffee, hiding my expression behind the rim of the cup.

"Thank you for your concern," I added in an even tone. "Fortunately, the situation has indeed been resolved."

The prince gave a barely noticeable nod, as if confirming some thought to himself.

"Would you tell me how exactly you managed to accomplish that?"

I froze for a moment.

I was genuinely puzzled that the heir to the entire empire would show such keen interest in what was, essentially, a private property dispute of a single noblewoman. Yes, the mine in the south was important to my family. Yes, the losses could have been serious. But on the scale of the state — it was merely one point on the map.

And yet... he was asking about it.

Which meant that evasion would be impolite — and perhaps unwise.

"Of course," I replied calmly, setting the cup aside.

I spoke evenly and to the point, avoiding unnecessary emotion.

Richard listened attentively, without interrupting me.

When I finished, a brief pause lingered in the air.

"Now I understand..." he finally said and nodded. "Lady Weinstein, you are truly remarkable to have resolved such a serious problem on your own!"

There was no mockery in his voice. Only sincere acknowledgment.

And that was precisely what unsettled me the most.

I cleared my throat lightly, looking away.

"Your Highness exaggerates. I merely did what I had to do."

I raised my eyes to him again.

"Your Highness," I said more directly this time, "is that the only reason you wished to see me today?"

For a moment, the prince looked perplexed, as though he had not expected such a question. Then his expression grew more serious, and his gaze deeper.

"No," he answered slowly. "Not exactly."

He smiled charmingly once more.

"In fact, I also wished to personally deliver something to you."

I frowned.

"What? What exactly?"

Instead of answering, Richard unhurriedly slipped his hand into the inner pocket of his coat and drew out a thick envelope with golden embossing along the edge. He placed it on the table before me.

"It is an invitation," he explained, noticing my confusion.

"An invitation?" I repeated, not hurrying to touch the envelope.

"Yes," Richard smiled a little wider. "In the near future, I intend to host a small party. Nothing official. Only for my closest friends and acquaintances."

He made a short pause, not taking his eyes off me.

"Lady Weinstein... you will attend, will you not?"

For a moment, I froze.

Could it really be true? Was I truly such a significant figure in his eyes that I had been granted the honor of being invited to a private event of the heir to the empire?...

My fingers finally touched the envelope.

For some time, I still hesitated.

But then I slowly raised my eyes.

And at that very moment, as our gazes met, I felt a strange tension.

Something in him had changed.

His gaze... It seemed to me that his gaze now differed somewhat from the usual? Richard de Stone at this very moment looked somehow frightening.

Meanwhile, in the café at that moment, a strange but rather pleasant melody was playing.

Was it only my imagination, or had I heard it somewhere before?...