Chapter 55
She had never realized Theo Wyn could be this stubborn.
In the end, the two of them descended together from the fourth floor of the Crown Prince’s palace.
He held out his hand, insisting he knew a place where the wind blew nicely, and no matter how many times she gently refused, he absolutely wouldn’t lower that hand. He kept urging her—until she finally took it.
‘Is he sulking because I went off on my own without saying anything…?’
The thought that Theo Wyn might be sulking was funny. The fact that he’d sulk over something that small was even funnier. But somehow, she could tell he truly wasn’t happy about her wandering around without him.
His steps down the staircase were rather slow. The pace, slower than usual, made her wonder if he was deliberately matching his stride to hers. It felt like he was being careful, making sure she wouldn’t trip while following him in her dress.
Her gaze fell on the hand holding hers—strong and broad, yet surprisingly beautiful. That touch made her feel protected, guided.
It was as though he was telling her, the one who always poked her nose into things and tried to solve everything alone, that she didn’t have to.
‘Nah… impossible. We’re talking about the Crown Prince himself here.’
Of course, he had said he liked her, and they had even spent the night together. But still—how far did such sweet words actually go?
To her, he was already kind and affectionate enough. Compared to before, she was basking in a warmth and abundance she’d never known. To want more now… that would almost feel like a sin.
If she couldn’t be satisfied and kept wanting more—
Then she’d have to return the affection she received. But lately, it felt like the scale kept tipping, all the things he gave her piling higher and higher.
“By the way… where are we going?”
Theo Wyn didn’t answer. He simply kept walking, leading her by the hand. Instead of heading toward the main gate, he took her out the back of the palace.
From the rear, she could see the hill they’d once climbed together.
Right, if it’s on that hill, the wind should blow nicely there.
She tried to recall that day—the view, the breeze—but couldn’t remember what the wind had felt like back then.
But her guess turned out to be completely wrong.
The direction he took wasn’t toward the hill at all.
The path to the right led to the hill overlooking the Crown Prince’s Palace, but he turned left instead.
As they left the hill farther and farther behind, the path began to lead toward the rear of the vast Main Palace.
She had rarely been near it—only a few times, such as during the national wedding ceremony or when meeting the Emperor. Who would have thought she’d end up walking behind it now?
Behind the Crown Prince’s Palace lay the Main Palace, and behind that, a smaller yet splendid building—the Empress’s Palace. Each floor of the palaces was connected by covered corridors, so it was practically one enormous complex.
“The emperor two reigns ago,” Theo Wyn began, noticing her gaze, “loved his empress so deeply that he built those corridors connecting every floor. Honestly, he could’ve just lived together in the Main Palace. There’s no rule saying an empress can’t.”
He explained it casually, as if sharing an old anecdote.
The emperor had built bridges between their palaces so he could run to her whenever he wished. If Theo Wyn himself had built such bridges, she might have believed in that kind of grand love.
“I can at least understand wanting to see someone all the time,” she murmured.
“I’m glad you do,” he said with a grin. “Then how about starting today—you just live in my room?”
“…What?”
Ahneth froze. She’d only meant to agree politely with his story, not… whatever this was. What exactly was he saying right now?
“If sharing one room feels burdensome,” he continued smoothly, “I’ll prepare another one right beside mine. After all, you’d be crossing rooms to sleep anyway. Isn’t it better to have yours right next to mine?”
He spoke shamelessly, striding forward without hesitation.
Ahneth, who had been about to protest, paused to think.
Well… they already lived in the same building. What difference did it really make if she moved one room closer?
If she went to his room at night—or he came to hers—wasn’t it only a matter of how many steps it took?
“Um… would anyone have a problem with that?” she asked cautiously.
She didn’t want to cause unnecessary gossip. Even if there was no reason to refuse such a convenient arrangement, she still wanted to be careful.
Theo Wyn, as always, took her question seriously. His thoughtful expression reassured her that he never dismissed her concerns lightly.
“People may whisper that I’m too close to the Crown Princess,” he admitted, “but as long as I do my job properly, no one can use that against me.”
She nodded. That was true. Being close to a woman could raise eyebrows—even if that woman was one’s lawful wife.
If he were to neglect state affairs while spending time with her, he’d be condemned—and she’d be blamed for “bewitching” the Crown Prince and turning him into a useless fool.
“I’ll look for a nearby room and move in,” she said. “And I’ll try to spend more time helping you with work too.”
Finding the source of that mysterious voice was still important, but so was learning from him.
Everything mattered. The problem was, she always lost her balance—pouring too much of herself into one thing or another.
Focusing on one task was valuable, but right now, balance—handling everything with equal care—was what she needed most.
“We’ve been walking for quite a while now…”
Just before passing the Empress’s Palace, the path turned again. How far were they going? Where exactly was this windy place?
She turned toward him, waiting for an answer—and her eyes widened.
To their right stretched the slope of a hill, marking the beginning of a wooded area. And beyond that slope—what Theo Wyn had been leading her toward—was a forest.
“A… forest?”
When she entered the imperial grounds, no one had mentioned a forest this vast. She’d never even been told one existed.
From the entrance, the trees were loosely spaced, but deeper inside, the darkness grew thick and impenetrable.
“It looks… really deep. Will the wind even reach in there?” she asked nervously.
Theo Wyn glanced back at her, reading the tension in her voice. His lips curved into a faint smile.
Realizing she was frightened, he didn’t take her hand this time. Instead, he slipped an arm around her waist, drawing her close.
“The forest may seem foreboding,” he murmured. “But once we’re inside, you’ll feel it’s different. Until then… stay close to me.”
Even his words sounded like spring itself.
Following his steady steps, Ahneth entered the forest by his side.
The feeling was utterly unlike the open hill.
The hill had offered a wide view of the palace—a sight anyone might want to see at least once from above.
But inside the forest, there was no open view.
Instead, the deeper they went, the more it felt as if the darkness swallowed everything distant.
Though it was outdoors, the air inside felt completely still—like stepping into a silent room.
“The air… it feels like it isn’t moving at all,” she whispered.
They had come to feel the wind, yet there wasn’t even a hint of it here. The air was so still it almost felt airless.
Theo Wyn, however, didn’t seem disappointed or surprised. He merely looked around calmly, as if this was exactly what he expected.
Since she had followed him this far, Ahneth didn’t question it further. If the wind came, she’d enjoy it. If not, she’d enjoy the quiet—just the two of them in this secluded place.
Ah… so this was his plan all along.
He’d been bewitched by the wind, he said—yet here he was, taking her to a silent forest so he could have a daytime “date” with the Crown Princess who only showed up at night.
Smiling faintly, Ahneth looked at him. He met her gaze, then silently kept walking.
“Are we still not there yet?” she asked.
He only smiled in return.
And then, ahead of them, the scenery changed.
Beyond the trees—water appeared.
Not a small puddle, but a wide, glimmering pond. Its surface was so clear and blue that it perfectly reflected the sky above.
“W-wow…”
Still holding her hand, Theo Wyn led her forward, unconcerned by her awe.
Whoosh—
As they stepped past the final line of trees, a breeze swept across them. It brushed her cheek and moved on without lingering, vanishing into the distance.
“There’s… there’s wind here,” she said in wonder.
At that moment, the wind itself didn’t even matter.
There was a forest—quiet enough to feel sacred.
A hidden pond reflecting the sky.
And here, in this perfect place, the wind blew just for them.
Everything about it was perfect.
