Chapter 31
Rozian smiled at her as if she were adorable, and Jaina felt her pride prickle a little.
“If I transform into my dragon form, I’d be much bigger than His Highness.”
But that small complaint soon faded as her attention was drawn to the secret passage.
The faintly glowing magic lamps, the corridors branching like a maze—
it reminded her of the adventures she had dreamed of as a child, and a smile escaped her lips.
“Pfft.”
Stories like those in fairy tales had always felt like something unrelated to her—
“…?”
Suddenly, Rozian stopped walking. Lost in thought, Jaina almost bumped into him and looked up, puzzled.
“What’s wrong?”
“You were smiling.”
“Huh?”
“Well, we’re here.”
Rozian took her hand and helped her out of the passage. Then he grinned.
“You’ve got something on your face.”
Stepping out of the dark tunnel, his smile glowed against the sunlight at his back.
Jaina quietly looked up at him as he brushed soot from her cheek.
Michael and Hilbentia were kind to her too, but somehow Rozian felt… different.
“Alright then, shall we go?”
Even after brushing her face clean, Rozian didn’t let go of her hand.
As they walked together, matching Jaina’s small steps, a street vendor called out:
“Oh my, such a sweet brother and sister!”
“He’s not my brother.”
“Then is he your boyfriend?”
Rozian didn’t answer—just smiled softly.
Watching him, Jaina recalled a few lines from a novel.
—We’re not dating, right?
—Why do people always mistake kindness for love…
—You have a beautiful neckline.
Unlike his mother, he disliked swordsmanship, and though he acted indifferent, he had a way of charming noble ladies and pretending otherwise.
To think that he would one day become a cold-hearted man consumed by revenge…
Jaina suddenly felt a pang of pity.
Just as she would die at seventeen, Rozian too would lose his mother as soon as he became an adult—
to none other than Diamid, her own biological father.
Would Rozian still be able to treat her this warmly, even then?
No…
Jaina shook her head slightly.
If not now, when else would she get to stroll through a market or watch a play like this?
She gazed around, taking in every detail of the lively scene.
For some reason, everything seemed especially vivid today.
The carriage carrying Jaina and Rozian sped smoothly down the streets.
“The flowers are in full bloom,” Jaina said, stretching her hand toward the drifting petals outside the window.
A faint smile lingered on her lips, but Rozian’s feelings were more complicated.
This quiet carriage ride wasn’t what he had imagined when they set out.
For a prince, riding in carriages was an everyday nuisance.
He had wanted to walk freely this time.
Last time, his knight had caught up too soon and they’d had to part ways.
He’d wanted to walk alongside Jaina…
—Hey, watch it, kid!
—Look where you’re going!
—Go find your parents!
The festival streets celebrating the founding day were as chaotic as a battlefield.
Among the tall, broad-shouldered adults, Jaina was so small that Rozian could barely see her.
He could manage to squeeze through the crowd, but for her, it was impossible.
—Your Highness, it’s fine. You should go alone.
She had even told him it would be easier for him to enjoy the festival by himself.
Then why did we come together in the first place…
With no other choice, Rozian decided they would take a carriage.
Renting an entire carriage during the festival season was difficult—but with enough money, nothing was impossible.
“Your Highness, can you see the flower trees I mentioned?”
“Yeah, I can see them just fine…”
Neigh—!
Through the window, they saw a man and woman riding on horseback.
They looked so free—able to go wherever they pleased with a turn of the reins.
If only I were a little older…
Rozian was skilled at riding, but not yet confident enough to carry Jaina with him.
She doesn’t seem to mind, though.
Jaina rested her chin on her hands, gazing dreamily out the window.
The petals drifting from the trees lining the road were beautiful,
and the joy of passing beneath tunnels of blossoms was something she had never known before.
Feeling happy, Jaina began to hum a familiar melody to herself.
Rozian quietly watched her from the side.
There was something bright and lively about her as she looked outside.
After a while, they finally arrived at their destination.
“Jaina, take my hand as you step down.”
Ever the polite prince, Rozian helped her down gracefully.
Then he led her into a café on Aderid Street—one of his secret hideaways.
Connected to the main avenue yet hidden down a narrow side path,
the café sat where four corners met.
The owner ran it as a hobby, using only high-quality ingredients,
and with few tables and high prices, only those in the know came here.
“May I take your order?”
Jaina stared blankly at the menu—
there were so many choices that she didn’t know where to start.
Rozian asked, “Do you like strawberries?”
When she nodded, a strawberry shortcake was soon placed before her.
She picked up a fork engraved with a pink rose and trimmed in gold,
and carefully cut a piece.
“It’s delicious.”
“I’m glad.”
The moment she tasted it, her expression melted.
The rich cream, the generous strawberries, the soft sponge—all blended perfectly.
“Today’s special cookies,” the server said, bringing over another plate.
This scent…
Jaina and Rozian each picked up a cookie and took a bite.
“Mmm.”
A deep aroma of ginger and cinnamon filled their mouths.
Ginger cookies.
The chewy texture clung pleasantly to her tongue.
She marveled that not all cookies had to be crisp or soft.
Then she sipped her black tea—the sweet aroma and slightly bitter aftertaste paired well.
“Does it suit your taste, Jaina?”
“Yes, I really enjoyed it.”
Rozian, however, seemed to feel differently.
Though he tried to hide it, his face stiffened as he struggled not to chew.
So he doesn’t like ginger. Well, it’s a polarizing flavor.
But he didn’t show any distaste, maintaining his elegant composure.
Still, Jaina wasn’t the type to enjoy watching someone suffer.
“Your Highness, may I ask a favor? The cookies are so good—may I eat them all?”
“Oh? Of course.”
At first, he simply thought she liked the cookies.
But a moment later, Rozian realized she had done it to spare him.
She could’ve bragged about it, but she didn’t.
The small girl before him said nothing, only quietly nibbling her cookie.
Rozian found himself staring at her face—
those big calf-like eyes, that soft pale skin.
Aside from being cute and pretty, she was like any other child.
Yet he couldn’t look away.
Is this why that bastard cherishes her so much?
“By the way, Jaina—what was that song you were humming in the carriage?
It didn’t sound Imperial… it had a mysterious, wistful feeling.”
Jaina recalled the tune she had been humming earlier.
Ah, that song…
She stood and moved to sit beside him, making Rozian’s eyes widen.
“That song is what I sing when I play ‘Sse Sse Sse.’”
“‘Sse Sse Sse’?”
Jaina clasped her small hands together,
then neatly rolled up her long sleeves.
“‘Sse Sse Sse’ is my secret game. If you want, I can teach it only to you, Your Highness.”
“Not even to Brother Michael?”
“Of course not. No one else knows.”
Rozian didn’t even know what the game was,
but his face lit up with anticipation.
“Alright, I won’t tell anyone. Since it’s a secret only between us.”
Children always love talking about secrets, Jaina thought.
Then she took Rozian’s hands.
“It’s also very effective! The more you play it, the better your hand coordination gets, and your brain too…”
Though she was making it up on the spot, her voice was steady.
“‘Sse Sse Sse’ starts with both players holding hands and shaking them up and down.
Then the real part begins.”
She let go of his hands and demonstrated.
Clapping once, striking her wrists in the air once—
“It’s kind of like a magical seal, passed down by word of mouth.
Everyone plays it a little differently.”
“Then I’ll do it exactly like you, Jaina. Like a wizard and their apprentice.”
“Exactly right! Now, we’ll do it while singing.”
Jaina began to sing:
“Blue sky, silver river, on a white little boat…”
Her hands moved deftly and swiftly,
and Rozian watched, eyes wide with focus.
“One cassia tree, one little rabbit…”
She twisted her wrists, moved up and down—displaying surprising skill.
“Wow.”
Rozian couldn’t help but let out a word of admiration.
Jaina ended the game with a satisfied smile.
“—To the land in the west.”
“Amazing, Jaina!”
Rozian clapped even more enthusiastically than when he’d watched a play.
Though her skill wasn’t extraordinary, her audience was generous,
and his reaction made Jaina beam.
“Then… shall we play together now?”
