<Chapter 10>
As expected, I knew this would happen. I asked him,
“When was the last time you slept?”
“I slept for a bit in the garden last time, and then… when was it again?”
Bastian frowned, as if trying to count the days.
No wonder his energy felt so vicious.
He already had a bad temper to begin with, but still—being unable to sleep must be torment.
I cautiously asked him,
“Should I put you to sleep again?”
“Do you think I’m a child? I only sleep if someone puts me to bed?”
His fierce gaze immediately pierced me.
Well, I am younger than him… but still.
“You slept last time, didn’t you?”
He shut his mouth. The aide standing behind him sent me a silent look, as if begging me to do something. I caught that look and asked Bastian,
“Your Highness, what’s your schedule for today?”
“I finished everything.”
So he was planning to go rest after finishing all his work. I thought for a moment and then said,
“Then let’s go together. I’ll sing you a lullaby.”
“…Ha! A lullaby?”
Bastian suddenly let out a dry laugh. Then he leaned close to me and whispered quickly,
“I can laugh it off once, but if this keeps happening, what do you think the others will see me as?”
So that’s why he was hesitating.
I looked at him with a sympathetic face.
“But sleep is important.”
He furrowed his brows again. I leaned closer and whispered,
“I’ll just sing you ‘hush little baby’ and leave. Embarrassment won’t kill you, but sleep deprivation will.”
“Her Highness is right, Your Majesty. You should go in.”
The aide backed me up. Bastian glared at him, bloodshot eyes sharp.
Oh. So he heard everything. I thought I was whispering…
* * *
“Come in.”
It was my first time entering the king’s bedroom.
It was so big and luxurious that even Daniel’s room felt small in comparison. After waiting outside, I entered when Bastian called. He was already under the blanket.
I checked the clock. 7 PM. Way too early for sleep, but I calmly sat in the chair beside the bed.
“Sleep well until morning.”
“Like that’s ever going to happen.”
He grumbled, then looked at me as if to say, Fine, try it then.
“Let’s see you make me sleep.”
“You need to close your eyes first.”
Before I knew it, I had reached out and closed his eyes for him. I startled myself.
“I’m sorry, my hand moved on its own…”
‘Why are you provoking him like that?’
“Whatever. I’ll keep my eyes closed, so go ahead and sing that weird song again.”
Even while frowning, he didn’t get angry. I sighed lightly and looked around.
This time felt less burdensome. Last time, servants were watching us. But here, it was just the two of us. Even if someone mocked him, it would only be me.
“Then I’ll start.”
I said quietly and began the lullaby.
“Sleep well, my baby…”
Clara’s voice was naturally perfect for lullabies—clear and gentle.
Maybe it was the calm atmosphere, but I found myself patting his stomach through the blanket.
‘Am I crazy? I never even used to sing lullabies…’
A 17-year-old singing a lullaby to a 21-year-old… I suddenly felt a different kind of existential crisis.
Bastian’s eyes flew open as if saying What are you doing? but I closed them again.
“Close them. Our baby… sleep tight…”
He didn’t say anything, but his whole face screamed dissatisfaction.
Yet before long, his expression relaxed, as if his inner demons had been purified.
‘He looks like a wise king only when he’s asleep.’
I stared at his sleeping face. It was a shame—his personality canceled out his good looks.
Was he really asleep?
I waved a hand over his face. Not a twitch. He was definitely asleep.
‘Then, success again!’
Only after confirming did I quietly leave the room. I didn’t know what exactly worked—but I felt proud. Whatever the method, he slept.
Bastian must have been satisfied too.
The next morning, he arrived late to the national council meeting.
Reason? Overslept, of course.
* * *
How did I even manage to make him sleep? I wondered that after hearing he’d been late.
‘Maybe I’m a human sleeping pill?’
Ridiculous thought.
Maybe anyone could put him to sleep by singing a lullaby.
That image alone was so absurd that I burst out laughing. Sarah, walking beside me, asked,
“Your Highness, what’s funny?”
“Nothing, just a silly thought.”
We were on our way to Aguila Palace because Bastian had summoned me. Sarah looked concerned again.
“I heard His Majesty was late to the meeting this morning…”
Bastian never arrives late. If he skipped, maybe—but late? That was unheard of. The palace had been buzzing all morning.
She didn’t say it out loud, but I could tell she sensed something odd.
“Don’t worry. I didn’t do anything wrong.”
I said confidently, though I was a bit nervous.
‘He wouldn’t blame me for that, right?’
Surely not. I helped him sleep. If anything, he should thank me. Waking up is his own responsibility.
‘I am becoming closer to Bastian.’
Repeating that to myself like a spell, I went to meet him.
When I met Bastian in the Blue Drawing Room, his face was surprisingly calm—nothing like the chaos he caused this morning.
‘Calm? Really?’
Unbelievable. I rubbed my eyes, but no—he really looked peaceful.
The constant frown line between his brows—gone. Wasn’t that his signature feature?
“Your Highness, you must have slept very well.”
‘Why aren’t you scowling?’
That was what I really wanted to say.
He simply nodded and sipped his tea.
“Yeah. For once, I actually slept.”
I made a face as if I’d seen something I shouldn’t have. Why hadn’t the rumor spread? This was huge!
“What’s with that face?”
He finally frowned at me.
‘Ah. That’s why the rumor didn’t spread.’
I brushed it off and pretended nothing was wrong. He snorted and set down his cup.
‘Still, he does seem slightly less aggressive.’
I was still staring when he suddenly said,
“I increased your budget.”
“…What?”
Why the sudden budget increase? My eyes widened. He asked,
“You don’t like it?”
“No! I love it.”
Of course I wasn’t rejecting free money. But the question still nagged me. The budgeting period was already over.
Why suddenly raise the funding for my palace?
Don’t tell me—
I tilted my head and asked cautiously,
“Is it because I helped you sleep yesterday…?”
“No?? What kind of idiot would increase a budget for that?”
You, obviously. I answered silently while he got annoyed.
‘But seriously, what other reason is there?’
Slept well → Next day raises budget. That was exactly the kind of thing Bastian would do.
“Really not because of that?”
“Really. And it’s not even a big increase. Stop overthinking.”
He said it seriously.
‘Well, not like I’m going to refuse.’
It was good news anyway. I could also take it as a sign we’d gotten a little closer.
I grinned and thanked him.
“Thank you, Your Highness. Call me anytime.”
“No need for thanks.”
He scoffed.
As soon as I left the drawing room, I headed to the Aguila Palace kitchen. The chef was just resting after lunch and looked startled to see me.
“Princess! What brings you here…?”
“This.”
I handed him a folded piece of paper—something I’d brought from my palace.
“I wrote down foods that are good for insomnia. You can use them for His Majesty’s meals.”
It was publicly known Bastian had “mild insomnia,” so this much was fine.
Would the food make a big difference? Probably not. But if it could even slightly reduce his violent tendencies, it was worth trying.
“Thank you, Princess!”
The chef held the paper with both hands, delighted.
I left, heading back to my palace.
‘Now, what should I buy?’
With a boosted budget, my steps felt lighter.
* * *
When I arrived, I found new maids waiting.
“It’s an honor to serve you, Princess.”
Unfortunately, none were volunteers.
“P-Please call me Mia, Princess…”
Right. Mia. Just by looking at her, I could tell she was forced here.
I smiled at her.
“Were you picked by lottery?”
“Yes, by lot—ah, no! I-I volunteered!”
I literally heard her change her words.
She must’ve heard rumors from the previous maids. Mia looked at me like I was another Bastian.
‘Hey, that’s unfair. I’m not scary.’
A little offended, I still spoke kindly.
“You don’t need to be so tense. I don’t bite.”
‘I only paid back what they did to me.’
Not that I said that part out loud.
The other maid didn’t look as scared. She introduced herself as Emily, speaking eagerly.
“I’ve always wanted to serve you, Princess!”
Well, then you should’ve applied earlier… still, I thanked her.
Then she said,
“I heard Princess Clara is in charge of the imperial prince.”
Daniel—the imperial prince Bastian kidnapped. She seemed interested in him.
“I wasn’t here the day he arrived, but… they say he’s incredibly handsome, right?”
“Yes, very handsome.”
No need to deny that.
Emily clasped her hands desperately.
“Next time you visit him, may I attend you? Just once—I want to see him in person!”
“You want to come along?”
I pointed toward the room next door—Daniel’s temporary residence. Emily nodded frantically.
“Yes! Everyone talks about him. I just want to see with my own eyes!”
She clearly needed visual healing. Are there really so few handsome men in the palace?
‘…Actually, yes.’
I thought about it. Besides Bastian, there weren’t any. He’d killed his brothers to secure the throne, wiping out the kingdom’s handsome gene pool.
‘What a tragic loss to the world.’
It wasn’t a difficult request, so I agreed.
“Sure, let’s go together.
