Chapter 38
Meanwhile, Dandelion watched her with eyes so sweet they practically dripped with honey as she burned with determination.
He couldn’t tell what Sienna was thinking, but when she concentrated like that, the way her lips subtly pushed forward was undeniably cute.
“…Ah.”
Startled, he hurriedly averted his gaze.
But once he became aware of it, his eyes kept drifting back to her lips.
“Shall we head back now?” he asked.
“Already?”
“Even in spring, it gets quite cold at night. You shouldn’t catch a cold.”
“…Mm, all right then.”
As she rose slowly, still reluctant, a sound suddenly shattered the stillness of the quiet pond.
“There isn’t anyone here, right?”
“Surely not. Who would come all the way out here?”
“How did you even find a place like this?”
“Hehe. I prepared it just for you.”
Dandelion and Sienna instinctively stilled their breathing and exchanged glances.
It was a signal to wait a little longer before leaving.
When the voices stopped, they thought the people had passed by—but moments later, rough breathing echoed through the air.
For some reason, the scene she’d witnessed earlier flashed through Sienna’s mind.
“…Don’t tell me.”
Praying it was just her imagination, she cautiously peeked out from behind the tree.
“Eeek!”
As always, “don’t tell me” was never wrong.
A man and a woman were clinging tightly to each other, kissing and making a full-blown spectacle of it.
Sienna clapped a hand over her mouth, yet somehow couldn’t bring herself to look away.
Hearing only the sounds, Dandelion sensed something was off. Confused, he quietly called to her.
“P-Prin—”
Before he could finish asking what on earth is going on?, a small hand firmly covered his mouth.
Sienna placed a finger to her lips.
As if enchanted, he nodded silently.
Unfortunately, someone on the other side seemed to have sharp ears.
“Ah—!”
“…What is it?”
“Didn’t you hear something just now?”
“No way.”
“I don’t like this… I’m getting nervous.”
“Juliet!”
The man chased after his anxious lover as she fled.
Only once their footsteps had completely faded did Sienna finally exhale.
“Ha… that scared me.”
As the tension drained away, the sensation in her palm suddenly became vivid.
It’s like jelly. What is this soft?
Her gaze followed her hand.
Reflected clearly in pitch-black eyes was her own face.
What… am I even doing right now?
Warm breath brushed against her palm, and Sienna jolted, yanking her hand away.
“I-I’m sorry!”
“…It’s all right.”
She clenched her burning hand tightly.
My heart feels like it’s going to burst.
For some reason, her resolve flared up.
I will break this engagement. No matter what.
The day after the debutante ball.
A considerable number of tea party invitations arrived addressed to Sienna.
“This is the first time so many letters have come to the palace!” Anna exclaimed, her eyes welling with emotion.
“Oh! There’s even one from the Duke of Pomelo’s household!”
“Is there?”
“And—oh! There’s also a letter from Madame Lang.”
Sienna read the letter Anna handed her.
“Mm. She says everything I asked for last time is ready. She’s asking when would be convenient.”
“When would you like to go?”
“It doesn’t really matter—”
She cut herself off mid-sentence and sprang to her feet.
Life returned to her previously hazy eyes.
Why hadn’t she thought of this sooner?
“Tell Madame that I’ll come in person.”
“…Pardon?”
“Let’s go out! We’re going out to have fun!”
With light steps, Sienna quickly made her way to the king’s study.
“Your Majesty.”
“…What brings you here?”
Arden asked as he picked up a pen that had fallen to the floor, startled by her sudden appearance.
Sienna felt awkward as well—but since she was already here, she decided to deal with everything at once.
“There’s something I’d like to discuss.”
“All right. Go on.”
He continued signing documents, glancing at her from time to time.
“I’d like to invite Eleanor Watson as my fencing instructor.”
“Eleanor… you mean the daughter of Duke Watson?”
“Yes.”
“I didn’t know the two of you were acquainted.”
“We grew close at the debutante ball.”
“Hm. Has this already been discussed with the duke’s family?”
“Yes. Miss Eleanor gladly agreed as well.”
“I see.”
The king twirled his pen briefly, then asked again.
“But why do you suddenly want to learn swordsmanship? It’s not exactly a virtue you need.”
“A virtue I need…”
Sienna felt a sudden lump rise in her throat.
Her father had always been like this.
If it wasn’t something deemed absolutely necessary for a princess, he never encouraged it.
Know your place. Don’t step out of line.
She forced a smile, but her words came out sharp.
“It’s not something I mustn’t do either. And I want to learn.”
“…Very well. If that’s what you want.”
Despite his lukewarm reaction, Arden granted permission easily.
“Thank you.”
A little puzzled, Sienna pressed on while she had the momentum.
“There’s one more thing I’d like to ask.”
“What is it?”
“I’d like to go out for a bit.”
Up until now, the reason given for forbidding her outings had always been her weak health.
But now she had enough stamina to dance several songs in a row.
She wasn’t a child anymore.
Of course he’ll allow it, right?
She waited confidently—but the answer she received was firm.
“No.”
“…What?”
Sienna steadied her voice and asked again.
“Please tell me why.”
“It’s dangerous outside. There have been unsettling rumors lately.”
“Unsettling rumors?”
“There are impure factions opposing Stern.”
“Father.”
She found his answer almost laughable.
“Has anyone been hurt?”
“Not yet.”
“How many people outside the castle do you think even recognize my face? Or rather, would anyone care about a princess with no presence at all?”
“Sienna.”
Arden called her name sternly, but she didn’t shrink back.
He wouldn’t kill his own daughter just for being cheeky… right?
Clinging to that shallow thought, she decided to push a little.
A bit of rebellion is allowed with him, isn’t it?
The obedient daughter who answered only with “Yes” ended today.
With an innocent expression, she deliberately needled him.
“I didn’t realize Stern was such a dangerous place. Didn’t Brother Pierre go to the busy district even the day before the debutante ball?”
“Pierre is different from you.”
“Yes, he is. If those ‘impure movements’ truly exist, wouldn’t they target the crown prince rather than a princess no one knows exists?”
“Do not talk back.”
“My apologies. But if you were truly that worried, you could have assigned a discreet escort. That’s what I would have done.”
The king fell silent, studying Sienna.
“…Sigh. Do you really have to go out?”
Can’t you just stay put for once?
Seeing him press his fingers to his forehead with a weary sigh, her mood sank.
Was that really the face of a father worried about his daughter’s safety?
She couldn’t believe it.
Her chest felt tight.
“Then… when will I be allowed to go out?”
“……”
“Is there ever such a thing as a perfectly safe time? Or—was this castle ever safe for me to begin with?”
Despite the heavy security, the knights always by her side, and even protective barrier magic—
She had been harassed continuously even within these walls.
“Do you want me to live my entire life locked inside a narrow room?”
“……”
“You’re the one who made it so I can’t do anything in here.”
Her clenched fist tightened without her noticing.
She had been denied the chance to meet new people, to learn how the world worked, even to think about what she liked or what she could do.
These weren’t even things she had personally experienced.
They were merely memories.
Yet her chest throbbed painfully.
Are memories bound to the body?
Unable to logically understand her emotions, Sienna fell briefly into contemplation.
