Chapter : 50
Noel spoke in a small, hushed voice.
“This is a secret, but… actually, I made this bread myself.”
“Really?”
The Crown Prince… made bread?
I put down the half-eaten bread and looked at Noel. He lowered his gaze to the floor and said,
“My mother often baked bread. I begged her to teach me when I was little.”
The hexagonal-perfect Crown Prince has a hobby of baking? Isn’t that too unreal?
I imagined Noel kneading dough with his thick arms.
‘Not bad…’
While I was at it, I also pictured Sirinyu baking. I imagined flour dusting his nose—it would probably look cute. Even if I never saw it in real life… at least I could imagine it, right?
I was sneaking a small smile when Noel moved closer to sit beside me.
“Just a moment.”
He reached his hand toward my face.
Apparently, I had gotten something on my mouth again. Why did I have to look so embarrassing in front of Noel today…?
I quickly rubbed my mouth with the back of my hand to wipe it off.
“Ah… how embarrassing.”
“It’s nothing. I’m just glad you’re enjoying it.”
Noel looked at me with a kind expression.
Maybe it was because he made the atmosphere feel comfortable. Even though it was late at night and we were alone in the sitting room, I had no sense that Noel would do anything untoward.
Then, it happened.
“What are you doing?”
Sirinyu was standing at the open sitting room door. I stared blankly at his sudden appearance.
Why is he so fresh and beautiful even though he just woke up? Seriously, it’s maddening.
Noel, who had been facing me, turned to look at Sirinyu as well.
But Sirinyu’s expression didn’t look normal at all. I lowered the hand that had been rubbing my mouth and asked him,
“Did you wake up because you were hungry?”
Of course not. Even I knew that was ridiculous. I’d never seen Sirinyu actively eat anything before.
‘Then how does he maintain such a perfect body?’
My gaze naturally traveled downward.
Sirinyu walked toward us like a living statue. Apparently, he had been sleeping, as he wore only a thin shirt.
Through the shirt, I could even see the movements of his muscles. I narrowed my eyes to observe more closely.
“What are you doing right now?”
Sirinyu stopped in front of the sofa.
I… had been eating bread? But I couldn’t admit that Noel had wiped the crumbs off my mouth, so I kept my mouth tightly shut.
Noel spoke in my place.
“Do you really need to know?”
I looked at Noel in surprise. His words felt sharp, almost like a thorn.
‘Why is he so cutting? Does he not want Sirinyu to know he made the bread?’
I’d heard that among nobles, doing something un-noble could be a weakness.
Of course, I didn’t think Sirinyu would exploit someone else’s weaknesses… but still.
Hearing Noel, Sirinyu frowned slightly and pressed a hand to his chest, clearly displeased.
There he goes again.
“Are you feeling unwell?”
When I asked, Sirinyu stared at me without saying a word. The words “If you’re hurt, my heart would break” were caught in my throat.
A brief silence followed. Noel clapped his hands sharply, as if tidying up the situation.
“I’ve been holding onto Miss Selene too long. Please go get some rest.”
“Ah… yes…”
I reluctantly stood, and Noel asked,
“Shall I escort you to your room?”
“No, no. I can go on my own.”
I slightly bowed to Sirinyu and left the sitting room.
Stepping into the corridor, I glanced back. Sirinyu was watching me, and Noel was watching Sirinyu.
The next day, after receiving greetings from Baron Hover and his wife, our party arrived at the area where the carriage could no longer go.
From here, we would leave the horses and guards behind.
Since the carriage couldn’t pass, we had to walk. Ruri stayed behind as well.
She helped me put on comfortable shoes and fixed my hair.
“I believe nothing will happen, but…”
“I’ll be careful!” I said cheerfully on purpose.
Since the last time a monster appeared, security had been tightened, so no monsters had shown up even during brief rests.
Just in case, I also carried a small pouch of red beans and salt, as recommended in an old book.
The forest was quiet.
Arkas hadn’t arrived yet, so the knights assigned by the family were supposed to guard me. But…
“Um… Your Highness?”
“What is it?”
Sirinyu, who had been at the very back to watch for monsters, suddenly stood right next to me.
The knights meant to protect me looked at him with awkward expressions. Sirinyu gestured to them casually.
“I’ll stay here. I’m better than all of you, so go guard the rear.”
The knights looked at me, unsure if this was okay. I hesitated for a moment.
They had duties too… I didn’t want them to be punished later for abandoning their posts.
I cautiously spoke to Sirinyu.
“Um… I think the knights are enough…”
Sirinyu looked at me as if I’d said something absurd.
“Why?”
“Because… that’s what was decided? Isn’t it better for you to guard the rear as usual…”
“Why should I? What matters here is you. I just need to protect you, right?”
My heart dropped.
Even though it wasn’t flirting like what Noel said yesterday, my heart still raced.
So this is the ultimate attack…
I closed my eyes, regretting that there wasn’t a recorder in this world.
But I had to separate personal feelings from duty. I opened my mouth again.
“Then… why don’t you guard with them?”
“I’m fine alone. Why?”
I was at a loss for words. Sirinyu spoke so succinctly and correctly…
Knowing how good he was at fighting monsters, I could only nod.
“Alright. Do whatever you want.”
I said to the knights,
“Please follow what His Highness says. I’ll explain everything to my brother.”
The knights bowed politely and moved to the back of the formation.
Noel, who had been walking ahead and then looked back, noticed Sirinyu walking beside me and tilted his head, approaching us.
“Why is His Highness here?”
Sirinyu, who should have been patrolling and searching for monsters, was just following me quietly, so it was natural for Noel to wonder.
Sirinyu replied indifferently,
“Do you need to know?”
“…I think so.”
“I don’t.”
With that, Sirinyu closed his mouth, not even glancing at Noel.
Noel shrugged and said, “Well, as long as you’re protecting Miss Selene,” then moved back to the front of the party.
In the quiet forest, only the sound of leaves underfoot could be heard.
Should I say something? While I hesitated, Sirinyu broke the silence first.
“You, last time—”
“Huh? Yes?”
Why is he suddenly speaking in that sweet voice? I gasped in surprise.
Sirinyu glanced at me briefly and then looked forward again.
“You said your heart races when you see me, right?”
“Uh… yes.”
It’s true. Even now, it beats fast.
“So, maybe…”
“Selene!”
As Sirinyu began to speak, a bright, cheerful voice interrupted.
It was Eloi. She ran up lightly and linked arms with me, coming between Sirinyu and me.
“Hello, Miss Eloi.”
“I heard you fought a monster! Is that true?”
“Fought is a bit much… I was just lucky.”
I scratched my head and laughed. Eloi widened her eyes and clapped her hands.
“Even luck makes it amazing! Please tell me all the details!”
Eloi started walking, tugging me along. I glanced back.
‘Sirinyu seemed like he had something to say…’
Sirinyu had stopped in place, his eyebrows already furrowed at being interrupted.
When I looked back, Eloi also turned to see him.
Noticing Sirinyu staring at her, Eloi tilted her head and put a finger to her lips.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Her cute voice made my chest warm. Eloi looked so adorable I wanted to pinch her.
But Sirinyu’s expression grew even sterner. He strode up to stand in front of us.
He seemed to glance briefly at the arm Eloi had linked, then looked coldly down at her.
Two of the most beautiful and handsome people in this world were facing each other, and the atmosphere was tense.
After a long moment, Sirinyu spoke first.
“I need to speak with Miss Weddon.”
“Go ahead, if you want,” Eloi said, shrugging.
Sirinyu turned his head and sighed.
“It’s a private conversation between Miss Weddon and me.”
Eloi’s eyes sparkled slightly.
“Duke Refrics… seems very interested in Miss Selene, huh?”
