Chapter 16
“You look like a burning red rose.”
Eek!
Haon screamed internally and clenched her fists. Her toes curled and her heels threatened to lift off the ground. Her lips were practically high-fiving her cheekbones.
A rose! He said a rose. You are my rose~ My one and only rose, rose, rose~
Haon hummed an unknown melody in her head. She’d sung it so many times that musical reactions came naturally.
Perfect. Everything’s going smoothly.
Watching Princess Phereone and Prince Di, Haon nodded in satisfaction, barely holding back a proud mom-smile.
Despite some early bumps after her possession, things had finally started following the storyline once they reached the ballroom scene in the novel.
Peace and relief filled her heart.
Yes, this is the “Queen of Thorned Roses” I know. There’ve been way too many weird things lately.
The tension eased, and she felt like she could finally take a breath.
“May I have the honor of being your next dance partner?”
“Gladly.”
Princess Phereone bent her knees slightly to express her agreement.
“However, having just danced two songs in a row, I find myself quite parched. Would it be alright if I had a brief tea break?”
“Tea time in a ballroom?”
Prince Di’s eyes widened slightly before he chuckled.
“You certainly have a firm sense of taste.”
“I’m not fond of alcohol.”
“Then shall we enjoy tea together first?”
“My maid has gone to fetch some. She’ll be back shortly.”
Prince Di extended his right arm toward Phereone. He bent his elbow and held his arm out horizontally at a comfortable height for her to take.
“How about we enjoy the breeze and have tea on the terrace?”
“That sounds lovely.”
Phereone lightly placed her hand atop Prince Di’s arm.
He began to escort her slowly toward the terrace.
A perfect pair with perfect poise.
Bravo!
Haon’s heart thudded in awe as she watched.
Soon, Anten returned carrying a silver tray with a tea set. A warm teapot, a cup, and some snacks were prepared.
But there was only one teacup.
“Prince Di will be joining us.”
“I’ll prepare another cup right away.”
Anten handed the silver tray to Haon and went to get another cup for the prince.
Phereone and Di enjoyed their tea by the terrace railing, breathing in the cool night air.
Haon stood beside them, holding the teapot, watching as their cups emptied so she could refill them.
If I can stay this close, I’m happy.
Haon felt utterly satisfied with her duty. She perked up her ears and sparkled her eyes, focusing on their conversation.
“Haa…”
Princess Phereone let out a warm sigh. The warmth of the tea spread from her lips.
Warm tea in her hands, cool air at her nose—it was a pleasant moment.
Just stepping away from the crowded, perfume-drenched ballroom offered a much-needed breather.
“You look at ease.”
Prince Di’s unexpected comment made Phereone turn her gaze.
He stood beside her, leaning lightly against the railing, watching her. With the brilliant lights of the ballroom at her back, she filled his view.
The light reflected in his eyes, making them sparkle.
“To look so composed at a foreign palace’s ball… impressive.”
He lifted his teacup slightly.
It must’ve been quite a sight—sipping tea in the ballroom.
Well, that’s true.
Even Haon, listening nearby, nodded in agreement.
“Though it is unfamiliar, I spent over twenty years in a palace. I suppose it’s natural I adjust quickly.”
Phereone smiled and sipped her tea again. She raised her head to gaze at the sky. Her eyes drifted far, toward the starlit darkness.
“And now, this is where I must spend the rest of my life.”
Haon’s grip on the silver tray tightened.
Princess…
There was something quietly sorrowful about her words. Haon’s chest ached.
Forced to leave her homeland and rely on a foreign country for the rest of her life.
Just like Haon, who’d suddenly opened her eyes in a strange world.
A deep sense of connection surged between them. For the first time, Haon thought of her old life in Korea.
…Mom.
Her parents. Her family.
She’d hated her life in Korea, but erasing her family wasn’t so easy.
She saw longing in Phereone’s distant gaze. Haon’s eyes burned, and her body trembled.
Am I really okay with this…?
That moment of wavering was enough. Haon lost her grip.
CRASH!
The silver tray tilted slightly, but it was enough for the teapot to fall and shatter on the ground.
“Haon!”
Anten rushed over in panic.
“Princess, are you alright?”
“Yes.”
Phereone answered in a daze. Somehow, she was now in Prince Di’s arms.
He had reacted instantly, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close just as the teapot fell.
“My apologies.”
Prince Di released his grip. Phereone awkwardly stepped back.
Normally, Haon would be squealing inside at the sight of such a scene—but right now, she was too stunned by her own blunder.
“I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry!”
Haon cried out in panic, quickly bowing to pick up the shards—only to spot Prince Di’s shoes.
Tea had splashed on them too.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness.”
Haon hurriedly wrapped her fingers in her apron and tried to wipe off the tea.
But—
Prince Di calmly stepped back, avoiding her hand.
Haon reflexively looked up—and saw his expression.
A furrowed brow. A chilling gaze.
Her body froze.
“Let’s go inside.”
Prince Di didn’t even glance at Haon as he spoke in the same gentle tone to Phereone.
Was it just my imagination?
Haon tilted her head.
I guess anyone would be annoyed.
She tried to brush it off, but the cold look lingered in her mind. Feeling uneasy, she bent down to gather the shards.
“Haon.”
Phereone stopped and called out to her.
“Yes?”
The princess looked at Haon’s hands, which were picking up the shards barehanded.
“Use tools for cleaning.”
She tossed the remark over her shoulder and turned away.
Haon watched her figure disappear into the ballroom and brought her hands together.
“Princess…!”
Emotion swelled inside her.
“She was worried I might cut myself, right?”
A beautiful interpretation.
Anten, meanwhile, shot her a dry look.
“Clean up thoroughly and come inside.”
Clicking her tongue in disbelief, Anten turned and followed the princess into the ballroom.
Haon pouted and stood up.
“I should listen to the princess. She even worried about me.”
So simple-minded. But she was genuinely cheered up by the princess’s words. She pushed the shards aside with her toe and went to find cleaning tools.
“There has to be a supply closet or something around here…”
She wandered through the halls, looking for it.
That’s when she overheard a group of noble ladies in gowns. She was about to walk away when one word caught her attention.
“That tribute girl from Czekoran.”
She froze. That was an expression used to belittle Princess Phereone.
Haon stopped in her tracks and listened.
“Doesn’t she seem fox-like? Or is that just me?”
“A fox?”
“She danced with His Majesty and then had the audacity to flirt with Prince Di too. Didn’t you see?”
Definitely about Princess Phereone.
Haon glared at the group.
Of course—it was Trillinia.
Surrounded by young noblewomen, Trillinia was spouting gossip with a sharp tone.
“She’s clearly here with wicked intentions. Anyone can see through her tricks. We must protect the princes from her clutches!”
This little…!
Haon couldn’t take it anymore. She stepped forward.
“Excuse me, does anyone here own a dog?”
The ladies blinked in confusion. Even Trillinia stared at her, puzzled.
“What are you talking about?”
“I just heard a dog barking.”
“A dog?”
Haon smiled sweetly and nodded.
“Oh wait—sounded just like your voice, Lady Trillinia.”
“Wha—?”
Trillinia’s face turned beet red as she realized the insult. The others stifled laughter, hiding their mouths behind fans.
Some even coughed to suppress their giggles.
Trillinia looked around in anger.
“Ahem, I just remembered something urgent.”
“Me too.”
“I need to fix my dress.”
“Shall we go together?”
The noble ladies scattered one by one, each making an excuse.
“Wait, no, hang on—!”
Trillinia tried to stop them, but they only walked faster.
“Looks like they all felt the same way.”
“You!”
When Haon added her comment, Trillinia snapped.
“How dare a lowly maid butt in? And what did you say? Barking? Such vulgar words!”
“Sounds like you’re the vulgar one.”
“W-what?!”
Unlike the flustered Trillinia, Haon remained calm.
“You see what you want to see. Maybe you’re judging the princess because you have such a nasty heart.”
“You wretched maid, how dare you speak so freely?!”
Trillinia was clearly shocked to be spoken to like this by a maid.
Haon folded her arms and scoffed.
“You say whatever you want—why can’t I?”
Trillinia was left speechless, her face burning.
“Y-you—you…!”
Unable to contain her anger, Trillinia raised her fan high to strike.
Just as Haon prepared to retaliate—
SMACK.
A hand reached from behind and caught Trillinia’s fan mid-air.
Both Haon and Trillinia turned in shock.
Standing behind Haon was Prince Si.
“Prince Si!”
Before Haon could even react, Trillinia whined.
“Perfect timing, Your Highness! Please scold this insolent maid for insulting me!”
You were just about to hit me?! Haon stared at her in disbelief.
But what really shocked her was Prince Si’s response.
“I’ll handle discipline for palace maids. As for you, please uphold the dignity of a noble lady.”
“Thank you!”
Without asking another word, he handed the fan back to Trillinia and grabbed Haon’s wrist.
As she was dragged away, Haon saw it—Trillinia’s smug, crooked smile.
She was speechless.
“Prince Si, it’s not what it looks like—”
“Haon.”
As soon as they turned the corner in the hallway, Prince Si pressed Haon against the wall, firmly gripping her shoulders.
“I already know you’re a rude and arrogant maid. I won’t interfere with how you use the princess’s favor to act so recklessly.”
…Excuse me, Your Highness? Am I really that trashy in your eyes?
Haon stared at him, stunned.
Then, in a cold voice, he warned:
“But do not provoke Trillinia.”
