Chapter 20
“I’m offended.”
“…Pardon?”
Princess Fireone’s reaction was completely unexpected. Haon stared at her, mouth agape.
“W-What do you mean?”
Princess Fireone pinched the edge of the cloak with just her thumb and forefinger, as if it were something filthy, and handed it over to Anten. Her posture made it clear she’d rather face the chilly breeze than wear that cloak again.
“He’s been sneakily touching me since the ball.”
She shuddered, brushing her shoulders as if to shake off an unpleasant feeling.
“Maybe he was just worried you might be cold…?”
To Haon, it had only looked like a caring gesture—an affectionate bit of skinship. Embarrassed, she jumped to Prince Di’s defense.
“Cold? Spring has been here for a while now.”
But there wasn’t a teaspoon of romantic sentiment in Princess Fireone’s tone, unlike what Haon had hoped for.
Haon was baffled.
This man is the male lead? And you’re the heroine!
Since when did a heroine dislike the male lead’s touch?
Still flustered, Haon insisted, “Prince Di was probably just being considerate. Maybe he was trying to express his interest in you?”
“Interest?”
Fireone paused, then her expression cleared.
“Ah, right. I suppose it’s only natural, since I’ll be marrying one of the princes.”
Haon’s eyes sparkled. “Is there anyone you’re interested in? You’ve met all of them by now, haven’t you?”
She asked, hoping for a particular answer, but Princess Fireone didn’t take the bait.
“Who knows? I’m not sure about any of them yet.”
If she didn’t have feelings for any of them, that meant Prince Di still had a chance! No, the answer was already set—Prince Di was the one.
Haon knew it for sure.
“You’ll fall in love!”
She blurted it out, full of emotion, like a maid fervently encouraging the love between her lady and a count in some period drama. It was the perfect line.
But Haon’s desperate cry was hers alone.
Princess Fireone looked at her curiously and slowly opened her mouth.
“With whom?”
With Prince Di, of course!
She almost shouted it, but… was it okay to be that pushy?
“…With someone who sees you as you truly are—a princess above all else.”
Haon clasped both fists tightly. She nodded with firm resolve, meeting Fireone’s eyes directly, her mouth set with unwavering determination.
Princess Fireone looked at her for a moment, then gently patted Haon’s head.
“I’m already a princess, no matter what anyone says.”
She smiled faintly and turned away.
Haon was about to protest—that’s not what I meant!—but she stopped when she saw the side of Fireone’s face. A subtle, lonely smile lingered there.
Fireone had understood her perfectly.
Haon gave a small smile in return, lightly touching the spot where her hand had been.
At that moment, a court servant appeared in the garden, calling for Princess Fireone.
“The tea table is ready, Your Highness.”
The servant escorted her away.
No personal maids were allowed to accompany royalty to imperial meals or tea times. Just as they had waited during dinner, Anten and Haon now waited for the tea time to end.
As they headed back inside, Haon glanced longingly at the garden. Waiting in the palace corridor until dinner ended had been exhausting. Just killing time.
Not wanting to waste more of it, she watched Anten carefully.
“May I take a short walk?”
Anten narrowed her eyes at her.
“The evening breeze is nice, and… it’s a bit stuffy inside,” Haon added hastily.
Anten’s sharp gaze made her wilt a little. She was already on thin ice after the whole orange perfume incident.
“Don’t cause trouble. Be quiet and come back.”
“…Huh?”
She’d expected to be dragged away with a scolding, but Anten surprisingly gave her permission.
“Of course!”
Haon responded brightly. Her eyes practically sparkled with confidence—‘You can count on me!’
As she skipped away, Anten snorted.
“She’s cheeky, but her devotion to the princess is genuine.”
Though she still found Haon annoying, Anten couldn’t deny the sincerity of her loyalty. There was something familiar about it—something she shared.
Haon wandered the garden, humming.
Though it hadn’t been long since sunset, the sky was already dark. The moon shone brightly above, and its silver glow reflected below as if there were a second moon on earth.
A silver disc sparkled like ice. The wind shattered the moonlight into delicate threads.
Drawn in, Haon walked toward it, as if entranced.
“Prince Si.”
The silver moon turned. Prince Si turned his head. The moon held a blue lake—his vivid blue eyes stared at her.
“Wow…”
Still not used to his face, Haon found herself sighing involuntarily. She sucked in a breath, worried she might drool.
“What is it now?”
One of Prince Si’s eyebrows arched toward the center.
Even that irritated look was beautiful. Truly, the gods were unfair.
Yet this god-favored prince didn’t seem to appreciate his face at all. He wore that stunning face with a scowl. If a wrinkle formed, it would be a national tragedy.
‘Isn’t that kind of like abusing a national treasure?’
Haon smiled politely. “Shouldn’t you be heading in? I heard tea time has started.”
Prince Si said nothing, simply staring at her.
His silence stretched on, and Haon began to feel awkward.
Finally, he muttered, “You sure are nosy.”
“Nosy? Don’t people usually call that concern?”
The arrogant prince. Maybe he was spoiled, growing up with everyone pampering him—but Haon wasn’t about to just bow her head.
Prince Si lowered his eyelids halfway. He was tall enough that he didn’t need to do more to look down at her. Even the slight tilt of his chin was graceful.
“And who are you, a mere maid, to worry about a prince?”
Haon smiled, but a vein twitched at her temple.
‘There it is again. “Mere,” “how dare,” blah blah.’
Such a pretty face… such a rude mouth. No wonder they say illusions shatter the closer you get.
Just like his looks, it took time to get used to his attitude. One or two encounters weren’t enough.
Her eyes loved him, but her soul was boiling.
“Oh no, no. Of course a lowly maid like me could never worry about your noble highness. What a ridiculous idea.”
She spread her hands wide and shook her head dramatically.
Prince Si’s expression faltered ever so slightly, but he said nothing.
Emboldened, Haon pressed on.
“I’m sure your highness can take care of himself just fine. I was foolish to assume otherwise.”
Having let her irritation spill out in the form of sarcasm, she turned on her heel.
With a huff, she stormed off—but she couldn’t help glancing back. Prince Si remained by the garden tree, unmoving.
She looked toward the main palace, glowing with light. The emperor, the royal family, and Princess Fireone were likely all enjoying a warm tea time together.
But no one had come looking for Prince Si. He himself didn’t seem interested in joining, either. Nor did he return to the fifth palace.
He simply stood there in the moonlight, wasting time.
‘Prince Si…’
The fifth in line for the throne. The cold wolf. The commander backed by military power.
Not all his titles were flattering.
Lowborn. Son of a concubine. A disgrace to the royal bloodline.
‘Is that why he’s so sensitive about status?’
Haon couldn’t take her eyes off him. His gaze didn’t just seem lonely—it looked truly sorrowful.
And it wasn’t just her imagination.
‘I didn’t come this far just to back down.’
Things were different now. If something could be done, she would do it.
Haon took a determined step forward.
“Prince Si.”
This time, he didn’t even turn his head.
“What now?”
Haon took a deep breath.
“What’s wrong with you? Why are you just standing here like this?”
“Did you come to pick a fight?”
His lazy reply lacked his usual bite. Something was definitely off.
There had to be a reason he was stuck between the main and fifth palaces, unable to go either way. Haon was determined to find out.
“You didn’t go to tea time, and it doesn’t seem like you want to. But you’re not going back either. Something’s holding you here, but you can’t seem to let it go, can you?”
He finally turned to look at her. His gaze was sharp and cold.
He clapped slowly. Clap. Clap. Clap.
“Incredible. Your confidence is boundless.”
He stepped closer.
The chill radiating from him nearly made Haon step back, but she held her ground, meeting his eyes head-on.
As she stared back resolutely, Prince Si reached out and gently lifted her chin with his fingers.
“Mm…”
She couldn’t resist. His touch drew her in.
His face came closer.
Smooth, fair skin. A sharp, elegant nose. The nearer he got, the more she felt like she’d fall into those deep blue eyes.
“You think you see everything? Think you know it all?”
“…No. I’m asking because I don’t know.”
“And if you ask, am I supposed to answer? Just because you’re curious, does everyone have to be kind enough to explain? That’s arrogance.”
He let go of her chin with a flick—except he didn’t.
Just as his fingers were about to pull away, Haon grabbed his hand.
She gripped it tightly and met his gaze with equal intensity.
“Call me a meddler if you want—I can’t just stand by and do nothing.”
“Why? Are you my servant or something?”
His tone was mocking, laced with derision.
And Haon finally snapped.
“Because I like you!”
