Chapter 33
Gradually, a Little Closer
After returning to the star palace, Haon had to endure a long scolding from Anten.
“So I’m definitely on the boss’s bad side now.”
Haon accepted it quietly, thinking it was her own fault.
Indeed, in life, conflicts with a superior seem inevitable. It seemed impossible to close the distance with Anten.
“Is this why I told you not to participate in the hunt!”
Anten even scolded Princess Pireone.
“I’m fine. I wasn’t hurt at all.”
“You went missing.”
“I was just a little late.”
To everyone’s surprise, Princess Pireone shot back without losing her composure.
Anten could only sigh deeply.
“Anyway, don’t even think about leaving the palace for the time being.”
Although Princess Pireone wasn’t hurt, Anten was even more flustered because of the injuries sustained by Trillinia, who had been with her.
The uproar in the royal palace was bad enough, and with Anten joining in, Pireone was suddenly forced into a regimen of rest.
Propped up against a high stack of pillows on her bed, Princess Pireone was reading a book.
“I’m bored.”
She flipped the book over and tilted her head back.
A lace canopy spread over the bed. Her gaze followed the embroidered patterns, sliding down the hanging lace.
Bright sunlight poured in through the large grid-patterned windows. By the windows, flowers in vases replaced daily by the maids bloomed vibrantly.
On the bedside table, there was warm tea and cookies.
It was an almost perfect, self-sufficient daily life.
Yet Princess Pireone’s eyes scanning it all were empty.
Sigh…
The sigh was thin and long.
She closed the book completely and shut her eyes.
Tick-tock, tick-tock. The clock’s sound echoed at a steady pace. Apart from that, there was only silence.
“How perfect.”
Her voice sounded flat and devoid of emotion.
After spending such a peaceful day, night deepened.
Having lain in bed all day, sleep didn’t come easily. Her mind was tangled with thoughts.
Finally, Princess Pireone got up. She slipped on a light shawl and left her room.
Hesitating at the stairs, her steps eventually led downward. Though she usually went to the rooftop when restless, today she thought of the garden.
A quiet garden at the hour when everyone was asleep. The candlelight she held alone was enough for a nighttime stroll.
“This is completely dried out.”
She thought she was alone, but a voice spoke. Princess Pireone flinched at the sudden sound.
“Who is that?”
She approached the source of the presence.
There was Haon. Upon seeing her, Princess Pireone paused and observed her actions.
“That girl always does something unpredictable.”
Princess Pireone hesitated briefly, pretending to leave, but then approached Haon.
“What are you doing here at this hour?”
“Ah, Princess Pireone!”
Haon froze mid-action at her appearance. When Princess Pireone glanced over, Haon smiled sheepishly.
“Well, you’ve been in your room all day. I thought you might feel cooped up… so I thought maybe tomorrow you could enjoy a picnic in the garden.”
Haon was cleaning the garden’s tea table, wiping off traces left on the outdoor table and chairs.
She had planned to naturally suggest having tea in the garden tomorrow, but being caught preparing it made her embarrassed.
Haon hid the rag behind her back and gave a small, nervous smile.
Princess Pireone simply watched her silently.
“So…”
Princess Pireone finally spoke.
“Did you finish cleaning?”
“Just this last bit!”
Haon energetically replied, pointing to a stubborn stain on the table corner.
She scrubbed with determination, as if a booster had been installed in her hands.
“Enjoying it now isn’t so bad, right?”
Suddenly, Princess Pireone sat on a chair, placing the candle on the table and watching Haon finish.
“Shall I bring you some tea?”
“No. If I drink tea at this hour, I won’t sleep at all.”
“Yes, of course.”
Haon’s attempt to do something was neatly cut off.
The stain was cleaned, yet Haon continued to rub the same spot unnecessarily. Time passed in silence.
“Haon.”
Princess Pireone looked up at the sky and called.
“You spent the night on the mountain too, didn’t you?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Haon became a little nervous.
Since she was with Prince Shi, she was conscious of the surrounding eyes in the combination of maid and prince.
“How was it?”
“Eh, what? W-what do you mean?”
When asked about that night, Haon could only think of Prince Shi, and her face turned red.
Princess Pireone continued in a calm tone.
“Spending the night outdoors was actually a bit scary. No, very scary.”
“Ah.”
Only then did Haon stop thinking about Prince Shi. She realized what Princess Pireone was talking about.
“That’s right. I was scared too.”
“But you know…”
Princess Pireone stretched her hand. Moonlight filtered through the spread fingers.
“The moon looked much more beautiful on the mountain.”
Haon followed her gaze and looked at the moon.
“I didn’t realize the water flowed with such sounds. I didn’t know the insects’ sounds were pretty too.”
They were trivial things, but they helped Princess Pireone break free from tension and fear.
When she recalled that night, only the beautiful and pleasant parts came to mind, rather than the frightening ones.
“Living in such a splendid palace, how much am I actually missing out on?”
Haon looked at Princess Pireone with a surprised expression.
How could such thoughts follow just one night away?
She seemed to understand, or at least wanted to support, the princess.
“You’re realizing it now.”
Haon said firmly.
“If you have the heart to think about what you’re missing, isn’t that enough?”
“…Maybe.”
Though the reaction wasn’t dramatic, Princess Pireone’s expression softened slightly, which reassured Haon.
“Wow, I just said something really cool.”
Haon felt proud and brushed under her nose.
Feeling more confident, she casually asked,
“By the way, did you happen to meet Prince Di on the mountain?”
“Prince Di? Not at all. I didn’t see him.”
“I see…”
Strange. Normally, in the hunting contest, Princess Pireone and Prince Di would interact and notice each other while competing for the prey. That’s how the story should have started.
“They didn’t even meet at all.”
Haon formed a hypothesis.
“Maybe my unnecessary interference messed up the story.”
Princess Pireone’s intended actions were blocked, she was redirected, and instead of meeting Prince Di, she encountered Prince Al.
“Could it really be completely off track now?”
Haon felt cold sweat down her spine. How could she fix this mess? Her mind went into chaos.
Fortunately, her worries didn’t last long.
The next day, Prince Di himself visited the star palace.
“Prince Di wishes to inquire after you. What shall we do?”
Haon, preparing tea from behind, perked up at the mention of Prince Di.
“As expected!”
She was so happy she even voiced it aloud.
The principle of homeostasis—no matter how much the story twists, it eventually flows back to its original path.
Haon could finally relax.
“Guide him to the garden. Haon, prepare another teacup.”
“Of course.”
Having Prince Di join the garden tea time—could it get any more perfect?
Soon, a maid escorted Prince Di.
Prince Di and Princess Pireone exchanged greetings like a scene from a novel.
Pleased, Haon demonstrated the perfect, attentive supporting role.
“Then, I shall leave you two to enjoy your time together.”
A swift exit created a private moment for the main couple—perfect assistance!
“But still, it’s a shame not to see everything up close.”
Curious, Haon hung on the window of the corridor leading to the garden to watch. Fortunately, nothing blocked her view of the tea table.
“Not hearing the conversation is a pity, but this is still better than nothing.”
Like people spying on a honeymoon room, Haon’s heart raced as she clung to the window.
Princess Pireone and Prince Di sat facing each other. Occasionally, Prince Di leaned slightly toward her.
Haon felt, or perhaps hoped, that he showed considerable interest in Princess Pireone.
“Maybe the pace is quickening. His courtship seems faster too.”
At this stage, the story depicted Prince Di as relatively indifferent to her. Yet he had come to the palace himself.
“Maybe being stranded on the mountain helped after all?”
After all, he visited just to check on the events of that day.
Haon continued watching from the window until Prince Di left, forgetting her aching back and knees.
After he left, Haon returned to the garden. While tidying up the emptied teapot and cups, Princess Pireone spoke.
“You look happy.”
“Really?”
Despite her words, Haon’s face was full of a smile that clearly said, Yes, I’m really happy.
Humming quietly, she caught Princess Pireone’s gaze. Eventually, the princess called her.
“Haon, could it be…”
Princess Pireone spoke cautiously, uncharacteristically hesitant.
Haon waited, lips still curved in a small smile.
Then, Princess Pireone’s words made Haon freeze.
“Do you perhaps… like Prince Di?”
