IBQD 59

Chapter 59

“I think I’ve fallen in love…”

Her moist, trembling voice quivered delicately.

Prince Si, who had been turning away, froze in place with one foot lifted mid-step.

The faint tremor in her voice grew into a larger wave that reached Prince Si. By the time it touched him, it felt like the vibration of a huge bell struck atop a spire.

Love.

When had he ever heard such a word? No—had he ever even heard it at all?

Prince Si slowly turned around.

Haon, sitting by the fireplace, had her back to him, warming herself by the fire. Her long, jet-black hair had all been wrapped up in a towel atop her head, with just a few wet strands cascading over her nape. The damp strands curled in gentle waves.

Her white nape was a sight he had never seen before, always hidden beneath her long hair and high-collared maid uniform.

Now, the generous collar of her shirt draped nearly down to her shoulders.

The shirt fit Prince Si perfectly, but it was oversized on Haon. Had her body always been this small? If Prince Si were to hold her, would it look like that?

Hold her?

A frivolous thought. Prince Si shook his head briefly, dismissing the random ideas flooding his mind.

“What did you just say?”

Prince Si spoke in a calm voice, showing no sign of disturbance.

Unaware of the inner turmoil swirling in Prince Si’s mind, Haon lamented innocently and pitifully:

“I think our princess has fallen in love.”

A sigh at the end added to the melancholy.

Prince Si’s eyebrows twitched.

Haon, staring at the crackling flames, did not notice him moving.

“…You mean Princess Pireone?”

“Yes. It really seems Princess Pireone has fallen in love.”

Haon couldn’t take her eyes off the flames in the fireplace. Seeing the blazing fire made her think of Princess Pireone: her red hair, the sun-like glow Prince Al had compared to the sun’s flames. That was the flow of her thoughts.

Since last night, Haon’s mind had been filled with the sun-like love story of Princess Pireone and Prince Al.

Unaware of Haon’s inner thoughts, Prince Si blocked her path out of frustration at her silent, distracted gaze. Haon finally looked up at him. Prince Si asked sharply:

“When you said she’s fallen in love… were you talking about Princess Pireone?”

“You asked me what was wrong, didn’t you?”

Blinking innocently, Haon’s black eyes fluttered.

Prince Si felt a strange heat rising within him.

Why am I like this?

Whenever he looked at Haon, his mind burned. It wasn’t ordinary anger—he didn’t know why he was so agitated. She hadn’t done anything wrong, yet he felt heat surging through him.

Why did that small woman keep appearing in his sight, moving about in a way that he could not ignore?

Prince Si stared silently at Haon. She mumbled on, lips red and wet from just having washed.

“I’ve been so caught up in that thought today that I couldn’t do anything properly. I was scolded by Anten all day, got in the way of the other maids… then while fetching water, I lost my concentration and ended up like this.”

Her sighs were long and mournful.

Haon glanced beside her with gloomy eyes. Her apron and maid uniform were soaked through, clinging damply. She saw her reflection in her own disheveled state.

“…Pathetic.”

Her brief sigh irritated Prince Si.

“I can’t let this slide.”

He had no choice. Haon made his blood boil. The emotions stirring in him couldn’t be ignored. It was the first time he felt anger like this, but the reason eluded him.

He could not pretend not to notice.

Prince Si grabbed a chair from the long table and placed it near Haon. He moved it slightly aside so it wouldn’t block the warmth from the fireplace reaching her.

“Speak.”

Sitting beside Haon, he spoke coolly.

He hated interference. He never cared about others’ affairs, leaving them to their flow. But today, for the first time, he broke his own rule.

“If you try to put what’s inside into words, maybe it’ll be easier to sort out. Even if it doesn’t, it’ll ease your frustration a bit.”

Haon looked awkward, asking:

“Uh… for me to tell you? My inner thoughts to the prince?”

“You don’t want to tell me?”

“No, no. It’s not that. But… talking about troubles to the prince? Of all people, Prince Si? Isn’t it strange? You’re the kind of prince who ignores even a murder nearby, thinking, ‘Well, they probably deserved it.’”

Prince Si narrowed his eyes, watching her rattle off examples.

“Somewhat unpleasant examples, but you know me pretty well.”

“Of course. I’ve been a big fan of yours.”

“A fan?”

Prince Si gave her a suspicious look. Haon laughed awkwardly.

“I’ve just been watching closely for a long time.”

Now that she thought about it, it was strange. Usually, Prince Si wouldn’t care if someone got drenched and caught a cold. Let alone bringing her to a bathroom with a fireplace!

This is a serious character collapse.

Haon sprang up, grabbed Prince Si’s shoulders, and leaned close to examine his face.

“Who are you? Are you really our Prince Si? This isn’t how he would act.”

Her head tilted as she scrutinized him. His icy, statue-like gaze remained, and his hand rested on the hilt of his sword at his waist.

“Ahaha, that hand habit proves it—this is definitely Prince Si.”

Though dangerous, his hand gestures were unmistakably his. Haon nodded and returned to her seat.

Whatever his motive, maybe telling him will help…

Still doubtful, she asked:

“You’ll really listen to my troubles?”

“If you don’t want to speak, I won’t force it.”

He crossed his arms, eyes closed. His aloof demeanor seemed out of place today.

“Hmm… it feels strange to even call this a worry.”

Her gaze dropped slightly, fingers fiddling with a blanket, the firelight casting a reddish glow.

“As I said earlier, our princess… Princess Pireone seems to have fallen in love. Even if it’s not full love yet, they’re definitely in the early stage.”

“Early stage?”

“The stage before dating. They subtly show interest, act like they like each other, go on dates, celebrate occasions, exchange gifts.”

“Ah, that’s called the early stage.”

“No! The term is ‘some’! Some!”

Haon stressed the term as Prince Si nodded seriously, uttering the strange word.

“So… do you know who Princess Pireone’s partner is?”

“Well…”

Haon hesitated, pressing her lips together. Prince Si sighed:

“Don’t worry. I have no interest in Princess Pireone or the royal succession linked to her marriage.”

“Not just because of that…”

Haon felt embarrassed as her reason for hesitation was discovered. She whispered:

“Prince Al.”

“I see.”

Prince Si nodded, surprisingly flatly.

“Did… you already know, Your Highness?”

“I just thought it might be the case.”

“You predicted it?”

“Al’s behavior has been odd lately.”

“You must have seen Prince Al often.”

As a lowly maid, Haon couldn’t observe everything. Despite considering herself one of Princess Pireone’s closest aides, she had only just realized this.

“I didn’t know his exact feelings. I just noticed his focus elsewhere… I never expected he’d be in the early stage with Princess Pireone.”

“I was surprised too. Suddenly, Prince Al? I thought, what on earth?”

“Well, she has to find a marriage partner.”

It was a predictable romance; the question was who.

“I was surprised it wasn’t Prince D.”

Haon’s ears perked.

“Prince D? Why?”

“He seemed interested in Princess Pireone.”

“Did he say so?”

Haon leaned forward, showing keen interest. Prince Si, though reluctant, continued:

“He’s very straightforward, so he often mentioned it. He always gets what he wants, so I assumed he’d make some gesture toward her.”

“Ah, Prince D… really liked Princess Pireone.”