Chapter 63
“Brother!”
Someone stepped in between Prince Di and Haon.
Haon slowly opened her eyes.
The man who intervened hid Haon behind his back and blocked Prince Di. A soft, refreshing scent accompanied strands of pale blonde hair that floated in the air.
It was Prince Al.
Haon’s racing heart dulled.
Who had she been hoping for?
Whether she was disappointed or not, Prince Al was diligently protecting her.
“What’s happening?”
“I’m punishing a maid who did wrong.”
“Isn’t this girl a maid of the villa? Why are you disciplining a villa maid, Brother?”
“Are you familiar with her too?”
Prince Di frowned at Prince Al’s heated defense.
“She is a maid of the villa, as far as I know.”
Prince Al’s words were concise. Short, yet precise and clean.
“Shall we go to the villa so she can be properly disciplined?”
Prince Di waved his hand. His movements, placing the headpiece back on his head, were casual.
“No need. It was just a minor punishment.”
Prince Di didn’t want the situation to escalate, nor did he want it to reach Princess Pireone. Prince Al intuitively understood this. He knew Prince Di’s character well.
Prince Di masked his expression and strolled leisurely. Passing Prince Al, he pressed firmly on Haon’s shoulder and whispered into her ear:
“You’ve managed to hold some influence here and there, even as a mere maid.”
A sharp gaze brushed past Haon.
“You seem quite ambitious, yet dared to ignore me.”
No, Your Highness, you’re clearly misunderstanding something.
But Haon had no time to explain. Prince Di pressed her shoulder firmly, turned, and left the main garden. Behind him, Neryan quickly followed.
‘It seems I’ve really gotten on his bad side.’
A flicker of worry surfaced, but there was nothing she could do immediately. Chasing after Prince Di was impossible; Prince Al in front of her took priority.
“Thank you.”
Thinking back to Prince Di’s sharp headpiece still sent a shiver down her spine. She couldn’t know yet whether it had been swung at or stabbed into her. For now, she decided to postpone the unknown punishment.
When Haon politely expressed her gratitude, Prince Al smiled kindly.
“Haon, right?”
“You remember me?”
“Of course. We happened to meet on a walk last time, though whether that was really a coincidence, I’m not sure.”
Prince Al winked playfully.
Haon hurriedly tried to offer an excuse, but Prince Al wasn’t finished.
“I think it was you who attended to Princess Pireone during the spring hunting event and accompanied her to the royal ball. Am I remembering correctly?”
Prince Al retraced his memory, listing each occasion they had met.
Haon was genuinely surprised.
“How do you remember all that?”
Until now, none of the palace staff had recognized Haon—as if everyone had some kind of amnesia or face-blindness. Given her lowly position, it was understandable, but the lack of recognition still stung.
Prince Di, Prince Q, even noble lady Trilinia—none had paid her much attention. Occasionally, even the Emperor had recognized her face under special circumstances, which was an unusual kindness.
So, the fact that Prince Al remembered her so clearly was astonishing.
“Of course I remember, since we’ve met several times.”
“Most people don’t remember maids, though.”
Haon voiced the slight resentment she had felt toward the royal family.
“Maids and attendants are the unsung heroes who keep the palace running properly. Their efforts deserve recognition.”
‘Unsung heroes,’ she thought. It was an embarrassing yet uplifting compliment. She brushed her finger under her nose, feeling a tickle.
“Besides, you’re a maid cherished by Princess Pireone.”
Prince Al’s fresh smile was as invigorating as peeling a lemon.
“And you seem especially attentive and caring toward her.”
Sometimes overly fresh lemons can squirt juice into your eyes. Although his smile was harmless, Haon felt a pang of embarrassment and cleared her throat.
“I-I wasn’t particularly wary or dislikeful of you, Your Highness.”
“Hmm, I suspected you didn’t like me from the start when you protested, but I didn’t think you were wary.”
Prince Al propped his chin on his hand, feigning difficulty.
“No, that’s not it! I was just worried about the Princess…”
Haon explained earnestly. After a brief, teasingly stern look, Prince Al’s expression softened.
“Your sincere devotion to your mistress is admirable.”
Prince Al’s smile was gentle, a face that could only be described as kind-hearted.
Because Prince Al’s playful teasing was still difficult for Haon, she cautiously asked:
“You’re not upset, are you?”
Haon quickly glanced at him. No sword at his waist, no sharp headpiece. Checking for tools of punishment—Prince Di’s earlier threat had been terrifying.
“Knowing there is a loyal attendant who truly cares for Princess Pireone makes me happy as well.”
Prince Al added softly:
“I hope this loyal heart can soon let down its guard and accept me too.”
“I-I am hardly in a position to accept a prince.”
Yet her lips twitched into an involuntary smile.
“There’s no rush—for you, or for Princess Pireone.”
Prince Al slowly turned his gaze. Following it, Haon could almost see Princess Pireone at the end.
“I just want to gradually approach her side, staying as long as possible.”
Prince Al’s eyes reflected Princess Pireone’s red hair. The thought alone made him breathe quickly and blush.
“Someone with the courage of the rising sun, unwavering integrity, and passionate heart.”
He murmured as if dreaming. Haon felt awkward, as though she had overheard a confession not meant for her.
“Shouldn’t such words be directed to Princess Pireone?”
Haon blurted, unable to contain her embarrassment.
“One day, I will definitely confess to her.”
Prince Al flushed, realizing his own words, and Haon felt a surge of mischievous delight.
“Words like that are hardest to speak to the person themselves. So, what is the most important thing you haven’t yet said to Princess Pireone?”
Haon’s eyes sparkled as she coaxed him.
“There must be words you’ve kept only to yourself.”
“W-why would I tell you?”
His nervous stammering hinted that if she pressed further, he might just burst out.
“Practicing might help you say it better. What if you make a mistake with Princess Pireone?”
Haon had a mischievous streak. Definitely.
“That… would be difficult.”
Prince Al looked slightly concerned. Haon kept prodding him.
“Try saying it out loud once. Practice makes perfect.”
Prince Al’s innocent eyes seemed to ask, ‘Really?’ Haon nodded, eagerly dangling her bait.
“I… sincerely…”
He spoke each word carefully.
“I swear, Princess Pireone is the most beautiful person I have ever seen.”
The word “beautiful” from Prince Al felt almost sacred.
He was honest, pure, and direct. Haon could only surrender to such raw sincerity.
‘I’ve read stories about obsessive heroes—seeing this firsthand with a kind prince is fine.’
In other words, Haon was completely smitten with Prince Al.
‘And this is like a hidden ending only I get to see?’
She even allowed herself that comfortable thought.
Thus, Haon could finally look at Prince Al with a lighter heart.
“Let’s go, Prince.”
Haon shook the daydreaming Prince Al out of his confession practice.
“Princess Pireone must be waiting. Weren’t you on your way for a night walk with her?”
“Ah, the Princess will be waiting, indeed.”
Prince Al quickened his pace. Haon followed, hurrying toward the villa.
Technically, it was close to the villa, but not inside—an isolated area on the outskirts, with some landscaping along the path.
Princess Pireone was already outside.
Prince Al hastily approached her.
“I’m late. Have you been waiting long?”
“No, Prince Al. I only just came out—.”
Princess Pireone smiled, more pleased than impatient, then noticed a familiar silhouette behind Prince Al.
“Haon? How are you here with Prince Al?”
Wait. Had she become an uninvited guest on this late-night date? Even worse, the positions of Princess Pireone, Prince Al, and Haon formed a perfect triangle. This triangular setup was awkward.
Haon scratched her cheek in embarrassment.
‘I should have left Prince Al behind and gone straight to the villa. Why did I follow him here?’
It was too late for regrets.
Princess Pireone’s red eyes, full of questions, were already fixed on Haon.
