Chapter 66
“What kind of thunderbolt is this?”
Haon’s head throbbed.
“To receive my very first proposal from a child not even ten years old…”
No, that wasn’t even the important part.
“Suddenly being named Crown Princess.”
The declaration of being made Crown Princess, with no room for compromise, was utterly absurd. Prince Q seemed to have no intention of listening to Haon’s response—he had just declared it and walked away.
What on earth was she supposed to do in this situation?
Seeing Haon’s drooping shoulders, tattered and exhausted, Princess Pireone spoke.
“Prince Q came to see you, didn’t he?”
“Yes…”
Apparently, Anten had already told Princess Pireone.
Haon’s reply was so weak it was barely audible. Princess Pireone closed the book she had been reading and placed it on the table.
“What happened?”
“Well…”
Haon turned to Princess Pireone with gloomy eyes.
“Prince Q says he wants to make me his Crown Princess.”
“My goodness.”
Princess Pireone covered her mouth with her hand.
Even with that obvious gesture, Haon couldn’t even manage a smile.
Yes, to anyone else, it might sound like a surprising and amusing story. A maid receiving a proposal from a prince! What a remarkable opportunity for social advancement! It would be the kind of story told as a joke.
“That’s troublesome.”
Haon looked at Princess Pireone in confusion.
She had expected her to be delighted, thinking it wonderful for someone else. But Princess Pireone’s reaction was completely unexpected.
“So, what did you say?”
Princess Pireone responded in a rational way, taking a stance of helping her consider it. Haon felt relieved enough to vent.
“Of course I refused. But it didn’t work. He wouldn’t even listen.”
“I thought your first-love incident ended then, since it seemed quiet.”
“Me too.”
Without thinking, both of them let out a sigh at the same time.
“That’s awkward. But it’s called being Crown Princess, it doesn’t really mean it will happen.”
Would it, though?
Rationally, Princess Pireone’s words were correct. They had to be correct.
But having just been swept around by Prince Q’s irrational reasoning, Haon could not calm herself at all.
“You didn’t see Prince Q’s expression! That face and voice full of stubbornness. He looked like he would run straight to His Majesty the Emperor and demand it if he had to!”
“Demand it?”
Princess Pireone raised her eyebrows, as if something had occurred to her.
“Come to think of it, His Majesty the Emperor and Empress seemed rather weak toward Prince Q.”
Only then did Princess Pireone’s expression turn serious.
“Even so, Prince Q is still so young. How could a marriage happen?”
“If it’s Prince Q, I’m worried because he’ll probably make it happen somehow.”
The image of Prince Q throwing a tantrum came clearly to mind.
Haon and Princess Pireone recalled the various sides of Prince Q they had seen:
The childlike side acting cute, the spoiled side monopolizing the royal attention with charm, and the side that got everything he wanted through the Emperor’s and Empress’s indulgence.
Such stubbornness could not have come without reason. When he threw a fit, he got his way. That was why he acted so stubborn—because it worked.
“I’m sorry, Haon.”
Princess Pireone suddenly felt a sense of responsibility.
“Did I give Prince Q unnecessary hope?”
“Hope?”
“I told him in a way that suggested I would make his first love come true.”
“You just meant helping him with his first love. How is that your fault?”
“At first, I just thought it would be fun. I also had a bit of a teasing intention.”
“…I understand.”
Haon had thought the same when it was someone else’s situation.
Of course, you would laugh at a young prince’s first-love story! Who could have guessed it would escalate like this?
“Since you spoke so honestly and sincerely, Princess… I’m fine.”
Haon forced a smile.
The princess had apologized sincerely, which was almost touching enough to be heartwarming.
But that was one thing—the problem remained.
“What if Prince Q actually tells His Majesty the Emperor?”
Haon became pale at the thought.
Princess Pireone, as if trying to soothe Haon, spoke calmly.
“Even so, there’s no way you’ll really become Crown Princess. Perhaps… you might be expelled from the palace.”
“Expelled?”
Haon screamed in shock.
Princess Pireone logically assessed the situation.
“The more Prince Q throws a tantrum, the worse the situation will get. His Majesty the Emperor and Empress would not want their adored young prince to marry a maid. They might think it’s easier to remove the maid than to marry her to the prince. That way, his stubbornness would be removed along with her presence.”
Correct.
Opportunities for social advancement? Forbidden love between prince and maid? That doesn’t happen in reality.
Even if it did, it would be extremely rare.
If this started from the tantrum of a young prince… the outcome was predictable.
“Th-That can’t happen! I can’t be expelled!”
Haon seemed ready to cling to Princess Pireone’s ankles.
“I don’t want to lose you either.”
Would it be strange to feel her heart flutter at the princess’s words?
While Haon struggled, Princess Pireone thought of a way to handle the situation.
“If only someone could discipline Prince Q, that stubbornness might be curbed.”
“Discipline?”
“Yes. But from what I see, everyone only indulges him.”
No. Not everyone indulged him.
At Princess Pireone’s words, Haon immediately thought of him.
‘Prince Shi!’
During the spring hunting competition, Prince Shi had firmly disciplined Prince Q, ignoring his childish whims.
Could Prince Shi handle Prince Q’s tantrums this time too?
A glimmer of hope appeared.
“I-I’ll go see him!”
Haon, brimming with newfound energy, shouted loudly.
Princess Pireone didn’t even think to ask what was going on at Haon’s sudden burst of vigor.
Haon ran faster than ever, leaving the palace and reaching the Fifth Palace in an instant. Honestly, she took a few short rests along the way, given the distance between palaces.
“Where could Prince Shi be now?”
Asking the Fifth Palace’s maids might help, but not all of them knew their master’s whereabouts. And the last time she asked, she had been shot a disdainful glance, so she didn’t want to.
If it were nighttime, he would surely be in his study, specifically the hidden secret room. But now it was midday.
“Perhaps he’s attending to duties… then it’s tricky to find him.”
Looking anxiously at the Fifth Palace, Haon heard what seemed like rhythmic kiai sounds in the distance.
“The training hall!”
Bingo. Haon strode forward energetically. She already knew the location of the training hall.
The Fifth Palace’s training hall was slightly separate from the main building. Not for mere hobby, it was larger and more magnificent than any other palace training hall.
Sure enough, Prince Shi was there. And he wasn’t alone.
Prince Shi was swinging a sword with a burly man. They alternated between clashing swords and practicing the same moves separately.
“Are they sparring? Or is he teaching something?”
Haon tapped her feet near the hall, waiting for the session to finish, gripping her hands tightly and gazing pitifully at Prince Shi.
It seemed like Prince Shi briefly met her gaze. She waved hurriedly to get his attention, but he gave no visible reaction.
While Haon whined and clung to the fence like a needy puppy…
“Well done.”
“The honor was mine.”
Hearing the greetings, Haon quickly lifted her head. Prince Shi and the man were putting away their swords and organizing the area.
“Prince Shi!”
Haon urgently called out. Prince Shi frowned slightly at her, as usual.
She had grown so accustomed to that frown that it would feel strange if he didn’t furrow his brow.
“I’ll take my leave now since a guest has arrived.”
“No, wait a moment.”
Grabbing the man trying to leave, Prince Shi approached Haon.
“What’s the matter?”
“Please help me!”
Prince Shi’s frown deepened.
“Do I look that free?”
“You listened to me last time.”
Haon demanded boldly. She believed only Prince Shi could stop Prince Q in this situation and saw no other option.
Perhaps due to Haon’s desperation, Prince Shi reluctantly agreed.
“First, let me hear the story.”
“Please stop Prince Q.”
“Q?”
Haon hadn’t expected Prince Q’s name to come up.
“How many times must you bring different issues around the palace? Last time it was Al, and now Q?”
“Well, if you put it that way, maybe… but this time it’s not me. Prince Q came to me.”
Haon pouted.
“Prince Q suddenly said I must become Crown Princess.”
“…Crown Princess?”
Prince Shi’s eyes widened. It was the first time Haon had seen him open his eyes that wide.
Haon spoke with desperation.
“Yes. He says I’m his first love… and wants me to be Crown Princess.”
First love. Crown Princess.
Prince Shi felt a cold wind blow from the top of his head. There was a chill, but heat rose inside him.
He couldn’t hear anything else over the rising heat.
“So, you came to brag?”
“Huh? No, it’s not like that—”
Haon tried to correct him, but Prince Shi didn’t listen.
Taking a step closer, he reached out and grabbed her face firmly.
Haon’s cheeks were squished like a fish as she faced Prince Shi. He leaned closer, his clear face almost touching hers.
As his lips neared her nose, Prince Shi spoke:
“You keep making me angry.”
