Chapter 24
Rein turned his head away. He didn’t want to hear any more.
What was so special about a “beautiful woman”? Or “fate,” for that matter?
“Don’t do anything weird. Just stay close to me.”
“Yes! Don’t worry!”
“……”
If she’d only stay quiet, she might be less annoying. Rein shot Prim a sideways glance, then turned his eyes back to his book—though not a single word entered his head.
“Come on, Prim. Let’s go.”
Marianne grabbed Prim’s hand and tugged her toward the door. Prim blinked, confused.
“Oh, honestly! His Majesty will want to know how you’ve been! You’re his tutor—you should tell him yourself!”
Marianne’s face was glowing with excitement. Prim remembered the old storeroom where they had once searched for the bell together.
‘She’s definitely planning a little trip down memory lane.’
Still, Prim understood Marianne’s feelings. She was following as Rein’s tutor, after all—learning the proper etiquette wouldn’t hurt.
Prim looked to Rein for permission. Without raising his head from the book, he gave her a small nod.
“I’ll be back.”
Prim and Marianne left the room together. When the door closed behind them, silence settled in.
Only then did Rein lower his gaze to his hands.
Still colorless. Still grey. Yet, something seemed to flicker faintly—something he couldn’t quite catch. His chest tingled, tight and restless.
“You can see color when you meet your destined one.”
That was what Prim had said.
Which meant—Prim wasn’t his fate.
That made no sense.
‘Then what was that pink I saw—the color of the flowers?’
Was it all a lie? A hallucination? Was he truly losing his mind?
His stomach twisted. That familiar irritation distorted his face.
The words he wanted to say hovered on his tongue—denial, pure and absolute. Whatever it was, it couldn’t be true.
Even Rein didn’t know exactly what he was trying to reject.
If he had to define it, the word the books used was defiance.
Yes. That was it. No better word fit this tangled, stubborn emotion.
So he decided to act on that defiance.
He had written directly to the Emperor himself—asking to be invited to the Seventh Princess’s birthday celebration, saying he had begun to see colors.
There was no resentment for the years of isolation, no plea for acceptance.
To Rein, the Emperor was simply a foolish man. The very fact that an invitation had arrived so quickly proved it.
He must have been thrilled, hopeful even.
‘Foolish human.’
Rein slowly closed and opened his eyes.
Now, everything he needed to do was done. All that was left was… to attend the party—with Prim.
Prim would surely be running around in excitement. Coming from some small, nameless country, a royal banquet like this would be her first.
She’d said she was a painter, though she never drew in front of him. Surely, seeing the palace’s grand artworks would inspire her.
He could already imagine her reaction—eyes sparkling, voice bubbling with joy.
“Prince Rein, look over there!”
She’d flash that cheerful smile of hers, looking up at him.
‘And I would…’
He wouldn’t be able to take his eyes off her face.
“……”
Once, Prim had told him that since he was alive and well, the prophecy must have been wrong—so there was nothing to fear.
She’d been right. Even the red roses that once symbolized his curse no longer harmed him.
Their scent was now merely sweet, their memory almost beautiful.
‘So long as you’re by my side…’
Rein stopped himself. The thought alone was absurd. The palace he had once despised now felt almost like a refuge.
Ridiculous. He leaned back in his chair, a dull ache tightening behind his eyes.
He turned his head. A vase sat by the window, holding a single rose—the one Prim had given him from the temple.
It was still as radiant as ever.
As though it understood the joy she felt every day when she smiled at it.
Unfading. Steadfast. Just like Prim.
‘What foolish thoughts.’
Rein let out a quiet laugh and shook his head. The act of smiling no longer felt quite so foreign.
✧ ✧ ✧
At last, the decisive day arrived.
The Seventh Princess’s Birthday!
Prim shot upright in bed before dawn, the sunlight not yet spilling through the window.
Her heart raced so wildly she couldn’t calm it. She clenched her fists, the delicate bracelet around her wrist jingling softly.
Marianne had given it to her the night before—the bracelet the Empress herself had once entrusted to Marianne, asking her to look after Rein when he was exiled.
Marianne had handed it to Prim with a wistful smile.
“This was a symbol of my promise—to care for Prince Reincis. But now… I think it belongs to you. So please, take care of him in my place.”
Her wrinkled eyes glistened with emotion as she held Prim’s hands.
Prim hadn’t refused. She felt the same way.
“All right, time to focus,”
she told herself, straightening her back as she stepped into the corridor.
Servants bustled everywhere, arms full of glittering treasures—gems, ornate sculptures, and lavish decorations.
Everything sparkled so brightly it made her eyes ache.
‘All this for one party…’
Feeling slightly out of place, she walked toward Rein’s chamber.
“Your Highness, it’s Primabel.”
“…Come in.”
Prim opened the door and stepped inside.
Rein was surrounded by attendants—officials from the imperial palace, she’d been told.
Perhaps that was why they all stood as far away from him as possible, terrified of getting too close.
Rein’s furrowed brows showed exactly how annoyed he was.
Even so—he was breathtaking.
It was the first time she’d seen him in full formal dress, and she couldn’t tear her eyes away.
‘So this is what they mean by love at first sight?’
Prim hurriedly closed her gaping mouth.
“Um, excuse me, Your Highness, could you move your hand a little…”
One attendant stammered nervously, clearly terrified of touching him.
“Oh my, Your Highness! You’re dazzling today!”
Prim cheerfully interrupted, stepping closer on purpose.
At once, the attendants retreated gratefully, leaving Rein’s side.
He gave her a brief glance, fidgeting with the collar of his uniform as though it bothered him.
“May I take a look?”
Prim took another step closer.
He lifted his head and met her eyes. His brows were drawn, but he didn’t refuse.
Prim examined the collar carefully.
Rein’s breath hitched. The faint scent of roses clung to her, and her warm fingers brushed gently against his neck.
The attendants stared in shock.
Prim touched the cursed prince—and nothing happened.
She was perfectly fine.
So much for the rumors that a single touch could blind a person.
“Everyone, leave.”
At Rein’s command, the attendants filed out immediately.
Once the uncomfortable tension left the room, Prim took a better look at him.
His uniform was immaculate—no creases anywhere. His hair was neatly combed to the left, accentuating his elegant, almost inhumanly beautiful face.
“Perfect,” she said.
“Hardly.”
Rein’s curt reply made her shake her head.
“No, really—look.”
Prim turned him toward the mirror. Rein followed her gaze.
In the reflection stood the colorless prince beside a red-haired woman with her hair neatly tied back as always.
“What do you see?” she asked brightly.
“…Your hair.”
He answered flatly, making her mumble under her breath, “That’s not what I meant.”
“You should look at yourself, Your Highness. Look how beautiful you are.”
Rein turned back to the mirror—yet his eyes kept drifting toward her.
Prim was dressed differently today, clearly having put effort into her outfit for the party.
Her frilled dress and lively expression made her look radiant. Standing beside him, smiling, she looked like his partner.
Maybe that was why… he couldn’t look away.
“This is the most beautiful I’ve ever seen you,” Prim said, her cheeks flushed.
Beautiful.
Everyone said that about him—the servants, the courtiers. But he had never believed it.
How could he? The reflection he saw was always grey and empty—lifeless eyes, a face people whispered about in fear.
He’d always assumed “beautiful” was just mockery.
But when Prim said it, it sounded real.
Her expression was so earnest, her hands clenched tightly as if holding back trembling.
Rein turned toward her. She looked up at him, her eyes full of excitement as they met his.
‘Has he gotten taller?’ she thought vaguely. The uniform made his presence feel even greater, almost majestic.
“…Do you really think so?” he asked quietly.
“Huh?”
“The way I look to you—do you not find it ugly?”
His slow, measured voice carried an odd stillness.
‘Is he testing me?’ she wondered. Maybe he genuinely couldn’t believe her.
But either way, there was only one answer.
“Of course not,” she said with confidence.
To her, Rein was the most beautiful beast in the world. Who could possibly insult that face?
“You’re beautiful, Your Highness. Truly.”
“……”
“If anyone dares say otherwise, I’ll make sure they regret it!”
Prim declared boldly, chin lifted.
Surely he could feel her sincerity now.
Just then, a knock came at the door.
