Chapter 45
Of course, Prim had been thinking of quitting her job as a painter’s assistant once Elina and Rein got together.
‘But she didn’t look like someone who’d give up easily.’
Prim recalled the painter’s lover — she remembered her as a kind and gentle sort.
There weren’t many people who would look at Prim’s messy paintings and smile, saying, “You did well.”
‘She seemed like such a good person, too…’
The painter’s sobs grew louder, yet no one scolded her.
Maybe it was because it had been a while since she’d seen someone cry — Prim’s heart felt oddly unsettled as she walked down the corridor.
Just as she turned the corner, something came running and collided straight into her.
“Ah—!”
“I’m so sorry! Are you okay?”
“I-I’m fine… huh?”
“…Prince Lada?”
The person she had bumped into was none other than Lada. He looked nervous, fidgety — like someone being chased.
“Your Highness, is something wrong?”
Was someone after him? But who would chase a child like this?
Prim glanced around cautiously. No one was following, and there wasn’t a single suspicious person in sight.
Then—
“Bora!”
Suddenly, Lada grabbed a fistful of her clothes and shouted loudly,
“Please help me!”
* * *
“Your Majesty.”
At the servant’s call, the Emperor lifted his head.
“I have brought what you requested.”
“Ah, yes. Leave it there.”
The Emperor motioned to a spot nearby.
Today’s color theme was lilac.
The Emperor smiled in satisfaction as he looked over the displayed artwork.
They were diverse — different types, sizes, and poses. The Emperor did not value color alone; each piece had its own significance.
True beauty, after all, must be preserved exactly as it is.
The Emperor spared no expense to protect his “artworks.” Many people worked to extend their preservation, developing new methods and materials.
But ever since Rein had been cursed, the Emperor’s art collection had temporarily come to a halt.
Fortunately, the pieces he had already gathered remained intact — unlike that red rose, which had vanished. The research had worked.
And now Rein had returned to the palace, unharmed and whole.
It should’ve been cause for celebration — but there was one glaring problem.
Rein refused to separate from that painter woman.
Pathetic.
Even if he’d grown up lonely, following a woman around like a lost puppy was unbecoming of a royal.
It’s time to separate them.
The Emperor recalled the woman’s brazen words — how she had demanded a large sum of money in exchange for curing Rein’s eyes.
Even if it was coincidence that she helped, he would reward her as much as she wanted.
Then she’ll leave him without complaint.
He was about to step outside when—
Squish.
His foot sank into something familiar — a puddle of blood.
The Emperor grimaced and wiped his shoe on a nearby cloth. Red stains smeared across the white fabric.
“Your Majesty.”
As he stepped outside, a man bowed deeply in greeting. It was Hadad, his aide.
“Did Your Majesty enjoy the appreciation?”
“Yes. It was beautiful.”
“I will continue working hard for the Empire’s sake.”
Hadad bowed lower, speaking humbly.
“As long as you continue collecting such works, Your Majesty will surely obtain what you desire.”
The Emperor nodded.
Hadad wasn’t wrong.
It was Hadad who had warned him not to be swayed by the words of the Stranger and who had found the method — through the painters — to heal Rein’s eyes.
Without Hadad, the Empire might have lost its very purpose.
“I’m glad to have you by my side,” said the Emperor, smiling softly.
A dazzling smile — befitting one of royal blood.
“It is my greatest honor that my humble will can reach Your Majesty.”
Hadad bowed deeply again. The Emperor did not see the faint smile on his face.
* * *
“Bora, please! Okay?”
“Your Highness, first of all, my name isn’t Bora…”
“If there’s something you want from me, just say it! I’ll give you anything!”
“….”
Prim was speechless. Out of nowhere, he was asking her to grant him a wish — and calling her Bora of all things.
With a small sigh, she replied,
“Your Highness, I’d love to grant your wish, really. But… how am I supposed to destroy a ship?”
“But Kana said if I ask the purple one, my wish might come true! Kana never lies!”
Wait, what? So that’s why he was calling her “purple”?
And apparently, “purple ones” could grant wishes?
What does that even mean…?
Prim had no idea how to handle this eccentric prince.
Surely, he wasn’t color-blind like Rein, was he?
“Uh, Your Highness — this color here. What color is it?”
“Red!”
“And this one?”
“Black!”
“…And this?”
“Brown!”
He clearly had no trouble recognizing colors.
So he’s just bored, huh?
Prim looked down at Lada, feeling both pity and amusement.
“Then why, Your Highness, do you want to destroy a ship?”
At that question, Lada clamped his mouth shut — clearly unwilling to answer.
Hmm… so you’re hiding something, huh?
That mischievous streak in Prim began to stir.
Leaning slightly forward, she spoke in a mock-stern tone,
“Your Highness.”
Her expression was serious. Lada covered his mouth with both hands, like a child caught doing something naughty.
“…”
Prim simply looked at him quietly, saying nothing, just waiting.
“Ugh…”
Finally, the fidgeting boy opened his mouth, his voice small — like a frightened rabbit.
“…Because I don’t want to go.”
“Go where?”
“Kana keeps saying we have to go back to the Kingdom of Rowta…”
“So you thought if you destroyed the ship, you wouldn’t have to go?”
“….”
Lada slowly nodded.
“Kana’s too overprotective. I’m not a kid anymore.”
He pouted, lips sticking out sulkily. Prim’s mouth twitched.
Don’t laugh. Don’t laugh…
She hypnotized herself, holding back her laughter with great effort — because if she did, Lada would probably burst into tears.
Taking a deep breath and forcing herself to think sad thoughts, Prim finally managed to speak.
“That must’ve been frustrating.”
“Yeah.”
“She keeps treating you like a child, doesn’t she?”
“Exactly! I’m not who I used to be!”
“….”
Prim’s nose twitched, struggling to suppress another laugh.
He was still such a little kid, claiming to be all grown up — it was adorable and ridiculous all at once.
As she was trying her hardest to keep a straight face, Lada peeked up at her and said,
“I knew it. You understand me, don’t you?”
His eyes sparkled as he clutched her clothes tightly.
“….”
Oh no.
Prim sighed inwardly, looking down at the bright-eyed boy.
I’m in trouble now.
* * *
“…”
Rein looked down at the boy before him with a cold, tilted stare.
Today was a rare day — Elina, Prim’s constant shadow, was absent due to personal matters.
For Rein, it was the perfect opportunity. He had finished his work quickly and returned, feeling pleased — only to find this.
A disturbance — one currently clinging to Prim.
And hugging her like that, too.
Rein’s gaze turned even icier.
He had to come up with excuses about fate and beauty just to hold Prim once in a while — and even then, barely.
The fact that this kid was freely hugging her made his blood boil.
“…Brother.”
To make it worse — the boy was his half-brother.
Rein had heard that Lada had returned briefly from studying abroad in another kingdom, but since he hadn’t shown himself, Rein hadn’t cared much.
He thought maybe Lada was too timid to face him — but no, judging by those shining eyes, that clearly wasn’t the case.
“…”
Rein frowned as he stared at the boy who so obviously resembled him.
Then Lada timidly peeked up and said,
“Brother, I’ve missed you.”
“…”
Rein gave no reply.
Lada’s shoulders drooped.
Oh dear. Prim gently patted his back.
“Lord Reinsis, His Highness has missed you very much.”
At that, Rein’s brow twitched — and Lada flinched. Prim, too, stiffened.
He said if he couldn’t destroy the ship, he at least wanted to see his brother before leaving… what was I supposed to say?
Looking into the boy’s hopeful eyes, she hadn’t been able to refuse him.
Honestly, what kind of nanny is this Kana person…?
Just as Prim was sighing at the royal nanny’s questionable methods, Lada stepped away from her. It was the first time he’d shown such courage.
“I—I’ll be leaving for the Kingdom of Rowta the day after tomorrow. Before I go… I wanted to see you, Brother.”
“…”
Even at the boy’s earnest words, Rein said nothing.
He could at least say something…
Prim glanced at Lada, whose face was falling again. Her heart ached.
She quickly went over to him, and the dejected boy hugged her tightly again.
Rein’s eyebrow twitched sharply.
Prim, trying to soothe the situation, said gently,
“Your Highness, Lord Reinsis is just… a little shy with people.”
“….”
Who’s shy with people?!
Rein’s expression twisted in silent outrage, but Prim, too busy calming Lada, didn’t notice.
With his arms crossed, Rein stood crookedly, glaring at the two of them — while Lada clung to Prim like a little koala.
