ITSBM 06

Chapter 6

I gently opened the door to the room where Daniel was locked up.

“Your Highness, I’m here.”

There was no reply. Daniel was lying sideways on the bed, his back turned toward me.

Was he asleep?

I quietly stepped inside, holding the books in my arms. He had complained of boredom, so I brought a few books from the library. Being locked up in an empty room felt far too cruel, even for him. There wasn’t even a desk to place a book on.

I carefully set the three books I brought at the corner of the bed and moved lightly. Daniel didn’t stir — maybe he hadn’t heard the door open. As I approached, I saw his handsome face, sound asleep in the middle of a nap.

‘He’s sleeping well.’

I thought to myself.

If only Bastian could sleep this peacefully, I wouldn’t have to sing him lullabies. The memory of having Bastian fall asleep on my lap last night flashed in my mind, making me feel awkward all over again.

Unlike Bastian, who only looked kind when he slept, Daniel always looked gentle — whether his eyes were open or closed. His face had a soft, serene beauty that was impossible not to admire.

Not for the first time, I caught myself murmuring under my breath,

“You really are handsome.”

Well, no wonder Clara fell for him. I nodded to myself at that thought — and then, suddenly, the corners of his mouth lifted.

‘Huh?’

Startled, I blinked. Was he not asleep?

Daniel let out a soft chuckle. Then, with a low laugh, he slowly opened his eyes.

“I never thought I’d hear such a compliment from Your Highness.”
“Ah— Your Highness, that’s…!”

He was awake?!

He should’ve said something if he was!

While I was screaming internally, Daniel rubbed his eyes and laughed quietly. From the drowsy look on his face, it seemed he really had been asleep at first — but that didn’t make me any less embarrassed.

He sat up slowly, glancing at my flushed face.

“I suppose I should’ve kept pretending to sleep. I feel like I’ve overheard something I wasn’t meant to.”

His voice was low and rough from sleep — a sound that somehow suited his lazy, languid expression perfectly.

I mentally scolded myself for noticing such things at a time like this.

“It’s fine. Please don’t mind it,” I said, trying to sound calm, and held up the books I’d placed by his feet.

“I just came to drop off the books you asked for. That’s all. So, I’ll just be—”

“Your Highness,” he interrupted.
“Yes?”
“I can’t see your face.”

There was laughter in his tone — and of course he couldn’t see me. I was hiding behind the books.

“……”

Reluctantly, I lowered them. Daniel was smiling softly at me.

“Are you leaving already? That’s a shame. I thought I’d finally found someone to talk to.”

His words pricked my heart. He wasn’t wrong — I was his only conversation partner. If I left, he’d be left alone again in that quiet cell.

‘Then why didn’t you just stay asleep…’

No. It was my fault for calling him handsome. Feeling awkward, I pulled a chair up across from his bed and sat down — a chair I’d brought here myself.

“I’d like to hear some stories,” Daniel said.
“Stories?”
“For example… stories from the Empire.”

Unfortunately, the Nerha Empire hadn’t made any statement at all. It was almost as if they didn’t even realize their prince was missing.

I shook my head. “There’s no particular news from Nerha, Your Highness.”
“I see,” he said calmly.

He didn’t seem disappointed — almost as if he hadn’t expected much to begin with. Then, with a faint smile, he asked,

“Then… is there any interesting news?”

“Interesting?” I tilted my head.

“There are many guests, aren’t there? No welcome banquet for them?”

“There is a victory celebration banquet…” I trailed off.

Not a welcome banquet for you, though.

His smile deepened.

“Then perhaps… I could attend that one.”
“…What?”
“Won’t you take me there?”

He pointed to himself.

This man was talking about attending the victory banquet for the country that defeated his own!

He looked so amused that for a moment I wondered if he even realized he was a captive.

I blinked in disbelief, and he leaned closer, lowering his voice.

“Please, take me along. Hmm?”

“Your Highness, I… I can’t do that…”

It wasn’t my decision to make!

Seeing my troubled face, he looked disappointed — so much that my heart wavered again. But I steeled myself and turned away.

“I’m sorry, but that’s impossible, Your Highness.”

At my firm tone, Daniel sighed and nodded.

“Ah, that’s unfortunate.”

He genuinely looked disappointed, but at least he seemed to give up. I quietly exhaled a sigh of relief.

The next day, on the day of the banquet, I went to visit Daniel again. I had promised myself to check on him at least once a day — he had no one else to talk to.

‘I can’t just leave the male lead to sit in silence all day like a spider spinning webs in his mouth.’

Still, I couldn’t stop thinking about yesterday. I had left in a hurry after our short talk, afraid he’d ask me for something again.

Was it like this in the original story too?

In the novel, Clara eventually fell for Daniel — which led to Verona’s downfall. From his perspective, we were the villains. But now that I was living as one of them, I couldn’t wish for Verona’s ruin either.

‘This is why being reincarnated as the enemy never works out… I’m doomed.’

Just as I expected, Daniel brought up yesterday’s conversation.

“You left so suddenly yesterday… I realized I might have made an unreasonable request.”

Good, maybe now he’d stop making those requests—

“But… would it really be impossible?” he added. “Even just for a short walk?”

‘He hasn’t given up!’

Persistent, as always.

But not this time. I smiled sweetly.

“No matter what you ask, if His Majesty hasn’t permitted it, I can’t let you out. But if he does, I’ll be the first to open that door for you.”
“And now?”
“Of course not. There’s been no order from His Majesty.”

When I answered with a bright smile, Daniel laughed — a cheerful, pleasant sound.

“You’re quite firm.”
“Sorry, but that’s just how it is.”

From the way he smiled at me, I could tell he was thinking something mischievous, but I decided to ignore it.

Checking the clock, I stood up. “I’m afraid I need to go now. I have something important to attend to.”
“I see,” Daniel said, straightening his posture.

As I turned to leave, his voice stopped me.

“Princess Clara.”
“Yes?”

When I turned back, he was holding one of the books I’d given him yesterday. He smiled gently.

“I didn’t get to thank you yesterday. For the books — thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” I replied with a smile and left the room.

For the first time, I felt comfortable leaving his side.

‘Maybe… talking to him doesn’t have to be so tense after all.’

Maybe tomorrow, I’d stay and talk a bit longer.

With that thought, I entered my own quarters next door.

“Princess! You’re finally here!”

Sara was the first to greet me. The maids were bustling around the room.

This morning, Bastian had sent word — I was to appear at Aguila Palace at the exact time of the banquet.

That was why I couldn’t stay long with Daniel earlier.

But… why had Bastian called me, anyway? Today wasn’t a day for reports about Daniel.

Sara looked nervous.

There was only one possible reason. The confrontation with Martina two days ago.

Could it be about that?

I could already picture Bastian rolling his eyes at me for provoking her.

‘No… surely not…’

He’d said he didn’t like Martina, so I thought it had blown over.

Still, being suddenly summoned by the temperamental prince had everyone on edge. Even so, the maids somehow found the time to argue about my dress.

“The princess must wear this red gown!”

It was Arancha, one of the maids, who insisted — she was pushing a deep crimson dress toward me. Sara looked uncomfortable.

“That color might not quite suit Her Highness…”
“No, it must be this one. It’s the only choice!”

Arancha’s family held a higher rank — she served a viscount’s house, above Sara’s barony. Clara usually brought Sara along simply because their temperaments matched; Sara was as mild-mannered as Clara herself.

“I don’t mind. Anything’s fine,” I said casually.

Arancha’s eyes lit up in triumph.

The prince had summoned me out of nowhere, and they were worried about fashion?

The daring design didn’t really suit me, but whatever — it didn’t matter.

Before long, the banquet hour arrived. I went to Aguila Palace as instructed.

“His Majesty is still getting ready. Please wait a moment,” the attendant said, leading me to the parlor.

I waited quietly until there was a knock at the door.

“His Majesty is waiting.”

Without entering, the attendant gestured for me to follow.

Outside stood Bastian — in full formal dress — and beside him, Martina.

I didn’t look at her, greeting Bastian first with practiced politeness.

‘No matter what, stay calm and get through this.’