Chapter 60
I answered confidently, but on second thought, inviting outsiders into the palace wasn’t something I could decide. I’d gotten so comfortable living here, as if it were my own home, that I’d forgotten. The master of this palace was Licht.
‘…I should ask Licht if it’s all right, shouldn’t I?’
Before I knew it, life in this palace—and having dinner with Licht—had become familiar. Sometimes the thought crossed my mind, “Is it really okay for me to feel this comfortable?” but it always faded away again.
Once again, dinner time came around. To help us endure the warming weather, the thoughtful head chef of the prince’s palace had prepared a refreshing drink. It was lemonade with a luxurious sparkling taste, like that fancy carbonated water I’d once had.
‘Square ice cubes? I heard those are even more expensive.’
My gaze lingered on the neatly cut ice inside the crystal glass. There were no ice machines in this world, so were such shapes also made with artifacts? A fleeting curiosity passed through my mind.
“The weather seems to be getting hotter.”
“Ah, yes. It really does.”
I sipped the cool lemonade and sneaked a glance at Licht. I had to ask if it would be okay to host the tea party Mariné requested, but the words wouldn’t come out.
‘What if he gets annoyed? I already said I’d do it without even asking him first.’
Only now did it occur to me that the barrier reinforcement work was about to begin. Wouldn’t it be inconvenient to have guests during such a busy time? Little worries piled one after another, and I kept glancing at Licht’s face.
Even with his packed schedule—work, training, and everything else—he still came to dinner. And somehow, he looked in better condition than me, even though I spent half the day lazing around my room. His neatly brushed black hair matched perfectly with his muted blue silk shirt, as if he had carefully chosen the colors to wear together.
‘And that face—no matter how many times I see it, I never get used to it. Not just that. His personality is good too. He’s like a perfectly assembled collection of everything you’d want in a romance novel’s male lead. The descriptions about him being cold? Half true, half false. They said he’s only kind to the heroine, but he’s been nothing but considerate to me—and I’m not even the heroine.’
That must be why. Why I want to leave a good impression on him before I eventually go. Why I worry too much, even before making small requests. And what if… what if Sepina never appears…
‘…What on earth am I thinking right now!’
“C-cough! Cough!”
Startled by my own thoughts, I swallowed the lemonade wrong. I hurriedly pressed the napkin to my mouth, heat rushing to my face. The coughing wouldn’t stop.
“Edel, are you all right?”
When I finally calmed down and opened my eyes, Licht was already leaning forward from his seat, studying my face with concern. He looked genuinely flustered, his deep blue eyes flickering under the evening light.
One hand braced against the table, the other stretched toward me—close enough that, if he leaned just a bit more, it could have touched my face. His large hand hovered uncertainly in the air.
If only the lighting were dimmer. My face, already flushed from coughing, burned hotter. I didn’t need a mirror to know.
“Ahem, it was just… the lemonade was too good. I guess I drank too quickly.”
I gave an awkward laugh, and only then did Licht sit back down. He still seemed to be watching my complexion, but soon his lips curved into a gentle smile, relieved. That beautiful smile spread across his face, and I could hear the attendants around us unconsciously holding their breath.
I swallowed hard, trying not to show it. Now it wasn’t just the heat in my face—I had to calm my pounding heart too. Truly, this male lead was going to be the death of me.
When we first met, I thought his face never changed. But now Licht showed me a different expression every day. Facing those ever-changing looks stirred strange emotions in me—dangerous emotions, especially in such uncertain circumstances.
Suppressing them, I waved my hand lightly, fanning myself.
“If it was that good, then I’ll tell them to prepare it for you any time, not just at meals.”
“Oh, no! That’s not necessary. There’s already plenty of delicious food here…. Actually, I had a favor to ask.”
“A favor? From me?”
“…Yes?”
A slightly dazed look crossed Licht’s face, then melted into the warmest, most satisfied smile I’d ever seen. I frowned slightly. His reaction felt unreal. Even the attendant beside me stiffened awkwardly.
‘Wait, why is he making that kind of face when I’m the one asking the favor?’
Like a statue of a Greek god, he looked down at me with eyes overflowing with joy, a faint blush on his cheeks, and a radiant smile. If there was a halo behind him, I wouldn’t be surprised.
“I’m very curious to hear what your request might be.”
As I hesitated, Licht urged me on, his sea-blue eyes sparkling with anticipation.
‘Ugh… so much pressure.’
He must be expecting something serious, since I said it so formally. I avoided his gaze and lowered my head.
“It’s nothing serious. I just wanted to ask if I could host a tea time.”
“Tea time? With whom?”
“Lady Mariné. She said there are young ladies who could help expand the market for artifacts, and she’d like to bring them here.”
She had also mentioned that some of them wanted to meet me—the so-called ‘Muse of Artifacts.’ But there was no way I’d say that out loud. That would sound unbearably conceited.
I doubted he would refuse. Licht had always been an endlessly generous master of the palace. Still, he didn’t answer right away.
“…I see.”
“Yes, I know the barrier reinforcement work is starting soon, so everyone must be busy. I wasn’t sure if it was okay…”
“Of course. If you want it, you may host tea time anywhere in the palace.”
“Thank you so much!”
“You don’t need my permission to do what you want in this palace. I think I’ve told you that before.”
The bright spark in his eyes dimmed, replaced by a faint look of disappointment. Then, as if nothing had happened, he resumed eating. His sudden change left me uneasy, so I added quickly:
“Um, the barrier reinforcement… is that starting this week?”
His hand, which had been reaching for food, froze. His smooth brow furrowed, as if recalling something unpleasant. I couldn’t react, only staring at him. Licht blinked slowly, then opened his tightly pressed lips.
“Once the work begins, I won’t be able to join you for dinner for a while. And since there will be more visitors than usual during that time, make sure you’re always accompanied by Lelia.”
“Ah, yes. Of course.”
“It should take about a month to complete.”
Judging from his expression, even Licht found the barrier reinforcement work a tiresome burden. I nodded obediently. At least I wouldn’t have to endure these awkward dinners for a while. I breathed a quiet sigh of relief—but at the same time, a pang of loneliness crept in. I’d grown used to sharing meals with him.
‘I’ll ask Lelia to eat with me instead.’
“…A pity.”
“Pardon?”
“That we won’t be able to share dinner for a month.”
His sudden words froze me in place. Calm and graceful as ever, Licht continued eating as if nothing had happened. I inhaled sharply.
‘He must just mean that it’s a shame not to eat together, since we’ve been doing it daily. Don’t overthink it.’
If I delayed too long, it would look strange. Forcing a bright voice, I replied, picking up a forkful of potato.
“Yes, I’ll miss it too. Meals do taste better together, don’t you think?”
“They do. So much that time seems to fly.”
The mood turned unexpectedly serious. My eyes darted nervously, while Licht’s gaze stayed steady, betraying no fluster at all.
“Y-yes, I suppose so.”
A clumsy, noncommittal answer. Slowly, I lifted my head and met his eyes. If his calm, ocean-deep gaze held a restrained warmth, was it only my imagination? His lips parted slightly, as if to speak, but he closed them again.
