Chapter 12
“Won’t you have to keep following me from now on?”
Leah nodded while looking at him as if she was under a spell.
“Then get plenty of rest now. Otherwise, you might lose me.”
Edward said it with a playful smile.
“I won’t lose you.”
Leah firmly grabbed one sleeve of his clothes as she spoke.
Her voice sounded determined, but also a little unstable. For a moment, Edward’s eyes wavered.
He looked at her small white hand holding his sleeve.
Then Leah tugged on his sleeve twice.
Edward looked at her again.
“If… I lose you, you’ll come find me, right?”
He quietly stared at her.
She spoke like it was a joke, but there was no playfulness in her eyes.
Why is she so anxious…? Is it because she came alone to a foreign country? But it feels like something else…
When Edward didn’t answer right away, Leah grabbed his sleeve tightly, as if she would never let go.
“Of course. So don’t worry. I’ll come find you anytime.”
Wanting to reassure her, he looked straight into her eyes and spoke gently but clearly.
Only after hearing his answer did Leah loosen her grip.
Then she suddenly collapsed sideways onto the bed.
Edward chuckled at how quickly her mood changed.
“Then… I’ll sleep a little…”
Seeing her eyes slowly closing from sleepiness, Edward stood up and covered her with a blanket.
“Don’t go anywhere else, Your Highness. If you leave… you have to wake me up first…”
She murmured with her eyes closed.
Edward’s lips twitched with amusement.
“Yes, I will.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
A soft smile appeared on Leah’s lips.
After confirming that Leah had quickly fallen asleep, Edward quietly opened the door leading to his office and left the room.
Inside the office, Secretary Robert and Head Butler Bern were waiting for him.
“You didn’t sit down while waiting.”
Edward said this when he saw them still standing.
“Well, things are a bit different now, Your Highness.”
Robert said playfully.
Edward sat in a chair by the large window and looked sharply at Robert.
“What’s different?”
“Ahem. You are now the head of a family. So we must show proper respect to Your Highness, who has become a true adult.”
Butler Bern, who was listening beside him, quietly closed his eyes and shook his head.
“I see. I didn’t understand your deep meaning. Then I’ll expect you to keep showing respect from now on.”
“Y-Yes?”
Ignoring Robert’s reaction, Edward looked at the butler.
“Did you inform everyone that I won’t receive guests for three days?”
“Yes, Your Highness. All the servants and the knights on guard have been informed.”
“Any visitors?”
“A few people came, but we sent them away. I also sent simple replies to the letters requesting invitations.”
“Good. Thank you.”
“It is naturally my duty, Your Highness.”
The butler’s voice and attitude were calm and relaxed.
“But Your Highness… what do you mean by vacation? You’ve never taken a break before…”
Robert asked carefully.
“Is… something wrong?”
His playful expression had completely disappeared.
“As you said, things are different now.”
Edward smiled lightly at Robert, who was worried about him.
“Your Highness!”
Robert protested.
“Don’t jump to conclusions. I just married a princess from another country. Shouldn’t we have at least a little time to get used to each other?”
“…I was short-sighted. Since a stranger has entered the Reverse Palace, I should first understand the situation…”
Robert nodded as if he understood Edward’s intention.
“She is not a stranger. She is the Crown Princess. Someone you must serve.”
Edward’s voice turned cold.
Robert immediately tensed under his sharp gaze.
“…I’m sorry, Your Highness. I was rude.”
“There won’t be a second time.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Robert silently blamed himself for forgetting the Crown Prince’s temperament.
“What about what I asked?”
Edward asked in his usual tone again.
“Ah, it’s already prepared.”
“Good. Then let’s meet them in two days. Are they receiving their training?”
“Yes. The head maid is personally supervising them.”
“That’s reassuring. And the people the Empress sent?”
Edward looked at the butler again.
“They were sent to Head Maid Cecil.”
“Cecil must be having a hard time. You said there were two of them?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Edward tapped his finger lightly on the desk as if thinking.
Then he looked up and said firmly,
“It would be better if those maids handle different duties.”
“I will pass along your instructions.”
“And Robert, tell Jeff to investigate those two people. Thoroughly.”
“Yes, understood.”
“That will be all. I’ll hear the rest of the reports in three days.”
After Robert and the butler left, Edward remained alone.
He leaned back deeply in his chair and closed his eyes in exhaustion.
The sunset shining through the window behind him slowly faded as darkness fell.
***
Early Morning
Early in the morning, Edward was about to go to the training ground wearing a light shirt.
He quietly looked down at Leah, who was sleeping soundly.
Touching his forehead, he wondered if he should wake her up.
After a short sigh, Edward sat down beside her.
“Crown Princess.”
He leaned slightly toward her and called softly so she wouldn’t be startled.
Leah’s closed eyes twitched a little before slowly opening.
Her clear face, still half asleep, stared blankly at him.
Edward found himself quietly looking down at her.
Her lively purple eyes were beautiful, but her sleepy gaze right now felt even more captivating.
“…I’m going to the training ground. Please sleep a little more. I’ll wake you when I return.”
He said quietly while maintaining eye contact and began to stand.
But at that moment, Leah grabbed the collar of his white shirt.
“If… it’s not too late… let’s go together.”
Her sleepy voice was low and soft.
Holding his collar, she rubbed her eyes with her other hand and sat up.
“…Will we be late?”
She asked softly, lifting her heavy eyelids.
“…No. I’ll wait.”
Edward said as he watched her every small movement.
He accepted that he wouldn’t be able to leave her behind like this.
“I’ll get ready quickly.”
Leah finally let go of him and smiled brightly.
She got out of bed and walked to the dressing room.
Edward called one of the maids waiting outside and sent her to help Leah.
It feels like… raising a baby bird.
It was unfamiliar, but not a bad morning.
***
Training Ground
Because they arrived a little later than usual, Robert, John, and Jeff were already there warming up without their shirts.
Seeing them, Edward frowned and quickly raised his hand to cover Leah’s eyes.
His large hand completely covered her face.
Surprised by his sudden action, Leah turned her head slightly to look at him.
His usually calm eyebrows were twitching.
“Put your clothes on.”
Even though they were outside, Edward’s voice sounded deep and heavy like it echoed in a cave.
Huh? Put clothes on?
Curious, Leah tried to move her head to see past his hand.
“Crown Princess.”
His hand pressed more firmly over her eyes, and his voice dropped even lower.
Disappointed, Leah decided to stay still.
“Didn’t you hear me?”
The three men who had been standing there blankly quickly put on their shirts and vests.
Only then did Edward lower his hand from Leah’s face.
“Gasp! Your Highness, the Crown Princess?!”
The red-haired, muscular man reacted loudly.
Startled, Leah shrank her shoulders and instinctively moved closer to Edward, holding onto one of his arms.
“Jeff, your voice is too loud.”
Edward scolded him after seeing Leah’s reaction.
