Chapter 20
“Yes! I’ll coordinate the jewelry and shoes to match that. What about doing your hair like this?”
“Cassy, don’t bother Her Majesty too much.”
“It’s fine, Seth. It actually brightens the mood having someone like Cassy around, instead of just us stuffy people.”
With a gentle smile, Free brushed her hand over the clothes Cassy handed her.
It felt strange. The thought of going to see him again stirred her heart that had seemed frozen, as if it would never move again.
Even after being hurt, again and again, her feelings for him remained the same. When he was out of sight, she wondered about him. Seeing his face made her happy, yet also oddly uneasy. Her heart, which she couldn’t even understand herself, bounced like a ball in unpredictable directions—and now was no different.
Just a few days ago, she had resolved to live distantly, taking on the role of the villain he wanted, cutting herself off from others.
Back then, she had thought she could endure any wound he gave her. But in a matter of days, her heart had changed again.
‘Here I go again.’
Her heart fluttered.
Why did thinking of him always make her break her own promises?
Repeating the same vow over and over again, Free had somehow finished all her preparations.
“You’re absolutely stunning!”
Looking at the starry-eyed Cassy, Free felt a small flicker of defiance.
“Cassy.”
“Yes?”
“Would you like to come with me today?”
“With you?”
“Didn’t you say before that you wanted to see the Imperial Palace?”
“B-but… am I really allowed to?”
Free gave a slight nod. Cassy had come in as a conversation partner but had quickly adjusted and was now appointed as one of her close ladies-in-waiting. Still, that didn’t mean she could freely wander the palace.
Everyone had to stick to their assigned areas. It was a rule set for safety.
So, Cassy had been grumbling for days that she hadn’t gotten to see the palace at all.
And now Free was inviting her to dine with the Emperor. Naturally, Cassy’s face lit up.
“Your Majesty… That’s…”
“Is it not allowed?”
“It’s not that, but…”
The fact that Seth didn’t always join them for meals already revealed something about Argent’s preferences. He didn’t like people intruding on his personal time.
The full dining hall on the first day had been for Free’s sake. Ever since, their meals had been so quiet it felt almost empty.
Only then had Free realized that she’d been considered on that first day. But that was all.
So Free held out her hand to Cassy.
“It’ll be fine, right?”
Turning to straighten Cassy’s clothes, she smiled softly.
“Of course.”
Though Free briefly wondered if Cassy would be wary of Seth, the girl simply nodded and warmly linked her arm with Free’s.
“I’ve never once seen His Majesty up close before!”
“Really?”
“Yes! I’ve never had a chance to meet him… Say, Lady Free!”
They were already heading to the dining hall.
“What is it?”
“Does His Majesty take off his mask in front of you?”
“No.”
“Ah… what a pity.”
“He’s never taken it off, not once?”
“No. I don’t know when it started, but he wears it everywhere. I heard… his face started hardening or… maybe it was a scar?”
“Cassy!”
Seth, who’d been watching with disapproval since Cassy stuck close to Free like a friend, suddenly grabbed her arm.
“Ah… I-I’m sorry!”
“Watch your mouth. Just because you came in through my recommendation doesn’t mean you’re safe. If you go too far, you’ll be kicked out.”
Cassy quickly bowed her head.
“I’m sorry, Lady Free.”
“It’s okay. I was curious too.”
Cassy had a knack for scratching at Free’s unspoken curiosities, and Free held her hand tightly.
“So Seth… Do you know anything about that?”
“…Ha. Your Majesty, if you wish to know, I’ll tell you what I can. However…”
Her sharp gaze fell on Cassy like a warning.
The message was crystal clear—don’t speak carelessly.
“It’s best if you hear it directly from His Majesty… But as far as I know, there’s something unusual about the left side of his face. Still, it’s not a serious condition, so he doesn’t need to wear the mask—but he does anyway. And no, it’s not a scar, like Cassy said.”
“If it’s not a scar…”
“Why don’t you ask him yourself? If you ask, I’m sure His Majesty would be very pleased.”
Still the same.
Free didn’t argue.
“Alright. I will.”
The window, which had always been open wide, was now firmly shut. Free’s gaze, slow and quiet, turned toward the outside.
Though she hadn’t been here long, it was already winter in this place.
Located further south than the Kingdom of Ezan, it wasn’t too cold, but the air had definitely changed.
“Lady Free.”
“Does it snow here?”
“Oh! I’ve heard that in the north, it always snows during winter. But not here!”
“Really…”
“I’d love to see it once. I heard the whole world turns white.”
Watching Cassy speak with the wide-eyed excitement of a child, Free simply smiled.
She’d always loved the snow. But her sisters would scold her whenever she showed it.
—They say dogs go crazy when it snows. And you, a princess, frolicking like that? Get inside, now!
‘I like snow but…’
She looked out the window silently before starting to walk again. Everything was always like that.
Her so-called family always found fault in everything she did. Even when things went wrong through no fault of her own—it was always her blame to bear.
‘Maybe that’s why Argent treats me the way he does too.’
The thought was oddly comforting. The anxiety that had haunted her since arriving here seemed rooted in that very uncertainty.
Now, having steeled herself again, she resumed walking.
In front of the dining room—somewhere she hadn’t visited in a while—she hesitated for a long time.
Cassy gently tightened her hold on Free’s hand.
“Aren’t we going in?”
“Ah. Yes, we should. Seth, I’ll go in with Cassy today, so please wait outside.”
“…Are you sure?”
“I’m fine.”
She was being deliberately bold.
Yes, maybe acts like this would help Argent—at least in the eyes of others. Bringing a lady-in-waiting with her even if he didn’t want it.
Cassy seems like the type who can’t keep secrets.
That was exactly why she brought her close.
If she only stayed near quiet Seth or loyal Iann, no one would ever know what she did. But with Cassy nearby…
She could speak freely. Let others talk. Let rumors spread.
About herself.
Looking briefly at Cassy, Free firmly gripped her hand.
“Let’s go in.”
Still worried, Seth let out a deep sigh as he watched them walk away.
“You’re here.”
Argent, who had been quietly moving his silverware, stopped when he saw an unexpected face.
“Yes. It’s been a while.”
“Is that so? But there’s a maid here I don’t recognize.”
“She’s Cassy, introduced by Seth. One of my personal maids.”
“…So you’ve brought her to a meal?”
“Is that not allowed?”
Argent seemed ready to say something, then lowered his head.
“It’s not forbidden.”
Only after receiving his permission did Free calmly take her seat.
The meal was quiet. Only the soft clinking of cutlery filled the room like background music.
After some time, Argent’s gaze slid past Free to the figure behind her. When the movement stopped, Free looked up.
“Is she making you uncomfortable?”
But Cassy, unaware of the subtle tension, poured water into her glass with sparkling eyes.
“She prevents us from talking freely.”
“Is it that important, what you have to say—that no one else can hear it?”
“…Fair point. If it’s not important, it shouldn’t matter.”
After a moment of hesitation, Argent set his utensils down.
“I’m thinking of bringing your sister here.”
“…What?”
The only time they met privately.
Words exchanged in that time had never been about her well-being or comfort.
And now, after all this time, he brings up her sister?
Free’s face hardened.
“My sister?”
“You’re not as interesting as I hoped.”
“…You haven’t even tried to know me…”
His casual cruelty made Free bite down on her lip.
“Do you object?”
“…No. This is your country. I’m just an object within it. So what right do I have to object?”
Her hands, resting on her lap, trembled violently.
Cassy, watching from behind, reached out and touched Free’s shoulder. Startled like she’d been burned, Free quickly took a sip of wine.
“Good. I’m glad to hear that.”
“Did my sister agree to come?”
“Yes. The eldest—Gaia. She said she would.”
“…Why?”
His gaze was fixed on her. And though she couldn’t see past the mask, it felt… gentle.
“Are you happy your sister is coming?”
“Who knows.”
“You look happier than when I first arrived.”
“It’s not unpleasant.”
“…I see. Then let’s end the meal here.”
She couldn’t stay any longer.
Her sister was coming. Something she hadn’t dared imagine. Her stomach churned.
She couldn’t stand the feeling.
Free bolted out of the room.
“Haa…”
