Chapter 65
Has anyone ever said something like that to me before?
At the Crown Prince’s words, I felt an impulse to lean on him — to trust him — but I forced myself to stay grounded in reality. Because for someone like me, who has nowhere to rely on, that kind of comfort is nothing but a trap. Once I fall into it, I might never escape.
Moreover, when “The Crown Prince’s Last Love” is completed, I’m supposed to leave the imperial palace.
To depend on someone in a relationship that already has an end — that’s the worst thing I could do.
So, I drew a clear line in my heart.
“Thank you for your kind words, Your Highness.”
The Crown Prince escorted me back to the detached palace and, perhaps worried I might feel uneasy, didn’t return to the main palace right away.
“I’ll stay with you tonight.”
Even though Hasel came by with what seemed to be an urgent message about another engagement, Jereon remained — sharing dinner with me and sitting on the sofa beside my bed, quietly reading a book until I fell asleep.
His page-turning sounds were so calm and steady that I didn’t even realize when I drifted off.
When I woke up in the morning, he was already gone.
‘I didn’t even get to say goodbye last night.’
On the sofa where the Crown Prince had sat, only the book he’d been reading was left behind.
* * *
Maybe it was because of the Crown Prince’s stern warning, but I hadn’t seen the prince for two whole days.
When I asked Nancy if the prince had perhaps left the palace altogether, she said a maid who cleaned his room told her otherwise.
Though uneasy, I tried to reassure myself that nothing more would happen.
As I walked slowly through the garden of the detached palace toward the main palace, I noticed my body felt heavier than usual.
“Did I sleep wrong or something?”
I figured I was just sore from yesterday’s long dancing lesson, but something about my condition felt off.
When I got muscle aches from dancing before, my body was tired but my mind was always alert.
This time, I didn’t hurt anywhere — yet my head felt foggy, and my eyes kept drooping.
‘Maybe it’s just fatigue building up.’
Since I couldn’t afford to doze off in the Crown Prince’s office, I tried stretching and even jogging in place as I walked to stay awake.
But my efforts were in vain.
Snap!
The sudden sound of fingers snapping right in front of me made my eyes fly open.
Apparently, I had nodded off at my desk without realizing it.
“Shanael, did you stay up late last night?”
“Ah… no, I think I went to bed early.”
“You’ve been dozing off all morning. Are you sick?”
“No, I don’t feel sick… just kind of hazy. My eyes keep closing, and I feel drained…”
“If you’re going to sit here like a sick chicken, you might as well go back to the annex and write from there. A nap will probably fix it.”
“Can I really? Then I’ll go back early.”
“Try sleeping early tonight.”
“I did sleep early.”
I started gathering my things to leave, but the Crown Prince followed me to the door and held it open.
“I’ll come by later to check on you. Don’t doze off while walking. Be careful on the stairs. And don’t lie down on a garden bench — go straight to your room. If you’re sleepy again tomorrow, I’ll make you run a lap around the garden.”
“Yes, yes, of course, Your Highness.”
“You’re good at answering, at least. Go on, get some rest.”
“Your mercy is boundless, Your Highness.”
Even at my playful tone, he chuckled and kept the door open until I was out of sight.
When I glanced back from down the hall, he was still standing there, head slightly tilted, watching to make sure I was walking safely.
Afraid he might call me back, I hurried all the way to the end of the corridor.
Outside the main palace, I took the garden path. Usually, fresh air woke me right up, but for some reason, the sunlight made my eyes feel even heavier.
‘Maybe I’ll rest for a moment.’
I sat down on a bench, but the longer I sat, the stronger the urge to lie down became.
‘If I get caught sleeping here… he’ll never let me hear the end of it.’
Not wanting to get scolded by the Crown Prince, I forced my eyes open and pushed myself up to keep walking.
I spotted a water fountain ahead and decided to wash my face to wake up.
The cool water trickling out was refreshing. As I reached for my handkerchief in my pocket, someone suddenly held one out to me.
“Use this.”
The handkerchief looked familiar — it was mine.
Startled, I looked up at the person offering it, wondering if the prince had somehow stolen my belongings again.
But no — the one holding it out was not the prince, but the servant I had helped by the fountain before.
“Nice to see you again, Lady Shanael. I’m Phillipe, servant to Young Lord Griffin.”
“Oh? Ah, right — you’re that man. How’s your injury?”
“It’s healed, just a small scab left. I never got to thank you properly that day — I’m sorry and very grateful.”
“It’s nothing. You were in a bad situation. I’m just glad it wasn’t a serious wound.”
“Yes, thankfully, Lord Griffin is rough with his jokes, but he always sees to treatment afterward.”
“I was actually worried that I made things worse for you that day.”
“To be honest, when you hit Lord Griffin for me…”
He glanced around to make sure no one was listening, then leaned closer and whispered,
“…it was so satisfying.”
His tone carried a strange mix of delight and long-suppressed resentment, and I couldn’t help but laugh softly as I wiped my face with the handkerchief.
“I stopped by the fountain a few times to return your handkerchief, but it was hard to catch you around.”
“Oh, that’s because I work in the main palace from nine to six. I don’t usually come out around this time. I’m just heading to rest at the annex today since I’m feeling tired.”
“Then may I walk you there? I happen to be going that way.”
“Sure.”
“Let me carry your things for you.”
“Oh, no—it’s fine, really…”
“Come on, let’s go.”
As we walked, Phillipe introduced himself. His parents had long served the Wyvern Baron family, and he had grown up as Lord Griffin’s personal attendant and companion.
Despite his meek temperament — or perhaps because of it — he remained remarkably positive, even after what happened before.
The Wyvern family, he said, was wealthy enough that he’d never wanted for anything, though his duties were demanding.
“This time, after I got hurt, the mistress gave me a special vacation. I even traveled to the Kingdom of Astelgia.”
“Wow, a vacation trip — I’d love that too.”
Though not to that kingdom, I thought bitterly.
After what happened with Prince Felix, I had no desire to ever visit Astelgia again.
But Phillipe spoke enthusiastically about its beauty.
“Unlike our Empire, it’s tropical there, full of rare medicinal herbs. I even had a cut on my forehead, but a local applied some kind of ointment, and by the next morning, it was completely gone!”
“I was wondering about that — your scar healed surprisingly well. What’s the name of that herb?”
“The full name’s long, but locals call it Deli. I bought a bunch to use later, but they confiscated it all at the border checkpoint.”
“Why?”
“It’s a restricted import. It’s harmless when applied, but when burned, it releases fumes that cause sleep — like the Sleeping Grass.”
“But Sleeping Grass is legal here.”
“Yes, but Deli’s different. It can cause daytime drowsiness and, if abused, leads to hallucinations and delirium. Quite dangerous.”
“Hallucinations? That’s pretty severe. It would be great if it could be refined safely into ointment form.”
“It can be — but it spoils in a week. Since Astelgia’s far away, they can only sell the dried leaves. I spent all my leftover travel money on them for nothing.”
“No compensation for what they confiscated?”
“No, ma’am. Luckily, they believed me when I said it was for healing. If they’d thought I meant to smuggle it in, I’d probably be in prison right now.”
“They must crack down hard, then. I guess a lot of people try to sneak it in.”
“Some do, for malicious reasons. But it’s hard to hide — the dried Deli leaves glow faintly in the dark, like luminous stones. That’s why inspectors search luggage in dark rooms — so they can spot the glow.”
“That’s fascinating.”
“Even stranger, if the herb’s potency fades, it stops glowing. So the ones that slip through inspections are usually useless anyway.”
Chatting like that, we eventually reached the entrance to the annex. Phillipe stopped just before the guards.
“And this is a little gift from me.”
He handed me a small box.
When I opened it, I found a beautiful set of quill tips — each feather a different color and texture.
“I thought you might like to match your quills to your writing mood. The feathers are from a bird said to bring love in Astelgia. Since you’re writing a romance, I thought it might inspire you.”
“Wow, I didn’t expect this at all. Thank you — it’s my first time receiving quills as a gift.”
“I’m glad you like them.”
As I thanked him again and turned to leave, he suddenly called out, sounding nervous.
“Um, Lady Shanael.”
“Yes?”
“If you ever run into my young master again, please — avoid him at all costs. He’s especially cruel to commoners. You know the saying — it’s not that we’re afraid of filth; we just don’t want to get dirty.”
“Haha, I understand. You be careful too, Phillipe.”
His tone, so calm until now, carried a note of quiet bitterness.
After saying goodbye, he walked off.
I watched him until he disappeared beyond the garden path, then finally turned toward the annex.
Usually, returning here felt light and easy — but today, I found myself glancing around the wide hall, scanning the upper stairs to my bedroom, and even checking the far corridor to make sure no red hair was lurking.
‘Looks like he’s really given up on stalking me.’
The annex was unusually lively due to the visiting delegates for the diplomatic meeting. Nobles and attendants bustled everywhere, and even the maids looked busy.
Passing them, I entered my bedroom at last, letting out a deep sigh of relief.
As soon as the tension left me, an overwhelming drowsiness — the same that had momentarily lifted while speaking with Phillipe — came crashing down again.
I had planned to revise my manuscript after getting home early, but my eyes refused to stay open.
Before I knew it, I had collapsed onto the bed and drifted into sleep.
