TOPFCP10

TOPFCP

Episode 10

With the window behind him, the Crown Prince seemed to think his face wasn’t visible, so he turned slightly to make it easier for me to see. The early dawn light reflected off his golden hair, casting one side of his face in a sharp, radiant glow.

“You don’t even know my name? I’m disappointed.”

“Ah…! No, I mean—Your Highness, why are you… on the sofa…?”

“I fell asleep while reading. The attendants tried to wake me, but it was surprisingly comfortable, so I just kept sleeping. That is, until you woke me up.”

“I apologize for disturbing your rest, but still… this is a room designated for a lady. How could Your Highness stay here…?”

“Are you embarrassed to be in the same room as me?”

It wasn’t embarrassment—it was discomfort. But unable to say that outright, I chose a more diplomatic response.

“I don’t mind, but I worry that strange rumors may spread. This annex was once used for royal concubines during the previous reign, and if Your Highness enters at night, misunderstandings could arise.”

“There’s no need to worry. You’re the only woman staying here right now, so no one will misunderstand anything.”

In his mind, I was not even in the “woman” category.

That must be why he slept so deeply beside me without any tension. I sighed and began walking back toward the bed, then paused and bowed my head slightly.

“Well then, I’d like to rest a bit more… Please return safely.”

I thought he’d leave now that he was awake. But his response caught me off guard.

“Return where? I’m going back to sleep.”

“…Pardon?”

“I haven’t slept more than three hours recently. For the first time in a while, I actually slept through the night here.”

“Have you been suffering from such severe insomnia, Your Highness?”

“Yes. There’s too much on my mind—it keeps me awake.”

Having experienced insomnia myself, I knew how tormenting it could be. Even though he was the owner of that pale blue envelope that had caused me sleepless nights, I remembered how tired he’d looked recently. I couldn’t bring myself to tell him to leave.

So, I gestured to the sofa and offered kindly.

“Then please rest comfortably, Your Highness.”

“Gladly.”

No sooner had he spoken than Jereon returned to the sofa, lay down in the same relaxed position, and closed his eyes.

“I’m going to sleep another two hours. Please move around quietly.”

Despite being in the same room with a woman, the Crown Prince showed not the slightest sign of nervousness. I was somewhat dumbfounded.

As dawn began to break, light filled the room, and his sleeping face became even clearer.

‘How can someone look that flawless even after just waking up?’

Compared to him, my reflection in the mirror looked utterly haggard. I now understood how he could sleep in my room without a second thought.

A few discreet coughs caused his brow to twitch slightly, so I quietly sipped water to clear my throat and avoid disturbing him.

Since I had woken up far too early, I tried to go back to sleep—but with a man, and not just any man but the Crown Prince, in the same room, how could I possibly sleep?

Eventually, I lay in bed with my eyes wide open until morning. Hassel came to fetch him, and Nancy arrived to help me prepare. She was briefly shocked to see the Crown Prince still present, but upon seeing the exhausted look on my face and hearing my sigh, she quickly dropped any assumptions.

Hassel approached the prince, who was stretching as though nothing were amiss, and spoke in a tone akin to a mother scolding her child.

“Your Highness, you must attend the brunch meeting. It’s time to get ready.”

“Understood.”

“We must hurry, or you’ll barely make it. And don’t forget, there are two meetings scheduled for this morning. Any delays will push the afternoon agenda as well.”

“Yes, yes…”

Apparently fed up with the nagging, the Crown Prince reluctantly got up and walked toward the door with Hassel.

The royal physician had recommended a full week of rest, claiming the blood he coughed up was from excessive strain. With that, I bowed politely, thinking I wouldn’t see them for a while.

Please, just go. Don’t come back.

Watching Jereon walk away, I secretly rejoiced. Nancy, likely also uncomfortable with him around, rushed to close the door.

Yes! Shut it, now!

Just as his golden hair was about to vanish beyond the doorframe, he thrust out his arm and caught the door before it closed.

“Oh. I almost forgot something.”

Nancy and I stood side by side, staring at his face.

With a casual gesture, he pointed to the sofa he had slept on.

“I think I’ll sleep there again tonight. It worked better than any herbal remedy. So move the sofa and bring in a bed.”

“…Excuse me?”

I hadn’t imagined he’d take my concern last night as an open invitation for today.

No way!

Was he seriously planning to cure his insomnia by giving me insomnia?

I looked to Hassel for help, silently begging him to intervene. Thankfully, he agreed this was too much and supported me.

“Your Highness, with all due respect, this is not appropriate.”

“Why not? She told me to rest comfortably.”

“That was assuming Your Highness would rest in your own chambers. Even if it helps your sleep, staying in a lady’s quarters is inappropriate. The palace is full of eyes and ears—people may assume you’re engaging in a clandestine affair with Miss Shanael.”

“A clandestine affair… Do you really think that’s plausible?”

“I cannot say it’s impossible.”

“In that case, all the better.”

“…Pardon?”

I echoed, equally startled, “What?!”

Jereon swept a hand through his tousled hair, flashing a refined smile.

“I’ve heard many commoners admire me but feel I’m too distant. If rumors spread that I’m secretly seeing Shanael… wouldn’t that make me seem more approachable? If they think the Crown Prince enjoys secret trysts regardless of status, perhaps I’ll become the prince of their dreams.”

The three of us—Hassel, Nancy, and I—stood frozen in disbelief.

That was it. He was using me to boost his popularity. Just great. And if such rumors spread, my prospects for marriage would vanish.

Hassel clearly thought it was nonsense but responded tactfully.

“There may be some merit to that strategy, but should Your Highness not also consider Miss Shanael’s position…”

“She told me to rest here.”

He suddenly invoked my words, and though I tried to deny the implication, he closed the distance between us with a few strides.

Standing far too close for comfort, I could see nothing but his chest.

When I instinctively stepped back, he leaned in and smiled kindly.

“Shanael, didn’t you say so? ‘Please rest comfortably.’”

“That—That was only because you said you hadn’t slept well! I meant just that night…”

“It’s touching to know someone cares about my well-being as much as Hassel does. Since you’ve shown such kindness, perhaps I should return the favor… with your writing, as I used to.”

His hand gently tapped my shoulder—a subtle threat hidden beneath his charm. If I refused him now, he would become that pale blue envelope again and torment me.

Swallowing my protest, I forced a smile through trembling lips.

“…Very well, Your Highness. Please do as you wish.”

Satisfied, Jereon nodded and pointed precisely where the sofa had been.

“Make sure to place the bed exactly there. I like that spot.”

As he turned and left, I stared daggers into his back.

I’d just recovered from a cold, only to face a worse ordeal.

The week of rest I earned was anything but restful.

Before the Crown Prince could return, I escaped to Nancy’s quarters in the servant wing next to the annex. Thankfully, it was nearby. Since I wasn’t allowed to leave the palace grounds, this was my only option.

“Luckily, the maid I used to share a room with quit. But are you sure it’s okay to sleep somewhere like this, Miss Shanael?”

“This is nicer than my old house. And sorry for the coughing—it might disturb your sleep.”

“Oh, it’s no problem. I’ve always shared a room, so I’m used to it. I’ll bring some warm milk tea—it might help you sleep.”

“Thank you.”

Jereon really did send attendants that afternoon to replace the sofa with a new bed—larger than mine, no less.

The room was spacious enough, but… why did they place it directly opposite mine?

Every time I woke up, I’d see him. And worse, he’d see me too. At night, I wore pajamas—much more casual than daywear. I couldn’t exactly sleep in formal clothing just because he was around.

All he wanted was to sleep well and stir up rumors. So I figured: I didn’t actually need to be there.

Besides, my coughing would likely disturb him anyway. He might sleep better if I was gone.

“Here you go. I made sure it’s not too hot.”

“Thanks.”

Nancy handed me the tea and went to lie down. As I took a sip, the warmth soothed my sore throat. Something about the quiet atmosphere and comforting drink made sleep come easier.

Not wanting to disturb her, I quietly set down the cup and moved to extinguish the light.

Just as I reached for the wall sconce, a commotion erupted outside. Loud footsteps and some angry murmurs echoed from the corridor.

“What’s going on?”

Nancy stirred and sat up, equally confused. Before we could figure it out, the door burst open and a royal guard entered.

“W-what’s happening…?”

The guard—one of the men who had first escorted me to the annex—glanced around and, spotting me, called out toward the hallway, “We’ve found her!”

Then Hassel entered the room.

“Lord Hassel! Why are you here?”

“His Highness has ordered us to retrieve you.”

“Me? Why?”

“Well… he said he cannot sleep unless you’re there with him.”

“What?! But I clearly make him uncomfortable—he tosses and turns every time I cough!”