Hey.

Huh?

Are you upset?

Huh? What the hell are you talking about suddenly?

When I looked at him curiously, his blue eyes stared at me quietly. He looked at me silently for a long time and said in an unusually serious tone, I mean the crown prince. As you know, the noble faction is hellbent on making Duke Jenas daughter the crown princes wife.

Well, I think I slurred, trying to avoid his eyes.

I felt sorry for the crown prince when he asked me not to shun him, but even after my return and now, I had no intention of being his wife.

Even now, there was no way to stop Jiun from being the crown princes wife unless I replaced her. I was worried about the consequences on my family and the pro-emperor faction if Jiun became the crown princes wife, but I could not live with the painful memories of my past, which kept coming to my mind.

Why do you look like that again? Are you still bothered?

No, nothing.

Hmm.

Let me ignore his question. Carsein grinned at me, while looking at me carefully as if he examined something. Then he asked with a puckish sense of humor, Then how about me?

Huh?

You know, Im from a great family and Im competent. Just look at only one person. You dont know much about me, but I can reassure you Im a first-rate bridegroom candidate.

What the hell are you talking about?

I giggled at him and stroked the silver cat asleep on my lap. First-rate bridegroom? I felt Carsein didnt match the image of a first-rate bridegroom. Of course, he had a point when I looked at it objectively, but I felt such a mix was rather awkward.

How long was it? I felt the wagon stop. As soon as the door was opened, Luna, rubbing her golden eyes at the sound of raindrops, pricked her ears.

Lightly clicking his tongue, Carcein said, watching Luna fluffing up her fur with wary eyes.

Anyway, she resembles her master. Hey, give me the umbrella. I will open it.

Oh, thanks, Sein.

When I held Luna tightly with both hands, he unfolded the umbrella, got out and wrapped my waist with the other hand. I stepped on the ground with caution, relying on his strength.

The heavy rain soaked the hem of my skirt. I felt warmth from Luna and Carsein who got close to my body as well as the cold rain.

When I was about to walk away, trembling with cold, a familiar voice was heard from behind.

Oh, youre back now, Tia. Its been a long time, Sir Carsein.

When I turned my head, I could see my father getting wet in the rain. He was wearing a uniform.

I rushed to him, forgetting that I was holding Luna. The silver cat was soaked to the skin, crying sharply.

Hey, she got wet because you rushed to him!

Carsein hurriedly came running to me and put an umbrella over me. Looking at him, my father said, with a light smile, Lets go inside. Ah, Sir Carsein, why dont you come in for a minute? I have something to tell you.

Yes, sir.

Since the rain came after a long drought, it was pouring down. We got soaking wet during the short movement from the door to the porch of the mansion.

By the time I entered the porch, water was already dripping from my wet clothes. Luna was trembling after jumping from my arms.

I took a towel from the butler on standby, and dried my face with a towel.

I gave him instructions, Butler, please prepare warm bath water. Then, send a man to Duke Lars to bring some clothes for Sir Carsein. Also, get meals ready as soon as were done taking a bath.

Okay, my lady.

Then Ill go up first, Daddy. See you later, Sein.

Coming back to my room, I took off my wet clothes with Linas help. When I soaked in the warm water, my cold body got warm, and I felt relieved at last.

Come to think of it, I experienced the same thing last fall.

One day during the National Founding Day festival I was soaked in the sudden autumn rain, so I rushed to the palace with the crown prince. Although I refused, he had the attendant prepare bath water ready for me, so I could warm myself. He also asked me to take a break instead of attending the banquet.

I shook my head strongly. Did I get sentimental because of the rain? Why do you keep thinking of him today?

I cant live with him anyway. I cant open my heart to anybody.

I closed my eyes with a bitter smile. The warmth of heated water wrapped around me. How nice would it be if this warmth could spread to my frozen heart? If so, I might have a little hope that I might be able to love someone. In that case, I might be able to revive the buds of hope which I thought sprouted but disappeared soon.

I was submerged in the water until the lavender scent attached to my body, then I came out at Linas nagging. When I changed my clothes and entered the dining room, the two men who were chatting looked back at me.

Oh, come on in.

Yes, Daddy.

When did they become so friendly? After they got close after the raid, the two covered all kinds of topics on the knights, such as training, organization, operation, and tactics. They finally talked about the grand topic of swordsmanship.

I promised to honor my deal with you, but I kept delaying it until now, Im sorry for that.

No, sir. You have gone through lots of things until recently.

If you dont mind, I can coach you about fencing after the imperial ball is over. How about that?

Im fine anytime, sir. Thank you for your guidance in advance.

Im looking forward to it. As you know, they call you the genius of swordsmanship.

Im flattered, sir.

After talking with him, my father got up, folding his napkin. Then he said with a faint smile, Let me go upstairs as Im tired. So, see him off on my behalf.

Yes, I will.

Okay, Sir Carsein, see you next time.

Yes, sir. Have a good rest.

Daddy seems strange today. I tilted my head. He looked a little tired, but he didnt tell anybody about it.

I knew that my father had good feelings toward Carsein after he saved my life in the recent raid by the unidentified hooligans, but he was unusually kind to him, compared with Allendis.

Besides, my father let me spend time with him on purpose. He always used to tell me that I should be careful about my words and deeds, so that I could not be talked about in social circles.

While I was lost in thought, someone suddenly stuck his face out in front of me.

I hurriedly pulled my body back, surprised.

Oh my! You surprised me, Sein.

Dont look so dumb! Why are you so absent-minded like that? As a knight, come to your senses. Let me give you some special training, starting tomorrow.

Dont do that. Let me see you off, Sein.

No thanks. My house is not that far from here, Tia. By the way.

Huh?

He quietly reached out and stroked my hair. When I looked up, feeling his gentle touch, he smiled at me softly. Suddenly, the light of the chandelier was obscured with a darker shade because he came closer to me quickly.

As you stand there, you are much taller than I think.

I thought he was tall, but I didnt know he looked much taller up close.

Huh?

I felt his face getting closer to me, although I could not see it well because my view was blocked by the light. I blinked a couple of times because I felt I saw it wrong, but something moist touched my forehead then fell off.

Huh? What is this

What the heck did you, Sein?

When I stepped back, surprised, he looked at me quietly with a smile.

Are you surprised? Why are you surprised? I think you probably kissed Allendis, right?

Well, I was very young then.

When you were young? Youre still a little girl in my eyes! Hey, dont imagine something weird.

Only

You are too young to think of that. You need another ten years for that. Got it?

When I stared at him sharply, pouting, he gently tapped my forehead with his fingers and turned back, waving at me.

Im leaving. See you tomorrow.

Are you upset? Thats why you are a little girl

Just go away!

I heard him laughing heartily at me.

He walked with long steps and disappeared. While looking at him for a while, I headed to my room.