Huh?

Did she see it wrong? Sezh closed her eyes and opened them again, but she really didnt see anything wrong. Someone she would have never thought of was walking in front of her window.

It was Mathias Kareem.

He looks so tidy today with neatly styled hair and well-dressed attire.

There was a uniquely calm smile on his lips, and thanks to that, the friendly atmosphere around him seemed to stand out more. It felt very different from Raytan, who was always dressed a little messily and was surrounded by a cold atmosphere with an expressionless face.

Who is better? Sezh thought no one could compare who is better between them. The two men, Raytan and Mathias, were like day and night complete opposites of each other.

But why does Mathias keep looking around like that? He seemed to be looking for something. He could have asked a maid. Whether it was a maid or a servant, it was clear that anyone would throw away what they were doing to help him.

When Sezh stared down at Mathias with a puzzled face, she made eye contact with him.

Surprised, Sezh flinched.

What if he found it rude that she was secretly spying on him? But she was only looking She didnt even open the window to peek at him

Huh?

As Sezh was trying to keep her feet balanced, all of a sudden, Mathias chuckled. Sezh could see the smile in his eyes light up his face.

His chuckling face, as he looked at Sezh, was as warm as the spring sun. He then smiled lightly and mouthed, Its a- good afternoon Princess Sezh.

Sezh hesitated for a moment but eventually replied to him.

Yes thats right.

Mathias looked around.

Sezh also followed his gaze. There was no one around. She then turned her eyes back to look at Mathias again.

What the hell has this person been doing? Sezh thought.

Mathias looked up at Sezh and then said something unexpected.

If its okay can you spare some of your time for me? Mathias mouthed.

Me? Bewildered, Sezh pointed her finger at herself.

Mathias nodded. Then he smiled brightly.

Sezh was hesitant. There was nothing good about being seen together with Mathias Kareem.

What if it gets into Lillians ears? She wholeheartedly didnt want to even think about it.

But had Mathias done anything wrong to her? Sezh was unable to refuse him. Her personality wont let her do that So, Sezh eventually went outside.

Mathias, who stared at Sezh as she walked up, politely greeted her, Mathias Kareem greets Princess Sezh of the Delhender Empire.

Sezh got embarrassed by his greetings. No one in the Imperial Palace had ever said such a polite greeting to her. They would only say the bare minimum.

Sezh also greeted him back with a stiff posture.

Is Princesss ankle better now? I worried a lot.

Ah, yes It has improved significantly. I can walk now.

Thats fortunate, Mathias smiled widely.

She was already aware of it from their last meeting, but Mathias was truly a kind person.

Truthfully, Sezh caused her ankle injury by herself. She tripped on her own feet, and Mathias held no responsibility for that.

She was grateful that he helped bring her out of the banquet hall and looked at her ankle that day. And now, he even approached and asked her about it.

It was the first time Sezh had ever received this kind of favor from anyone other than Raytan, Eton, and Luna, so Sezh struggled without knowing it.

That- However, on what occasion

I came here with my father because he has business to do at the Imperial Palace. I thought it would take some time, so I was on my way back first.

I- I see.

Then he just had to go back. Why did he have to go through this way?

Sezh was puzzled.

The palace where Sezh stays is quite far from the exit gate of the Imperial Palace. Mathias looked like he was sneaking around.

Seeming to notice her confusion, Mathias Kareem spoke again, Honestly, after the debut, I wanted to see the Princess again. My cousin often attends Princess Lillians teatime, but I heard Princess Sezh has never been there.

Honestly, it was because she didnt even want to go there, not just because she couldnt. Of course, Sezh didnt want to go there, but Anyway, Lillian is not going to invite Sezh unless she is crazy.

Ive been looking around for the road, but its nice to see you. Will you forgive my rudeness for bothering you?

Its Its okay.

If she counted this as rudeness, Bern and Lilian would have committed enough sins to warrant execution. Sezh hurriedly cleared her thoughts.

Does the Princess mainly stay in the palace?

Ah yes. Something like that.

Sezh went out every day to get tutoring from Raytan, but she thought it was unnecessary to tell Mathias about that. Besides, she had lied to her mother that her tutoring was over this morning.

It must be so lonely.

No. Ive already gotten used to it a lot.

But are you not bored? I also grew up as an only child. So

Ever since she was young, loneliness was already a familiar word.

Mathias continued to talk. However, her ears caught nothing. It was because of the maid who was walking ahead of them.

A maid who knew Sezhs face.

Lillians maid.

In an instant, she felt that her sight was now blurred.

Just for a second!

Prin- Princess?

Sezh was in a hurry and grabbed Mathiass wrist tightly. Then she began to take him to the back of the sparse palace. Mathias looked baffled, but it wasnt important right now.

Mathias Kareem is very popular among both the young and old, especially ladies of marriageable age. If Lillian, not to mention other people, finds out that Sezh was with Mathias like this Just thinking about it was already terrifying.

I-Im sorry. You must be surprised.

After confirming that there was no one around, a late burst of embarrassment filled her.

No, Im fine. However, did something happen?

Ah, that Sezh mumbled.

Princess, you can speak comfortably. I can keep a secret, Mathias said with a serious face.

During her debut, Sezh remembered what Mathias had said.

It hasnt been long since I studied abroad.

But he also said that his cousin frequently goes to Lillians teatime.

If he heard Sezh doesnt come out of her palace, Mathias might know of her terrible circumstances too.

However, Mathias looked like he genuinely had no clue. Perhaps he still didnt know how Sezh they treated at the Imperial Palace. If he hears what her situation is like from someone else.

Sezh thought Mathias would also change his kind attitude towards her. Sezh, who had experienced something like this before, was sure about it.

However, she didnt want to keep pretending until her situation was revealed to him. If people were going to leave her because of that reason, Sezh thought it would be better to get it over with now.

If others see that I was with Sir Kareem we will surely become a laughingstock.

Laughingstock? Who dares to do that to a princess.

Everybody.

The Royal Family, the nobles, and everyone. I am Im just that kind of thing, Sezhs voice became smaller.

Thats why I dont even go outside the palace. Im afraid I will do something unfavorable and be caught by someones eyes.

Mathias shut his mouth.

Princess Sezh? She doesnt come out of her palace.

Why? Isnt it Princess Lillian who hosts the teatime? Then, of course, Princess Sezh

Princess Sezh doesnt come to such a place because no one invites her.

Suddenly, the conversation he shared with his cousin ran through his mind.

Mathias thought it was indeed fishy. But he hadnt thought it would be for that reason.

He still didnt get it. He thought it was just because Princess Sezh is shy to meet a group of strangers. She was also like that at the debutante ball.

In fact, from that day on, he had been worried about her all the time. It was his innate nature. Mathias was always warm and kind to everyone. So when he saw someone who was alone and couldnt easily mix with others like Sezh back then, he just couldnt let it pass.

Besides, shes a princess!

Honestly, on the day of her debut, Sezh looked like a princess who was treated and raised well. She was beautiful as well.

As the son of a noble family, Mathias has interacted a lot with the Royalty since childhood.

Thanks to that, he saw a lot of things that many people couldnt see. He had met some people who made him think, Can a person really do that because they are Royalty?

Thats why Sezh looked so lovable to him.

Unlike the other members of the Royal Family, she looked cautious. And she didnt use her status to oppress people.

I dont understand.

Yes, it is absurd. Shes a princess, but she is treated like this.

Even when Sezh thinks about it, her situation is funny Sezh bowed her head.

But the coming words she heard were a little surprising.

Whatever the reason, its not good. Princess has done nothing wrong, right?

Yes?

Please dont concern yourself with it. The one who should be embarrassed is those who have treated the Princess this way.

Sezh was pretty sure she already stated that the people who had treated her like that were the Royal Family So she was a little bit dazed by Mathiass words and could only blink her eyes.

Mathias warmly stared at Sezh right in her eyes and then spoke again, Princess, if you allow me, may I become your conversation partner?

Conversation partner?

No, I think the Princess should be my conversation partner. Like I said last time, I havent been back to Denhelder since a while ago, so I dont have a lot of people to interact with.

I dont think so

If Mathias shows favor, there will be plenty of people who will come running to buy his heart.

Because you said you were mainly in the palace May I write you a letter?

Letter? Sezh tilted her head.

I will send someone tomorrow with the letter. That person will deliver it directly to the Princesss maid, so you dont have to worry about any leaks.

Uh

Perhaps it makes the Princess uncomfortable?

I-Its not thatbut.

Its not like were sending and receiving important correspondence, so dont be too burdened. Is Princess okay with that? Mathias asked again.

She said she was worried about being caught by others, but she eventually went outside to meet Mathias. It was just Sezhs personality. This time was also the same. Sezh couldnt say she refuses to his face.

However, if he sends the letter to Luna directly, she wont have to worry about gossip just like Mathias said.

Sezh then nodded.

Thank you. Ive been feeling so lonely since I didnt have a conversation partner. This is a secret. Mathias stopped talking and moved his hand to the corner of his mouth. He said it in a small voice like a whisper as if it was a huge secret, but honestly, Im a very talkative person.

Sezh giggled at the words he just said. Mathias also laughed. The pure kind of laugh that made his eyes turn into lines.