Chapter 2.2

“Brother, how far are you going to follow me?”

I whipped my head around and looked behind me. A long shadow stretched out next to a tall vase in the hallway. The shadow was tall and slender, and above the vase, a patch of hair the same color as mine was peeking out.

Anyone, anywhere, could tell it was Sion.

Ever since Jeras said those weird things at the training ground, Sion had been following me everywhere.

He wasn’t always this clumsy. Sion, who was just as skilled as Jeras, was a perfect spy. Too perfect, in fact. I had nearly fainted when I saw him suddenly appear to catch a book that was falling from above, saving me.

It was only natural that I hadn’t sensed his presence, as I never even imagined he would be following me. My heart nearly fell out of my chest when he suddenly popped out from behind me.

Sion saw me clutching my chest and broke out in a cold sweat. Ever since then, his spying had become so clumsy. He had to follow me and keep an eye on me, but he was also worried I would faint from shock.

He’s so cute and frustrating.

“You’re not going to follow me to the bathroom, are you?”

“…Don’t worry. I’ll be right outside the door.”

“Don’t stand outside the door either! People will think it’s weird.”

“Then I’ll hide.”

“Brother… Aren’t you busy? Don’t you have a lot of work to do?”

“This is my job. I have to protect you.”

Even as we spoke, Sion was hiding behind the vase. It was as if the vase was speaking. Ugh, he’s so unnecessarily diligent.

I gave up on trying to persuade Sion and went into the bathroom. The luxuriously decorated bathroom was nice enough to be a room on its own. I wasn’t there to use the bathroom, but to find a space where I could be alone to clear my head.

Finally alone, I fell deep into thought.

Over the past few days, I had been asking servants and looking through books to find a way to get to Rivai. There were two main ways.

One was to use a magic circle. Magic circles were a mode of transportation commonly used by royalty and nobles. No matter how far the destination, as long as a magic circle was connected, you could get there quickly and easily. It was innovation itself!

The downside was that you needed a mage to pour mana into the magic circle. The farther the distance, the more mana was consumed, and the price would increase exponentially. There’s a reason only rich people like royalty and nobles use it.

The other method was a boat, which boasted tradition and history. The Duchy and the Empire were separated by a sea, but they had an active trade, so ships sailed regularly.

However, Rivai was in the center of the Empire, so I would have to travel by carriage for days after getting off the boat. Also, to take the boat, I would have to go to the port on the west side of Moniasha. It was an all-around hassle. Most importantly, there was a high chance of getting caught on the way to the port.

So I was racking my brain, hoping to use a magic circle, but sadly, there was no hope. As an important facility, the magic circle in the ducal castle was guarded by knights on a 24-hour rotating shift.

Even if I was lucky enough to break through the knights’ tight security, there was no mage to pour mana into it.

‘I bet Jeras knows how to use magic.’

I was racking my brain to avoid Jeras’s help, but the conclusion was Jeras again.

It’s like a Mobius strip; I’m just going around and around in circles. If only his personality matched his competence. God is so unfair.

“Ahem. Eloe, is something wrong? Are you okay?”

Sion knocked on the door and asked me carefully. Oh no, I was in there for too long. I absolutely could not let Sion think I was constipated. I wanted to remain in his memory as a pretty, angelic figure. If that were even possible.

I hurried out. Sion, who had been anxiously pacing in front of the door, slid back behind the vase the moment he saw me. He was so steadfast even though what he was doing could barely be called spying anymore. His ridiculously cute behavior made me laugh.

Sion peeked his head out and looked at me. “Eloe.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Shall we go for a walk, just the two of us?”

“We did that this morning. Again? I don’t really want to go twice…”

“Outside the castle.”

My eyes widened at his unexpected words, and Sion came out from behind the vase and smiled gently.

“How does that sound? We can keep it a secret from Mother and Father.”

“Yes! Yes! I love it! Wow, Brother, you’re the best!”

There was no reason to refuse. I grabbed his arm and dragged him along, afraid he might change his mind.

What a piece of good luck!

***

 

We slipped out through the back gate instead of the main one. Since we—especially Sion—were well-known figures in the principality, he pulled the hood of my robe low over my face.  

Ugh, maybe a little too low. My field of vision was cut in half, and I could barely see where I was going.  

Stumbling along clumsily, I soon felt Sion adjust the hood for me, then take my hand firmly in his. His hand was warm, yet rougher than I expected. The hand of a swordsman.  

“Let’s go, Eloe.”  

“Yes, brother!”  

The exotic scenery of Moniasha instantly captivated me—someone who had never once been abroad in her entire life.  

The small, charming buildings looked like something out of a comic or a video game, clustered together into a picturesque view. Despite being the largest city in the principality, hardly any buildings rose higher than five stories. Against the blue sky, the rows of colorfully painted houses looked like something out of a carefully designed theme park.  

As we walked farther along the road, the noise grew louder. The crowd thickened, and flashy signs appeared above clustered shops. It was a marketplace.  

Soon the street became packed, shoulder to shoulder with people. Sion’s grip on my hand tightened.  

“Stay close. Don’t fall behind, understand?”  

“Oh, brother, really. I’m not a little child anymore.”  

That’s what I said, but my heart was happy. This was the first time I’d ever gone out somewhere like this, led along by someone’s hand. Overprotective? Overbearing? Who cared! I loved it—absolutely loved it!  

With a light heart, I followed close behind Sion, who was steadily parting the crowd ahead of us. From time to time, he glanced back at me and, reassured, gave me a faint smile.  

“Whew… so many people. Right?”  

“Yeah. There’s more than usual today.”  

We ducked into the shade between two buildings to catch our breath. As I pulled off the hood, it felt like steam was rising from my head. My hair, swept back, kept falling into my face. That’s the annoying part about hoods—they mess up your hair.  

Sion watched me quietly before saying,  

“Wait here a moment.”  

“What? Brother! Where are you going?”  

He only gave me a small nod before disappearing into the crowd.  

No, don’t just nod—tell me where you’re going!  

Suddenly abandoned, I stood there, unsure. Of course, I knew Sion wouldn’t really leave me, but…  

Standing alone in the darkened corner, I felt a pang of gloom. The passersby had no interest in me. What moments ago had seemed charming and exotic now suddenly felt foreign, unfamiliar.  

I felt, keenly, that I was truly in a world where no one knew me. And that realization made me lonely.  

Losing even the will to look around, I leaned against the wall and traced meaningless shapes in the dirt with the tip of my shoe.  

“Eloe, this way.”  

Sion returned, swift as the wind, and once again took my hand.  

Half-dazed, I let him lead me until we stopped at the top of a hill overlooking the marketplace. Only then did I realize—he’d brought me quite high up. From here, I could see far into the distance.  

“Wow…”  

“How is it? Do you like it? Do you feel a little less stifled?”  

I couldn’t take my eyes off the view, so I just nodded again and again.  

A breeze lifted my hood back. Holding my windblown hair with one hand, I noticed Sion rustling in his cloak. He pulled out a pink flower-shaped hairpin.  

“You brought that from home?”  

“No. I just bought it. Your hair kept falling in your face—you looked uncomfortable.” 

He gently pinned back my stray locks. I was touched—deeply touched. My nose stung as if I might cry. Sion’s kindness, his attention even to small details, moved me beyond words. I wanted to do something for him in return.  

“Eloe, do you really have to go to Rivai—”  

“Brother.”  

“Yes?”  

“Thank you. For showing me such a beautiful view, for buying me such a pretty pin. I’ll treasure it and pass it down to my descendants as a family heirloom.”  

I beamed at him foolishly. Sion, who had been gazing down at me with worry, softened into a gentle smile. His hand brushed over my head in a light, affectionate stroke.  

Sion was truly too kind. He’d probably been holding those words in all day.  

Ah, I can’t possibly let such a soft-hearted brother go to Rivai. No, I must be the one to go.  

We enjoyed the view and the breeze in silence before returning to the duke’s estate. As soon as we arrived, Sion was summoned by the grand duke and hurried off elsewhere.  

I lingered in the corridor, fingering the hairpin Sion had fastened in my hair. Warmth filled my heart, giving me the confidence that I could overcome anything.  

***

From that day on, I began shadowing Jeras everywhere.  

Not because I wanted to, but because I couldn’t show him my sincerity—or whack him on the head, for that matter—unless I actually met him. The problem was, Jeras appeared and disappeared so suddenly that all I could do was chase his shadow.  

“Where did he go this time?”  

Standing in a wide hallway, I vented my frustration.  

The first day, I’d foolishly worn heels and ended up with swollen feet, so today I had chosen light, comfortable shoes. My feet didn’t hurt anymore—but my heart was. At this rate, I’d die of sheer stress and haunt Jeras as a restless spirit.  

Cursing him under my breath, I wandered until I realized I had strayed into a deserted area of the estate. I was about to turn back when I heard a familiar voice.  

“…I need to know the reason. And what exactly Eloe asked of you.”  

The voice was stiff and unusually cold. For a moment, I didn’t think it was Sion—it sounded so unlike him, almost angry.  

Who was he talking to?  

I crept closer, pressing myself against the wall. Through the slight crack of a half-open door, voices slipped out.  

“Not even you, Sion. It’s a secret between the young lady and me.”  

“Since when were you so close with Eloe?”  

“Fateful encounters always come out of the blue.”  

‘What’s this about a fateful encounter! Stop spouting nonsense!’  

I knew that when alone, Sion and Jeras spoke to each other informally, but hearing it firsthand was still strange.  

No, focus. After Jeras’s words, a tense silence filled the air, making me restless.  

What should I do? Should I barge in and say he’s just talking nonsense? I couldn’t let him keep spouting rubbish to Sion. Especially since I wanted nothing to do with him.  

Yes. On the count of three, I’ll go in. One, two—  

“I have something I want to ask, too.”  

“Answer me first.”  

“Is the lady truly recovered? She seemed full of energy.”  

I froze. I hadn’t expected Jeras to ask about me.  

He continued at once.  

“She doesn’t look like someone who was at death’s door.”  

“Watch your tongue. Eloe nearly died. She barely pulled through.”  

“And yet, after recovering, all her ailments disappeared. As if she were reborn.”  

“I didn’t know you were so interested in my sister, Jeras.”  

In Sion’s low voice, faint anger simmered. I bit my lip.  

Sion hadn’t noticed, but there was something unsettling in Jeras’s tone—almost as though he suspected something.  

‘But that makes no sense. He never even met the real Eloe…’  

“Am I not allowed to care about the young lady?”  

“You’re not. Eloe is too good for you.”  

“Too good? For me? You’ve got it backwards. I’m the one too good for her.”  

“No. I misspoke. What I mean is—Eloe and you are on completely different levels. So drop the idea.”  

“So the lady is truly off-limits?”  

“She is.”  

“Then I suppose I have no choice. If I want to become emperor, I’ll need the principality’s support. Guess that means I’ll have to marry you instead, Sion.”  

Jeras burst into laughter. The joke was so absurd, I couldn’t even be angry.  

Peeking through the crack, I saw Sion grabbing Jeras by the collar and shaking him. Sion, who rarely lost his temper, seemed pushed beyond his limit by the mere mention of marriage. Honestly, I couldn’t blame him.  

Even that didn’t cool his fury, and soon Sion’s voice thundered,  

“Don’t look at Eloe, don’t speak to her, don’t go near her. Don’t even breathe the same air!”  

…Was that really the part to get angry about, Sion? I knew it meant he cherished me as his sister, but still…  

Feeling tangled emotions, I quietly stepped away from the door.  

Even as I left, I could still faintly hear Sion shouting in rage, though the words grew distant.  

Suddenly, it struck me: if I relied on Jeras’s help to reach Rivai, Sion might end up hating him as his sworn enemy.  

And that gave me one more reason I had to go to Rivai.

 

***

 

“Princess.”

“Whatisitnow.”

“Isn’t the room a little dark? Open the curtains.”

“Curtains. Right. Will do.”

I made sure to stomp over to the window and threw the curtains open. Whoosh! The curtains were drawn back dramatically, revealing a blue sky outside the window. The bright, clear sky, completely different from my own gloomy mood, was annoyingly perfect.

The person I should really be annoyed at is somewhere else.

“Princess.”

“…Why are you calling me again?”

“Come over here and turn the page for me. I can’t reach.”

Wouldn’t it be natural that he can’t reach if he’s sprawled out on the sofa like a lazy slob? He could probably reach it if he just sat up.

A snowball of things I wanted to say piled up in my mind. But this was all my own doing. With the thought of just getting this over with, I politely sat down at the long table and turned a page. I glanced at the book; it seemed to be about the history of war. It looked incredibly boring, and sure enough, Jeras’s eyes were half-closed.

Yes. Just fall asleep. Asleep, he’ll be quiet.

“Princess.”

“I’m about to wear out from all this use. Please stop calling me.”

“Open the window. I want some fresh air.”

“Can’t you just ask for everything at once? It would have been great if we did it when I opened the curtains.”

“No, that won’t do. That would make it less of a bother for you, Princess.”

Jeras grinned with his eyes still closed.

Ah, yes. Of course. Why would I ask such a foolish question to a person whose hobby is tormenting others?

I slammed the book shut and flung the window open. A sudden strong gust of wind blew in, cooling down my head, which was boiling with resentment.

Looking at the trees and lawn sparkling with fresh color under the bright blue sky, I desperately missed Sion’s clear, calm eyes more than ever.

‘I miss Sion… I need my favorite-character therapy.’

As the future Grand Duke, Sion had been helping his father with various duties for a long time and was not a person with free time. He had forced himself to make time to spend with his sister, who had just come back from the brink of death.

To make matters worse, a counterfeit currency incident recently erupted in the Duchy, making it difficult to even see the faces of the Grand Duke and Sion once a day. Only Jeras, who was itching to drive me crazy, was having the time of his life.

“Princess.”

“What is it again? What do you want!”

“Our Princess’s tone has gotten so rough. Are you angry? It’s only been three days, you know.”

“A period of three days for the Prince is a lifetime longer than thirty years for someone else.”

“Didn’t you say you’d show your sincerity by doing whatever I asked you to?”

I did. If I could, I’d go back in time and give my past self a hard slap.

To tell her to snap out of it. That Jeras was not an easy opponent. That no matter what she does, that guy won’t be moved and will only do as he pleases.

‘If only I could use magic… It’s the regret of a lifetime that I can’t use magic. Ah, maybe I’ll learn magic when I get to Rivai.’

“Bring me a pillow. A soft one. Don’t have a servant do it; you bring it yourself, Princess. You have to show that much sincerity.”

Jeras sprawled out on the sofa. I went into a nearby room, grabbed a pillow, and came back. Jeras wiggled his toes, which were sticking out of the sofa, and gestured with his hand.

“Tuck it under my head.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I hope you sleep soundly, Your Highness. Very soundly. Veeeery soundly.”

And I hope he never opens his eyes again.

“Hmm. Then you’ll have to bring me a different one. This one’s too hard.”

A pile of pillows accumulated in the corner of the drawing room. Jeras gave a variety of excuses, and I walked through the doorway countless times to find a pillow he liked.

Finally, after he had rejected the tenth pillow, Jeras said the one thing he shouldn’t have.

“I think the first one was the best.”

“Ah. The first one was the best. I see. I’ll go get the first one for you. Just a moment.”

I grabbed a handful of pillows from the pile and stood over Jeras. He had his eyes closed, waiting leisurely for a pillow, but when nothing happened after a while, he slowly opened them.

Our eyes met. I smiled brightly, lifted the pillow high… and brought it down with all my might!

“Ah! Princess, why are you hitting me all of a sudden?”

“You just don’t know when to stop! It’s not that hard to just take me with you in the magic circle since you’re going to Rivai anyway! What’s so difficult about it, huh? You’re putting on all these airs! Is the magic circle yours? Is it?!”

Thwack, thwack, thwack! I grabbed the ends of the pillow with both hands and kept hitting him. Jeras, unable to react properly to the sudden assault, took the full force of the pillow barrage.

POW! The pillow, which hit Jeras’s stomach squarely, couldn’t take the impact and tore. White feathers poured out of the ripped seam and fluttered down all over.

Feathers gently settled on Jeras’s head and on my head. In a scene where an angel could have descended at any moment, I glared at Jeras.

 

***

 

That night.

After finishing dinner, the first place I went was not my own room, but Jeras’s. As usual, the door was unlocked. I sat on a chair in the darkness, waiting for him.

My outburst in the afternoon wasn’t just because I have a short temper. It was because I decided I couldn’t be led around by Jeras forever. There was no point in him acting as if he’d do anything for me if he wasn’t going to grant my request.

Of course, it’s also true that I was angry because he had crossed a line.

In the end, despite my best efforts, this is how things turned out. It seems the only sincerity I can show Jeras is my hatred and resentment.

‘I just don’t get along with that guy.’

I wonder if anyone does. Just as I was thinking that, Jeras returned. His already messy hair was even more disheveled, as if he’d been somewhere doing something exhausting.

He saw me and chuckled. “I thought our deal was off?”

“I said I wasn’t giving up. You should listen more closely to what people say, Your Highness.”

“You were the one who broke the promise first, Princess. You beat me up instead of treating me with care. I told you to show your sincerity and move me.”

“The feeling of hatred can also be a form of sincerity. It seems you didn’t feel my fervent sincerity.”

“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never been hated before.”

If Jeras were Pinocchio, I’d never have to worry about firewood. What a shame.

Jeras stood opposite me and took off his coat. Underneath, he wore only a thin shirt. He stared at me intently, unbuttoning it one by one. I felt his silent pressure to leave the room, but I held my ground, gripping the chair.

“When are you leaving for Rivai?”

“When I feel like it.”

“Since it’s better for us both, I’ll say this one last time. Take me with you. I will pay the price.”

“You’re more tenacious than you look, Princess. I don’t mind a person with tenacity.”

“Please don’t like me. I don’t like you.”

“I told you before that there’s nothing you can give me.”

By then, Jeras had unbuttoned his entire shirt. Through the slightly parted fabric, I could glimpse his chest muscles and toned abs. My eyes kept straying to his well-defined physique, something I’d only ever seen on TV.

His shell is really something else. I can’t let myself be fooled by his appearance. I lowered my head slightly and deliberately looked away.

“I’ve thought of something. Something you can give me.”

“What is it? Tell me.”

“Can you give it to me?”

“Just tell me what it is first. I can’t give it to you if I don’t know what it is. And if you don’t tell me, who knows what I’ll do.”

Instead of an answer, I heard the sound of thin fabric hitting the floor. The shirt Jeras had been wearing was now lying on the ground.

A strange silence filled the room. I gulped. At least the room was big enough that we couldn’t hear each other’s breathing.

Why did he suddenly get so quiet after all that blabbering? It just made me more nervous.

“Are you going to keep sitting there? I’m going to take this off.”

“If you give me a definite answer, I will leave, even if you beg me to stay.”

“Fine. I’ll take it off.”

“No, don’t take it off! Just give me an answer!”

I looked up in surprise and saw Jeras with his hands resting on his pants, smiling at me. For a moment, my mind went blank.

It wasn’t because he was actually going to take off his pants, but because of the large and small scars that covered his body.

Some looked like they were from a sharp blade, others were round like bullet wounds. A wound on his shoulder was a faint purple, as if from poison. These were things that had been completely hidden by his shirt. Come to think of it, even Siliya, who had accidentally seen his bare chest, was surprised by the number of scars.

‘I think they said they were from hunting monsters… I had no idea it was this bad.’

“Princess, your gaze is a little too passionate, isn’t it?”

“No! It’s not that! It’s just all the scars…”

“You want to see what’s below, too? You’re so forward. Fine. Whatever you want, Princess.”

“I said no! Please put your clothes on!”

I did not want to see a late-night strip show from Jeras. The thought alone would give me nightmares.

I instinctively covered my face with both hands, and Jeras let out a soft laugh. I parted my fingers and peeked out. Jeras was taking a new shirt from the closet and putting it on.

Whew, I feel like I just lost ten years of my life. I was so tense that cold sweat was pouring down my back.

“Princess.”

A low voice echoed in my ear. Goosebumps rose on my neck where Jeras’s breath had just grazed my skin. It was a completely different feeling from the chills caused by fear or terror. The tingling sensation, whose source I couldn’t identify, made me bite my lower lip without realizing it.

Jeras’s lips and breath came closer, and his whisper continued.

“Don’t just walk into a man’s room. No matter how much you like me. I won’t give you a third warning.”

“What? What are you talking about? Who likes who…”

My body was lifted and dropped, as if I were on a ride. I hit the hard floor with a thud and realized that the scenery in front of me had changed in an instant.

It hurts! I rubbed my bruised bottom and looked around. I was in front of Jeras’s door. I had been sitting in his room just moments ago… It seemed Jeras had used magic to kick me out. How petty! He didn’t even let me finish what I was saying!

I grabbed the doorknob and twisted it, but all I heard was a clicking sound. The door was locked. He must have locked it right after he threw me out.

“Your Highness! Hey, Your Highness! I think you’ve misunderstood something!”

Who in their right mind would see you as a man? If I saw you as a man, I wouldn’t have dared to break into your room!

I angrily banged on the unyielding door, feeling wrongly accused. There was no reaction from inside. Ugh, I don’t care anymore. I shouted a final declaration at the closed door.

“I don’t like you! I was giving you one last chance! Don’t you dare go back on your word later! Do you hear me?!”

The door remained firmly closed, with no answer in return. With that, I could finally shake off the faint guilt that had been weighing on my heart.

With my mind made up, I went to find Sion, who was likely still working overtime in the study. It was time to bring this tiresome battle against Jeras to an end.

***

 

“Princess, a package has arrived for you.”

“Oh, it’s finally here. Where is it?”

Karin carefully placed a brown box on the table. I closed the book I was reading and examined the box. The sender’s name was written on the surface. It was indeed the mage I had commissioned. I didn’t expect it to arrive so quickly, as I was told it would take at least a week.

My heart pounded with excitement and anticipation as I unwrapped the box. I never thought I would get to experience the joy of opening a package after being transmigrated into a novel.

I opened the lid of the pink box, which had a cute squirrel drawn on it, and saw a white flute and a glass bottle. The glass bottle, which looked like it should be holding jam, was filled with shiny acorns.

“The acorns look like they’re glowing. Do you see it too, Princess?”

“Yes. They should. They’re not ordinary acorns.”

I opened the bottle, took out an acorn, and held it in my palm, turning it this way and that. Just as Karin had said, it had a faint, artificial glow, as if sprinkled with glitter.

Karin, who was staring intently at the acorn, asked, “Is this the squirrel food you asked me to prepare a few days ago? We have plenty of food, so you didn’t have to worry about it, Princess…”

“I told you. They’re not ordinary acorns. They’re for a reason.”

“Still, I’m sorry that I made you go through the trouble… What about the flute next to it?”

The delicately carved flute was pretty, but it didn’t glow like the acorns. It looked similar to a recorder, so I thought it would make a sound even if I played it carelessly.

Instead of answering Karin, I unfolded the letter next to it. It was a thank-you note and an instruction manual from the mage.

[It is an honor to have been commissioned by Princess Kilmaria. I have enchanted the flute so that it will attract squirrels in a certain range when you simply play it. The acorns will attract squirrels on their own if you scatter them on the ground or hold them in your hand. The magic will not make the squirrels fierce and has no effect on any other animals. Thank you again for your commission. If you ever need any magic regarding animals, please feel free to commission me!]

‘I didn’t want to go this far… but I have no choice. Jeras was the one who provoked me first. Just you wait. I won’t let you off the hook until you’re crying and begging.’

“Um… Princess?”

“Hmm? Why?”

“Ah, never mind.”

Karin, who met my gaze, flinched slightly. Her face had turned pale. She looked tired, and also a little scared… What’s wrong with her? Did she see something she shouldn’t have?

I looked around, but there was only Karin and me in the room. Is she having a hard time with work these days? I’ll have to give her a vacation once this is all over. She’s been through a lot serving someone who knows nothing.

“Karin, could you bring me a squirrel?”

“Yes? Ah, yes. Please wait a moment.”

Karin, who had left the room, returned shortly. A squirrel was munching on something in a small cage. Its cheeks were puffed out as if it had just eaten. So cute!

How could anyone hate such a cute creature? Jeras is truly an incomprehensible person in many ways.

“You can open the cage door.”

Karin slightly tilted her head but opened the cage door. The squirrel busily looked around, then scurried out of the cage and trotted around the room. Its movements were nimble, befitting its small size.

The squirrel soon hid behind a piece of furniture and disappeared. I wasn’t flustered and played the flute. Squeak! An unpleasant sound came out.

Ugh, my recorder skills have gotten rusty.

“Oh my.”

The squirrel, which had been hiding, perked its ears and came toward me. Its round eyes seemed to be saying, “What? What?” Ugh, so cute.

I went closer to the cage and played the flute again. Squeak! The squirrel scampered and slipped right back into the cage. Karin closed the cage door. The effect is good.

“That’s amazing. It seems to be following the sound of the flute.”

“Hey, Karin.”

“Yes?”

“Do you know how to play the flute?”

***

Jeras strode through the garden, pressing his fingers against his eyes. He had used up a lot of mana and mental energy dealing with a demon who was skilled at erasing its presence. This was despite the fact that the demon’s physical abilities were pathetic.

If Sion had noticed, he wouldn’t have had to step in, but sadly, Sion didn’t have a deep understanding of magic. And since he didn’t have ‘eyes,’ it would have been nearly impossible for him to find a demon who had erased its presence and was living disguised as a human.

Jeras, who knew this better than anyone, would periodically visit Moniasha after a demon hunt to secretly deal with the hidden demons. Without even Sion knowing.

He leaned his head back and let out a tired sigh. His eyes fell upon a window where the light was still on. It was Princess Eloe’s room. He found it strange that the princess, who had barely escaped death, was still awake so late.

‘And there are more than a few other things that are suspicious.’

Jeras’s eyes were special. They had the power to see through the shell of a body and see the essence within. He couldn’t see the exact form, but the aura of a demon was different from that of a human. A demon’s aura was black or purple, while a human’s was generally yellow.

Jeras distinguished demons from humans by the color of their auras. This was the reason he had shown such an aptitude for demon hunting since he was a child and was able to participate in hunts.

But the aura he saw from Eloe was…

‘She’s an interesting princess in many ways.’

It was quite entertaining to watch her argue back with every word he said, determined to win. She seemed to be the type who wouldn’t give up easily, which he found quite admirable.

Most of all, Jeras found her honesty, where all her emotions were laid bare, refreshing. It was a complete change from the people in the Imperial Palace, who would smile in your face and then talk behind your back.

Jeras entered his room, carelessly took off his clothes, and lay on the bed. Ever since his warning, the audacious princess had stopped waiting for him in his room, which was both convenient and a little disappointing.

When he thought about it, the princess was quite reckless.

Of course, he could understand her feelings. Since she had only ever lived in the ducal castle, she must have never met such a charming man as himself. It was only natural for a pure princess with no dating experience to fall in love at first sight with someone as perfect as him. Her sharp tone must have been to hide her shyness.

‘I should tell Sion to manage his precious little sister better.’

With that final thought, Jeras fell into a deep sleep, unable to even dream of what would happen a few hours later.

 

***

 

“Hmm?”

Something fluffy brushed against my cheek. Was I dreaming? Jeras, half-asleep, didn’t think much of it and turned over.

A moment later, he felt a similar sensation again.

“What is…?”

He forced his heavy eyes open. In his blurry, sleepy vision, he saw black stripes against a brown background.

His brain, still not fully awake, was slow to process. Jeras buried his face deep in his pillow, then shot up.

Brown creatures had taken over his room. Thick tails twitched everywhere. A few of them had even climbed onto his bed, nibbling on acorns and sunflower seeds. The shells they dropped were scattered like seeds on the white sheet.

His eyes met with one of them. Its round, black eyes blinked innocently.

“Aaaaaah!”

Jeras’s thunderous scream shook the ducal castle in the early morning.

***

‘Wow, why is his scream so loud? My ears are going to burst.’

I was hiding in the room next door, and the moment I heard Jeras’s scream, I peeked my head out the door.

Jeras, looking like he’d just been chased out of his room, was huddled on the floor of the hallway. His face was ashen, and his wide eyes looked like they would pop out of his head. His gaze, frantically darting around, was fixed on the inside of his room.

At that moment, a squirrel scampered into the hallway. Jeras raised his arms to cover his face and screamed again. A high-pitched, shrill scream echoed through the corridor.

“Is anyone, anyone there? Get that, get that thing away! Now! Get it out of my sight right now!”

His long legs flailed on the floor. His reaction was far more violent than I had expected.

I knew he hated squirrels, but I didn’t know he hated them this much. His face was so drained of color that he looked like he might pass out at any moment, and while I felt a little bad for him, this was all his own doing.

Why did he have to promise to help me and then torment me? If he had just agreed to take me to Rivai from the start, this wouldn’t have happened.

“Damn it! Someone just… ugh, not you! Go away! I said go away! Sion!”

“You seem to be in a lot of trouble, Your Highness. Shall I help you?”

This was the perfect time for me to step in. I looked down at Jeras and smiled as gently as I could. The moment he saw me, his face, which had briefly brightened, fell slightly. He glanced around frantically.

He’s still not thinking straight. I made a gesture as if I were about to turn away.

“I’m afraid it’s just me… Shall I just leave if you don’t need me?”

“I didn’t say I didn’t need you! Don’t go, Princess.”

Jeras desperately clung to the hem of my dress. Perhaps it was because I had been holding in so much resentment, but seeing him cling to me like this made me want to torment him even more.

No. Don’t be just as childish as he is. One mischievous person like Jeras is enough. As if a benevolent Buddha had possessed my body, I asked him in a compassionate voice, “How can I help you?”

“Get that thing out of my sight!”

But my Buddha mode didn’t last long. I had a lot of pent-up anger.

“I’m not sure what ‘that thing’ is that Your Highness is referring to…”

“That thing! Those things swarming in my room!”

“Ah. The squirrels? They’re just adorable. Do you hate them?”

“Stop asking and just get rid of them. You said you’d help!”

“I’ve always thought this, but you don’t seem to know how to ask for favors, Your Highness. I’m not the type to give an extra piece of rice cake to someone I dislike. I’m the type to give the rice cake that would have gone to someone I dislike to someone I like. Isn’t that right? What’s so good about someone you dislike that you’d give them extra food? You should just let them starve to death.”

Jeras fell silent. His expression showed that he had a lot to say but was holding it all in. Good, he’s listening well.

I cupped my hands and let a squirrel nearby climb into my palm. The squirrel obediently sat on my hand, wrapping its fluffy tail around my wrist. It was so warm and soft.

“If I help you, what will you give me in return, Your Highness?”

“It’s obvious what you want. Isn’t the answer already decided?”

“So, you don’t want to? If not, I’ll just go.”

“I didn’t say that. Why are you so impatient, Princess?”

Jeras grumbled briefly, ruffled his hair with one hand, and then answered, “Rivai. I’ll take you.”

“Without my family knowing?”

“Fine. I understand. Now hurry up and get rid of these things!”

Jeras was on the verge of tears. It wasn’t an exaggeration; unlike his usual demeanor, a faint tear glistened at the corner of his drooping eyes.

What…? Is he crying?

I could have teased him more, but seeing his tears made me feel a little soft. I opened the pouch I had brought and grabbed a handful of acorns. The squirrel that had been on my palm had moved and was sniffing at Jeras’s finger.

Jeras flinched and flailed his arm around. He looked like one of those air dancers at a store opening.

“What are you doing? Hurry!”

“Now now, this man is too tough and not tasty. Instead, I’ll give you a delicious acorn. Come here.”

I held out my hand, and the squirrel perked its ears and scampered toward me. As if mesmerized by the glowing acorn, it stared at it with wide, round eyes, not even blinking. Its head followed my hand as I moved it to the right and left.

Meanwhile, Jeras had gotten up and was clinging to the wall. As if he were a pancake stuck to the floor.

“You’re being a little too hard on them. They aren’t even carnivores. And you’re a hundred times their size.”

“I don’t care if they’re carnivores or not. I just hate them. Princess, do you not want to go to Rivai?”

“Yes, yes. I’m going. I’m going.”

I went into Jeras’s room, scattered acorns to create a trail, and came back out. The squirrels, entranced by the acorns, followed me in a frenzy. With about ten of them gathered, it was cute, but also a little scary. I could understand Jeras’s feelings, just a little.

Just as I was about to leave like the Pied Piper, with my squirrel army following behind me, Jeras said, “I’ll take you to Rivai in my own way. Don’t regret it later.”

“Are you going to fly there with wings, Your Highness? The one who’s scared of squirrels.”

Jeras glared at me, his arms crossed.

What, why? I’ve never been scared of people who say, “Just you wait.” And right now, I’m the one holding the key. Don’t mess with me. Smack.

With that in mind, I pretended to throw an acorn at him, and Jeras flinched dramatically. I walked away with my army, a triumphant and satisfied smile on my face.

Ah! Finally! My heart feels so free. So, so free!

In the garden, I gave the victorious squirrel army as many acorns as they wanted, basking in the joy of my victory, completely unaware of what would happen next.

 

***

 

“…Princess, Princess!”

“…Ugh?”

Karin’s hands on my shoulder were cautious but urgent. I was in the middle of a pleasant dream, though I couldn’t remember what it was. I rubbed my eyes and forced myself to sit up. Karin’s expression was unusual. She had never woken me up before I woke up on my own.

What’s going on?

“What’s wrong?”

“The Prince…”

“Eloe!”

The door flew open. It was Sion. His shoulders were heaving, and his usually neat and tidy hair was disheveled. A sense of foreboding washed over me as I saw Sion rush in without even knocking.

“Help her put on her coat.”

“Yes, Young Duke!”

“My coat? Where am I going?”

“There’s no time. I’ll explain on the way. We just have to use the magic circle.”

I was instantly in a strange getup, with a coat thrown over my pajamas. Magic circle? What is he talking about?

Sion took my hand and pulled me along without a word. His fingertips were cold. It was clear that something absurd was happening.

Sion led the way, with Karin and me following behind. Karin kept glancing behind us. It was as if she was checking to see if anyone was following us. I held the hood Sion had put over my head with one hand and asked, leaning toward his broad back, “Brother, did something serious happen to the family?”

My voice trembled without my knowing. All sorts of thoughts raced through my head.

It’s common for a prominent family to be framed as traitors by their rivals and fall overnight. As far as I knew, nothing like that happened in the original story, but it was possible that things had twisted after I transmigrated.

Sion’s actions were exactly what a brother would do to save his youngest sibling in such a situation. I pictured the kind and gentle smiling faces of the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess.

If, if that were the case… I stopped and pulled on Sion’s hand. He turned to look at me.

“I’m not going. I’m afraid of dying, but… I don’t want to be separated from my family.”

“Dying? Did Jeras push you that far?”

“What? Why would the Prince…?”

Bang! At that moment, a loud bang was heard from outside. We looked at each other, then simultaneously turned our heads toward the window.

A brilliant cascade of colored sparks lit up the sky. The fireworks were so bright they were clearly visible even in the bright morning sunlight. It seemed to be created by magic, not a natural explosion. And there was a tree I had never seen before planted in front of the ducal castle’s entrance.

“Wow…”

It was a tree so beautiful it made me gasp. Stems of various thicknesses intertwined like vines, forming a thick trunk. Light pink, wisteria-like flowers bloomed in bunches among the lush green leaves. Drops of light fluttered down from the flowers like petals.

“It’s beautiful…”

Blinded by the fantastical sight, I moved closer to the window. When I looked closely, I saw that the flowers were glowing. It seemed they were not only reflecting the fireworks in the sky but were also emitting light on their own.

Wait, who’s standing under the tree?

The window slid open with an invisible force. The man standing under the tree, Jeras, was looking at me.

He wasn’t in his usual loose clothing. He was wearing a sharp, black ceremonial uniform, and his hair was neatly styled. It was nice to see him looking decent, but a familiar sense of foreboding began to creep back into my mind.

Our eyes met. Jeras’s eyes crinkled in a smile. His annoyingly charming and alluring smile somehow sent a chill down my spine.

Jeras, still smiling, lightly raised his hand.

“Ah!”

“Eloe!”

A wind carrying the sparkling petals wrapped around my body and gently set me down in front of Jeras. It was only for a brief moment, but the sensation of floating in the air wasn’t bad at all.

Jeras and I stood facing each other in the shade of the flowering tree. When a gentle breeze blew, the petals rustled, and a clear sound rang out.

To others, it would have seemed like an incredibly romantic scene. But I… I was screaming silently on the inside.

‘Why are Jeras and I making this kind of atmosphere!’

“Princess Eloered Shu Le kilmaria.”

Jeras’s rich voice flowed into my ears. Don’t. Don’t! He completely ignored me even as I grimaced and shook my head.

He stared at me intently, then knelt down on one knee. It was a pose as solemn and disciplined as a knight being sworn into service for the first time.

“Jeras Al Difon Borrestian, the Second Prince of the Borrestian Empire, humbly asks for your hand in marriage.”

‘Ah… damn it. Now I remember. That tree.’

It was a rare tree called the Jewel Tree, which only grew in demon territories. Its flowers were hard and heat-resistant, so they were often used as jewels for marriage proposals by royalty and nobility.

“Princess, you need to focus. I’m striking a pose here.”

Jeras whispered, then took my right hand. The lips that touched the back of my hand were hotter than I expected, which surprised me. Who asked you to pose like that!

I struggled to pull my hand away, but Jeras held it even tighter.

His smiling lips slowly parted. His pleasant voice uttered a terrible line.

“I wish for us to have a relationship that, like the flowers of this Jewel Tree that resemble the beautiful Princess, will never change and will protect each other. Princess Eloered, please become my fiancée. I will give you anything you wish.”

This was Jeras’s “way” of taking me to Rivai.

***

Eloe’s hands were white and small. They were hands that knew nothing of hard or dirty work.

He thought that with her words, she could live peacefully in the Duchy with a family that seemed willing to die for her, or would actually die for her. Why did she keep insisting on going to Rivai?

A smile appeared on Jeras’s face after a brief moment of contemplation. What else could it be?

‘I’m just a man who’s too lovable.’

He was certain that her wanting to go to Rivai was just an excuse, and that she was actually in love with him. How else could he explain her waiting for him in his room until dawn? Even though this was the ducal castle, there were so many people watching. And since neither of them had a public fiancée, it was wise to refrain from actions that would harm their reputation.

The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess’s subtle protection and Sion’s overt attempts to hide her were probably for this reason.

But Eloe had persistently followed Jeras, even evading her family’s protection. She was like a passionate girl in the throes of first love.

‘A princess is not a bad match for marriage.’

Although he hadn’t been appointed Crown Prince yet, it was almost a foregone conclusion that Jeras would inherit the throne. The First Prince had been frail since childhood and, moreover, was not the Empress’s son. The Empress’s position had been vacant ever since she passed away after giving birth to Jeras.

Jeras had solidified his political standing by hunting demons since he was a child. If he married Eloe, he would be able to unite the Duchy, a power on par with the Empire. It was in no way a losing deal for either Eloe or Jeras.

Jeras looked up at Eloe with a confident gaze.

‘What? What’s with that expression?’

He thought she would look so happy to have received a proposal from someone she liked. But Eloe’s expression was far from happy. Her eyes were narrowed, her lips were tightly sealed, and her chin was tucked in, indicating she was deeply displeased.

She was so beautiful that even her disgruntled expression just looked piqued, but Jeras immediately sensed that something was going wrong.

A suffocating silence hung in the air. A long time passed without a reply, and Eloe’s expression didn’t soften. Jeras swallowed hard. His mouth was dry from tension.

Just then, the Grand Duke, the Grand Duchess, and Sion rushed out. As the three of them hurried toward Eloe, she finally opened her mouth.

“Is this all?”

“…What?”

Jeras’s brows furrowed as he asked back. Eloe took advantage of the brief moment he lost his grip and pulled her hand away. Then she twisted a strand of her hair between her fingers.

“Oh, I was just curious. You’re the Second Prince of the Empire, after all… Even if the Jewel Tree is a rare tree, I was just wondering if you were seriously proposing with just one tree. You don’t have anything else prepared, do you?”

This was a reaction Jeras had not anticipated. His eyes, now in a daze, shook violently.

Eloe met Jeras’s gaze. One corner of her mouth twitched, mocking him. It was only for a brief moment.

Then, Eloe tilted her head slightly.

“To be honest… I’m a little disappointed. My parents think of you like their own son, and my brother is very close to you. I also hate being bound by formalities. But marriage is a union of two families, so shouldn’t there be a minimum of sincerity and courtesy?”

Eloe spoke without a hitch. She covered her cheeks with both hands and lowered the corners of her eyes, trying to look forlorn to avoid Jeras’s burning gaze.

“And you and I haven’t known each other for long. I don’t think we’re close enough for there to be talk of an engagement.”

“Ha. Princess, are you trying to deny it now? Who was it that broke into my room in the middle of the night?”

“Your Highness, others might misunderstand you. My body is frail, so I go to bed early. Isn’t that right, Karin?”

“Yes, yes! Of course! The Princess goes to bed early and wakes up late!”

“Did you hear that?”

Eloe blinked rapidly. Jeras gritted his teeth. He was angry at himself for having so grossly misunderstood the situation, and the humiliation of being embarrassed in front of so many people cut him to the bone.

But Eloe’s assault continued.

“Of course, it’s fine for you to propose to me. I’m not denying your feelings, Your Highness. But everyone has their own dignity and position… And sometimes, a little materialism is necessary.”

“Weren’t you the one who said that sincerity was important?”

“Oh my. Your Highness, do you sincerely like me? Do you love me?”

Eloe’s gentle voice, as if she were lecturing a child, suddenly grew louder. All eyes gathered in the courtyard turned to Jeras. He couldn’t answer yes or no. Jeras clenched his thighs.

He didn’t like this situation where not only had he been rejected by Eloe but he couldn’t even say a word in his own defense. Fury boiled inside him.

An immense pressure began to radiate from his body, unable to contain his rage. Jeras’s fists trembled.

Sion and the Grand Duke exchanged glances as they watched Jeras, who couldn’t lift his head.

“Your Highness.”

Sion placed a hand on Jeras’s shoulder. Meanwhile, the Grand Duchess and Karin took Eloe inside the castle. The Grand Duke, after making sure the three of them had left, helped Sion lift Jeras up.

“I apologize, Your Highness. I spoiled my daughter too much because she was frail. I will give her a stern talking-to.”

“…No. It’s not for you to apologize, Grand Duke. I apologize for causing a commotion. The Princess kept asking me to take her to Rivai whenever she saw me, so I thought she had feelings for me.”

“Oh, so that’s what it was… I’m sorry, Your Highness. I will take measures so that this incident does not bring any trouble to you.”

Jeras shrugged his shoulders with a light attitude, as if he had never been angry. He patted Sion’s hand, which was still on his shoulder. His lips were smiling, but his eyes were not.

“I’ll have to return to Rivai tomorrow morning. Sion, you should prepare to come with me.”