Chapter 12

‘So this is how I die—because I got cocky!’  

Why do I always end up in life-or-death situations?!

That’s what I was thinking, but before I could even finish screaming, before the “—yaah!” turned into “—aaah!”, Esadien yanked me back into his arms like he was scooping me out of thin air.

“This is why I said you’re reckless.”

Even after catching me, he still held me tightly, as if his worry hadn’t yet passed. In his arms, I let out a silent laugh.

It was clear now. After the incident at the secret garden, the wall around Esadien had lowered. Before, if I’d told him I remembered something he said, he would’ve replied coolly:

“Good. Then let’s get to the point.”

But he hadn’t done that this time. Instead, he’d explained himself.When I seemed hurt by his words, he looked flustered.

‘This slow and steady approach is working way too well.’

If I could just keep softening his heart little by little like this… I’d have nothing more to wish for.

But unaware of what I was thinking, Esadien was revving up again, ready to keep persuading me.

“They may come after you next. My brother—he’s not going to give up…”

“…Your brother?”

Esadien abruptly shut his mouth, but it was too late. The important word had already slipped out. The faint happiness I’d been feeling vanished instantly.

“You’re talking about the Second Prince, aren’t you?”

“…”

“So you did know. Who the client was.”

“…Minuelle.”

He didn’t answer. Frustrated, I grabbed a handful of his tunic and shook it—but he didn’t so much as sway. He only spoke calmly, stating the facts.

“My brother is currently serving as an ambassador in Chitrum.”

Chitrum. The name of the kingdom beyond the desert, across from our own Preseria Empire.

“So what? Even if he’s in another country, he could’ve easily hired someone to…”

I trailed off mid-sentence as a realization struck me, making me involuntarily shudder.

Esadien didn’t just think the Second Prince ordered it—he believed his brother might’ve personally carried it out.

“Esadien, you really are a pain in the ass.”

No matter how reckless that assassin was, his phrasing had seemed off. He claimed he was just relaying a message from the client—but thinking back, it could have been a lie.

“Is it because there’s no proof he’s returned to the Empire?”

I wanted to read Esadien’s expression, but the deepening darkness made it impossible.

So I stood on tiptoe, bringing my face close to his in an attempt to see better.

“Mi-Minuelle…”

“You haven’t forgotten what happened, right? Last time, and this time—they tried to get rid of me too. I’m a victim in this as well.”

“That’s…”

“Secrets for secrets. How about that?”

For a moment, only the wind and our breathing passed between us.

His face, normally so arresting it felt like a black hole pulling in all attention, was now half-concealed in the dark. That only made me more curious.

‘What is this man really thinking?’

I wanted to know more. What Esadien was hiding. What kind of person he really was behind that calm and composed facade. What sort of life he had lived.

At last, a reply came.

“…Yes. I believe the one targeting me is my brother.”

“Then…!”

“But I don’t want this to come to light. So please, keep it a secret.”

“Why do you want to hide it? If you’re worried His Majesty won’t believe you…”

“That’s not it.”

Esadien shook his head slightly.

“His Majesty is not one to judge hastily. He would investigate thoroughly first. I just… I don’t want to take his family away from him. If the truth comes out, he will surely disown my brother.”

“…Oh.”

“Minuelle, I… I owe a debt to His Majesty for taking me in.”

This time, I was the one left speechless.

‘Is that really what you’d call repaying him?’

The Emperor I knew truly cherished Esadien like a son. If he were to find out about all this someday, how devastated would he be?

But I couldn’t completely dismiss Esadien’s feelings for the Emperor either. So it was hard for me to just urge him to go and report everything immediately.

‘First, I need to look into the Second Prince.’

They grew up in the palace together—so for things to go beyond mere bad blood, to the point of attempting murder?

“…Alright. I’ll keep it a secret too.”

“Thank you for understanding. Then once we return, please give me the annulment papers—”

“What?! How did we end up there?!”

I couldn’t help but yell out. Weren’t we supposed to feel a sense of camaraderie after sharing a secret?

“I told you earlier. My brother might come after you next.”

“Which is exactly why you need to protect me. I’m not the kind of person who runs away and leaves someone I care about behind.”

Just then, we heard voices from below calling out to us.

‘I was kind of hoping we could spend the night up here now that it’s dark…’

If we had, maybe I could’ve snuck a chance to lie down beside him…

It was a shame, but I knew finding lodging for all the knights as well would be a task, so I gave in. With a sigh, I shamelessly threw my arms around Esadien’s neck.

“Carry me, please. It’s too dark—I don’t trust myself to get down safely.”

He could’ve easily called me out for being bold while asking for a favor, but Esadien simply lifted me into his arms again without a word, just like before.

As I basked in the satisfaction, a small doubt crept into my mind.

‘He only does this for me… right?’

I was the only one who ever approached him like this, but still…

I really didn’t want this quiet kindness to be given to anyone else.

“You can’t carry anyone else like this. Got it?”

Yes, I just said it straight out!

“…I’m only transporting an injured person.”

Oh? Injured? Bridal-style?

“Sure. But any other injured person, you have to sling over your shoulder. Like a sack of potatoes.”

“A Prince… being told to…”

I shot Esadien a sharp glare, cutting off his increasingly flimsy excuses.

“Just say ‘okay.’”

“…Alright.”

The way his lashes fluttered in surprise was so adorable, I had to stifle a sigh.

‘They say if you find someone cute, the game’s already over.’

I really couldn’t let this man go. Thank goodness we’re engaged already.

After making it down the steep indoor staircase, I looked Esadien straight in the eyes and declared: “Don’t bring up annulment again. I’ll take responsibility.”

“You have no responsibility for this. It’s all because of my shortcomings.”

“No, not that kind of responsibility.”

“Then… what kind?”

What else?

I poked Esadien’s firm chest with my finger. A sly grin bloomed across my face.

“I’ve already seen Your Highness naked, after all.”

“…!”

Wow. The expression on Esadien’s face—if I can’t capture this moment in a photo, it’s going to haunt me to the grave.

* * *

After returning from our spectacular first outing together, I was stuck at home for two whole days under the excuse that I needed to recover.

“I knew this would happen.”

I mumbled sullenly, but the only one listening was the bouquet Esadien had given me.

With Ramande’s help, the holy energy infused into the blossoms kept them as fresh and vibrant as the day I received them.

“You must be feeling terrible right now…”

Gently stroking the soft petals, I worried about Esadien.  

Even for a royal, a threat of assassination was no small matter.  

Last time, I had been too sick to do anything, but this time I wasn’t—and still, I couldn’t be by his side. That made me feel guilty.  

Guilty, and I missed him. Just like at the temple, I was tempted to sneak over the wall and find him.

‘Still, I can’t do that here…’

The moment I even step outside my room, who knows how many people will follow me.  

So I opted for the straightforward approach.

As it happened, it was the time of day my parents usually had tea together.  

I took a deep breath, straightened my shoulders and spine, and went to find them.

“Mother, Father. There’s something I want to ask.”

“Oh, you’re here, darling. We’ve been waiting for you.”

I hadn’t even sent word ahead—this was essentially barging in—but neither of them looked surprised at all.

‘Hmph! As expected, I’m wrapped around their little fingers.’

If I were the rebellious type, they might have been annoyed, but I wasn’t that kind of daughter.  

‘Less trouble for them, really.’

Enjoy it! Bask in it! The privileges of being the beloved youngest daughter!

I got the feeling they found this attitude of mine rather amusing.  

Though honestly, to them I probably could do no wrong anyway.

“So. What is our darling curious about today?”

“Yes. I’d like to know more about the Second Prince.”

Normally, this would be the kind of thing you’d go to an intelligence guild for.  

But what I wanted to know right now wasn’t the kind of dirt you could dig up that way. Not yet, anyway.

“Not the Third Prince? That’s unexpected.”

“He’ll be my brother-in-law, after all. It just seems like he and Esadien don’t get along.”

“Hm.”

My father rested his clasped hands on his crossed knee, a subtle smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

“Does this have something to do with what happened the other day?”

I matched his calm smile with one of my own. My mother remained quiet, sipping her tea without interruption.

“I can’t say.”

“Then there’s no helping it.”

But I knew exactly what that meant.  

Though he was pretending to respect my privacy, the moment I left this room, my father would have every detail about the Second Prince in his hands.

My answer just now might as well have been a loud “YES!!”

‘Father didn’t snag the title of Grand Duchess’ husband on looks alone, after all.’

Now, when the time came to dig into the Second Prince’s “dirt,” all I’d have to do was ask.

‘Why bother going through the trouble of some info broker?’

“I mean, I hope I’m wrong. But…do you and Mother know anything about the two princes’ relationship?”

“Your hunch was right, sweetheart.”

Mother set down her teacup without even a clink and finally spoke.

“The Second Prince has long been known to harbor animosity toward the Third.”

“They say that their feud is one of the reasons he was sent as ambassador to Chitrum. But who knows. Those rumors faded without ever gaining traction.”

‘So it was widely known but never escalated into scandal…’

It must’ve never spread beyond the walls of the royal estate.  

And that was likely because… Esadien kept silent.

My chest gave a dull throb again.

“Could you look into it for me? I haven’t started moving in social circles yet. I don’t even have any friends.”

Since I wanted to know about events from the past, it was better to go through my parents’ generation than girls my age.

“Of course. If our darling is curious, how could we possibly refuse?”

“Thank you. And… there’s one more thing I want to ask.”

“What is it this time, my dear?”

Ever since I returned to the capital and began this relationship, I’d become curious about all sorts of things.  

That seemed to be the extent of what my parents believed was going on.

But unfortunately, I was about to destroy that lighthearted atmosphere.

“I want to know the real reason why I’ve always been so frail.”

Their faces instantly turned grave.