“Episode 20”
The man who tilted his head and looked up at himself was indeed the same man who always seemed to be an obstacle in his eyes, even in his dreams.
“Too close.”
His bright blonde hair, porcelain-like white skin that seemed untouched by the sun, or the mole above his right eyebrow, like a mark on the summit of a dragon, were all glaringly present.
“Why are his eyes so red! His exquisite face makes me want to touch it immediately.”
Daifné, having such thoughts, suddenly stood up. But she almost stumbled because of the edge of the table hitting her thigh. Celestian carefully caught her and sat her on his lap.
“Be careful.”
“I don’t like this kind of thing.”
Daifné’s heart fluttered. If she had to vomit her heart out, she might actually be able to do it.
Moreover, she was wearing thin pajamas, so she could feel every part of his body against hers. Daifné slid her buttocks down onto his thigh, still keeping her legs on top of his thigh.
“I don’t like being pulled like this and moved around as you please. Am I your doll?”
“No.”
He retorted quickly. Meanwhile, Daifné lifted her legs onto the table. Celestian toyed with her quadriceps.
“You don’t love me.”
Celestian said unequivocally. His cheeks looked swollen as if pouting.
“I do love you.”
Daifné replied, widening her eyes.
Celestian flinched noticeably and let out a tiny sigh. He quickly got up and lay back on the bed. His long legs looked somewhat ungraceful as they dangled.
“Why is he suddenly acting so strange, what’s wrong…?”
Daifné sighed deeply and gently stroked her pounding chest. Then she took another sip of water and picked up the documents.
❖ ❖ ❖
She flicked through five folders in her hand.
“Why is everyone so talkative when it’s time to be quiet? Should I just kill everyone and then kill myself…”
She finished for the day. Daifné leaned her arms on the back of the sofa and stretched, then turned around. Celestian was stretching his arms out into the air and reading a book.
“Your Highness.”
Silent.
“Celestian.”
“….”
“Celestian Theriosar.”
No response.
“Sweetie… hey. Aren’t you going to answer?”
She almost called him “sweetheart” like she usually did with her friends but caught herself mid-word.
“Cele.”
“Yeah?”
“Why is he being so stubborn?”
Daifné crawled over to Celestian’s side and lay down. It was only the second time they had lain together on the same bed.
“You brought that romance novel from somewhere. Did you steal it from Nareed?”
Celestian glanced at Daifné briefly and then lowered his arm. Daifné punched his triceps with her fist.
“From the library.”
“What’s the title? Is it interesting?”
He turned the pink book cover over and replied.
“Rain Falling from Claudia?”
It was a novel written in Imperial, and the contents were Säkraedonian. Rain falling, this was a metaphor with a suggestive meaning, but hearing it from Celestian’s mouth felt new.
“What’s your opinion?”
“A third-rate erotic novel.”
“Is that considered erotic?”
“I don’t know who writes and reads this stuff. Is it yours?”
“I read it. Everything in this house is mine.”
Such things were considered erotic. Pink was the least strong flavor, and the red line was difficult to obtain even with money.
“Read the red one. It might be a whole new world.”
“I don’t really want to read it.”
His reaction was unenthusiastic throughout.
“Why is he suddenly acting so stubborn?”
If being told that she was bothering him made him act this way, then she couldn’t understand it even more. Daifné got up and picked up the sheer robe lying on the bed.
“Then shut up and sleep. Let’s sleep until afternoon tomorrow… and go shopping.”
“Where are we going?”
“Out for drinks.”
Today would surely never end unless she drank. Nareed would have everything ready at the Glass Garden and would be waiting for Daifné to arrive.
“When are you coming?”
“I’m not coming in. Why are you asking such things when we sleep separately?”
“It’s raining, Viewcater.”
She closed her mouth for a moment, realizing that it was indeed raining outside. It had been such a strong downpour that she wondered why she hadn’t heard it until now. But there would be umbrellas, and the Glass Garden would be almost right in front of her. Daifné nodded her head a few times and approached the door.
“I have a question.”
Then Daifné suddenly remembered that Celestian had never called her by her name even once.
“Do you know my name?”
When she turned to him, Celestian’s eyes widened in surprise. Ironically, Daifné was also surprised.
“Don’t you know?”
“Da…i…ana.”
Daifné raised her hand, covering her mouth as if in admiration. Celestian looked rather pleased as he raised the corners of his mouth.
“Is that right? Daiana…”
“You got it?”
Daiana.
“You really didn’t know? Don’t lie. Royals don’t lie.”
“I know, Da, Da…uh…”
“It’s boring. Don’t lie?”
Celestian bit his lower lip slightly. Daifné swept her bangs aside. She chuckled. The damn rule that royals don’t hide the truth and don’t lie suddenly came to mind.
“If I had a stone slab in my hand, I would have hit you right away. Oh, that’s An. Anyway, you should be thankful that you don’t have a tray in my hand.”
“You’ve never told me your name. What is it?”
“How would I know?”
“What if you don’t even know your own name?”
“Säkradian’s esteemed businessman has no name to give to a humble prince.”
“Are you mad?”
“Uh, no.”
“You seem mad though…”
“Good night.”
Daifné quickly left the room.
She felt awkward. Despite showing her presence to her favorite as usual, all he remembered was just ‘Da’. Sadly, there were no guards or secretaries to point it out from behind.
‘Nerds can’t catch cues.’
It seemed to be true even in this life.
‘Tempting me on such a subject?’
The prince who willingly came back to her arms came to mind again. His exquisite face subtly took her breath away. But that too was short-lived as annoyance spread.
As Daifné was about to leave for outside with the umbrella the maid prepared, she paused and headed to the study. Keisha was sitting crookedly at the desk, writing a love letter with her messy handwriting.
“Keisha. Do you know my name?”
Without saying a word, Keisha quickly flipped the letter over. It was the usual face when this lady appeared out of nowhere today.
“Of course. Should I call you by your name from now on?”
Daifné growled like a beast as Keisha, smiling mischievously, suggested playfully.
“Don’t sass me.”
“Why are you like this again?”
“Don’t ever tell the prince my name in the future. Just pretend you don’t know.”
“His Highness doesn’t know your name?”
Keisha didn’t immediately agree and tilted her head, causing Daifné’s face to become grim.
“Huh.”
Conveniently, thunder roared followed by lightning flashing outside. Keisha quickly lowered her head.
❖ ❖ ❖
Celestian threw the book he was holding. With the pink cover showing, the scattered book slid neatly under the sofa.
“Daifné, are you doing this on purpose?”
Celestian, who was frustratingly ruffling his hair, glanced down at his chest. Then, he quickly buttoned up the three undone buttons.
Daifné’s actions were very affectionate, which annoyed him because her affection wasn’t exclusive to him. She would beckon him over with her actions, seemingly enjoying it, but ultimately push him away, leaving him more frustrated.
Only Celestian.
“I can’t stand it.”
He grumbled, but there was no one to listen.
The romance novel recommended by the maid when she was bored was cheesy. It was no exaggeration to say that every plot he had tried was in it. And as a result of the recent experience, Celestian understood that Daifné had adopted an unyielding attitude toward him.
He briefly recalled the thoughts he had in this room before. ‘I can be satisfied with this level for now,’ he said? It was foolish talk. Even though she was right there, right next to him. If he didn’t catch her, was he just a guy who ran after her?
‘Fool.’
Daifné’s kind voice faintly echoed.
Celestian opened the door and went downstairs. As soon as he descended the stairs, he saw the window in front of him, and it was pouring rain outside.
His right palm throbbed with an ominous feeling. Clenching his fist tightly, Celestian headed to the study.
After finishing all the tasks for the afternoon, the servants would either leave for their own homes or retire to their rooms in the evening. So, Daifné’s room was deserted without a single ant. Celestian’s footsteps on the blue marble were barely audible.
❖ ❖ ❖
Keisha, who was folding a ruined letter into a paper airplane, suddenly stood up. Celestian gestured for her to sit. Stiffly, Keisha straightened her waist and sat down.
‘That was natural just now.’
Keisha briefly stroked her tangled hair at the nape of her neck and then picked up her pen again. Glancing sideways, she saw Celestian holding a red book from somewhere.
“The lady went to the greenhouse.”
“I know.”
“Will you follow her? Shall I get the umbrella?”
With a slight nod of his head, Celestian sat down on the central couch. Then, he habitually clenched and unclenched his fist, flipping through the pages of the book. Keisha started writing ‘To my dear’ again. She didn’t know she misspelled the words.
A few minutes later, Celestian put the book down on the table and asked, “Where should the letters be sent? There are several guesthouses.”
“The ones addressed to the lady are confirmed by Misha and the useless ones are incinerated. There are a lot of weirdos sending dog-like stuff. Why, do you have a waiting letter?”
As Celestian stroked her neck from the side and looked around, she shook her head timidly.
“Do you often tell her you love her?”
Celestian’s green eyes shifted to her. Keisha, who belatedly realized the subtle exchange between Daifné and the Crown Prince in front of her, squirmed shyly.
“I’ve never heard those words even when they’re sleeping together.”
As the blond man closed his mouth, thunder roared again, followed by lightning.
