Enemies Meet at the Engagement Ceremony

 

 

 

I pulled out another handkerchief from my pocket and carefully held it to his eyes, saying,

 

“I do not know Your Highness yet, but I hope that one day I too can feel that it’s worth devoting my life to you. Being born a knight, I too have the longing to serve a monarch I can give my life for.”

 

Loyalty until death. It was a concept I did not have in my previous life, but growing up here in Emblem, a knight’s romantic aspiration had gradually taken root within me.

 

Since I had learned how to wield a sword, it wouldn’t be too bad to use it for someone. That, too, would be a rather splendid life.

 

“So, Your Highness, I do not know what has happened or what burdens you carry, but please overcome them.”

 

“………”

 

At my words, the crown prince nodded absentmindedly with a blank expression.

 

Seeing that, I smiled joyfully and said,

 

“For reference, I like people with strong resolve.”

 

The crown prince’s face turned so red that it seemed like it could explode at any moment.

 

He looked as though he had just heard a massive confession, and I, startled, quickly added,

 

“Oh, no, Your Highness! This isn’t a confession of my feelings for you…!”

 

“I know, I know, Dame Emblem. I know!”

 

The crown prince hurriedly raised both hands to cover his face.

 

“It’s just… what you said, Dame Emblem, is something I really needed to hear right now…”

 

He struggled to speak for a moment, as if something was caught in his throat.

 

I waited quietly in front of him, not urging him to continue, and after calming down, the crown prince lowered the hands that had been covering his face.

 

“I realized it was something I desperately wanted to hear, and that’s why it affected me this way.”

 

With a still slightly flushed face, the crown prince sat up and looked at me.

 

“Although I feel ashamed and cowardly, I’m truly grateful that it was you, Dame Emblem, who told me these words.”

 

“Well, it’s good to see you’re feeling better.”

 

Feeling somewhat embarrassed by the atmosphere, I averted my gaze.

 

“……….”

 

Then, I met eyes with Enoch, who was looking at me with a stern expression.

 

For some reason, Enoch’s eyes were dark and heavy.

 

‘What’s his problem? Why does he seem so upset?’

 

The crown prince, who had been acting like a broken doll, finally seemed more human.

 

You’d think Enoch would be pleased that I managed to console him, but instead, his expression was filled with displeasure. Frowning, I narrowed my brows.

 

At that moment, I heard the crown prince mutter to himself as if making a vow.

 

“I will become a ruler whose worth is proven by Emblem’s sacrifice.”

 

“Yes, I’m sure you will,”

 

I responded instinctively and handed the last of my handkerchiefs to the crown prince.

 

“Well then, I’ll be taking my leave, Your Highness.”

 

“…Let’s meet again soon, Dame Emblem.”

 

“Yes.”

 

I gave a brief nod of respect to the crown prince and approached Enoch, tapping him lightly on the shoulder.

 

“Let’s go, Enoch.”

 

“…Alright.”

 

As we walked down the corridor of the imperial palace after leaving the reception room, not a word passed between Enoch and me.

 

Come to think of it, this was the first time we’d met since that big fight at the Marquess of Balmore’s estate.

 

It was too awkward to say we had reconciled, but too much of the tension had dissipated to say we hadn’t.

 

From the start, we never really had a good relationship, but still, the atmosphere now felt somewhat awkward.

 

‘What in the world is that guy thinking about?’

 

I started to sneak glances at Enoch Gray.

 

By this world’s standards, I was now an adult, but by the standards of South Korea, I was still only a minor.

 

Enoch had the air of someone standing at the borderline, just beginning to develop the frame of a man from his previous youthful appearance.

 

Maybe it was that ambiguous atmosphere, but sometimes I felt like Enoch might just disappear at any moment.

 

‘Ever since Aunt Diana disappeared, this kid has been acting strangely.’

 

Enoch was a cheeky old soul even when he was younger, but back then, he would smile when happy and express his dislike when he was upset.

 

Now, however, it was becoming increasingly difficult to tell whether Enoch liked something or hated it, or what he was thinking or feeling.

 

It was only because I had been observing him closely that I could sense his current discomfort. Most others would probably think he was acting the same as usual.

 

‘He changed after his last runaway incident. I must’ve missed something.’

 

Sometimes I would think back to those moments and regret not giving him better advice, or not comforting him more when he lost Aunt Diana.

 

“I want to take back my apology to you.”

 

Enoch suddenly spoke up, catching me off guard.

 

I was so lost in thought that I was startled by his voice.

 

“What?”

 

“The thing I said at the Marquess of Balmore’s place about not becoming boring. I apologized for it, remember?”

 

“…Oh, that.”

 

“I take that apology back.”

 

I stopped walking and blinked in confusion.

 

What on earth was he talking about?

 

Enoch also stopped and turned to look at me.

 

“You didn’t accept my apology anyway.”

 

“No, but seriously, what’s this all about?”

 

Pretending not to notice my confusion, Enoch spoke in a rather serious tone.

 

“I don’t want you to become boring, but sometimes, I wish you would.”

 

“…Are you crazy?”

 

Enoch Gray was indeed becoming more bizarre with time.

 

I had no idea how to respond to that cryptic statement.

 

Seeing my clueless face, Enoch let out a deep sigh.

 

“You easily open up to strangers, and then you completely shake up their emotions, only to leave them in the palm of your hand.”

 

“…You’re making me sound like some kind of heartbreaker.”

 

“Sometimes that really irritates me, Cherrya.”

 

“I still don’t get what you’re saying.”

 

As my frustration grew and my voice rose, Enoch stared at me.

 

His deep blue eyes seemed to sink like the depths of the ocean.

 

“I can’t help but feel annoyed when I think that among all those countless things you’ve unknowingly taken, something of mine must be rolling around somewhere.”

 

“……”

 

“I regret it, even though it wasn’t anything significant that you took.”

 

Enoch then turned around and started walking away.

 

For the first time, I could actually understand what he was thinking.

 

“Hey! Why are you getting mad all of a sudden?”

 

I quickly chased after him, calling out, and this time he didn’t even try to hide his emotions when he replied.

 

“Because you seriously piss me off.”

 

“Like you don’t piss me off either? You do!”

 

“I hope you’re at least ten times as annoyed as I am.”

 

For a moment, I was lost for words, my lips trembling in disbelief.

 

Enoch had really changed.

 

“Is it a Gray family trait to be so temperamental?”

 

“Is being reckless an Emblem family trait?”

 

“When have I ever been reckless?”

 

“Is being clueless also an Emblem trait?”

 

“Are you done? I’ll admit, the Grays sure know how to be rude.”

 

Enoch and I started bickering back and forth, trading barbs.

 

We completely forgot that we were in the Imperial Palace.

 

“I really don’t like you.”

 

“When did you ever like me?”

 

“I don’t like how you never lose an argument!”

 

“Well, I never intended to be liked by you, so should I say thank you for that?”

 

If we had noticed the palace servants and maids stealing glances at us as we walked and argued, we probably would have restrained ourselves a little.