After finishing her bath, Retina had a meal alone with the crown prince and listened to his stories from the past few days.
“I never imagined spending such time with you in the palace,” Retina said, setting down her utensils as she stirred the creamy mushroom soup.
“Why’s that? Is the soup not to your liking?”
“No, the palace chef’s cooking is excellent. It’s just that I find it hard to believe I’m sitting here having a meal with Your Highness.”
“We’ll be together every day eventually.”
Retina smiled in response to Herald’s assurance about their future together. Just a few days ago, she couldn’t have imagined leisurely dining with him in the palace. Considering that, it wasn’t an inaccurate statement.
“Can I really take the place by your side?” Retina pondered, conflicted over the dilemma she once thought was impossible to resolve. Even if their feelings were mutual, the prospect of a future with the crown prince was now a significant development for her.
“I shouldn’t entertain negative thoughts during this rare time with the crown prince,” Retina concluded as she wiped her mouth with a tissue and finished her meal. Then, in a cheerful tone, she addressed the crown prince.
“By the way, did they have a dress that fits me perfectly at the palace? You wouldn’t have known my measurements.”
“It seems you frequent the salon on Leblem. I intended to order your dress from there, so they custom-made it to fit your measurements.”
“Oh, I see.”
Retina quickly agreed upon hearing the prince’s mention of the salon. Since there was no other salon where she could have her dress fitted, it was a natural conclusion. Still, she found it fascinating that the prince knew where she had her dress made.
“If you’re done eating, shall we get up now?”
As Herald finished his meal and got up from his seat, Retina, who was setting down her utensils, noticed that all the dishes in front of him were empty, except for the soup bowl she had just finished.
As Retina prepared to stand up following Herald, she shifted her gaze towards someone approaching her. Approaching where Retina was, he lifted her in his arms like someone who could not move by themselves.
“I can walk by myself!”
“Not happening.”
“Surely you’re not planning to go out like this?”
Herald, who had been keeping an eye on Retina as she glanced out the window while eating, opened the door with one arm around her.
“Just a moment!”
Retina grabbed Herald’s shoulder, shouting. She hoped there wouldn’t be anyone in the hallway, but the palace was bustling with diligent servants in the midday.
She tried to keep her head down to avoid being seen, but her ears turned red when she almost witnessed a servant dropping a vase as the prince passed by. Even though she didn’t intend to hide their relationship, this was too blatant a display of their romance, especially considering Retina hadn’t even worn a wig.
With rumors already swirling throughout the palace, Retina couldn’t help but wonder what kind of gossip this incident would spark.
“What if we show this kind of affection? Ever since you stayed in my bedroom, everyone already knows our relationship isn’t ordinary.”
The whereabouts of the lady the prince had been searching for had long been forgotten. Now, the controversy stirred up by the addition of this new companion was evident.
Herald looked at Retina with a newfound tenderness. The servants, seeing the affectionate gaze he cast upon her, blinked in disbelief, uncertain if what they were seeing was real or a trick of the mind.
They were astonished to see someone besides their usual master behaving so intimately with Herald.
“This is my garden. I haven’t been out here much myself, but it seems the gardener has put in a lot of effort, so it should be worth seeing.”
He casually spoke, knowing full well that the palace gardeners would be deeply disappointed to hear his words.
Even with a quick glance, Retina could tell the garden had been meticulously cared for. She stubbornly protested to the prince, who seemed unwilling to let go even in the garden.
“If we keep going like this, I won’t be able to properly enjoy the garden. Who knows when I’ll get another chance to see it, so we should take our time.”
“It will be your garden once you become the princess. And with your keen eyesight, you’ll see it even better, won’t you?”
“…Seeing from a high place and seeing up close are different!”
Finding a rebuttal to the prince’s logic, Retina nearly stumbled for a moment. She couldn’t just suggest going to see the roses if he thought the roses were beautiful, or go to see the square-shaped topiary if he found the topiary intriguing.
While she knew the prince would gladly go wherever she suggested, she hesitated to act on her privilege as the empire’s princess.
“If you wish, I’ll let go for now. But if your legs start to hurt, don’t endure it—tell me right away. After lying down for so long, standing up suddenly might strain your legs.”
Even after setting Retina down, Herald couldn’t shake off his worries. Retina tried to show him she was fine by tapping her feet lightly, but she was quickly told not to run.
“I’m not a child who needs protection.”
“I hope you haven’t forgotten you were a patient who struggled for days.”
She understood the prince’s concern. After waking up, several days had indeed passed.
However, feeling lighter than ever, Retina couldn’t empathize with his worries. She usually didn’t fall ill often, and she had probably spent less time in bed than the prince. Ironically, it was the prince whose complexion didn’t look good.
“Perhaps Your Highness should rest rather than accompany me?”
The prince claimed to have been doing well, but his tired expression betrayed his lifestyle. Surely he hadn’t been eating well or sleeping enough. If he was so anxious, there was still time for him to do so.
“One can sleep when they’re dead. I’d rather spend more time with you during our waking hours.”
“You make quite extreme statements so casually.”
He should have stayed in bed if he was sleepy. It was pointless coming out here. However, facing the prince’s expectant gaze, she felt reluctant to suggest going back after coming this far.
“It’s like the look of a child hoping to be praised for their sandcastle.”
Her reaction was a hope that he liked her garden without showing any concern. Retina felt his gaze following her as she glanced around his field. Occasionally, she muttered in awe to pretend to be curious.
It was clear how meticulous he was as he patiently answered every single question Retina asked about the garden, despite claiming ignorance. Retina felt like she was on a date with the prince, keeping a distance yet following him closely as they strolled lightly.
“To see the entire garden, an hour wouldn’t be enough.”
Halfway through the expansive garden, Retina stopped in her tracks. Just as the prince had warned, her legs were starting to ache after lying down for so long. Normally, she could easily run ten laps around a track with her lightened body.
“Let’s go back to the bedroom.”
Sensing Retina’s fatigue, Herald draped his arm over her shoulder and lifted her up by her familiar hips.
Having given up persuading the stubborn prince, Retina nestled securely into his embrace. Only the two of them were familiar with this, so when they encountered servants on their way back, they were taken aback.
“It seems there might be rumors spreading that the prince has been ensnared.”
“Not entirely wrong.”
“Not entirely wrong? I didn’t even beg to be held!”
“Even when you’re quiet, I still want to hold you, touch you, and kiss you. Is that being ensnared?”
Herald looked up at Retina resting above him and smiled softly. His rare smile, revealing emotions he seldom displayed, conveyed a multitude of feelings.
Meeting Retina had taught him how to feel and express emotions he had never experienced before, and he poured them out freely to his beloved.
Although Herald didn’t show it, he was clearly tired. On their way back to the bedroom, he gently laid down the sleeping Retina on the bed.
Carefully covering her with a blanket as she slept soundly, he cautiously slipped out of bed to avoid waking her.
Contrary to his earlier concerns that Retina might be unwell due to a fever from her lack of usual fussiness, her lively appearance relieved some of his worries.
Now, he no longer feared she would wake unexpectedly.
With a relaxed expression, he looked at Retina sleeping peacefully.
“Your Highness.”
A shadow appeared behind him as he leaned against the door.
“They’ve all gathered in the underground prison.”
Herald, who had been silently watching Retina, turned at Teten’s report. Quietly leaving the room, his demeanor shifted from the warmth he showed Retina to a cold and detached expression.
