“…It sounds like you’re worried about me, Pristin.”
“Am I not allowed to worry?”
“Why, are you going to say that you’re worried as a citizen of the empire again?”
Pristin did not answer, and Jerald, as if expecting an answer, continued with a whisper, implying it wasn’t a question.
“I’d like to hear a slightly different answer. For instance…”
Jerald looked at Pristin with a subtle look and said.
“If I’m constantly on your mind or if you’re worried to the point of going crazy.”
“…”
“So it would be nice if you had the courage to ask.”
Although it had the formality of a question, Pristin had already realized that Jerald was certain of it. Unable to deny it, Pristin narrowed her eyes.
“Just in case, I don’t want Your Majesty inconvenienced.”
“I would be inconvenienced.”
“But you can overcome it. Because you’re a strong person.”
“Pristin, I’m not as strong as you think. Unfortunately.”
Jerald replied with an expressionless face.
“If I could do that, I would have participated in the hunting competition sooner.”
“…What are you going to do?”
“If you help me a little, it might be possible.”
Jerald’s gaze remained fixed on Pristin. Pristin frowned.
“To overcome my trauma.”
“Me, you say?”
“The forest.”
At that moment, Jerald suddenly touched Pristin’s hand. Startled by the unexpected touch of someone else’s skin, Pristin looked up with surprise.
With a smiling face, Jerald was staring at Pristin intently. Pristin’s heart began to beat heavily.
“Hold my hand.”
Just as he said, Jerald slowly interlocked his fingers with Pristin’s. The thick joints between his fingers pressed against Pristin’s heart, making it race intensely.
Pristin began to consciously breathe and looked at Jerald. His eyes were still directed toward Pristin, serious and unwavering.
“Stroll with me. For a few days.”
“…Your Majesty.”
“It might be okay if you’re with me, even if I have to run through the forest alone.”
“…”
“Do you know how to ride a horse?”
Pristin nodded silently. Jerald raised his eyebrow in a way that suggested he was pleased with the answer.
“That’s good. We’ll leave tomorrow morning.”
“…”
“Can you accept that?”
While Pristin could not answer immediately, Jerald added.
“You don’t want me to be disgraced.”
That was true. Regardless of how she felt about him, she didn’t want to undermine his authority as an emperor.
As Pristin slowly nodded, Jerald hugged her with a pleased expression. Pristin’s eyes widened in surprise. Unable to push him away, Pristin found herself embraced in his arms, feeling her heart beating rapidly.
He whispered, cradling Pristin’s slender body in his arms.
“Thank you.”
“…”
“And I love you.”
Her heart started beating fast at the confession of love that she hadn’t heard in quite a while. How fast were their heartbeats when each other’s chests were in contact with the other.
Pristin became fearful at the thought that she might completely reveal her feelings to him. Nevertheless, unable to push him away first, Pristin simply closed her eyes slowly, allowing the situation to persist as it was.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
And time flew by again. As the day approached for the empress candidates, including Pristin, to leave for the Summer Palace in Itidian, they busily moved around to prepare their belongings.
The size of the luggage was bound to be significant because they were going to stay there for at least a month.
“Am I taking all these dresses with me?”
One day, while checking the items her maids were preparing, Pristin was surprised to see so many ball gowns. However, the maids reassured her with a casual tone.
“These summer dresses don’t weigh much or take up too much space.”
“You have to bring this much, Countess. It’s summer, after all.”
Seemingly more excited than Pristin herself, the maids began packing everything, even things that seemed a bit unnecessary.
‘Maybe they are taking everything from Camer Palace.’
However, unable to stop the enthusiastic maids from their vacation excitement, Pristin decided to let it be. Maintaining her calm amid the lively atmosphere, Pristin headed toward the herb garden as usual.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
“I heard you’re going to the Summer Palace in Itidian!”
“Oh, my goodness. I envy you so much, Countess.”
“I applied for Itidian duty this summer too, but I didn’t make it.”
Even in the herbal garden, going to Itidian was a topic of keen interest.
Welsh said, looking at Pristin with envy.
“Even though I failed, Countess, please enjoy your time there. Itidian, how wonderful it must be!”
“Itidian must be truly amazing. I can’t find anyone around here who doesn’t want to go.”
“Well, usually, the forest and the sea are beautiful, so people want to go. It’s a cool place even in the summer.”
Welsh nodded as if there were several reasons.
“But for us herbalists, it’s a place with different charms.”
“Different charms?”
“Yes. In the deep forests of Itidian, many rare herbs grow. Apart from the places that maintain a cool climate in the summer, there are not many like it in the empire.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. This time, Lord Bachell also volunteered for Itidian duty, so the two of you can go and gather herbs together. It will undoubtedly be a beneficial experience.”
“Ah, Lord Bachell is also going with us this time?”
Pristin gazed at Akkad, who was holding a flask with his eyes shining. He appeared to be concentrating on the experiment while holding a flask containing a dark green liquid.
Welsh’s voice was heard again from the side.
“Until last year, he always stayed in the palace, but this time he changed his mind, he applied for the first time to work in the Itidian.”
“For the first time?”
“Yes. As the chief herbalist, he kept his insistence that he could not vacate the imperial palace recklessly. He must have suddenly changed his mind.”
Welsh added with a tone that suggested she quickly understood.
“Well, it’s Itidian. It wouldn’t be strange at all for someone’s feelings to change suddenly.”
“Countess Roswell.”
At that time, Akkad suddenly called Pristin. Pristin, who was looking at Akkad without much thought, replied with a surprised look.
“Oh, yes.”
“I feel like my face is going to be pierced if you keep staring at me like that.”
“Oh…”
Pristin belatedly explained with an embarrassed expression.
“I’m sorry if it was uncomfortable. I didn’t even realize that I…”
“What were you thinking about that made you look in my direction?”
“It’s nothing special. You volunteered for Itidian duty for the first time this summer.”
“Ah.”
Akkad replied in a nonchalant voice.
“Considering it’s the year of His Majesty’s coronation and that I no longer need to guard this place, it seemed unnecessary for me.”
“You thought well. You should take a break sometimes. Lord, you seem too addicted to work.”
Pristin chuckled in response to Welsh’s interjection. Then, recalling the information she had heard earlier, she asked.
“By the way, according to what Welsh said, there are many rare herbs in the forests of Itidian. Is that true?”
“Yes, I’ve never been there either.”
Akkad looked at Pristin and asked soon after, as he looked at her.
“If you don’t mind, would you like to go with me?”
“With you?”
“Yes.”
Akkad replied with a faint smile.
“I’m sure it’ll be a good time.”
“If there are many rare herbs, I’m looking forward to it.”
“Then will you go with me?”
“It would be an honor if you would take me with you. I don’t know if I can go and identify properly.”
“It’s possible since you’ve been overseeing the herbal garden greenhouse.”
Akkad responded affectionately, as if reassuring Pristin that her concerns were unfounded.
“I’m looking forward to it, too.”
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
Time went by again, and at last it was really the day to leave for Itidian.
Pristin traveled in a carriage suitable for her status, along with Claret. Jerald, on the other hand, rode alone, while the empress candidates were paired off in separate carriages.
In the spacious carriage, Pristin sat next to Claret. She inquired.
“How long does it take to get to Itidian, Your Highness?”
“It’ll take at least ten hours. Quite a distance, isn’t it?”
“I’m fine, but Your Highness might find it challenging with such a long journey.”
“That’s why I’ve prepared something.”
Claret then pulled out something from her bag.
“Ta-da!”
Pristin asked, narrowing her brow.
“What is that, Your Highness?”
“Cards. Let’s play a card game. It’s a recent trend in high society. Pristin, you know about it too, right?”
She did. A foreign card game introduced by a gentleman who had traveled abroad. Thanks to the empress candidates, Pristin had played it a few times and was quite skilled.
“Do you know how to play, Your Highness?”
“Of course. I’ve done it a few times with the maids.”
“We’ve spent quite a bit of time together, but this will be our first card game.”
“Actually, I wanted to play games with Pristin after practicing a little bit.”
“Practice? Why go to such lengths…”
“Why? I have ears, Pristin. You’re quite good at card games, aren’t you?”
Pristin nodded in surprise. Indeed, she often won against others during gatherings with the empress candidates.
“I don’t know if I’m good, but I don’t think I’m bad.”
“Good. Let’s make a bet. The loser has to grant a wish to the winner.”
“A bet?”
“Yeah. Why? Not confident?”
“I wouldn’t say that, Your Highness.”
Pristin said, raising her eyebrows slightly.
“But I’m a bit uneasy. What wish do you intend to make?”
“Ah, don’t be curious about that already. It’s no fun. And if Pristin wins, that’s the end, okay?”
“All right.”
Pristin smiled and nodded, then picked up the top card.
“Let’s start the game.”
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
An hour later.
“…This can’t be happening.”
Pristin looked down at her empty hands, muttering in frustration. The cards, which were initially ten, quickly dwindled and eventually completely left Pristin’s hands.
Claret, holding a stack of twenty cards, chuckled.
“Wow, it was worth the practice!”
“You’re really good, Your Highness.”
Pristin spoke with a voice mixed with admiration and awe.
“I was too arrogant. I didn’t know Your Highness would be this good.”
“No, you did well, Pristin.”
Claret said in a flattered voice.
“I did a great job. I’ve been practicing this until I fall asleep after eating.”
“Oh my. His Majesty might not be pleased if he finds out.”
“Ugh, the loser talks a lot! It’s time to grant my wish, Pristin.”
“Okay, tell me. What is your wish?”
To Pristin’s curious voice, Claret replied with a smile.
“Get out of my carriage right now, Pristin.”
“What?”
Pristin asked with a bewildered voice.
“Then should I… walk?”
“You can go in the same carriage as my brother.”
