TESL 02

Chapter 02

A big full moon shone behind me. Luckily, I had my back to the window. At least His Majesty wouldn’t see my ugly, twisted face.

I sniffled loudly, then spoke again in a clear, strong voice.

“I’m done now.”

“…….”

“I mean, I’m done with my crush. I won’t ever appear in front of Your Highness again. I won’t act silly in the palace, and I won’t sneak into your office. After all, Elphine scolded me once more that if I did it again, he’d shave my head and kick me out… Anyway.”

I closed my eyes tightly, letting the remaining tears fall, then wiped them with the back of my hand. Ugh, I’m done.

“Goodbye, Your Highness. Please live a long life… and find a good woman to be with. Not me.”

I said that, bowed once more with a resolute expression, and then strode out of the crown prince’s office.

Honestly, I don’t really remember how I ended my last words. Strangely, I don’t even remember His Highness’s final expression.

Was it just a blank face I forgot? I feel like he said something, but maybe I imagined it. What would the crown prince have to say to me anyway?

Anyway.

That was the end of my intense crush at sixteen.

Wait, but now I’m… nineteen.

Ah, it’s another dream.

Again!

“AAAAHHHH!”

I screamed as loud as I could and woke up.

My back was drenched in cold sweat, my hair soaked too. But that wasn’t the problem.

Another dream!

The same dream!

Three years ago, sneaking into the palace like a fool, acting all pitiful in front of the crown prince, pretending to be all sad and romantic—all of it in this dream!

“Ahhh! So embarrassing! Why did I do that?!”

I screamed again, kicking the thick goose-down blanket. With a heavy thud, it shot up into the air.

Then someone snatched the blanket away—Martha, my nanny and head maid.

“Miss! No! The blanket might tear! How long has it been since it was replaced? If you ruin it again, the Duke said he’ll pluck the goose down himself!”

“Give it back! Ah! Why did I do that?!”

I kicked at the air a few more times, burying my face in the pillow as I yelled.

I hadn’t dreamed this for a while, so why now?!

“Well… as I always say in the morning, I understand. If I were you, Miss, I’d probably have destroyed a hundred blankets too. Honestly, it really happened, didn’t it…”

“Shut up!”

I threw the pillow at Martha, but she easily dodged it and teasingly continued.

“You went through a pretty wild phase back then…”

“Stop teasing me!”

I wailed, face buried in the pillow, thrashing about. My half-finished screams were muffled into the pillow.

Martha was right. That dream wasn’t just a dream. It really happened.

Three years ago, when I was sixteen, I caused the worst chaos ever.

I snuck into the palace, confronted the crown prince about not coming to my debutante ball, and declared I was giving up my crush.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

“Thinking back, I really was crazy…”

Even now, cold sweat broke out across my back.

I only realized later that sneaking into the palace like that could have been considered treason—a serious crime.

I still don’t know why the crown prince, who was always so strict with me, didn’t have someone drag me out.

Maybe he was merciful because it was my “last” stunt. What a wise ruler.

Though I’d never see him again.

I sat up abruptly, squeezing my eyes shut.

“I wish I could just forget everything. Start fresh. Wake up, look in the mirror, and be like, ‘Who are you? Who am I?’”

“Miss, the bathwater is ready. You should bathe before breakfast.”

Martha calmly ignored my despair and spoke.

“If you’re in a bad mood, get over it quickly. Today is your nineteenth birthday. You need to look pretty. And you have plans in the afternoon.”

Afternoon? Plans? A birthday lunch out?

“Ugh, I really don’t like it.”

I muttered grumpily. Martha chuckled softly, then said, “Happy birthday, Miss.”

My name is Aira Wildenbiston.

I’m the youngest daughter of Duke Wildenbiston, the current Grand Minister dominating the Zahard Empire. This year, I turned nineteen.

My father, Duke Wildenbiston, is one of the main figures behind the empire’s ruthless and efficient governance under Emperor Johan Zahard.

Naturally, we were very powerful. Our house was the first on the main avenue in front of the palace. Any noble who didn’t understand that significance couldn’t call themselves a capital noble.

Even this restaurant door reflected that. Inspired by the cross knots used by ancient nobles, the design included our family symbol—a giant entwined snake—beautifully embossed.

I looked at the door, then slowly opened it and walked in.

My father was at the head seat, with my family seated around him.

I walked briskly to my seat. The servant standing by pulled out the chair for me.

“Happy birthday, daughter.”

“Thank you, Father.”

As I sat, Duke Wildenbiston greeted me. I glanced at the stack of presents in front of me.

There were so many that my eyes widened. I had been trying to act calm and indifferent, but somehow there were a lot of gifts this year.

“Are these for me?”

My mother, smiling gently, nodded.

“This year, we wanted to celebrate you more. Open the family ones here first, and enjoy the rest slowly in your room.”

“Can I open them now?”

“Of course.”

I sat down and started opening the gift boxes. My father’s gift was a pen made from precious jade, imported from across the continent, with intricate gold patterns.

My mother’s gift was the pearl necklace she wore when she was young. I cheered while holding the pen and put the necklace around my neck.

Breakfast was completely forgotten. Only two boxes remained. I wiggled my fingers, ready for the next prize.

My sister, Bianca, smiled casually.

“I sent your gift to your room earlier… it’s a blanket.”

“…….”

Even without seeing my face, she probably guessed I frowned immediately. The good mood from earlier vanished.

“Looks like you like it? It’s an expensive blanket. Three times more goose down than usual and triple-layered fabric. Strong thread too…”

I squeezed my eyes shut. Sigh…

“Thanks, sister. I’ll really use it well.”

“What about this? It’s your only little sister. Oh, and my husband’s gift is earrings. I just moved them to your room. Seems like you’ve been using the blanket today, right?”

“What? Martha told you that?”

“The most useful gifts are the best, aren’t they?”

“Th-this…”

Bianca laughed at my trembling face, clearly satisfied.

Three years ago, she had met and married the eldest son of the famous Daim Marquis in the western Decant region after meeting at the debutante ball.

Annoying… she’s married to a provincial noble, so why does she come to the capital so often?

While I was trembling, Elphine, my older brother, smirked as he watched the tea the servant brought.

“I also have two gifts. One is a sturdy elmu boot for winter, and the other… open it.”

Elphine is my older brother and the eldest son of the Wildenbiston family.

He used to swing swords as a kid, and now he belongs to the royal guard. A successful life.

I haven’t kept track of his exact position in the palace because I completely cut off interest in it.

I used to beg him to tell me everything about the crown prince’s daily life.

Elphine never got mad, even though it could have leaked state secrets. Unlike mischievous Bianca, he was always kind.

“What’s the other one?”

“You have to open it yourself to enjoy it.”

“Okay, I’ll open it.”

I smiled and tore the wrapping. After the large, heavy black fur boots, the next gift was…

“Wow.”

A bracelet glimmered in my hand.

I slipped it onto my wrist, enchanted. Ivory-colored pearls with warm light and small decorative beads, with a shining red… ruby?

“What’s this? A ruby?”

Excitedly, I asked. Elphine frowned, looking embarrassed.

“Uh… the… gem… I forgot what the jeweler said. I’ll ask again.”

“Ugh, you always forget something.”

Elphine scratched the back of his head. “I’ll check. Don’t worry.” I nodded, looking at my wrist again. I didn’t know what it was exactly, but I loved it.

“Take your time, brother. Thank you so much. I really like it.”

I smiled. Elphine scratched his head.

“I’m glad you like it.”

“And from now on, no need to give two gifts. You always give two: one useless, weird gift and one beautiful one. Stop wasting money—just give the pretty one.”

Elphine paled again and asked slowly,

“…A useless, weird gift…?”

“If I went hunting elmu in the western forest, it might be useful. But I live in the capital. Was that on purpose?”

“No… it’s actually a good—”

Elphine slumped his shoulders, looking disappointed. Huh? I wasn’t criticizing, I was complimenting.

A bad gift just makes the pretty gift stand out more, right? Or… not?