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Chapter 20………………………………..
The place Rubellia headed after leaving the ballroom was a garden located inside the imperial palace. It felt wasteful to return like this after going through the effort of getting dressed up.
Her dress had been stained when food on a table was knocked over, which was a bit bothersome, but she didn’t have a suitable change of clothes anyway, and it wasn’t serious enough to worry about.
Thanks to that, she’d at least managed to leave the ballroom under a decent excuse, so in a way, it had worked out in her favor.
“It’s a pity I couldn’t see the Crown Prince.”
Even if meeting the Crown Prince wouldn’t have changed anything, she had thought she might notice something important after seeing him.
Still…
“This isn’t the only chance I’ll get.”
With Aria and Hasedian in the ballroom, having a proper conversation with the Crown Prince would have been difficult anyway.
Those two had already said they would “take care of it” in case the Crown Prince ended up falling for her.
So it would be better to meet him separately, when Aria and Hasedian weren’t around.
“Hmm… I’ll stay a little longer.”
Since she was in the imperial palace, even just looking around the garden was surprisingly enjoyable, so Rubellia absentmindedly took in the scenery.
Still, being free from Aria and Hasedian and having a moment to herself felt quite satisfying.
Before she knew it, she unintentionally fell asleep.
She had only intended to close her eyes while looking at the sky for a moment, but ended up drifting off completely.
Tap, tap.
Rubellia, who had been sleeping soundly while sitting, woke up at the touch of someone nudging her.
For a moment, she wondered if it might be Hasedian or Aria, so she kept her eyes closed on purpose.
She was nudged again. Even so, she stubbornly pretended to be asleep.
“If you sleep here, you might catch a cold.”
“…Huh?”
At the familiar voice, Rubellia opened her eyes—and realized the person who had been nudging her was Jerden. Only then did she feel a wave of relief.
“What are you doing here?”
“Just taking a walk?”
Rubellia answered confidently.
“But why is your dress like that?”
Jerden chuckled lightly, brushing off her answer as he looked at her heavily stained dress with a puzzled expression.
“Well… I had a rather eventful time.”
Rubellia shrugged.
“You do look exhausted.”
He didn’t know what exactly that “eventful time” meant, but something had clearly happened.
“Of course. Life is exhausting…”
Rubellia let out a long sigh.
“Hang in there.”
Seeing how genuinely worn out she looked, Jerden hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“Thank you, Jerden.”
Still, being with him seemed to bring her a bit of peace, and Rubellia smiled softly.
“Is someone making things difficult for you?”
Jerden asked after watching her quietly for a moment.
“Well, things are just complicated.”
People, circumstances—everything.
Rubellia looked strangely detached.
“If you ever need my help, tell me. I’ll help you willingly.”
He had never offered kindness or help so openly before, but with Rubellia, he felt he could.
“I just want Jerden to never get hurt, never get sick, and live a healthy, happy life.”
And most of all—
“Don’t die.”
If that alone was guaranteed, her biggest worries would disappear.
Rubellia looked at him with sincere hope.
“That wouldn’t really help you.”
“No, it would. That’s what friends are.”
Rubellia said firmly.
“…Friends.”
Jerden frowned slightly, as if the word was becoming increasingly uncomfortable each time he heard it.
Whenever she treated him kindly, he felt warm inside—but the word “friend” always felt strangely irritating.
“So, what were you doing here, Jerden?”
“Hmm.”
He had just come out for air after working. While walking aimlessly, he happened to find her.
“Come to think of it, today is the day of the ballroom, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
Rubellia replied flatly.
“It must be lively right about now. Don’t you need to go back?”
“My dress is like this…”
“Still, don’t you regret it?”
It was a ball held to select the future Crown Princess, so missing it like this might be a pity.
Even as he said it, part of him wished she wouldn’t go back.
“It’s not like I care.”
She had no interest in becoming Crown Princess, and going back would only mean being tormented by Aria and Hasedian.
“Is there someone you have feelings for?”
Jerden asked cautiously.
Rubellia was famously known for liking a duke. However, judging from her recent attitude, it didn’t seem like she liked him anymore—but perhaps she had fallen for someone else.
He didn’t know why he cared, but the thought kept bothering him.
“I’m just not interested in things like that.”
“I see.”
“And the biggest reason is… I like being here with Jerden more.”
Rubellia smiled sweetly.
Jerden stared at her silently. Something about what she said loosened the sharp, uncomfortable feeling that had been lingering inside him.
“You seem to have a very special ability.”
“Huh? Me?”
Of course, she did have a special ability granted by a god—but Jerden shouldn’t know that.
“Yes.”
He nodded casually.
Just her words alone carried warmth, as if they wrapped around him. Simply being with her made his heart feel warm.
Sometimes, her bright smile made him feel as if he might be drawn into it completely.
“Hmm.”
Rubellia looked slightly disappointed, as if waiting for him to elaborate, but he said no more.
“Use this.”
Jerden smiled faintly at her expressive face and handed her his jacket.
“Oh, thank you.”
It was a little chilly after waking up anyway.
Rubellia quickly put on Jerden’s jacket.
“Pfft.”
Seeing her wear it without hesitation made Jerden laugh softly.
She looked like a child wearing her father’s clothes—his jacket was far too large for her. The sleeves covered her hands completely, and the oversized coat over her dress made her look both adorable and slightly ridiculous.
“Hey? Did you just laugh?”
Rubellia widened her eyes.
“No.”
“I heard you.”
“No, you didn’t.”
Jerden replied calmly.
“Well, it’s fine if you laughed.”
“Is that so?”
“But you weren’t laughing at me, right?”
“Of course not.”
“Then why were you laughing?”
“Because you…”
He almost said it.
Because you’re cute.
“…never mind.”
“Hm.”
Rubellia squinted at him suspiciously.
Jerden chuckled again. She was trying to look intimidating, but she only looked even cuter—like a small squirrel trying to threaten a large predator.
“People say smiling brings good fortune.”
She still looked slightly upset, but suddenly said seriously.
Jerden looked puzzled.
“Because you look prettier when you smile.”
“…Me?”
For someone who had never once been called pretty in his life, Jerden looked genuinely taken aback.
“Yes.”
Rubellia nodded proudly.
“That suits you more than it suits me.”
“Oh! Did you just say I’m pretty?”
She widened her eyes in surprise.
Jerden suddenly felt a bit embarrassed.
“You’re pretty and handsome too, Jerden.”
As if returning the compliment was only natural, Rubellia said it sincerely.
“…I see.”
For the first time hearing such praise, Jerden awkwardly maintained a composed expression.
Their warm moment didn’t last long.
A faint presence appeared in the garden.
Soon, a man revealed himself.
Jerden greeted him politely with a bow.
“I didn’t expect to see you here, Uncle.”
“Are you not attending the ballroom again?”
The man, who resembled Jerden yet also didn’t, smiled warmly as he spoke—Zarkian.
“It’s just uncomfortable.”
Especially since the main figure of this ball was the Crown Prince. Attending such an event would only create unnecessary rumors.
“Shouldn’t you start considering a marriage partner soon, Jerden?”
“I have no such plans yet.”
Jerden answered firmly.
“I’m sure your retainers will be disappointed.”
They likely wanted Jerden to marry, but were too afraid to bring it up.
“They don’t need me to consider their feelings.”
Even if he had to marry someday for succession, it wouldn’t be now. And if he did, it would only be after the Crown Prince had married and had children.
Only then could he sever the cursed chain between them.
He didn’t want his child to be dragged into the imperial succession conflict.
“By the way, who is this young lady beside you?”
Zarkian finally noticed Rubellia, his interest piqued—especially seeing Jerden’s jacket draped over her.
Jerden prepared to introduce them.
But Rubellia, who had been fine moments ago, suddenly changed.
Her face went pale.
And she clutched Jerden’s sleeve desperately, her hand trembling slightly.
