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Chapter 2
“….”
For a brief moment, the displeasure reflected on Desion Carlos Heizen’s face melted away faster than spring snow.
Composing his expression naturally, he spoke with polite composure.
“I am far too unworthy to be the Princess’s teacher. I am only grateful that Your Majesty thinks so highly of my lacking abilities.”
“Of course, the Prime Minister is also teaching her with great enthusiasm…”
“Duke Deln is an excellent teacher. I am in no position to compare with him.”
“Enough of your false modesty. I know there is no one in Panter more learned than you.”
The king shifted in his seat and changed the subject.
“I hear Anastasia has been asking about you.”
At those words, Desion lifted his head. A faint smile curled at the corner of his lips as he asked casually,
“Is that so?”
“She keeps asking whether there is any news of you, where you’ve been staying lately. She seemed quite disappointed when you suddenly left and abandoned your teaching. She used to be very attached to you, wasn’t she?”
After a brief silence, Desion let out a small laugh and nodded.
“Yes… she was.”
The king spoke brightly.
“Since you’re already here at the palace, why not meet her before you go? I’m sure she would be delighted.”
At the suggestion, Desion rose gracefully with a faint smile.
“It was an honor to be granted an audience with Your Majesty. May you remain in good health until we meet again.”
After offering a refined bow, Desion left the audience chamber.
He walked briskly down the long corridor of the palace.
As his expression gradually lost its polite smile, his thoughts drifted.
If I leave now, I should reach the territory by evening…
He calculated his journey back to the estate in his mind and stepped outside—
“Ah, so it’s true.”
A girl-like, innocent voice stopped him in his tracks.
A flash of red fabric entered his vision.
“Teacher, it’s been a long time.”
Slowly, Desion lifted his gaze.
Curly golden hair cascading down to her waist.
Deep blue-purple eyes.
A striking, cat-like gaze and an extravagant appearance from head to toe.
The girl smiled as she looked at him.
“Princess.”
Anastasia Janette de Panter.
The only daughter of the King of Panter—and the future heir to the throne.
Until about three years ago, Desion had personally overseen her education as her instructor.
A long-awaited reunion between teacher and student.
Yet there was no warmth between them.
“….”
Anastasia broke the silence first, lightly touching his arm.
“Princess? That sounds so distant, teacher. Please call me by my name like before.”
“Ah, I see.”
Despite her playful tone, Desion showed no reaction.
For a brief moment, Anastasia’s lips twitched—but she quickly smiled again as if nothing had happened.
“I heard from my nanny that you came to see my father today. I thought I wouldn’t be able to see you again for a while… but here we are. I’ve missed you.”
Desion nodded politely.
“I heard from His Majesty. That you’ve been asking about me.”
“Of course I have. You suddenly stopped teaching and even left the capital to travel around.”
Her gaze sharpened as she looked up at him.
Desion shrugged lightly.
“I was studying. I realized there are many things in the world I did not know.”
A faint, crooked smile appeared on Anastasia’s lips.
“There are so many things one doesn’t need to know, but you are quite curious, aren’t you? Did you find what you were looking for?”
“I wonder.”
Desion cut the conversation short, unwilling to elaborate.
Anastasia pouted slightly.
“You never answer anything directly, teacher. Yet you demanded clear answers from me for everything.”
Tilting her head like a child, she smiled sweetly again—an expression that could melt anyone’s guard.
“Still, could you at least answer one thing for your only student? Are you returning to the capital for good?”
Desion noticed a faint trace of anxiety in her eyes and let out a short laugh.
“No. I plan to return to my territory immediately.”
“To your territory?”
“Yes. I intend to focus on estate matters for the next few years. My travels have been exhausting. I would like to rest for a while.”
“Ah…”
Her lips curved smoothly.
“Though it’s disappointing, I can’t stop you if it’s for your health.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“The countryside air is very good for the body. Oh—by the way…”
She suddenly widened her eyes as if remembering something.
“Is Eloise doing well?”
At that moment, Desion’s expression froze.
The faint smile that had been on his lips vanished instantly.
The air around him turned cold and razor-sharp, heavy enough to make anyone flinch.
Yet Anastasia showed no sign of being intimidated.
Instead, she smiled brightly, lifting the hem of her fiery red dress slightly as she curtsied.
“I hope the clean air of Heizen territory helps her as well. Please travel safely, teacher. I look forward to seeing you again.”
After she left, Desion remained standing for a moment, staring up at the palace.
The golden dome engraved with the kingdom’s symbol—a leopard—caught his gaze.
His eyes slowly darkened.
“Yes, Anastasia.”
He murmured softly.
“I also look forward to the day we meet again. When I finally return what is rightfully yours.”
Veins rose sharply on the back of his hand as he clenched his fist, as if gripping a hidden secret.
At the same time—
“Still no news? When is my brother coming back?”
Eloise Heizen lifted her head from the desk where she had been copying a thick book.
Heidi, who had been arranging flowers in a vase, shook her head.
“No, nothing yet. He probably can’t send letters while traveling.”
“Everyone’s been fussing since morning to welcome him.”
“He might not make it today. It’s already late.”
“I guess so.”
Seeing her disappointment, Heidi walked closer.
“Come to think of it, you’ve never met him, have you?”
Heidi nodded.
“No. I heard he’s always abroad. I don’t know the details.”
“I don’t know much either. Probably no one does. Only occasional letters arrive. He’s always busy.”
Heidi clapped her hands.
“Oh! But I’ve seen his portrait. It’s hanging at the end of the third-floor hallway.”
Eloise shook her head.
“It’s not the same.”
Heidi tilted her head.
“Not very similar?”
“Somewhat, but that’s it. My brother would never sit still long enough to have a portrait properly painted. He thinks it’s a waste of time.”
Scratch, scratch.
Eloise suddenly stopped writing.
“Oh, the ink’s gone.”
“Really?”
Heidi shook the ink bottle, then set it down.
“I think we’re out… I’ll buy some tomorrow morning. It’s late today—you should sleep.”
Eloise pouted.
“I don’t like stopping halfway. And this ink is hard to find.”
After a moment, she slammed her hand on the desk.
“Oh! There’s probably some in my brother’s office. Heidi, can you bring it?”
Heidi’s eyes widened.
“In the lord’s office?”
“Wow…”
Holding a small lamp, Heidi stepped into Desion’s office and gasped.
Even after two years of working there, this was her first time entering the head of the house’s study.
Normally, only the butler could enter. Occasionally maids cleaned it, but always under strict supervision.
“So this is what it looks like… It feels much more grand than the young lady’s room.”
Her eyes swept across the vast space.
A full wall of bookshelves immediately caught her attention. Exotic tapestries adorned the room, and shining medals displayed a quiet but overwhelming authority.
But she quickly remembered her task.
“Oh right! The ink.”
Carefully setting down the lamp, she began searching the desk.
“It should be around here somewhere…”
As she leaned toward piles of documents illuminated by dim light—
“It rustles so much I thought a rat had come in.”
