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Chapter 17
“Why, Tower Master?”
“There’s no blanket.”
“Ah, I spilled a drink on it earlier, so I left it outside.”
Sien lowered his head gloomily.
“…I can’t sleep without that blanket.”
What am I supposed to do with that?
“…I really can’t sleep without it.”
“…Haah, fine.”
I brushed my bangs back and headed toward the door.
‘Hah, what? You’ll fall for me? You think I’m cute? Don’t make me laugh.’
I swore to myself never to have such thoughts again. From now on, whatever Sien did, I’d just think of it as flattery or curiosity from someone who recognized free hard labor.
Leaving the cabin, I pulled down the blanket hanging on a branch. As I turned with the blanket in hand, Sien was watching me from the open window.
Leaning casually against the window frame, he waved at me as if he were on a peaceful vacation in the mountains.
I scowled and jerked my chin toward the inside.
“Go back in. I’ll wash it and bring it in without you keeping watch.”
With that, I spun around and headed toward the back door—only to hear Sien’s sudden laughter.
It wasn’t mocking; it sounded genuinely happy.
“Do you know something, Ria?”
“What.”
“Life feels a little more enjoyable than yesterday.”
Because you get to annoy me?
“…You’re the same type of person as the Crown Prince.”
Sien immediately wiped the smile from his face and spoke with offense.
“…That’s insulting.”
“…I apologize.”
Yeah, even I thought that was a bit much.
“I’ll be going.”
Grumbling, I left to do the laundry. Sien remained there, waving his hand lazily like a cat flicking its tail.
Sien pulled himself away from the window frame after watching Redria’s back disappear through the back door.
He crossed his arms and smiled languidly as he gazed at her retreating figure.
“Ria really is adorable.”
A broad shadow loomed behind him.
“At last, I have a chance to speak with you.”
His violet eyes instantly turned cold. Sien lazily glanced back at Jaeger, who had appeared without a sound.
“Speak quickly. I need to go fetch our Ria.”
Jaeger frowned, one eyebrow arching as if surprised.
“…You sent her away on purpose?”
“With hints that obvious, how could she not catch on?”
Jaeger sighed heavily, ruffling his cropped hair.
“Speak. Ria is waiting.”
At those words, Jaeger’s lips twitched briefly before curving into a cold smile.
Sien tilted his head, leaning against the frame at an angle, and gave him a crooked look.
“Why are you smiling, Duke?”
“Isn’t it laughable? How little time she’s been around, and already both the Crown Prince and the Tower Master—the two pillars of the Empire—are concerned about her.”
“Hm.” Sien rolled his eyes to the ceiling, then nodded.
“Well, I can’t deny that.”
For a fleeting moment, he recalled what happened yesterday.
Even to him, it was absurd.
He had deliberately said and done things to draw her closer. And yet she had taken the bait so readily, believing his sweet words.
But he couldn’t help it—he had to take her hand.
“No one loves you? Then how about this—From now on, I’ll love you and protect you.”
Because in her, he had seen his foster father.
There were only two people in his life who had ever promised to protect him unconditionally—and one of them was that scandalous, ill-mannered lady with a reputation for being a troublemaker.
So how could he not be curious to see how someone with such a frail body would try to protect him?
“And if she, who resembles my foster father, were to love me…”
His violet eyes cooled into stillness.
Perhaps this time, he could finally fill the void that had plagued him his entire life.
But when his gaze drifted upward and met Jaeger’s, a sudden wave of irritation rose in him—for Jaeger, too, reminded him of the past.
“So what is it you want to say?”
Sien narrowed his eyes sharply. Jaeger, as if waiting for that opening, spoke without the slightest hesitation.
“I am advising you—as well as His Highness—to be more wary of that woman. Don’t regret it later when she deceives you.”
Sien gave a short laugh, then blinked languidly.
“I don’t care.”
“…What did you say?”
“I said I don’t particularly care if I get deceived.”
Jaeger scowled deeply, but Sien only pushed his hair back, speaking lazily.
“I know Ria isn’t purely good. Honestly, I find that type of person uncomfortable. They’re insufferable, aren’t they?”
Jaeger studied him closely, then furrowed his brow and turned away.
“…Then do as you please. The responsibility will be yours.”
Sien smiled faintly and stepped back from the window, watching Jaeger walk toward the door.
“And you, future Captain of the Holy Knights—what is it about Ria that bothers you so much?”
When Jaeger paused, Sien closed the distance to his back.
“You’re upright, you can’t stand injustice, but you’re not the type to meddle needlessly. So why overreact whenever it comes to Ria?”
“…Because I’ve judged her the most suspicious among us. I’ve been watching her. And seeing you two—who are usually not swayed by anyone—be influenced by her, I thought I should advise you.”
“Advise, huh.”
Sien rolled his eyes, then smiled brightly.
“Ahh. Could it be because of that incident that you’re so sensitive toward her?”
For an instant, Jaeger turned a murderous glare on him.
Sien only chuckled and turned away.
Whsssh!
He hopped lightly over the window ledge, then looked back leisurely.
“Relax. I couldn’t care less about your past, whatever it is.”
Humming as he spoke, Sien’s gaze suddenly turned sharp.
“But from now on, I’d appreciate it if you stopped meddling or interfering with my time with Ria.”
Goodbye.
He even gave a lazy wave of his hand as he disappeared, leaving only a heavy silence behind.
“…Damn it.”
Jaeger clenched his fists slowly, his eyes twisted in frustration.
He stayed rooted to the spot for a long time.
Bedding arranged, fireplace lit, Crown Prince returned.
The next step was checking the armory.
I gathered them before the armory door and held up the key to the lock.
Just as I was about to turn it, a thought struck me.
‘Ah, right. The laundry.’
I turned to Sien, who stood behind me.
“Tower Master, did you finish the laundry?”
“Of course, Ria. Look.”
Sien pointed toward the line stretched along the edge of the cabin. There, the blanket hung.
He smiled proudly.
“Didn’t I do well?”
I forced a faint smile.
‘…Well, what a disaster.’
The blanket, drenched with water, was so heavy it dragged the clothesline down like an overstretched rubber band.
And the water dripping from the decorative tassels had already formed a puddle below.
I pressed a hand to my forehead and sighed inwardly.
‘I should never have given the prince a chore.’
It had been an hour earlier.
After I asked him to do the laundry, Sien followed me shortly after, snatching the blanket away, insisting he’d do it himself.
‘Why? You asked me to wash it.’
‘Because I want to.’
‘Like how you forced that pillow into a case it didn’t fit? I’ll just do it.’
When I tried to take it back with a pout, Sien hid the blanket behind him and said:
‘…Ria, do you know? Actually, I can sleep without a blanket.’
‘Really? …Then should we leave the laundry for later?’
Relieved, I clapped my hands—finally free of a chore. But then Sien narrowed his eyes mischievously and added:
‘But I can only sleep if I’m holding something warm and soft. If you stay in my arms all night, then I won’t need a blanket—’
“Good luck with that.”
I bolted into the cabin like the wind, before he could grab me.
From behind the closed door came his voice, filled with mock despair.
‘…Ria, you’re heartless. It was just a joke.’
As if he realized what he said wasn’t insane.
Back then, I figured if he had the energy to joke and tease me like that, he could handle the chore himself… but now…
I frowned, glancing sidelong at Sien, who was grinning like a puppy waiting for praise.
‘…Was he always this useless in the original story?’
Strange. In the original, he had handled household chores.
Not that he was perfect at the start, but still…
‘Is it because I’m here? Because I indulge him?’
Come to think of it, I had naturally taken over cooking and cleaning duties.
At this rate, I’d end up doing all the housework.
It seemed better to coax him with carrots than whip him with sticks.
So I forced another smile.
“You did well. I think I can trust you with other tasks, too.”
“Really?”
Not really.
“Of course. You’re very capable—”
But I cut off mid-sentence, feeling a burning gaze.
Subconsciously touching my cheek, I turned to see the Crown Prince watching me, his expression dark and crooked.
