GAVAF 39

Chapter 39

Crown Prince Bairan sat on a golden chair adorned with massive jewels, as if flaunting his wealth, watching his subordinate bring him news with an intrigued expression.

“So you’re saying that Cardin went on a date with his fiancée?”

“Yes. They rented out an entire well-known store in the Empire for the date, and the Duke of Retorno personally prepared and gave her three bouquets of flowers, which the staff confirmed.”

“Wow… That duke, who might bleed blue if pricked, actually gave her flowers in a romantic gesture?”

“They were rose bouquets, each of a different color.”

“Oh-ho.”

His interest had started when he saw Cardin dancing tenderly with his fiancée at the ball, and curiosity grew at this changed side of a duke who had lived detached from the world.

What kind of woman could have won over someone as stone-faced as Cardin?

“Interesting. That’s enough, you may leave.”

At Bairan’s words, the man bowed deeply and disappeared in an instant.

Left alone, Bairan hummed a tune as he approached the mirror. He ran his hands through his dazzling golden hair and smiled, pleased with his handsome reflection once again.

Cardin, the only rival Bairan recognized as the Empire’s finest man, had fallen for a woman—how could he not be curious?

“Then I must go meet her.”

It was time to see with his own eyes just how remarkable this woman was.

Three days had passed since I told my father and brother that I wouldn’t join them for a meal after they had involved themselves in dangerous matters that threatened the duke.

Sitting alone in my room, I took out the velvet box Cardin had given me and opened it. Seeing the jewel glimmer, I thought of him. His kind smile filled my mind, and I quickly closed the box.

I couldn’t let myself fall for him. If I gave him my heart, I’d be the one hurt later.

Still, it was hard to resist the emotions stirred by Cardin’s thoughtful date and gifts. I dried the unusual orange rose bouquet he gave me and hung it where I could see it, smiling bitterly.

Even though I knew I shouldn’t, had I already placed him in my heart?

I let out a small sigh, fingers tracing the necklace around my neck—a charm-like talisman I habitually relied on when anxious, gifted by Arsen.

“He said he would come once his work was done.”

If I had known this, I would have sent the knights along even if Arsen had insisted he was fine refusing. Worried for him and hoping no danger would come, I opened the window and looked outside.

The weather was lovely. The blue sky was clear, the air warm, and a gentle breeze drifted in. Then came a knock.

“Harna, your brother has to return to the palace for lunch today.”

I listened to the familiar voice outside the door but didn’t answer.

“I know I worried you, but could you at least show your face today?”

The tender, even sorrowful tone of my brother’s voice made me shift my gaze to the firmly closed door.

Since telling my father and brother off, I had refused not only meals with them but also to step outside so they could see me.

At first, my father and brother had waited to see how long I would hold out, but by the second day, they had been pleading me to open the door. Now, on the third day, my brother was about to leave for the palace, and they were trying to get me to open it.

I had planned to be stubborn for about a week, but hearing my brother would soon leave weakened me. Once he returned to the palace, it would be hard to see him again.

“Ugh.”

I sighed softly, rose from the window, and moved toward the door. Hesitating whether to open it, I finally turned the handle.

“Brother?”

Seeing my face, my brother’s eyes widened, then sank.

“Harna, I’m sorry.”

I had meant to scold him for coming, but seeing how much he had withered over three days, I couldn’t.

“Why do you look like this? You haven’t skipped a meal, have you?”

“How could I eat if you didn’t come out?”

His face, checking me cautiously, had lost so much weight that his cheeks had hollowed—completely different from two days ago. If he was like this, I could imagine my father’s state without even seeing him.

“Father hasn’t eaten either?”

“He hasn’t even swallowed water.”

Though the father-son pair’s extreme behavior was absurd, I couldn’t wait any longer, fearing they might collapse, so I grabbed my brother’s hand.

“Let’s go eat.”

“Harna.”

Seeing my invitation, he quickly wiped away his tears, making me laugh at his overreaction. I turned my head without showing it.

Entering the dining room with my brother, much food was already prepared. My father, pale and thin, stood as we entered. I grew even angrier.

“Why did you skip meals? Didn’t you say Father didn’t even drink water?”

My father replied softly, like a guilty man:

“Nothing went down without you. But, Harna…”

“Yes?”

“You won’t call me Father anymore?”

“I’d like to be able to hear ‘Brother’ too.”

At my teasing, my brother lifted his spoon as if waiting for it. I turned away, pouty.

“I’m still not fully over my anger. I’ll think about it.”

“Very well. I’ll wait.”

Seeing my father slumped and weary, I couldn’t help laughing.

“Ha ha ha!”

The two pairs of familiar eyes turned to me.

“I give up. Father, Brother. Is that enough?”

“Ah, thank you.”

“Finally, I feel at ease.”

Seeing their mixed emotions over my small act and words brought a smile to my face.

I knew the reason they had lost their composure and aimed swords at Cardin was to protect me. But I had feared their safety. Now, as my true family, I wanted to protect them.

“First, Father, drink some water. Today, just have some thin soup. Brother, don’t eat anything that might upset your stomach.”

The large men nodded obediently to my scolding.

“If you do anything dangerous again, I won’t forgive you so easily. Understood?”

“Yes. We won’t again.”

“Promise me.”

“All right. Then shall we eat?”

They ate the soup and drank water as instructed, while I leisurely started with the salad. Though I had eaten meals served by Vera in my room, sharing the meal with my family felt even better, and I enjoyed the time.

That afternoon, my brother’s short leave ended, and my father could no longer delay inspecting the knights, so they left for the palace together.

They apologized for leaving me alone again, but I waved it off. I enjoyed some quiet, leisurely time in the mansion—reading in the library, drinking tea with the maids, and chatting. Finally, I went for a walk in the garden I had neglected.

Even though staying in my room for a few days wasn’t bad, stepping outside felt refreshing. The warm sunlight lifted my spirits.

I sat on the wooden swing in the garden. The rustling of my dress as I moved made me smile. The gentle breeze carried the scent of flowers, the green grass, and the birdsong—it was a truly healing moment.

If not for the hurried arrival of a servant, my mood would have been even better.

The servant’s frantic approach felt strangely familiar. Then I realized he resembled the servant who had come to announce Cardin’s unexpected visit when I first became Harna.

“Could it be…”

‘Cardin has come?’

I realized I secretly hoped Cardin had arrived and quickly masked my expression.

‘Or maybe Arsen? That would be nice.’

It didn’t matter who came—I was now skilled in noble etiquette and could host any guest as a member of the Marquess’ household.

The distant servant quickly reached me. I descended from the swing, tidying my dress, waiting for him to catch his breath.

After gasping for a while, the servant hurriedly said:

“Miss, it’s urgent!”

I expected this. Confident in hosting any guest, I calmly waited for the rest of the announcement.

“His Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince, has arrived!”

“What? The Crown Prince…?”

I had been proud of my ability to host, but hearing ‘Crown Prince’ made me question my ears.

“He has been shown to the drawing room.”

Why would he visit now, without warning, when my father and brother were absent? I muttered a complaint as I lifted the hem of my dress with both hands.

“First, to my room.”

I couldn’t greet the Crown Prince in casual house attire, so I rushed back to my room. I changed into the dress Vera had prepared, did my hair and makeup, and hurried to the drawing room.

Calming my fast-beating heart, I took a deep breath and opened the door. There, sitting elegantly with one leg crossed and sipping tea, was the Crown Prince—the same I had glimpsed at the imperial ball.

His golden hair, the symbol of the royal family, complemented a face closer to a beautiful youth than a manly appearance. Lowering long eyelashes like a character from a comic, he set down his cup and looked up at me.

Meeting my gaze, he squinted one eye and said:

“You’ve come, Lady Jurn.”

“I greet the Empire’s little sun.”

I held my dress hem with both hands and approached him, bowing slightly.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Your sudden visit caught me unprepared.”

“You’re saying too much. It’s my fault for arriving without notice.”

He squinted so sharply I worried for his eyes.

“May I ask why you visited so suddenly?”

“Would you believe me if I said it’s because I wanted to get closer?”

The Crown Prince studied me with his eyes and continued:

“With Lady Jurn, I mean.”

His large eyes narrowed slightly, then squinted again. I wanted to ask why he had come to become close to someone he had never met, but I forced a smile and sat opposite him.

Feeling uneasy, I kept drinking my tea, emptying the cup quickly. Vera walked over to refill it, but the Crown Prince, golden hair shining, suddenly appeared in front of me.

“You seem to really enjoy tea.”

Raising the teapot beside him, he personally poured tea for me. Surprised, I reflexively rose and accepted the cup politely with both hands, like receiving a cup from an elder.

He gave me a curious look, checked the filled cup, and stepped back.

‘Is this correct?’

Unsure how to react when someone of higher rank served me tea, I simply smiled.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

The Crown Prince didn’t respond, only staring at me for a while, then, out of habit, squinted again.

‘Could it be that his eyes hurt?’

He left me with that strange question.