IMLM 11

Chapter : 11

“Huh?”

…What do you mean it doesn’t matter? When you look at someone like that and say something like that, of course they’ll misunderstand.

Enoch, who had been facing my startled expression, broke into a gentle smile.

Contrary to the words he’d spoken, he looked very lighthearted, as if he truly felt nothing special.

“Thanks to this, I’ve been able to rest a little. I’ve had a lot of overseas schedules, and swordsmanship, court etiquette, imperial studies, military science, theology…”

Enoch rattled off the subjects mechanically, then stopped and let out a sigh.

It wasn’t hard to guess how he felt.

Right now, Enoch was just like I had been in my previous world.

‘Back when I was exhausted from juggling part-time jobs to survive and studying for exams.’

No matter how hard my life had been back then, it was obvious it couldn’t compare to the pressure and burden Enoch was carrying now.

Studying in order to shoulder the responsibility of an entire nation.

‘Yeah… being a crown prince definitely isn’t something just anyone can do.’

Thinking about how I’d spent the past two years loafing around made me feel oddly solemn.

“…Well, I didn’t really have much time to rest while learning all of that. It’s because I was injured, but still, it’s nice to be able to take a break like this.”

“But since it’s such a rare chance to rest, shouldn’t you have gone somewhere nicer? There’s not much to see in our territory, so I feel a bit bad.”

“I’m already grateful just for letting me stay here. And that sort of thing doesn’t matter.”

Enoch paused briefly, as if taking a deep breath, then turned his head toward me again.

“No matter how many sights a place has, it’s meaningless if there isn’t someone as wonderful as you, my lady.”

“…Your Highness, it’s embarrassing when you keep praising me like that.”

Seriously. How are you supposed to respond to someone who showers you with compliments nonstop?

In my previous life, I’d only ever heard the opposite, so I had no idea how to react to words like that.

I didn’t even know why he saw me so favorably.

‘Even treating me as a lifesaver doesn’t quite explain it…’

As I was pondering, Enoch lowered his brows and asked, looking quite worried.

“Is your lip all right now?”

“Oh, yes. Look. It’s fine, see?”

He must be blaming himself. There was really no need.

To show him I was truly fine, I exaggeratedly moved my mouth around.

I wriggled it so much it looked like I was about to show him how many teeth I had, and Enoch smiled faintly in response.

And then—one tear slipped down.

…Wait. A tear? He’s crying? Just like that?

“W-Why are you crying? Was my face that shocking?”

“No, no, that’s not it…”

Enoch hurriedly wiped at his tears, looking flustered, as if he hadn’t expected himself to cry either.

But the tears clinging to the corners of his eyes refused to dry no matter how much he wiped.

‘What is this… what am I supposed to do?’

How do you even comfort a crying man?

Not knowing what to do, I glanced around awkwardly—and my eyes landed on the imperial knights patrolling nearby.

Ah right. They’d said the man who tried to assassinate Enoch last night had been found dead.

They suspected suicide, but just in case, they were keeping watch.

As I kept looking that way, I made eye contact with one of the knights.

He gave me a subtle greeting with his eyes, then looked toward Enoch—and his expression grew strange.

…No, no. It’s not like that. I didn’t do anything.

“It’s just that I’m relieved to see you’re better, so you don’t need to worry about it.”

“But it’s because of my actions that your lip—how can I not worry?”

Enoch forced back his tears and smiled brightly. Honestly, this was the first time I’d ever seen someone cry out of concern for someone else.

“I made a fool of myself in front of the person who saved my life. How embarrassing…”

As he scratched the back of his head while saying that, I quickly shook my head.

Is there such a thing as a beautiful, warm-hearted embarrassment?

“Please don’t think of it as making a fool of yourself. I didn’t feel that way at all.”

But Enoch clearly didn’t agree. He shook his head vigorously, looking startled.

“No, it was embarrassing. I couldn’t even protect myself and had to rely on my lady’s help. I have no face to call myself the crown prince of this country.”

He laughed weakly through what sounded like a sob, then finally let out a sigh.

His slumped shoulders looked painfully pitiful.

That was why—I spoke the words that had only been circling in my head out loud.

“No one can do everything perfectly all the time. There are moments when we need help from others.”

“…”

“If something like this happens again, you can always ask me for help. I’m sturdy, so I’ll probably recover just fine then too—”

“No.”

Enoch, who had somehow gathered himself despite his tear-stained face, cut me off.

His voice was so firm it was hard to believe he’d been crying just moments ago.

If not for the tear tracks he hadn’t wiped away, I might’ve thought he was angry.

“Please don’t ever do that again. Even if I’m on the brink of death.”

“…”

“Never.”

‘…Why?’

That was the very first thought that crossed my mind.

If I made a small sacrifice, no one would have to die.

Even if my lip never returned to normal next time, it would still be the same.

How could something as trivial as my lip ever compare to Enoch’s life?

But I didn’t say that out loud.

Somehow, I had a strange premonition that his expression would harden even more if I did.

“You have no idea how terrified I was, or how relieved I felt when I opened my eyes and saw that your face had returned to normal.”

“…”

“I don’t ever want to experience someone making that kind of sacrifice for me again.”

His voice trembled violently as he spoke, and his eyes filled with tears once more. As I quietly met his gaze, something suddenly dawned on me.

Ah. I could never look at someone like that.

Having lived a life steeped in misfortune, I would have gladly accepted such sacrifices from others.

‘It can’t be helped.’

Someone like Enoch, who clearly grew up loved, and someone like me were fundamentally different.

“…All right.”

I nodded as I looked at him. I didn’t know if I’d be able to keep that promise, but for now, the situation needed to be smoothed over.

Fortunately, Enoch seemed reassured by just those words and smiled softly.

His reddened eyes curved like crescent moons.

“That’s a relief. I thought you would understand, my lady.”

…He doesn’t even consider the possibility that I might be lying. My conscience is really taking a hit here.

Times like this, it’s best to make a quick exit.

“Shall we go inside now? We’ve been out here for quite a while.”

“Already?”

Enoch looked back and forth between me, now standing, and the empty seat I’d been in, his gaze full of regret.

Don’t look at me like that.

It was almost lunchtime, and if nothing else, I had to eat meals regularly with Jen.

Seeing that I wasn’t going to change my mind, Enoch stood up as well.

“How will you have your meal, Your Highness? Shall I have it sent up to your room?”

As Enoch was about to answer, he paused, seeming to think about something, then spoke hesitantly.

“What about you, my lady? Will you also eat in your room?”

“No. I eat in the dining hall with Jen.”

“Jen… would that be the boy who came with you to the Krusia Festival?”

Oh, he noticed that? Jen had been hiding behind me the whole time, so he wouldn’t have been very visible.

“That’s right. You remembered?”

“I saw him hide behind you when I approached.”

…You even noticed that?

At least it didn’t seem like he heard Jen say he didn’t want to go. Well, that’s something.

“Haha… Jen is pretty shy.”

More accurately, he dislikes you, but I can’t exactly say that.

It’s not like I’d want to make things worse for a kid who already got kicked out of his home.

“I see…”

Enoch’s shoulders drooped noticeably, his voice trailing off. He looked openly disappointed.

It seemed like he’d been hoping to join Jen and me for our meal. But now that I’d said Jen was shy, it would be hard for him to suggest it himself.

‘It’s a little sad, but…’

Even so, I couldn’t make Jen eat with someone he disliked.

He barely talked to the people in the mansion as it was—how much worse would it be with someone he’d disliked from the first meeting?

“Then I’ll have your meal sent to your room. One of the knights specifically requested food that helps neutralize toxins.”

After finishing my sentence, I started walking ahead.

I did it. I really did it. Jen, your big sister overcame those sparkling eyes!

Ah, it was seriously hard to refuse. With that personality and such a gentle face, it really hurt to say no…

“It’s a shame. I was going to treat you to a dessert I brought from the Kingdom of Hirchen if we ate together.”

At the familiar name, my feet stopped on their own.

…The Kingdom of Hirchen? The place famous for its desserts?

“Because of the nature of the dessert, it doesn’t look very good if it’s divided, so it has to be eaten together. It can’t be helped. Then next time—”

“Crown Prince Enoch Odellia Defron.”

Why are you making decisions so hastily? You have to listen to people until the end.

“Come to think of it, I think Jen needs to meet new people too. In that sense, I’d like to invite Your Highness to dine with us. Would you like to join us?”

I spoke smoothly, as if that had been my plan all along, and held out one arm, just like I had before our walk.

Enoch naturally placed his hand on my arm and smiled.

“The honor would be mine.”

“…What is this?”

Those were the first words out of Jen’s mouth the moment we entered the dining hall.

Fortunately, Enoch hadn’t arrived yet—he’d gone to fetch the dessert.

…I nearly had a heart attack.

“Oh, it’s because there are three sets of utensils. I figured it wouldn’t be polite to let a guest eat alone, you know.”

“Is that really the only reason?”

Jen asked suspiciously as he sat down across from me.

I knew he was perceptive, but at this point it felt like he could see straight through people.

“Of course. What other reason could there be?”

I put on an act like I had absolutely no ulterior motives and somehow got through it.

Of course, it all became pointless once Enoch brought out the dessert after the meal.

“This is the dessert I brought from the Kingdom of Hirchen. I hope it suits your taste, my lady.”

“Wow…”

Without realizing it, I leaned closer, eyes sparkling. My goodness—how could a dessert be this radiant?

“I thought you only cared about money…”

Jen muttered under his breath with a frown.

You’re still holding onto that? I told you to erase that from the notebook, but you must’ve written it in your head instead.

No, wait—what about the part where I said I liked books? Where did that go?

“Do you like it?”

“Yes! It’s beautiful. Can I really eat this?”

“Of course.”

I couldn’t believe I was actually going to eat a Hirchen Kingdom dessert I’d only heard about.

It was so intricate and extravagant that it was immediately obvious why Enoch had said what he did earlier.

It was a cake that recreated a fairytale ballroom, complete with a princess and prince holding hands and dancing at the center.

…How are you supposed to divide something like this? I almost ended up tearing the two of them apart.

“We’ve been treated to something so precious—we should offer something in return…”

“Oh, it’s really fine. Letting me stay here is more than enough.”

Enoch waved his hands to stop me. And that was exactly why it wasn’t enough.

Just looking at it, it seemed like something you’d need to reserve months in advance at a famous dessert shop.

No matter how I calculated it, the cost of Enoch and the knights staying and eating here didn’t seem like it would exceed the value of this dessert.

“Anything is fine, really. Please say something. I’ll feel better that way.”

“Still, you saved my life…”

“I already said that’s fine. Come on.”

At my words, Enoch finally lowered his hand, unable to refuse any further.

“Anything at all…”

After thinking for a moment, Enoch suddenly muttered something to himself, then turned his head with an expression of firm resolve.

He glanced at Jen once, then turned back to me.

What on earth is he about to ask?

‘…Don’t tell me he wants Jen?’

No, absolutely not. Leaving behind my ridiculous imagination—something Jen would’ve snorted at if he’d heard—Enoch slowly opened his mouth.

What he said next was something I’d never even imagined.

“If it wouldn’t trouble you, may I have your permission to call you by your name?”