IMTIE 12

~Chapter 12~

Of course, just before, when she was about to fall, he couldn’t even reach out his hand. He just stood there. His body had gotten so used to avoiding any contact with women for a long time.

But still, it was amazing that he could talk this long with a woman.

That didn’t mean he planned to do her any favors.

Grey looked into her purple eyes and spoke firmly.

“Young Lady, didn’t I say this before? Even if you fall for me, I will not get married.”

“Huh?”

“Do you think my feelings will change just because I go on dates with you?”

“What?!”

The pink-haired young lady’s eyes grew wide. She quickly waved both hands.

“A date? Why are you saying it like that? It sounds scary.”

Grey’s eyebrow twitched for a moment. He had never heard anyone say that before, so he lost his words for a second.

Scary? Before thinking about what dating him had to do with being scary, he needed to send away the onlookers.

“You two, step back.”

“Yes.”

“But I want to hear a little mo—mmph.”

Ethan pulled Oreon away, covering his mouth.

Grey narrowed his eyes and looked down at the young lady who only reached his chest.

“Scary? Going on a date with me is scary?”

“No, I just meant… why do you keep saying such harsh things…”

Even though her eyes looked timid, she still finished her words. He admired her courage.

“Harsh things?”

He was honestly at a loss for words.

“I have no intention of dating Your Majesty.”

Grey just had to check if that was true.

“You really aren’t asking me out? Is that true?”

“Yes.”

‘True.’

For the first time, he felt unsure if he could trust his instinct, but her words were true.

“If you don’t want to date, then why do you want to meet me three times?”

“That’s what I’m saying. The whole idea is wrong. I never asked you for a date.”

She spoke slowly and clearly, like she was teaching him.

“Then what else could it be, if a man and a woman meet alone three times?”

“To become friends!”

The pink-haired young lady answered in an innocent voice.

“Ha! And why would I need to become friends with you?”

“Well, um…”

Dahlia rolled her eyes, thinking of a reason.

“So you have to meet me, but it’s not a date, and you don’t even have a reason.”

“Your Majesty, I have preferences too!”

Dahlia looked right at the emperor and spoke firmly.

She couldn’t say the real reason she wanted to meet him, so she had to at least make it clear it wasn’t because she liked him.

“Preferences, huh…”

The emperor lifted his chin, showing off his handsome face, but Dahlia just looked at him calmly.

Of course, she knew he was more handsome than any man she had ever met.

But her real type was the main character in romance novels—kind and gentle, nothing like the emperor.

“Alright, Young Lady with preferences. So tell me, why do you want to become friends with me?”

The real reason was to find out what kind of women he liked. But she couldn’t say that, or he would misunderstand.

“Um, as a diplomat, I should get to know the emperor to understand the empire, right?”

“Suddenly, you’re a diplomat?”

His eyebrow twitched, and Dahlia looked away awkwardly.

“Well, I am a diplomat, after all…”

“No other diplomat from another kingdom ever tried to be friends with me.”

“That’s because they never made a deal with you, Your Majesty. If they could, they probably would have tried, too.”

Dahlia answered shamelessly.

When he narrowed his eyes and stared, this time, she did not avoid his gaze.

“Fine. I already said I’d grant your favor, so let’s do it. Does this count as one meeting, then?”

“No! This was a coincidence.”

“You called out to me and started a conversation. That’s not a coincidence.”

Dahlia muttered to herself without realizing.

“That’s unfair…”

“You sure know how to cross the line, Young Lady.”

“Oops.”

Dahlia quickly covered her mouth and quietly stepped back.

Then the emperor raised his hand and called out to his group in the distance.

“Then this is our first meeting.”

“Already?”

Dahlia looked shocked. She hadn’t found out anything yet.

“Unlike a free diplomat, I’m a very busy man.”

Dahlia just moved her lips, unable to argue because she’d said he was free earlier.

The emperor passed by her with a picture-perfect smile.

As he walked away, the two men followed behind him.

But as the red-haired man passed by Dahlia, he slowed down and greeted her quickly.

“Nice to meet you, Young Lady. I’m Oreon Kukdan, His Majesty’s secretary.”

“Yes, nice to—”

“Oreon.”

The emperor’s cold voice cut in.

“Yes, Oreon! I’m following right behind you!”

Oreon swung his arms like he was walking very fast, winked at Dahlia playfully, and then hurried after the emperor.

Because she was so focused on talking to the emperor, Dahlia forgot to ask about her room. She only managed to return after running into a passing servant.

She was tired. Dahlia entered her room with a tired look, only to see Annie’s stiff face.

“You’re back?”

Dahlia blinked at Annie.

Annie was speaking to her without honorifics?

“Annie, why are you—”

Suddenly, Annie walked over quickly, pretended to touch Dahlia’s face, and covered her mouth.

Dahlia was surprised, eyes wide, staring at Annie.

Annie wiggled her eyebrows and pulled her lips back.

Dahlia thought maybe Annie wanted her to exercise her face, so she copied her.

“Ha…”

Annie sighed and kindly removed a leaf from Dahlia’s hair. Then she stepped back and pointed at the woman behind her.

“Dahlia, a maid has been assigned to our room. She’ll be taking care of us from now on.”

“Hello, Young Ladies. I’m Heart, and I’ll be serving you both from today.”

A small woman greeted them politely and lifted her head.

She had common brown hair and brown eyes, but golden freckles on her face, which made her look gentle and kind.

“Oh, hello.”

Dahlia finally understood the situation and waved at Heart awkwardly.

“Oh my, you seem surprised? Miss Annie was also quite surprised earlier.”

“No.”

Dahlia shook her head stiffly, looking awkward.

Annie, standing next to her, sighed inside. The princess was really bad at lying.

“Actually, I was very surprised. Two noble young ladies living together in one room, without even a single maid. Should I talk to the head maid and change your room right away?”

Heart spoke quickly, looking upset for them.

Annie stepped forward and stared at Heart with a blank face.

“No need. We’re already used to this room.”

“Other young ladies from noble families are much more demanding. Just yesterday, I met a count’s daughter from the Kingdom of Sego, and—”

“Heart, could you please be quiet?”

Annie’s low but strong voice cut Heart off.

“Oh, was I being noisy? I hear that sometimes, but I know so many fun stories, you’ll never be bored—”

“Shh.”

Annie put her finger to her lips, and Heart giggled and copied her.

“Yes, shh.”

Watching them, Dahlia carefully asked Heart,

“By the way, Heart, who assigned you to this room?”