TESL 06

Chapter 06

“Wow… it’s exactly the same.”

I gasped in surprise, looking around.

Of course, it had only been three years—how much could really have changed? But still, this cozy spot felt just as I remembered.

The tree stump I used to sit on was just as inviting. And in front of it stood the huge pine tree where I had often taken my naps. I walked around to the back of the pine and ran my hand along its surface.

There it was. The graffiti I had carved when I was thirteen.

Lubelus♥Aira

“…It’s faded.”

I murmured bitterly. New bark had grown over it, or maybe rain and wind had worn it down. Either way, the carving was barely visible unless I looked closely.

Thinking back, it had been eight years since I carved it. Of course it wouldn’t still be clear. Perhaps that was for the best.

“Still… thank you for forgetting me. I promise I’ll never harm a tree again with some reckless act.”

I gently stroked the tree once more, then moved toward the massive pine nearby. This one had a large hollow inside.

Its leaves were still lush, the roots were fine—but strangely, the inside was completely empty. I used to crawl in there and sleep deeply when I was younger…

I peeked inside.

I probably couldn’t fit in there to sleep now. I remembered barely squeezing in when I was fifteen. Now, taller than before, I wouldn’t be able to hide comfortably…

“Wait, I can get in.”

The entrance wasn’t wide, but if I bent at the waist just right, I could slip inside. Oh, if I brought a blanket, a lantern, and a lighter here, it would be perfect.

I let my imagination run wild for a moment—but then I snapped back to reality.

“No, Aira!”

How careless of me… planning to make this my little hideout again after all this time? I scolded myself harshly and carefully climbed back out of the hollow.

Sighing, I returned to the stump and sat down. Still, it felt good to sit here again. My sanctuary.

I smiled and took in my surroundings. Whenever I had been sad, happy, or anything in between, I had come here. Having spent nearly twelve years living in the palace, it had always been my refuge.

I lowered my gaze to the stump, inspecting it carefully. Huh? My eyes landed on my wrist.

“Oh… I’m wearing it.”

One of the gifts I had received from Elfin this morning—a bracelet—was still there. I had left the pearl necklace my mother had given me at home, but in my rush, I had forgotten to take off the bracelet.

Luckily, my dress today was a light cream color. It didn’t clash with the bracelet at all.

I lifted my arm, letting the sunlight catch the gems dangling from it.

“Looking at it like this… it’s even prettier.”

I tapped the stump with my heel as I admired the bracelet. The pearls were smooth, thick, and glowing. It looked like top-quality craftsmanship.

“I don’t think Elfin would embarrass himself with something cheap like this.”

Was it even worth more than his salary? Or maybe I just didn’t know enough about gems.

I pursed my lips and shifted my gaze from the pearls to the beautiful red gem hanging in the center—the part I liked best.

“It doesn’t seem like a ruby.”

I furrowed my brows and examined it carefully, as if I were a professional gem appraiser. The stone had a slightly pinkish tint, not the deep red of a ruby. I remembered following Bianca to a gem auction years ago, when the appraiser had explained that true rubies were always a deep red.

“So… what is it?”

I squinted, trying to figure it out. I should have followed Bianca to more auctions; I used to find them boring and skipped most of them.

“What could it be…”

“It’s a Rubellite.”

The low, rich baritone came from behind me.

“Rubellite. Seems Elfin didn’t tell you.”

“…!”

I whipped around so fast I couldn’t even scream. I jumped off the stump like a startled animal.

“W-Who—”

But that wasn’t the only shock. As I fumbled to look behind me, my eyes went wide in disbelief.

Golden hair catching the sunlight, eyes glowing purple, a sharp nose, firmly set lips, and a jawline like a blade…

A familiar face stared at me unblinkingly.

“Y-Your… Highness?”

I froze in place and called out to him, hardly believing it.

It was none other than Lubelus.

The long-time crush of mine, the owner of my carved heart, and soon—within just a few hours—the ruler of this country.

Lubelus A. de Zahard.

He stood amid the thick foliage, looking straight at me.

His title… well, I guess I should call him Your Majesty now.

I managed a shaky, “Your… Majesty,” blinking rapidly. Words failed me.

I just felt small and intimidated.

Not that I truly had nothing to say. There were so many questions—like why he was here. Was he a deer? A boar? A rabbit? Why did he leap out of the forest like some wild animal?

But I couldn’t ask, considering I wasn’t exactly here by the book.

My lips moved, then closed tightly again.

If I scolded him for being here, he might retort, “Do you think this is your house?” I was the one trespassing in the royal forest!

I shrugged my shoulders, shut my eyes tightly, and opened them again. Nothing. My mind had gone completely blank.

I licked my dry lower lip and swallowed. The sound must have been loud because his gaze immediately fell on my mouth. Yikes. His eyes were piercing, like lasers.

I hunched my shoulders under that sharp stare. Uh-oh, had he caught me thinking scheming thoughts?

In the past twelve years, Lubelus had often seen me scheming. He had never been angry—but this time, he might be.

I shivered, clasped my hands politely in front of me, and suddenly felt cold.

Then he suddenly looked up, like he had just realized something, and fixed his gaze on me.

“Cold?”

…Excuse me?

“You look cold. You’re shivering.”

Lubelus stepped closer. Before I knew it, he was right in front of me.

I barely reached his chest in height. He had to bend his knees slightly to see my face.

A unique scent of magnolia and musk, his personal fragrance, wafted to my nose.

“I-I’m fine… really, fine.”

The familiar scent made me hold my breath instinctively. Somehow, I felt I shouldn’t smell it carelessly, even though I loved it.

I had learned that the empire’s finest perfumer had created this signature scent for the prince’s sixteenth birthday. I had even secretly gotten a copy before it was formally presented to the palace.

Of course, it wasn’t the official gift—just a makeshift version—but I had sprayed it on my pillow at night, imagining that if His Highness held me, it would feel like this.

“You’re dressed so lightly. The great royal forest is colder than elsewhere. No wonder you’re cold.”

His voice, so close I could feel it against my skin, made me feel as though I were already in his arms. If he wrapped his arms around my back, this would be exactly the scenario I had dreamed about…

No! Focus, Aira!

“I-I’m fine! Really, I’m fine!”

I shook my head frantically and backed away, narrowly avoiding his embrace. I had to avoid embarrassment at all costs.

Why was I stammering so much? And why did I keep saying “fine” over and over?

Aira, pull yourself together. Later at home, you’ll kick your blanket out again…

I wanted to show him a more composed self when we met again…

“If you’re fine, that’s good.”

He smiled at me sweetly, as if my stammering didn’t matter.

I forced a stiff expression instead of returning his smile. My facial muscles wouldn’t obey me, no matter how much I wanted to look graceful.

“Sorry if I startled you.”

His voice was soft and gentle, melting into the air around me. I awkwardly hid my bracelet and nodded.

“It’s… this forest, Your Highness—or Your Majesty? Anyway, it’s natural to be here.”

Ah…

Even as I spoke, I wanted to bite my tongue. I could have simply said, I’m sorry for wandering around, I’ll return to the palace.

But instead, I said… “Your Highness, no, Your Majesty, no, Your Highness? Anyway…”

Father, Mother, all your investments in my etiquette lessons were wasted. Mrs. O’Mile, my tutor, was terrible. I demand a refund.

While I internally groaned, Lubelus finally spoke again, looking at me quietly.

“I just wanted to tell you that the gem is a Rubellite.”

Yeeees…

I opened my mouth to speak, but my voice had dried up completely.

I smiled awkwardly and nodded repeatedly. Regardless, Lubelus continued, smiling warmly.

“My mother named me after this gem. It may not be as valuable as a ruby, but it holds great meaning for me.”

Ah… I see.

I didn’t know why he was telling me this, but I quietly nodded. I had wanted to smile gracefully like a refined lady, but my facial muscles simply refused to cooperate.