<Episode 17>

“What’s wrong, Tower Master?”

“I don’t have a blanket.”

“Oh, I left it outside because I spilled a drink on it earlier.”

Sien’s shoulders slumped as he looked down.

“…I can’t sleep without that blanket.”

What am I supposed to do about it?

“…I really can’t sleep without it.”

“…Sigh, fine.”

I tousled my bangs and headed for the door.

‘Ha, what? Are you going to start liking me? Cute? How ridiculous.’

I’ll make sure to think of any antics Sien pulls in the future as flattery and mere curiosity from someone who recognized my hard work without pay.

I stepped outside the cabin and pulled the blanket hanging on a branch.

As I turned with the blanket slipping out smoothly, I saw Sien watching me through the open window.

Leaning against the window frame, he waved at me as if he were enjoying a visit to a tranquil mountain lodge.

I shot him a grumpy look and gestured inside.

“Go back in; you don’t have to keep watching me. I’ll wash it myself.”

After saying that, I abruptly turned and headed toward the back door, but suddenly I heard Sien’s laughter.

It was different from mocking. He looked genuinely happy.

“Do you know, Ria?”

“What?”

“My life has become a little more enjoyable than yesterday.”

Are you enjoying tormenting me?

“…You’re the same type of person as the Crown Prince, aren’t you?”

Sien wiped the smile off his face and looked serious.

“…That’s insulting.”

“…I apologize.”

Yeah, that was a bit too much, even for me.

“I’ll be going now.”

I grumbled as I headed off to do the laundry, while Sien remained behind, waving his hand like a cat flicking its tail.

* * *

As Sien watched Redria’s figure disappear through the back door, he leaned against the window frame.

With his arms crossed, he gazed at Redria as she walked away, smiling languidly.

“Ria is really cute, you know.”

A broad shadow fell behind him.

“Finally, I have a chance to talk.”

At that moment, Sien’s violet eyes turned cold. He glanced back at Jaeger, who had appeared without a sound.

“Hurry up and speak; we need to get our Ria.”

Jaeger furrowed his brow in surprise.

“…Did you send her on purpose?”

“Given the hints you dropped, how could I not notice?”

Sigh. Jaeger let out a deep sigh, ruffling his short hair.

“Speak. Ria is waiting.”

Hearing those words, Jaeger flinched for a moment before breaking into a cold smile.

Sien then leaned slightly against the window frame and gave Jaeger a sideways glance.

“Why are you laughing, Duke?”

“Isn’t it amusing? The Crown Prince and the Tower Master, two pillars of the Empire, are concerned about such things after knowing each other for so little time.”

Hmm. Sien nodded, rolling his eyes in the air.

“Well, I can’t deny that.”

Sien briefly recalled the events from yesterday.

Even he found it amusing.

The clearly intentional words and actions meant to draw him out were evident. How could he have fallen for such transparent flattery?

Yet, he couldn’t help but hold her hand.

‘No one loves you? Then how about this: from now on, I will love you and protect you.’

He could see his adoptive father in her.

In his life, there had only been two people who promised to protect him unconditionally, and one of them was a notorious and spoiled noblewoman rumored to be a troublemaker.

So, with such a fragile body, he couldn’t help but wonder how she would protect him.

‘And if I were to be loved by her, who resembles my adoptive father…’

In that moment, his violet eyes calmed down.

Perhaps this time, he could finally resolve the emptiness that had tormented him all his life.

As he lifted his gaze, engulfed in bittersweet emotions, he met Jaeger’s eyes. An unexpected discomfort surged within him at the sight of Jaeger, which brought back memories.

“So, what do you want to say?”

Sien asked, raising his fierce gaze. Jaeger, seemingly having waited for that moment, spoke without a hint of hesitation.

“I advise both you and His Highness to be more cautious of that woman. Don’t regret being fooled by her later.”

Sien scoffed before blinking lazily.

“I don’t mind.”

“What did you say?”

“I said I wouldn’t particularly care if it happened.”

As Jaeger frowned deeply, Sien languidly brushed his hair back and continued.

“I know Ria isn’t just an innocent person. In fact, I find that type of human rather unpleasant. It’s annoying, isn’t it?”

Jaeger, who had been observing Sien closely, frowned and turned away.

“If that’s the case, do as you please. The responsibility will be yours anyway.”

Sien chuckled softly as he stepped away from the window, gazing at Jaeger as he headed for the door.

“What’s bothering you, future captain of the knight order?”

Once Sien confirmed that Jaeger had stopped walking, he approached him closely from behind.

“You’re strict and can’t stand injustice, but you don’t seem the type to meddle. So why are you so sensitive about Ria?”

“…I consider that woman the most suspicious among us, so I’m keeping an eye on her. I was merely advising you two because it seemed you were both being influenced by her in ways you typically wouldn’t.”

“Advising, huh?”

Sien rolled his eyes and smiled brightly.

“Ah, is it because of ‘that incident’ that you’re being so sensitive with Ria?”

For a brief moment, Jaeger looked back at Sien with a fierce glare.

Seeing that, Sien smirked lightly and turned away.

Pop!

He casually hopped over the window and slowly turned back to face Jaeger.

“Relax your eyes. Whatever happens, I have no interest in your past.”

As he spoke casually, Sien suddenly opened his eyes wide with coldness.

“But from now on, I hope you won’t meddle unnecessarily or disrupt my time with Ria.”

Goodbye.

As Sien waved his hand before disappearing, a chilling silence remained in the place where the two had been.

“…Damn it.”

Jaeger grimaced and slowly clenched his fists.

Afterward, he stood there for a long while, rooted in place.

* * *

Having tidied up the bedding, lit the fire in the fireplace, and with the Crown Prince back, it was time to check the weapons storage.

I called them to the front of the storage and brought the key to the doorknob.

Just as I was about to open the door, a thought I had forgotten flashed in my mind.

‘Oh right. The laundry.’

I turned to Sien, who was standing behind me, and asked, “Tower Master, did you finish the laundry?”

“Of course, Ria. Look over there.”

Sien pointed to the clothesline at the edge of the cabin. There hung the blanket he had put out to dry.

He smiled proudly, clearly pleased with himself.

“Didn’t I do well?”

I smiled back, though my eyes were dull.

‘…You did well, huh? Great.’

The heavy, waterlogged blanket had caused the clothesline to sag like a stretched rubber band.

And what about the water? Drops were falling from the decorations hanging off the edges of the blanket, creating puddles below.

I rubbed my forehead and sighed inwardly.

‘I wasn’t supposed to give that princess any work.’

It had been just an hour ago.

After I asked him to do the laundry, Sien had followed me shortly after, saying he would do it himself, and took the blanket.

‘Why? Didn’t you ask me to wash it?’

‘I want to do it.’

‘You’re going to do it clumsily, just like you stuffed that pillow in? I’ll do it myself.’

When I pouted and tried to take it back, Sien hid the blanket behind him and said, “…Ria, you know? I sleep just fine without a blanket.”

“Really…? Then should we do the laundry another time?”

Just as I was about to clap my hands in relief at the thought of avoiding the chore, Sien narrowed his eyes mischievously and said,

“But I need to cuddle something warm and soft to sleep well. If you hold me in your arms all night, I can manage without a blanket—”

“Good luck with that.”

I dashed into the cabin like the wind, leaving Sien behind, who had been eager to catch me.

From beyond the closed door, I could hear his resentful voice.

“…Ria, you’re so heartless. It was just a joke.”

He never considered that he was the one saying crazy things.

Still, I thought that if he had the energy to joke around like that, he could handle things himself.

I furrowed my brow and glanced sideways at Sien, who was smiling like a puppy expecting praise.

‘…Was he like this in the original story?’

It was strange. He had definitely been in charge of the lyrics in the original.

Of course, he hadn’t been good at it from the start, but…

‘Could it be because I’m here? He’s acting this way because I’m indulging him?’

Thinking it over, I realized I had inadvertently taken on the role of managing general cleanliness and meals.

At this rate, all the household chores would fall to me.

It would be better to coax Sien with a carrot rather than use a stick.

Having sorted out my thoughts, I forced a smile.

“You did well! I can trust you with other tasks, too.”

“Really?”

Would I lie?

“Of course. You did so well—”

In the midst of my sentence, I felt a burning gaze from the side.

Unconsciously rubbing my cheek and turning away, I found the Crown Prince watching me with a crooked glare.