Chapter 5
Meanwhile, the first thing Hernan did after returning to the imperial palace was summon his aide, Gakt.
“Gakt.”
Gakt immediately responded.
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Hernan fiddled with his cloak and said in satisfaction,
“The effect of the cloak you procured was quite impressive.”
In his mind, Hernan recalled Rinzel’s face as she praised his cloak.
And the beautiful smile she wore, as if she held no ulterior thoughts.
Until now, he had never felt any particular interest in the opposite sex.
Even during puberty, he had been indifferent toward women.
So indifferent, in fact, that rumors had spread questioning whether he preferred men.
But for the first time in his life, he felt a romantic curiosity toward Rinzel.
He even found himself wishing that she would smile at him.
Was it because she had fallen in love with him at first sight?
Or because she hadn’t been afraid of him?
‘Afraid? Not at all. If anything, you’re rather cute. The way you react to every little thing about your cloak is just…’
The word cute. It was something he had never heard—not even from his mother.
Hernan didn’t dislike hearing it.
A faint smile formed on his face.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Gakt replied, glancing briefly at Hernan’s smiling face.
“On that note… there’s another item you need to procure.”
“What would that be this time?”
Gakt couldn’t predict what Hernan would ask for.
He understood the brave warrior Hernan who dominated the battlefield—but not this version of him, who seemed slightly… off.
In a serious tone, Hernan said,
“A face.”
“…Pardon?”
Hernan continued,
“I need clothes that will highlight my face.”
Gakt was left utterly bewildered.
Meanwhile, Hernan thought only of Rinzel.
‘Is there anything besides the cloak that you like?’
‘Your face?’
When he had asked what she liked, she had answered without hesitation—his face.
Rinzel had hurriedly tried to cover up her blunt confession, clearly flustered.
But Hernan hadn’t minded her honesty.
To openly praise someone’s admirable qualities without pretense—
He thought that was admirable.
Far better than hiding one’s intentions while plotting betrayal.
That aside… how should he best show off the face she liked?
Hernan cupped his face with both hands.
Then he recalled Rinzel’s excuse.
‘…I mean, a shirt that brings out Your Highness’s face! A beautiful shirt—that’s what I like. Cough, cough.’
Come to think of it, the shirts Ishar used to wear were particularly popular—and stylish.
If he wore trendy shirts, it would naturally make his face stand out.
Muttering to himself, Hernan said,
“Ishar’s shirts did look appealing.”
Ishar Claremont, the First Prince of the Claremont Empire, was a renowned fashionista.
He was highly sensitive to trends and loved accessories.
Anything he wore or adorned himself with would instantly sell out—this was common knowledge among the empire’s citizens.
Unlike his younger brother Hernan, who viewed clothing as nothing more than a necessity, Ishar took great pride in his appearance.
He was currently visiting his regular boutique.
<Montblanc>—a high-end shop accessible only to those of verified status—offered dresses, uniforms, everyday wear, accessories, and more.
No matter how busy he was, Ishar always made time to visit the shop in person.
He preferred to inspect everything he wore with his own eyes and hands.
While speaking with the shop’s madam, Annette, Ishar’s expression suddenly hardened.
A faint wrinkle formed on his smooth forehead.
“…What? One of the red cloaks I reserved was sold?”
Ishar had a habit of buying multiple copies of items he liked.
In case they wore out or were damaged.
Recently, he had become obsessed with a certain red cloak—
Its fine material, elegant flow, and above all, its deep crimson color appealed to him.
That was why he had reserved several before they sold out.
And yet… one of them had been sold.
Unbelievable.
Who would dare purchase an item reserved by a prince?
A chill entered Ishar’s silver eyes as he looked at Annette.
He was genuinely annoyed.
Annette broke into a cold sweat as she answered.
“Yes, Your Highness. I deeply apologize. However, the remaining stock will arrive tomorrow, so there should be no issue.”
She wasn’t entirely without justification.
Ishar had been scheduled to visit tomorrow.
So she thought it would be acceptable to sell one of the early arrivals.
By tomorrow, the full quantity would be ready.
Moreover, the other customer who had requested the cloak held extremely high status.
She had had no choice.
“Who dared covet my cloak?”
“Y-Your Highness… customer information is confidential. I’m sorry.”
“Ah. Confidential.”
Ishar slowly blinked as he repeated the word.
When he opened his eyes again, the chill had vanished.
A captivating smile curved his lips, dimples forming in his cheeks.
He stepped closer to Annette.
Close enough for their breaths to mingle.
Gently, naturally, he took a strand of her hair.
“Annette… you know how much I like you, don’t you?”
He gazed into her eyes with his mesmerizing silver gaze.
“I think I’d like you even more if you told me who it was.”
He lifted the strand of hair and placed a light kiss upon it.
“Still no?”
Annette’s face flushed red.
No, no! I can’t fall for Prince Ishar’s charms!
She tried to resist—but her lips had already parted.
Annette, unmarried, was especially weak to such tactics.
And Ishar was a master of seduction.
“…P-Prince Hernan…! Ah! I really shouldn’t be saying this…!”
At the name, Ishar’s face briefly twisted.
“Hernan? My brother who knows nothing but fighting?”
“….”
Annette remained silent, and Ishar took that as confirmation.
“Well. That’s unexpected. Thank you for telling me.”
He released her hair.
He had gotten what he wanted.
“I suppose it couldn’t be helped—if it was another prince. I’ll let it go this time. After all, my visit is technically tomorrow.”
“Thank you so much.”
“Now then, I suppose I’ll buy the shirts I usually wear. Those are in stock, I assume?”
At that, Annette’s face reddened further—this time from embarrassment.
“W-Well… about that…”
“What? Don’t tell me Hernan bought those too?”
He had meant it as a joke.
But the answer stunned him.
“That is correct, Your Highness…”
The smile vanished from Ishar’s face.
“So not just my cloak—he bought the shirts I wear as well?”
This was truly bizarre.
The shirts Ishar favored had deep necklines—
Low enough that, if worn loosely, they revealed far more than modesty would allow.
Every time Hernan saw him wearing one, his expression would stiffen.
And he would silently judge him.
Why is he wearing something so indecent?
That had always been clear in his eyes.
And now that same man had bought those shirts.
It was absurd.
Yet at the same time, Ishar grew curious about Hernan’s intentions.
It felt like something interesting was unfolding.
Surely there had to be a reason behind such strange behavior.
A spark lit in Ishar’s silver eyes.
He was a man who lived for entertainment—
And something involving his battle-obsessed brother was especially intriguing.
His heart began to race.
After parting ways with Hernan, I went to Rike’s room.
I wanted to check if she was alright.
On the way, I had to stop several times, nearly collapsing as my breath grew short.
“Haah…”
It felt like my condition had suddenly worsened.
I had been fine when I met Hernan…
Still, I somehow made it to Rike’s room—right next to mine—and opened the door.
The moment I did, my body collapsed forward.
I sank to the floor, gasping for air.
It felt as though my lungs were tearing apart.
“Rike… ah, I’m dying here…”
I groaned weakly.
Rike, who had been reading at her desk, hurried over.
She lowered herself and carefully examined my face.
“Rinzel! Are you okay? Should I call a physician?”
I shook my head.
As I stayed still, my breathing slowly began to stabilize.
“If you’re unwell, let’s go to your room.”
“…Rike, are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
Her complexion looked good.
She didn’t resemble the girl who had cried quietly the night before.
‘Rinzel… I really want to live.’
Her desperate voice echoed in my ears.
Rike gently stroked my back.
Her touch was warm.
“Did you just come back from meeting Prince Hernan?”
Word had already spread.
I didn’t deny it.
“Yeah. But… he’s actually nicer than I expected.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Well… he’s not as scary as the rumors say. If anything, he’s kind of cute. And most of all…”
I recalled Hernan’s face.
The one I had studied so closely.
Despite being a man who had fought countless battles, his skin was flawless—not a pore in sight.
…Seriously, unfairly handsome.
To be honest, I really liked handsome men.
Well, it wasn’t just about looks—there was a reason for that too.
