IBYSDW 07

Chapter 7

It was hard to believe that this man, who trembled at the mere mention of a bed, was nicknamed a “killer.”

Hernan was so cute that I wanted to ruffle his hair as much as I pleased.

Like doting on a big dog.

“Come on, hurry!”

Though embarrassed, Hernan obediently did as I said.

He walked stiffly, like he needed oiling, and carefully set me down on the bed.

Then he just stood there, as if he had no idea what to do next.

“Your Highness. Please listen without misunderstanding.”

“Alright.”

“If you sit on the sofa, you’ll be too far away from me, and it’ll be hard to talk.”

“That’s true.”

I patted the space in front of me.

“In that case, would you sit here in front of me?”

“…I’ll take the liberty.”

Hernan stiffly sat down in front of me again. The distance between us, now that we faced each other, was quite close.

Sitting properly with his legs folded, his face was still flushed.

Even so, he didn’t avoid my gaze.

The problem was that there was no sign of his lips opening to speak…

It seemed like I had to start the conversation.

I decided to learn more about Hernan.

“Your Highness Hernan.”

“Yeah.”

“When you’re not going out to war because of the civil conflict, what do you usually do in the palace?”

“I mostly exercise.”

“Oh! What kind of exercise?”

“I don’t really have a set routine. I just spar every day, I guess…”

“I see. So Your Highness has that amazing body built from sparring.”

“Yeah.”

Hernan… was a king of short answers.

He was the type of person who made conversations hard to continue.

Just as I was wondering what to talk about next—or whether I should call Minnie to bring some tea—

the lips that had seemed locked finally opened.

“Perhaps…”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

He couldn’t continue, fidgeting with his shirt for no reason. It almost looked like he wanted me to notice it.

‘Is this an extension of the cloak compliment?’

The last time we met, I had mentioned his shirt.

“Your Highness, the shirt you’re wearing is really nice.”

The moment I said “shirt,” his face brightened.

My guess had been correct.

I began pouring out smooth compliments.

“It looks natural yet has a touch of avant-garde flair, making your handsome face stand out even more.”

I might sound like this, but I’ve picked up plenty of phrases here and there.

“Avant… what? Am I ‘avant’?”

Hernan spoke in a serious tone.

“I’ve heard subordinates insult the youngest ones by calling them ‘avant.’ It must be a bad slang term.”

He had interpreted “avant-garde” as “foolish.”

I burst out laughing.

“Pfft. I wasn’t insulting you at all. I meant that you look great.”

“That’s a relief.”

He let out a sigh of relief, and I couldn’t stop giggling.

Talking to this man, who lacked conversational skills, was surprisingly enjoyable.

But our conversation didn’t last much longer.

Hernan glanced at the grandfather clock on the wall.

“…I should return to the palace now.”

I felt reluctant to part with him.

It had been a long time since I’d felt this way about saying goodbye to someone.

Since becoming Linzel, I had hardly met anyone from outside.

The only people I interacted with were those within the duke’s estate.

My social circle was very limited.

Hernan was a beautiful man who had suddenly stepped into that narrow world.

I quite welcomed his presence.

“You don’t have to see me off.”

He seemed concerned about my weak legs.

As he stood, he brushed off the wrinkles in his clothes.

“Please travel safely!”

Instead of answering, Hernan gave a slanted smile.

That dazzling smile from such a handsome man made my heart react violently.

Ugh, that smile… it’s too dangerous for my heart.

Hernan turned and took a step away, but suddenly came back.

“Your Highness?”

Without saying anything, he reached his hand toward me—toward my head.

Awkwardly and clumsily, he patted my hair.

I looked at him with confusion, and his lips moved.

“In…”

“In… what?”

He shook his head.

My guess was wrong.

“Then… acknowledgment?”

Was he acknowledging my hand skills after I had touched his face so freely?

I found myself wishing I’d get another chance to touch his face again.

But it was a wish I couldn’t say aloud to Hernan.

He shook his head again and finally gave the answer.

“Greeting.”

Ah, it was a greeting.

Perhaps embarrassed to say it, he immediately turned and left.

Was greeting really that embarrassing? How adorable.

Left alone, I sat there for a while without moving.

For some reason, his image lingered before my eyes.

I tried to think of something else, but it was useless.

My mind was filled with Hernan.

“Am I… starting to like Hernan?”

Blinking, I recalled his face—the one that had made me feel like I was in heaven.

After dinner, I had a simple tea time with Rike.

We had tea in my room, a choice made out of consideration for me, since I didn’t like walking much.

My body got out of breath even with a little walking, and since I wasn’t very attentive while walking, I often stumbled or bumped into things.

So I rarely left the duke’s estate. There wasn’t much reason to, anyway.

Unlike me, Rike frequently went out—to the palace, dress shops, and more.

She had first met Ishar at a luxury shop.

What was the name again… Mont Blanc?

Anyway, while browsing dresses, Rike had fallen in love at first sight with Ishar, who was choosing a cloak.

Having visited the shop again earlier today, she began sharing what she’d heard from the shop’s madam.

“Hey, Linzel. I heard something interesting from the madam.”

“What is it?”

“Well, apparently Ishar visited the shop recently without notice—but left empty-handed. Do you know why?”

Unfortunately for Rike, I wasn’t interested in Ishar.

I only supported the love between Ishar and Rike.

I didn’t particularly want to know more about Ishar, the male lead of this novel.

Still, Rike’s sparkling eyes were waiting for my answer, so I should at least show some interest.

“Why? I’m really curious.”

After saying that, I suddenly felt thirsty and took a sip of tea.

Rike replied excitedly.

“Apparently, Prince Hernan bought the cloaks that Ishar usually buys!”

“Pfft!”

Startled by the unexpected name, I spat out the tea in my mouth.

It dribbled down my lips and dropped from my chin.

At that moment, I remembered Hernan proudly showing off his cloak.

Was that the one Ishar usually wore?

“Linzel, are you okay? Are you sick again? Should I call a doctor?”

“N-no, I just choked a little. I’m fine.”

I wiped my mouth roughly.

“I heard Prince Hernan has no interest in clothes at all… so why would he do that?”

“….”

Could it be because of me?

The question “why?” floated in my mind.

It didn’t make sense that someone who had never even met me before would suddenly care about his appearance just to impress me.

While I was thinking, Rike continued.

“While talking to the madam, we even wondered if Prince Hernan had found himself a woman. And you came to mind.”

“Haha… really?”

As I laughed awkwardly, Rike narrowed her eyes.

“I heard Prince Hernan came to the estate again today! Two days in a row, no less…”

“Well, that’s true…”

“Aren’t you two already deeply into each other?”

It wasn’t entirely wrong.

I had indeed grown fond of Hernan’s unexpected charm.

Who would’ve thought a man known as a killer would be so innocent and cute?

But whether Hernan felt the same about me was unclear.

Rather than being into me, he seemed more interested in showing off his cloak, shirt, and face.

“Rather than being deeply into each other…”

Rike’s eyes sparkled intensely.

She was clearly expecting my answer.

What should I say?

I wanted to satisfy her expectations while still being honest.

The longer I thought, the drier my mouth felt.

I lifted my teacup.

Just as I took a sip, Rike’s teasing voice rang out.

“So you’re not even deeply into each other, but you were already all tangled up with Prince Hernan?”

“Pfft!!”

This time, I spat out the tea even more violently.

The table was stained with the tea I’d sprayed.

Rike simply giggled instead of worrying.

She clearly knew why I had reacted that way.

Flustered, I shouted.

“H-how did you know that?!”

I thought no one had seen!

“A servant saw you two in the garden. It might already be a rumor throughout the estate.”

“Gasp.”

“They say you were grabbing Prince Hernan’s face. Linzel, you’re quite bold.”

“Th-they saw that much?”

“Yep. The rumor even says you used both hands. Oh my, how embarrassing. I’m blushing just thinking about it.”

“…Ha.”

So I had become… a woman who grabbed a man’s face after meeting him only twice…

My image…

I pressed my forehead.

But even if I could turn back time, I wouldn’t ignore such a feast laid before me.

In other words, I’d still touch Hernan’s face again.

“Linzel, don’t worry too much. After all, Prince Hernan is supposed to become your husband anyway.”

“That’s true, but… Rike, there’s something only you should know.”

“You’re going to tell me a secret?”

Rike looked thrilled, completely opposite to my seriousness.

“Yeah. There’s a reason I touched—no, I mean… held Prince Hernan’s face.”