Chapter 25
Rike sat across from me. Then, instead of offering Hernan the seat next to her, she recommended the seat beside me.
“I left a spot open for Prince Hernan.”
Since when did you become so bold?
Hernan and I followed Rike’s lead without resistance. There was no reason to refuse what she had arranged.
Maybe Hernan also wanted to sit close to me.
As soon as we sat down, the carriage started moving.
“Prince Hernan, by the way… didn’t you come with Prince Ishar?”
I asked about Ishar’s whereabouts a bit late.
“We’re not close enough to travel together.”
Hernan looked disgusted, as if the sun would rise in the west before he ever traveled with Ishar.
It was the same reaction Ishar had shown before.
“I told him the time and place. He’ll find his way. If you had said to stay at the duke’s residence, I would’ve sent someone from the café to bring him.”
“I see.”
We had only ridden the carriage for about five minutes when we arrived.
Hernan helped Rike and me get off.
It was the refined manner of a truly handsome man.
After stepping down, I looked up at the large building in front of me.
It wasn’t as grand as the duke’s residence, but it was still quite fancy and beautiful.
It was also the first shop I’d visited since becoming Linzel. My heart strangely fluttered.
The café was spacious—but completely empty.
Only a few staff members stood behind the counter.
Looking around, I asked:
“Prince Hernan, did you rent the whole place?”
“Yes. I thought other people’s gazes might make things uncomfortable.”
“As expected, Your Highness is very kind.”
“Kind…”
Hernan repeated the word, as if it was unfamiliar to him.
We sat at a four-person table. Once again, Hernan claimed the seat beside me.
Rike sat across from us, and the seat next to her was for Ishar.
As soon as we sat down, I felt an intense gaze on my left cheek.
It was Hernan.
“Your Highness, is there something you want to say?”
“Linzel.”
“Yes.”
“I heard something strange from Ishar.”
“Something strange…?”
I could guess what it was.
He must’ve told Hernan that I was being abused or something like that.
I was about to explain, but at that moment, the café door opened.
The one who entered was Ishar, slightly late.
He walked quickly toward us, his expression unusual.
He looked angry.
Or maybe annoyed.
He stopped in front of Hernan and looked him up and down.
“Hernan…! You…!”
“What?”
“Th-this is my outfit!”
Ishar pointed at him, his face flushed red.
Only then did I realize why he was so worked up.
Hernan… did you steal your brother’s clothes again?
I held my forehead.
“The one who wears it first owns it.”
Hernan spoke bluntly, as if he expected this reaction.
“When did you even buy that outfit?!”
“Yesterday.”
With a scoff, Hernan added something that made Ishar even angrier.
“The one you’re wearing today isn’t very good.”
“…What?”
“For once, I don’t feel like taking it.”
“H-Hernan!”
Ishar raised his hand as if he was about to grab Hernan by the collar.
Hernan remained completely still, as if daring him to try.
Excuse me… we’re also here, you know?
Rike and I were completely ignored.
I quietly spoke to Rike.
“Rike, look at them. They’re really keeping a conversation going over clothes. Aren’t they close brothers?”
Rike giggled but couldn’t take her eyes off Ishar.
Following her gaze, I looked at him briefly.
He was wearing a loose white shirt and a gray jacket with vertical stripes.
Hernan said he didn’t like it, but objectively, Ishar’s outfit looked quite good.
Subjectively though… Hernan in his three-piece suit looked better.
I called Rike again.
“Rike. Let’s show them we’re close sisters too.”
“How?”
“Just trust me.”
I tilted my head side to side.
It was time to clear Ishar’s misunderstanding.
Misunderstandings happen when people interpret the same situation differently.
That’s what this was.
Ishar saw my bruises and assumed I was being abused.
That misunderstanding came from his past.
…
(Ishar’s backstory remains the same—his abusive tutor, the hidden injuries, the fear, and how it shaped him.)
…
I was certain.
“Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will never be defeated.”
Since I knew Ishar’s past, I was confident I could clear his misunderstanding.
I looked at the two princes still arguing.
“Your Highnesses! How long are you going to keep fighting?!”
They immediately fell silent.
“Both of your outfits suit you well, so how about calling a truce?”
They both looked embarrassed.
At least they had the decency to feel ashamed.
“Ishar, would you please sit down?”
“…Okay.”
He sat next to Rike.
The two exchanged an awkward greeting.
“Prince Ishar, it’s been a while.”
“Yeah… hello. It has.”
It was so awkward, I wondered if they could ever fall in love.
Still, since Rike wouldn’t be isolated this time, maybe things would change.
Soon, I would leave after marriage, and Rike would feel lonely.
If Ishar comforted her, maybe love would grow naturally.
I decided to help bring them together more often.
That was enough thinking about them.
Now, I had something to do.
“Everyone, please pay attention.”
All three of them looked at me.
I rolled up my sleeve and placed my arm on the table.
My pale arm was covered with faint bruises.
Their gazes focused on it.
I pointed at each bruise and explained:
“This one is from a week ago. Around 10 in the morning, I stretched and lightly hit the bed.”
“…”
“And this one is from the night before yesterday. I hit the bathtub while washing…”
I stopped mid-sentence and made a serious face.
As if there was some grand story behind it.
