episode_0038

It was when I knocked on the door of the princess’s chamber, trying to ignore the complicated gazes of the two princes staring at me.

Soon, permission to enter was granted. As I opened the door, a cool autumn breeze blew in through the slightly open window.

“Oh, welcome! Lian.”

“Thank you for granting my request, Luca.”

The two women greeted their respective companions. Somehow, this scene felt incredibly peaceful, and a strange warmth fluttered in my chest.

“I’m back.”

“What’s this for?”

Similarly, we each responded to our companions. It was a strange feeling, not necessarily bad, but somewhere confusing… a strange feeling.

After a brief exchange of greetings, the princess warmly took Serin’s hand.

“So, can we consider your proposal accepted?”

“Of course. We are of the same people, after all.”

What kind of people are they that Serin confidently asserts this?

“The people of justice, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. Phew…”

The princess chuckled easily as if understanding, with a warm smile.

I see. So we are the people of justice.

Perhaps it was a content only recorded in the imperial archives of the Velonin Empire. Therefore, I resolved to uphold the truth that we are the people of justice for the rest of my life. Perhaps the duty of a royal guard was as heavy as a mountain.

“Thank you. It would have been difficult without you.”

“Oh, it’s not for free.”

“This much is free. So, I will make sure to fulfill the conditions you mentioned on time.”

“Nothing else is as important to me as that, you know?”

Serin glanced at me briefly. But as our eyes met, she quickly turned to the princess.

“Please take care of her, Nalin unni.”

“I’ll take good care of her, Serin.”

The two women warmly shook hands. Until I left the room, the atmosphere that was once tense was now filled only with intimacy between the two.

But I was faced with a considerable shock.

‘The princess… called Serin by her name…’

I had never heard anyone call Serin by her name before.

I had only known her as the princess, or Your Highness, occasionally as Serini to her parents.

I was the only one who had called her Serin by her name. Even though it was an endearing nickname she couldn’t help but use, unable to reveal her identity as a princess at our first meeting.

‘This… is something…’

Not good.

To put it mildly, it was close to being unpleasant.

It could be specified as the cause of the feeling. I didn’t like the princess calling Serin by her nickname.

But that was it.

It was difficult to delve into the reasons why I didn’t like the princess calling Serin by her nickname.

I just didn’t like it. Like a child throwing a tantrum irrationally.

It was unfamiliar.

From my childhood in the slums to meeting Roderick and up to the present, I had never thrown a tantrum… Why did a representation of youth suddenly stand tall in my heart now?

‘Ridiculous. Eshutiel wouldn’t do this either.’

As I continued with bitter self-criticism, Serin stood up and reached out her hand to me. It was a gesture asking for an escort.

It was unnecessary for the strong Serin in a private setting, but I didn’t say anything. I just wanted to do it. Before reaching out to the second prince sitting next to me.

“Have you been waiting long, Lian?”

“I didn’t feel that way at all.”

“Really? Seems like you enjoyed chatting with the second prince.”

“Yes. It was enjoyable and comfortable.”

“Hmm?”

Serin narrowed her eyes. When she turned her head towards the Second Prince, he flinched as if startled.

“So, you enjoyed it? You felt comfortable…? Are you really saying that sincerely, Rihart?”

The Second Prince cleared his throat.

“Well…! I suppose so. If that was really enjoyable and comfortable…”

He sniffled like he was about to cry. I was faced with considerable confusion at his behavior, which I couldn’t quite understand.

“My acquaintance with you may be short-lived, but… I know that Rihart does not lie, even if he swallows his words.”

It was the same assessment as Serin’s. She had also mentioned that I don’t lie, even if I choose my words carefully.

The Second Prince suddenly approached and grabbed the hand opposite to where Serin was holding.

“Please consider me as a friend while you stay in the kingdom. I will definitely need your cooperation in my daily life as Rihart. I hope you will be my first friend.”

“Luca, your first friend is me?”

“That’s a friend, not a friend. It’s different from a friend.”

“… I see, I see.”

She seemed somewhat displeased.

I didn’t know where she was feeling upset, and I didn’t need to know the reason.

Anyway, it’s not common for someone like the Second Prince to become a friend. I couldn’t afford to miss this opportunity for the future.

“I appreciate your kindness, Second Prince. I understand it as an honor.”

“There’s no need to be so formal between friends. Call me Luca. You don’t need to use honorifics in private conversations.”

“Uh, okay…”

It wasn’t easy to call the Second Prince by his name or to drop the formal language. I had always used honorifics except for Loderick, Echtel, and the members of the mercenary group.

Then Serin intervened.

“Rian seems uncomfortable. Let’s talk about that later…”

“Wait, Serin.”

“Rian…?”

Regrettably, I interrupted Serin. It was difficult to reject the Second Prince like this.

Honestly, I have to admit. The Second Prince’s invitation was charming in a practical sense, but it meant more to me.

‘The first time I have a friend…’

During the journey of bringing Serin to the palace in the past, she refused to become friends. It seemed that friendship was not enough for her. Well, she was someone who could become a princess, so it was understandable.

What about the Second Prince then?

“How much is the fee for being a friend… I mean, a close friend?”

“What?”

The Second Prince’s eyes widened, and he immediately forgot his composure.

“Haha, where do friends charge each other? Friends don’t need any compensation.”

“I-is that so?”

Unbelievable.

Even a kind person like Serin wanted a fee for friendship, so how much more does the Second Prince possess.

I released Serin’s arm and approached the Second Prince slowly.

“So… can we become friends like this?”

“Sure, as long as you’re okay with it.”

“… Thank you, Second Prince.”

“You can speak more comfortably.”

I appreciated his kindness, but I couldn’t respond hastily. It was difficult to change a habit I had maintained for a lifetime.

“Since it’s a habit, it’s hard to change, but I will try to improve gradually. So… please take care of me. Thank you, Luca.”

“I’m the one who should be grateful, Rihart.”

I was delighted.

He was my first friend. Although Luca was older, it didn’t matter. I was just happy that my circle of relationships had expanded, excluding Loderick, Echtel, and Serin.

“Um, what’s going on? Rian?”

“Oh, sorry for making you wait, Serin.”

“… It’s nothing. Really.”

Serin softened her slightly stern gaze and bid farewell to the princess.

“We’ll be going now. See you soon. Don’t bother seeing us off when it hurts.”

“Uh… Thank you. See you again.”

With that awkward farewell, their paths diverged.

“… Luca, let’s talk.”

“Hm? Sure.”

The princess’s stern voice called Luca from beyond the closing bedroom door. Meanwhile, Luca innocently took a seat on the chair where Serin had been sitting. This was the last scene I witnessed in the bedroom. Their first parting was done in such a manner.

Meanwhile, Serin and I boarded the carriage back to the mansion we were assigned as our residence. Serin, who was usually lively, fell silent, and I didn’t inquire, assuming she had her reasons.

Above all… the moment the princess called Serin by a nickname kept coming to mind, making me hesitant to interact with Serin. I felt like I might make an unwarranted slip of the tongue if we continued the conversation.

‘A slip of the tongue, what kind of slip of the tongue…’

I was aware that allowing a nickname was Serin’s freedom. What kind of slip of the tongue was I talking about?

While I was deep in thought, Serin spoke up nonchalantly.

“Hey, Lian.”

“Yes, what is it? Serin.”

“Since we’re friends with the second prince… is that okay with you?”

“Quoting Luca, you’re my first true friend. Honestly… I’m glad.”

At my response, Serin suddenly stood up.

“First time? What about me?”

“Serin… was compensated for the lack of a friendship fee.”

“What, what did you say?!”

Serin exclaimed loudly. She plopped down next to me and bombarded me with questions.

“When did I pay a friendship fee?! No, let’s forget about that. So, if I’m not a friend, what am I to you, Lian?”

“Um…”

It was certainly a relationship that was difficult to define. Not quite friends, and certainly not family. But to dismiss her as a complete stranger seemed somewhat unfair.

Struggling to find the right words, I blurted out what I felt.

“Serin is… Serin. That’s how I see it.”

“So, in the end, I’m nothing to you?”

“No, that’s not it. So… Serin is someone I should respect as my superior and as a citizen of the empire. And…”

…

……

I couldn’t continue. As I kept my lips tightly sealed, Serin seemed to be on the verge of pressing further.

But it seemed unfair to just keep questioning her like this. So, before Serin could speak, I took the initiative.

“How did you become so close with the princess, Serin?”

“Well, when people talk, they can become close, you know.”

“You seemed surprisingly close.”

“Well, I just liked her as a person.”

“You allowed her to use a nickname in less than half a day?”

“Ha. No, that’s…!”

Before Serin could retort, her words were abruptly cut off.

“…… Huh…?”

Serin’s face, which had been slightly stern, suddenly went blank. It was as if a messy canvas had been bleached white in an instant.

In the suffocating silence, Serin asked in a trembling voice.

“Lian… Could it be that this is jealousy?”

“What?”

“Are you… jealous of Princess Lufentel?”

“Jealous… you say?”

Jealousy.

Like the poor envying the rich,

The weak envying the strong.

Green envying blue.

Was that the story Serin was telling, of me looking at her and the princess in that way?

Me, who had lived a life unrelated to jealousy?

“Heh, ha…”

Serin’s laughter was awkward.

Her flat gaze now curved into a gentle smile.

“Ha… What should I do, really. If I cry and then laugh, something will come out of it.”

“Serin?”

“Who else would be the cutest person in the world, I really think so.”

Serin was so close to me that it felt burdensome. Then, her warm body temperature began to spread through the gaps of my fingers as it passed over the back of my hand.

“Well, I mean. You have to acknowledge the familiar ones first.”

“What are you talking about…?”

“It’s obvious.”

Serin smiled softly.

“I, I was jealous.”

“What…”

“Someone managed to narrow down the street I had worked so hard to narrow down in less than half a day. So I felt disappointed, and with disappointment comes anger… and a bit of resentment…”

She rambled on, her words becoming muddled, before finally organizing her thoughts with a sigh.

“I wanted to blame Lian for no reason. But now I’m okay. I’ve confirmed that I’m diligently progressing step by step. So… I’m sorry for momentarily blaming you, Lian.”

“…”

I felt a wave of self-reproach at Serin’s apology.

Why did I have to listen to Serin ramble on and apologize so much? All I could understand was the fact that Serin was considerate of me to that extent.

I needed to apologize too.

“I’m sorry too.”

“For what?”

“Perhaps, I got caught up in unpleasant feelings for reasons similar to Serin’s. I have no right to do so, and as a public escort, I am disqualified. I want to ask for forgiveness.”

“Is that so?”

I offered a sincere apology, but Serin seemed to be laughing happily.

“Wow, you’ve come a long way. The old Lian would have not only demanded to be fired immediately, but also asked for compensation…”

“Indeed, I might have done that.”

“What has changed now that you’re acting like this?”

“I don’t know.”

Is it because I don’t want to leave Serin so hastily?

Perhaps it’s because the world that was once a mix of black and white is gradually regaining its color, making it all the more precious to me.

“Anyway, I like Serin.”

At that moment, her whole body stiffened like a statue.

The warmth of her hand on mine seemed to rise like a flame. Worried, I patted Serin, and she wrapped her arms tightly around my neck.

“Uh…”

“Don’t look…”

“Yes…? Serin?”

I called out to her in embarrassment as I buried my face in her chest. If she realized the situation, it would have been embarrassing enough for a woman.

Luckily, Serin wasn’t wearing revealing clothes. I truly felt relieved.

“Just stay like this for a moment. I’m a little embarrassed right now…”

“Ugh.”

“It’s totally unfair… Even if I attack you, someone naturally finds a weak spot to poke at… I’m always the one at a loss.”

“I’m sorry…?”

“Ugh… when you act like this, it only gets worse… but I don’t want to show this either…”

“Would it be solved if I close my eyes?”

“Okay… just a little more… let me stay like this. It’s all Lian’s fault anyway.”

“…? Understood.”

The strong scent of grass mixed with warm air cleared my mind.

It felt like my world was filled with nothing but Serin.

I didn’t mind that feeling.

If only I could make mistakes that would make her scold me more often.