It wasn’t the same despair, sorrow, and romantic anguish that had twisted my expression moments ago. No, this face must have been disgraceful, pathetic even.
That thought embarrassed me so deeply I couldn’t speak.
Yet His Highness didn’t stop.
“Fineria.”
Hearing him call me by my nickname for the first time ever, I froze in panic.
And before I could compose myself, His Highness was right in front of me.
If he took one more step, our shoes would touch. At such a distance, he gazed straight at me.
Then, he slowly raised his hand.
His polished, elegant fingers reached toward me, and I could do nothing but stare in disbelief.
“Answer me, Fineria.”
Before I knew it, his fingers held a rose.
The rose I’d worn in my hair, the same shade as my eyes, spun lightly in his hand.
“...It seems I might develop a habit of teasing you.”
At only nine years old, His Highness had exuded an unbelievable charm when he said those words. And they weren’t mere words—they were fact.
Since then, he had delighted in testing me and spoiling me in turn, repeatedly pulling off such insolent "mischief." It was as though he derived endless pleasure from confirming I was in his grasp and making me realize it too.
“Uuuuuuugh!”
What made my blood boil was that he never misjudged the timing. His hand always reached out before I could "break" or lose interest.
Even now, after all the torment and agitation, I ended up in his arms? Ridiculous! Utter nonsense! He should give back all the resolve I had built up, convinced this was the endgame!
I pushed him away with a firm shove, breaking free from the annoyingly comfortable embrace I refused to acknowledge.
I absolutely did not run away.
“Your Highness, please refrain from implying that I’m some jealous woman driven mad by envy. I am merely questioning her behavior as a lady.”
I am a lady. I am the future queen.
Repeating this mantra to myself, I lifted my chin with a resolute hmph!
“What’s this?” His Highness tilted his head, looking genuinely curious.
“You’re not jealous? If someone were to spread rumors that I called you ‘Filia’ and confided in you, I might end up tearing them apart out of jealousy myself.”
I am a lady. I am the future queen!
“Well, how delightful,” I replied, keeping my voice composed. “But Your Highness, I am someone who, as you said yourself, ‘doesn’t care what I’m called, what people think of me, or how I’m perceived.’ If my position or honor could waver over such trifles, what kind of queen would I be? I am simply someone who serves the nation—and you.”
Feigning a smile, I arched one corner of my lips in the perfect imitation of a villainess’s smirk. While it matched my sharp features, the emotions tangled within—half delight, half sadness—were my own secret.
Of course, His Highness paid it no mind.
Tap.
His Highness flicked the peridot earring dangling from my ear with a finger.
“Filia, it’s rather satisfying how you carefully repeat my words. Don’t you think?”
I am a lady. I am the future queen!
“Don’t sulk, Filia. You must know by now—it only pleases me more,” he teased with a voice that was nearly a purr.
I am... I... oh no, my mantra’s failing!
Struggling to maintain composure, I could feel my body trembling slightly. Time to prepare a new spell for self-restraint!
His Highness glanced briefly at Lady Eliza before turning his gaze back to me.
“When you were by her side,” he began, his tone calm and measured—
Then he smiled.
A smile so chillingly beautiful it sent shivers down my spine.
“You were utterly charming.”
The sheer darkness behind that smile!
Somewhere behind me, I heard the distinct thud of someone fainting.
Was it from awe? No, this time it was undoubtedly fear. A whispered “The Demon King has arrived” was probably no hallucination. Truly, I would have preferred to remain ignorant of such a terrifying smile’s existence.
“Y-Yu—I mean, Your Highness,” Lady Eliza stammered, attempting to address him by name, only to falter under his sharp glare.
“Your Highness,” she corrected hastily, “were you spending time with me just to tease Lady Fineria?”
“There are two corrections to make,” His Highness said, his voice unruffled.
0 Comments