Ch. 257
How could I not find him lovable? He offered me a flower crown with a hand that was clearly trembling, and when I pointed to the empty spot and smiled, he turned even redder.
Ash was the kind of man who blushed just from standing close enough to cast a shadow over me—tensing up, holding his breath, trying so hard to be composed.
“I prepared it in a hurry, so it’s not much, but I’d be happy if you’d accept it.”
When I looked up into his eyes—hot with sincerity—I wanted to kiss him, regardless of whether that face was fake or real.
My smile deepened. The more I looked at Ash, the more fond of him I became.
“We were the ones who told you just a day ago. And this flower crown is wonderful enough.”
What lay before my eyes was an utterly ordinary flower crown. Pretty, but ultimately useless—like what everyone else was wearing. Crude, yet carefully made, decorated with nameless flowers.
And yet, it was wondrous. It carried Ash’s devotion, and that alone made me this happy.
“I did my best to make it, but my skills are lacking, and it’s been so long since I’ve done something like this, so I don’t know if you’ll like it…”
“Who else have you made one for?”
‘So it’s been a while. That means I’m not the first.’
I pouted the moment the flower crown settled onto my head.
“For my mother…”
“Ah.”
“A long time ago. I lived in the forest back then, so I learned various things you can do in the forest. I learned about medicinal herbs from my mother, too.”
The way he offered me the flower crown, kissed the back of my hand, and didn’t let go—it all looked so natural.
Only then did I remember: escorting a woman was a basic skill for Ash. Something he could do with his eyes closed.
“When she passed away, I wanted to place one on her grave, but such an act was not permitted.”
Not something a prince should do.
I answered only with my eyes. Ash lowered his voice and looked down, as if the memory itself weighed on him.
“This isn’t something I should be saying while offering you a flower crown. Please pretend you didn’t hear it.”
“What does it matter? If I die, make sure to place a flower crown on my grave.”
“…You say such sad things so casually.”
“Who was the one sad about not being able to place a flower crown? If it makes you feel better, you can place one on me every day.”
It was a story from some distant future, but Ash didn’t even want to imagine it.
The grip of our clasped hands tightened—stronger, almost desperate.
“Geenie, it feels meaningless to even say how beautiful you are today. Please allow me not to look away from you. Forgive me for staring at you more tenaciously than anyone else. Don’t curse me for being foolish, even if I can’t take my eyes off you.”
As if he couldn’t endure it otherwise, he kissed each of my knuckles—ardent, yet still polite—and looked at me with a gentle gaze.
Even the way he asked me to dance carried an elegance so ingrained that commoners could never imitate it.
“Listen to you. You sound used to this, don’t you?”
‘You must have done this a lot.’
I teased him as I stepped with his lead. Ash guided me softly into the crowd of dancing couples.
“My sincerity doesn’t burst out like this for just anyone. Geenie, there is a difference between a heart that can’t bear itself and words spoken out of courtesy.”
“I know.”
“Please believe me.”
“Ash, who would I believe but you?”
In that moment, the suffocating tension in Ash traveled through our fingertips and into me.
Yet no matter how fast his heart was racing, his movements were nothing but graceful. Even I, who couldn’t dance, could tell he was flawless—textbook-perfect.
We slipped into a posture as naturally as flowing water.
Chests close, hands lightly clasped, and the tips of our feet overlapping.
“Oh, right. Go back, Undine.”
I sent Undine away and let myself sink into the crowd.
The lovers dancing around the fountain didn’t slow down or wait for anyone to join, but with Ash—skilled in this sort of thing—I blended in without effort.
As long as I was holding Ash’s hand, my lack of talent wasn’t obvious at all.
Strangely, in this moment, everything felt joyful.
The sky after sunset, the countless people, the familiar yet nameless music.
Even the candles blazing bright and the steady sound of the fountain became meaningful.
I realized something all at once: who you were with decided how vivid a memory became.
“We’ve done this before, haven’t we?”
“In the field.”
“That was fun, too. I normally hate dancing. It was probably because I was with you.”
“You’re making my heart flutter again.”
“Did it flutter?”
“Yes. It has been, for a while now…”
Honestly, I knew even without him saying it.
I could feel the heart of the person I was pressed against. The Tears of Truth knew, too. And I could see it again in the way his eyes trembled whenever they found mine.
How could I not know?
“Me too.”
“It doesn’t seem to be as much as me.”
“So, are you complaining?”
“Of course not. The mere fact that I am the one holding your hand at this moment is a rare honor in my life.”
“It’s nice, because I can feel your sincerity.”
Dancing among lovers felt oddly ticklish.
Plenty of what people were doing around us was too simple to even call dancing. Unlike nobles, commoners didn’t care much for formality—being close seemed to be enough.
Leaning into each other, whispering, gazing. That was all.
And I learned that even that alone could be good.
“This is unexpected. Chad is dancing too?”
After we circled the fountain about three times, a familiar huge figure brushed past. When I turned, it really was Chad.
He was dancing surprisingly well, though Akia was almost completely hidden by his frame.
“Does he look okay?”
“Quite.”
“That’s a relief. I taught him how to dance all night. He said he’d never danced before.”
“No wonder… You must’ve been busy today, huh? Teaching dancing, making a flower crown.”
So that was why he moved so precisely—straight out of the book.
It was thanks to Ash’s effort.
Chad would never know just how high-class the dance he’d learned actually was.
“He’s a friend with good body sense, so teaching him wasn’t difficult. Rather, finding the flowers was the miracle. If your friend hadn’t helped, I can’t imagine what a shabby flower crown I would’ve brought…”
“Actually, I was kind of looking forward to that.”
“Ex…cuse me? Why? I would’ve embarrassed you.”
“Because I also like it when you’re flustered and apologetic.”
Ash was always obedient, but when he felt guilty toward me, he practically prostrated himself. It was the kind of thing that would make Lox pound his chest in frustration.
“Speaking of which, this reminds me of Lox.”
“I thought you didn’t like him very much.”
“That’s right. That’s why I want to see him more.”
“Ah, a love-hate relationship…”
“If he saw us like this, he’d foam at the mouth and make a scene. I would love to see that.”
I laughed out loud as we circled the fountain once more.
And then—so far in the back of my mind that I barely noticed it—I realized the time for Lox’s return had long since passed.
“Ash, by the way, why isn’t Lox back yet? It’s strange, isn’t it?”
I wasn’t particularly curious whether Lox was dead or alive.
I was just wondering if it was acceptable for a monitor to be away from a crown prince candidate for this long.
“As a matter of fact, I received word that he will be late.”
“Why?”
“…It seems things have gotten a bit complicated over there. I’m sorry, but it looks like we’ll have to stay in this city a little longer. I plan to tell everyone tomorrow.”
Even though his face didn’t show it at all, Ash was bitter. I could feel it automatically; I would’ve noticed even without the ring.
But since I did have the ring, I planned to make full use of it and uncover every detail of what he wasn’t saying aloud.
Our hands were already clasped. All I needed was the will to listen.
Ash trusted me, and he was sincere with me every moment, so even his unspoken thoughts rested right in my palm.
—‘It’s a big problem that the elders refuse to acknowledge that I’ve found the Goblet of the Golden Star. They’re hell-bent on proving it’s fake… I feel sorry for Lox. He must be having a hard time.’
So that was it.
The elders were firmly on the First Prince’s side. News that the Second Prince—whom they’d ignored for so long—had found the Goblet of the Golden Star wouldn’t be welcome.
It would be a bolt from the blue.
—‘Even if the mages vouch for it, they won’t believe it. This pointless debate over authenticity will drag on, and I can’t continue the journey like this. What should I do? They only want to obstruct me, so reason won’t work.’
I was supposed to be listening in silence, but frustration nearly made me blurt something out.
—‘For now, it may be better to postpone verifying the treasure’s authenticity and call Lox back.’
Continuing the trial seemed right for now… but in the meantime, there was nowhere he could entrust the Goblet of the Golden Star.
If he left it with his younger siblings, it would only lead to bloodshed. They’d be too busy trying to save themselves while he was gone.
Even with his thoughts tangled like this, Ash kept smiling at me, and his dance didn’t falter even once.
He led me perfectly, even when I occasionally tried to step on his feet.
Looking at that gentle, relaxed face, who could imagine it? That inside, his mind was a mess of worries.
—‘Who is there? I need someone I can entrust the goblet to with peace of mind. And someone strong enough not to be easily swept up in schemes. If the Lord Rovenin were in the capital, I would have asked him…’
Being a prince sounded exhausting.
To go to all the trouble of finding a treasure, only to be met with suspicion and disapproval instead of praise.
‘I should never get involved with the Imperial Palace. I hate anything dirty and cheap.’
As I made that vow, I found myself looking at Ash with pity.
“Should we take a break? You seem thirsty.”
“Shall we?”
“I think they’re giving out drinks near the entrance. Let’s go over there.”
We slipped out of the flow of the dance and headed toward a quieter area.
It was also the direction where Rai had been waiting while I danced.
“But… Geenie?”
“Hm?”
“For some reason, it feels like everyone is avoiding you. Is it just my imagination?”