When Parnes returned to his seat after a brief absence, there was a distinctly different atmosphere about him compared to when he had gotten up from his chair earlier. Perhaps it was an indescribable coldness.

Kasalyn, while picking peas out of her salad, took a subtle glance at his expression.

“Is something the matter?” she asked.

“Don’t be picky with your food.”

“…….”

A pea fell from the fork’s edge and rolled into the lettuce leaves.

Kasalyn quietly pushed the salad bowl away, avoiding his stern gaze, and pretended to be busy with her drink. Then he let out a deflated chuckle.

“You really are something.”

“Why, what’s wrong?” she inquired.

“You act like a mature adult when among people, but when we’re alone, you surprisingly show a childish side.”

He remarked this while thoroughly scanning the mostly emptied table.

“Judging by the fact you’ve devoured the meat, eggs, mousse cake, and fruits completely, while leaving most of the vegetables, your parents must have had a tough time raising you.”

“I’m full, that’s why. And I was a very good daughter, you know.”

“Don’t kid yourself. It’s your picky eating habits that make you so grumpy.”

“And you skip meals all the time, so what does that say about your disposition?” she retorted.

“……What?”

At his suddenly grave tone, Kasalyn’s shoulders jolted.

Had she inadvertently crossed the line in their playful exchange?

As she cautiously looked up, expecting anger, she found Parnes laughing heartily instead.

“I admit defeat. You win.”

He shook his head in disbelief, his usually stern lips now forming a gentle curve, tickling a corner of her heart.

He’s so handsome when he smiles.

Why doesn’t he smile more often?

“What do you mean? I never suggested a bet,” she said.

“No, it’s nothing. Just…”

He tilted his head and muttered to himself.

“You seem kind of cute, that’s all.”

“What? Who is…”

“It’s getting late. Let’s get up if you’re done eating.”

Kasalyn hurriedly followed Parnes, who left without looking back. She wondered if she had misheard him earlier, but the fact that he adjusted his walking pace to hers again today made her think maybe she hadn’t.

“Do you know about the upcoming hunting festival?” he asked while walking.

She knew about the royal hunting festival, an annual charity event for distributing fresh meats and other foodstuffs to the poorhouses. Except for a few simple rules, it was generally an event where all nobles freely enjoyed hunting.

“Of course. I’m preparing thoroughly for it.”

“No, you will take sick leave and rest.”

“What?”

His steps, which had been deliberately slow as if wishing to prolong their time together, suddenly stopped. He turned to face her.

“The schedule will be too strenuous for you in your current state. Understand that and stay in the palace.”

“I can’t do that. The hunting festival is an important event attended by major dignitaries from various countries. As a maid, and as a sister, I must take care of the queen,” she replied earnestly, noticing the seriousness in his words.
A strange sneer flickered in Parnes’ honey-colored eyes as he looked down at Kasalyn.

“You have no obligation to look after Queen Rose. There’s no need or reason for you to do so.”

“What do you mean by that……?”

“You can afford to be more selfish and cunning. You’re still a decent person despite that.”

Leaving those mysterious words behind, he vanished into the far side of the garden.

“I intend to take sick leave for a while,” Kasalyn announced when she sought out Shallen after dinner and tea.

Parnes’ emphatic voice, insisting she should not attend the hunting festival, was weighing on her mind.

Even without his caution, participating in the festival might have been a stretch.

Given her recent condition – sleep deprivation, nervousness, a cold – she was far from being in optimal health. Going on such a journey could risk an accident, and she might not be able to take care of Rose effectively. She was about to explain this when Shallen sharply cut her off.

“I deny your request.”

“Why not?” she asked.

“You are not sick in the slightest, so faking illness to get sick leave is a dereliction of duty. Understand that and go back.”

A throbbing headache began to emerge again.

The thought of having another confrontation with him reignited the headache that had somewhat subsided during her time with Parnes.

“Do you really think I’m pretending to be sick?”

“Flirting with the emperor is fine, but being unable to assist the queen at the hunting festival because of illness – if that’s not faking it, what is?”

“How did you know I was with Emperor Parnes yesterday? Were you spying on me?”

“You seem to think you’ve become royalty, being treated specially. Don’t be delusional. The emperor is only playing along with you, treating you as an interesting toy.”

Shallen stood up after placing his empty cup down.

“Make sure you attend the hunting festival. Stop pretending to be sick.”