Nathaniel firmly gripped my wrist and closed his eyes. The stinging sensation slowly faded.

‘I think this is the first time I’ve looked at his face so closely.’

I had nothing else to do, so I closely examined Nathaniel’s face. His round forehead, high nose, and seemingly soft, white, and smooth cheeks were visible.

His long and lush eyelashes fluttered.

He looked certainly attractive when he was quiet like this.

‘If only he were always this obedient.’

I kept looking at his face and the gripping fingertips seemed hot.

The sound of the wind, and occasionally being alone in the room holding hands, made me more nervous.

Perhaps because of his serious expression, he felt like a different person.

“Hey, aren’t you concentrating?”

“Huh?”

I was suddenly startled by his words and almost screamed. Nathaniel’s expression became more grim.

“I’m giving you magic right now. Focus and feel it properly.”

I inadvertently looked at his grumbling, pouting lips.

They looked soft and fluffy.

“Jaina?”

“Yes, yes!”

“Let’s stop for today.”

“Why?”

“You don’t seem well.”

“I’m fine.”

“Your face is red, and your heart is beating fast.”

“Ah. I must be a little hot.”

“Really?”

Saying so, Nathaniel looked down. Though I wore a thick cardigan, my pajamas were thin, revealing some flesh.

“What, what are you looking at!”

“Why are you angry?”

Nathaniel blushed, perhaps bewildered by my reaction. An awkward silence ensued.

“Let’s try again.”

“Are you really okay?”

“Yes.”

I couldn’t possibly tell him I was fascinated by his face, so fumbling was the answer.

After holding hands with Nathaniel and following his lead, I closed my eyes. It seemed troublesome to keep my eyes open.

“Relax.”

An intangible energy slowly began to seep in from my fingertips.

It felt like static electricity was rising inside my body, stinging at first, then gradually becoming ticklish.

And that tickling slowly spread throughout my body.

“What, something’s strange.”

“Feel the energy moving inside you.”

“Ugh, it feels weird.”

Still, I clearly felt what Nathaniel was calling magic.

“Collect that and push it out through your fingertips. Then imagine a round ball of light.”

I tried to visualize the image following his words. I concentrated, thinking of pushing the energy traveling inside my body outward.

How much time had passed?

“Open your eyes.”

I carefully opened my eyes at Nathaniel’s gentle voice.

A small ball of light, smaller than my fist, floated before my eyes.

“Wow, I succeeded!”

“Yes. Though I did almost half of it.”

“I can’t believe it. This, this worked.”

I felt like I was dreaming that what I had seen in movies or novels was actually happening.

“Is it that amazing?”
“Is that so? Nathaniel says he doesn’t know because he writes it all the time.”

“Hmm.”

He still seemed to not understand.

“First, let’s practice making it without my help.”

“Will you help?”

He looked at my face in silence for a moment and then turned his gaze away.

Silence filled the room.

Ever since I heard that he liked it that day, there have been moments like this where we feel awkward with each other.

Watching each other’s movements, not knowing what to do….

‘Let’s sleep for now.’

Suddenly, the light bead disappeared. I spoke, avoiding Nathaniel’s eyes.

“It’s late today, so let’s go to sleep, us.”

“Uhhuh.”

Nathaniel’s oddly heated gaze followed me.

Pretending not to know, I turned off the light and lay down in bed.

(This is a time separator.)

How to create a natural moment to boast magic?

Anaïs and I racked our brains.

“If I show it directly, it may hurt your pride.”

I decided to change my mind at the words of Princess Anaïs.

I haven’t held a proper social gathering since becoming the crown princess.

So I decided to take care of two things at once with this opportunity.

I called Cassian and Teresa and picked the young ladies and noblewomen to send invitations to.

I made a list that evenly included people from neutral families, nobles, and emperor’s factions.

“Check one last time if anyone is missing.”

“It seems like no one is missing. It’s perfect.”

Despite Cassian’s words, I checked the list once more.

Then Teresa, who was looking at the list, quietly opened her mouth.

“We also have to send one to Lady Groban. If we don’t, we might be attacked by Her Majesty the Empress.”

When Teresa mentioned a name that she had purposely left out, I was startled and lost for words.

“If you are thinking about me and not calling, you don’t have to.”

“Teresa, will you be okay with that place? You can’t avoid it.”

I quietly held her hand and spoke. The fact that Groban the Earl had done something filthy was known.

But who the victim was had been kept a strict secret.

Because of that, if Teresa does not appear there, rumors that the relationship between the crown princess and her has been twisted may circulate.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

Teresa’s expression was firm.

I didn’t intend to do this.

“I would have had to face him someday anyway. I’m really okay. Groban the Earl is not my family.”

Saying so, she wrote the invitation herself and handed it to me.

“So don’t worry.”

She didn’t forget to smile sweetly.

At her appearance, as if she had completely forgotten that incident, I bit my lip.

I knew I had to meet him someday, but I didn’t want to meet him this quickly.

“I understand. If it’s hard, tell me anytime. You understand?”

“Yes. Don’t worry. Cassian is there.”

I received a firm promise once more and finished sending the invitations.

“Now, shall we decide on the tea?”

I changed the subject to cakes to accompany the tea to lighten the mood.

“Since it’s the first tea party we’re hosting, I would like a dessert that leaves a strong impression.”

Teresa nodded to Cassian’s words and brought up a pâtissier story from a recent trip to the kingdom.

The atmosphere, which had been heavy just moments before, lightened considerably.

(This is a time separator.)

After discussing for a while, I sent them away and got up from my seat.

Looking out the window, the sun was already setting.

“Shall I have dinner with Nathaniel?”

He would still be in the study at this time. I left the reception room and headed for the study.

I arrived soon, knocked lightly, and opened the door.

“Nathaniel…….”

I lost my words at the scene unfolded in the room.