“To minimize the movement route, considerate, isn’t it?”

‘How much is he trying to gain by doing this all the time?’

Moreover, no matter what, this was undoubtedly a room used by the Crown Prince. I couldn’t understand why I was given such a room, knowing clearly why I came to the 1st Prince’s residence.

After all, could I lay a finger on that man? I should worry about myself, not Cahillen.

‘It’s going to be tough even to rest comfortably in my room.’

I was already tired. However, this man was no longer the guild master Karl I used to know.

To Prince Cahillen, I, as a mere maid, could not argue or protest. Having already shaped my future with my own words, it was now time to bow down.

Cahillen, who had been silently staring at me, covered his mouth with a fist and turned his head sideways.

The slightly amused face that seemed to be smiling strangely made me feel uncomfortable. As I watched, he rolled his eyes. I quickly blinked my eyes.

“Do you have something to say?”

“No, Your Highness.”

“Your lips seem awkward. Don’t you like this room?”

“Awkward? What… Well.”

Yes, I initiated the conversation first, so let’s talk.

“I think this room seems to be used by Prince.”

“Already worrying about the nonexistent Prince, huh?”

Cahillen looked around the room and spoke.

“The Prince will never use this room. I have no intention of using a room separately from my wife.”

The firm statement was unexpected. I thought he had little interest in women, as there were rumors about his disinterest in women.

‘But he might dislike this term.’

Recalling the face that turned repulsive when looking at the black mask, Cahillen smiled.

“So, go ahead and use it freely now.”

Cahillen grinned. I couldn’t figure out why my back felt so chilly with that smile.

“By the way.”

Cahillen glanced at a certain place. Following his gaze, I saw a cage on the table.

“Do you have a hobby of raising birds?”

“Oh, that…”

Without listening to my answer, Cahillen walked confidently toward the cage. Then, without hesitation, he opened the cage door. Two pigeons fluttered their wings in fright.

Suppressing the struggling pigeons effortlessly with one hand, Cahillen gazed at them with indifference.

“Usually, people raise canaries or parrots, not pigeons. Quite unusual.”

Somehow, his smile was chilly. The frightened pigeons twisted their heads desperately, avoiding Cahillen’s gaze.

‘Wait a minute.’

If only those damn pigeons weren’t here, there wouldn’t be a problem with my eye injury. If Cahillen could get rid of them…

‘No, no. Even if he does, it’s obvious that he’ll create new pigeons.’
“It’s just going to raise suspicion from Floria.”

“Please let them go. They might get hurt!”

My heart!

As I hurriedly approached, Cahillen raised the hand holding the pigeon high.

“Kkuak! Kkaak!”

The pigeons made sleepy sounds, flapping their wings.

“You shouldn’t torment animals!”

When I shouted anxiously, Cahillen let out a laughter as if he found it absurd.

“Who’s tormenting whom?”

Raising his eyebrows, Cahillen looked down at me, then extended his smile.

“Yes, wait until you directly ask for help with your own mouth.”

What nonsense. Does he know what these damn pigeons are?

As I looked puzzled, Cahillen shot a glance at the pigeons.

“It’s better for them to stay quiet in the cage until you ask for help.”

Don’t blabber nonsense.

At Cahillen’s low humming sound, the startled pigeons shivered.

Looking at Cahillen, who made even the pigeons fearful, admiration and fear struck me simultaneously. Because I was in a situation not much different from those pigeons.

“Then, let’s go.”

Cahillen, who locked the cage door himself, nodded.

“Where do you mean?”

“Aren’t you going to the market? It’s already evening.”

“Oh, I’m fine…”

“I won’t reject someone who came to escort me, will I?”

Huh? There is no way such a scary man has such manners. The illusion of a cold wind blowing behind me appeared.

‘Damn.’

Facing each other and having a meal would make me choke, but the word ‘rejection’ did not exist for me. In the end, Cahillen extended his arm to me.

What should I do? As I hesitated, he urged me.

“What are you waiting for? Grab it.”

“What?”

Surely he doesn’t mean I should grab his arm?

It seemed that was the case. Cahillen gestured again with his eyes to my forearm.

“I came to escort you.”

No, when did such manners exist? Besides, where is the maid who receives an escort from the prince?

Unable to hide my reluctance, Cahillen raised his eyebrows.

Based on past experiences, Cahillen tended to express his emotions with his eyebrows, so I quickly placed my hand on his arm. Satisfied, he moved his steps.

‘What is this?’

During the way to the dining room, the courtiers I encountered couldn’t hide their surprise.

They looked at me, then at the hand on my forearm, and finally checked Cahillen’s face. Then, they opened their mouths in astonishment.

Having experienced those glances several times, I was already exhausted when we sat at the dining table. I picked up a glass.

“How does it feel to be escorted by a lunatic?”