“It’s consideration to minimize movement.”

‘Just how shamelessly does he intend to use me.’

Besides, no matter what, this was clearly the crown princess’s room. Knowing full well why I came to the First Prince’s Palace, I couldn’t understand how they could carelessly give me such a room.

Well, could I even lay a finger on that man? The one who should be worried was me, not Cahirun.

‘I won’t be able to rest comfortably in the room either.’

I was already tired. But this man was no longer the guild master Cal I used to know.

A mere maid couldn’t argue with Cahirun, the First Prince. I had already kneaded my future with my own words more than once, so I needed to bow down flat now.

Cahirun, who had been staring at me intently, covered his mouth with his fist and turned his head sideways.

I glared at his face that seemed to be smiling strangely, but he turned his eyes. I quickly blinked innocently.

“Do you have something you want to say?”

“No, Your Highness.”

“Your lips look petty. Don’t you like this room?”

“Petty? What… ahem.”

Right, since he spoke first, let’s try talking.

“It seems this room is for the crown princess to use. I think it would be better to assign me a different room, even if it’s a bit farther.”

As I made the request as politely as possible, Cahirun, who had been staring at me with his arms crossed, smirked.

“You’re already worried about a non-existent crown princess.”

Cahirun looked around the room widely as he continued speaking.

“The crown princess won’t be using this room. I have no intention of using separate rooms from my wife.”

The decisively uttered words were unexpected. I thought he had no interest in women, to the point where rumors of him being homosexual circulated, but it seems that’s not the case.

‘But I think Isola will hate it.’

As I recalled the face that grimaced, saying she felt suffocated just looking at the black mask,

“So use it freely now.”

Cahirun smiled brightly. I didn’t know why that smile strangely made the back of my neck feel chilly.

“By the way.”

Cahirun stared at one spot. Following his gaze, I saw the birdcage placed on the table.

“Did you have a hobby of raising birds?”

“Ah, that’s…”

Without even waiting for my answer, Cahirun walked briskly towards the birdcage. Then he opened the cage door without hesitation. Two pigeons flapped their wings in fright.

Easily subduing the struggling pigeons with one hand, Cahirun stared at them without emotion.

“Usually people raise canaries or parrots, but pigeons. That’s unique.”

For some reason, his smile was cold. The terrified pigeons twisted their heads frantically.

“But I don’t like birds, so.”

At the threatening aura that seemed like he would snap their necks right away, the pigeons desperately avoided Cahirun’s gaze.

‘Huh? Wait.’

If only these damned pigeons were gone, I wouldn’t have to worry about my eyes being gouged out, right? If Cahirun just got rid of them like this…

‘No, no. Even so, it’s obvious he’d just create other pigeons.’

I’d only arouse Floria’s suspicion for nothing.

“Let them go. They’ll get hurt like that!”

My heart!

As I hurriedly approached, Cahirun raised his hand holding the pigeons high.

“Squawk! Coo!”

The pigeons made strangled sounds as they flapped.

“You shouldn’t torment animals!”

As I cried out urgently, Cahirun let out a scornful laugh.

“Who’s tormenting whom.”

Raising his eyebrows as he looked down at me, Cahirun soon stretched the corners of his mouth wide.

“Fine, I’ll wait until you ask for help with your own mouth.”

What is he saying? Does he perhaps know what these damn pigeons are?

As I tilted my head in confusion, Cahirun glared at the pigeons.

“It would be better for you to stay caged until then.”

Don’t even think about spouting nonsense.

At the low growling sound, the startled pigeons trembled.

Cahirun’s appearance, making even the pigeons scared, evoked both admiration and fear in me. Because I was in no different position from those pigeons.

“Then I’ll go.”

After personally locking the cage door, Cahirun nodded his head.

“Where are you going?”

“Aren’t you hungry? It’s already dinner time.”

“Ah, I’m fine…”

“You’re not going to refuse someone who came to escort you personally, are you?”

Huh? There’s no man scarier than this one who smiles and tilts his head like that. I saw an illusion of the north wind and snow sweeping behind my back.

‘Damn it.’

I felt like I would get indigestion right away if I ate face to face with him, but I had no choice but to refuse. In the end, as I obediently followed him out, Cahirun held out his arm to me.

What am I supposed to do? As I just stared blankly, he urged me.

“What are you doing? Take it.”

“Pardon?”

Surely he doesn’t mean for me to grab this arm?

It seems that’s exactly what he means. Cahirun gestured to his forearm once again.

“I said I came to escort you.”

No, since when did he have such manners? Besides, where is there a maid who receives an escort from a prince?

As I couldn’t hide my reluctance, Cahirun raised his eyebrows.

Based on past experience, Cahirun tended to express his mood with his eyebrows, so I quickly placed my hand on his arm. Only then did he seem satisfied and start walking.

‘What is this.’

On the way to the dining room, the palace people we encountered couldn’t hide their surprised looks.

They looked at me, then at the hand resting on his forearm, and finally confirmed Cahirun’s face. Then they gaped in shock.

After experiencing those gazes several times, I was already tired by the time I sat at the dining room table. I picked up the water glass first.

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

I spat out the water I was drinking.

“Ah, I’m, I’m sorry.”

I quickly wiped the table with a napkin. The one fortunate thing was that I didn’t spit it as far as where Cahirun was sitting.

“Your Highness, what I said earlier was…”

I racked my brains hard, but couldn’t come up with a suitable excuse.

It was clearly words referring to Cahirun, no matter who heard it. It was obvious that this sly man would latch onto whatever excuse I tried to make.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m used to it since it’s not the first or second time I’ve heard it.”

“…”

I felt dizzy as memories of all the harsh words I had spouted in front of him flashed by. I quietly averted my gaze from the grinning Cahirun. At times like this, pretending not to know was the best option.

Just then, servants placed plates on the table. Thinking I should quickly eat and leave, I looked down at the food and froze.

‘Carrots…!’

I didn’t expect to face the precaution I had emphasized with asterisks on the questionnaire so soon.

No, how could they blatantly serve carrots even after experiencing the horrific incident of the chef’s head being cut off not long ago? Are the carrots only on my plate?

“Tsk.”

Seeing him click his tongue in displeasure, it seems that’s not the case. Cahirun asked the servant who had brought the food.

“Has Fabien returned?”

“Yes.”

“That…”

“Wow, this looks so delicious!”

I shouted to divert his attention before someone’s head was cut off right before my eyes. I quickly put the steak in my mouth and continued with a surprised expression.

“You should try it quickly, the meat melts in your mouth.”

I wondered if saying this would be of any use, but Cahirun, who had been staring at me blankly, smirked and picked up his cutlery.

“I thought you said you weren’t hungry.”

Cahirun started elegantly cutting his steak.

I was worried that if I accidentally offended him, not only the chef’s but also my neck might be in danger, but thankfully that wasn’t the case. As I inwardly sighed in relief, Cahirun suddenly frowned.

“Wait. What kind of misunderstanding are you having again.”

“Pardon?”

“You believed some ridiculous rumors before too.”

Cahirun, who had completely stopped his hands, looked at me with displeasure.

“What have you picked up this time.”

He raised his eyebrows as if urging me to speak quickly. Feeling like the meat I was chewing was getting stuck in my throat at his pressing gaze, I reluctantly opened my mouth.

“…Have you ever cut off the head of a chef who served carrots?”

No sooner had I finished speaking than Cahirun let out a sigh that sounded like lamentation. He rested his chin on one hand crookedly and stared at me.

“Let’s clear this up properly this time. No matter how crazy I am, I’m not a lunatic who draws his sword just from making eye contact.”

Damn, he remembers what I said. I bit my lips.

“It’s true that I dislike carrots, but.”

Cahirun showed me a carrot he had stabbed with his fork.

“I don’t carelessly behead people over something like this. Fabien has been serving carrots on my plate for over a decade now.”

“Then how did such a rumor spread?”

“There are people who disapprove of whatever I do.”

Cahirun answered nonchalantly.

Ah. Perhaps the Second Prince’s side spread false rumors?

Recalling the queen who was desperate to get rid of Cahirun, it was a natural inference.

“Then is the rumor that even crying children wail more also incorrect?”

“Ah, that one’s true. Kids don’t seem to like me very much.”

Cahirun, who quickly admitted it, lowered the hand that had been supporting his chin and straightened his posture.

Then he stared at me intently. Finding it difficult to meet his somewhat lingering gaze, I quietly avoided it, and he smiled faintly.

One more thing.

“I don’t have a hobby of homosexuality. I definitely like women.”