“Her Highness Esmeralda called me first today, saying that Reina would be at the training grounds. She asked me to check as something seemed to be in her eye… I misunderstood when I checked closely, as there seemed to be nothing there.”

His spat out the last words with a shallow breath.

“That’s all.”

His looked at me with tense eyes, the sincerity in them making me want to hide a little.

We had certainly started our relationship as a contract, but at some point, the look in His’s eyes towards me began to take on a tender glow.

But I couldn’t accept it. I didn’t know how to return it.

“It’s okay.”

As His’s eyes seemed to gauge if I was really okay, I shrugged and helped him to his feet.

“You don’t need to explain to me, really.”

At first, emotions only faintly revealed themselves, but they grew to an overwhelming point where I didn’t know how to handle them. So, I chose to run away.

I laughed softly and waved my hand.

“Why worry about such things between us? I understand fully if His has feelings for another, what would change between us? What have I received from His so far?”

Seeing His’s face crumble in an instant, I turned my head.

“I will always be the best partner for His.”

For a while, there was no sound other than the whisper of the wind, so I courageously glanced at His. Our eyes met, where I thought he would be looking elsewhere.

I felt as though all of me was laid bare.

His’s lips were smiling as always, but his eyes were distorted.

“Partner.”

His briefly clasped my hands that were folded on his knee.

“Can we still remain partners even after I become the crown prince?”

I could not answer his question that seemed like a murmur to himself.

(This is a time separator.)

I don’t know what spirit I left the training grounds with, but as soon as I did, someone caught me and took me between the trees. I didn’t even need to check who it was.

“Kirian.”

“You’re forgiving him just like that?”

I didn’t need to ask how he knew. Kirian would have heard all our conversation in this distance, without missing a syllable.

“What is there to forgive? From what I heard, it seemed like a trivial misunderstanding.”

A soft, mocking laugh came.

“Misunderstanding? Alright, let’s call it a misunderstanding.”

Kirian’s eyes flashed sharply, but his fingertips trembled slightly.

“What’s this about forgiving him even if he has feelings for someone else? Staying by his side even if he finds someone else, what on earth is that?”

I was momentarily at a loss for words at Kirian’s stammering question.

“No, no, that’s not what I meant.”

I started to reach out but then hesitated.
There was no way to explain. That we were actually contractually engaged, tied together not by private feelings but by mutual benefit. Though it had gotten tangled along the way, the contract was still valid.

I couldn’t possibly say that.

“No, well, it means I trust you that much.”

I eventually stumbled over my words with an awkward laugh.

“Break up.”

When his voice, which had been gruff until just a moment ago, became calm without a single crease in an instant, I belatedly understood Kirian’s words.

“What are you talking about?”

“You know, Sister. This relationship is not normal.”

Kirian stepped back and looked down at me.

“Are you scared of a divorce? Father will do whatever you want.”

I shook my head.

“It’s not that. There’s no reason to break up.”

I saw Kirian’s body stiffen for a moment.

“Do you like that person so much, Sister? Enough to accept everything?”

I didn’t know what to answer.

“Kirian.”

“No? You’re doing this because of the guilt you feel, Sister. Because of an absurd sense of debt.”

“Stop it. It’s none of your business.”

Although it was nasty if it was nasty, I never cut off Kirian’s words so coldly before, but I couldn’t stop.

“So stop it. I like it this way.”

Kirian, who had been silent for a while, finally opened his mouth.

“I might be fine with this, Sister, but I’m not.”

(This is a time separator.)

Kirian quickly followed Reina’s disappearing back with his eyes.

“Did… Did I make a mistake?”

It was Esmeralda. She approached cautiously.

“Maybe because the reaction I expected didn’t come out.”

Kirian rubbed his forehead with one hand.

“No, it’s fine.”

Esmeralda hesitated again and then opened her mouth.

“You’ll grant my request too, right?”

“Yes.”

It was an insincere answer, but Esmeralda decided to be satisfied. She didn’t want to provoke the irritated Kirian any further.

As she was about to turn and leave, someone pushed her aside and ran to Kirian.

“Young Master Kirian!”

It was Gerald. Proudly returning from the State Council meeting, Gerald had not even shown his face in the dormitory room while hanging out with friends for a few nights. But now, he looked completely different.

“He, help me!”

His hands were shaking as if there was no rat to be seen.

“They’re asking me to demonstrate Elding hunting technique.”

However, Kirian just looked down at Gerald with unfeeling eyes.

“I think I’ve helped enough.”

Gerald fell to his knees with a thud. Gerald, who clung to Kirian’s foot, sobbed.

“Just help me once more. Just once more to hunt like before…”

But Kirian pulled his foot sharply from Gerald’s hand and left as if something disgusting had touched him.

When Kirian disappeared, the only people left in the training ground were Gerald, who was shedding tears, and Esmeralda, who had been closely watching everything.