“Dress, you can take it off. I’ll look away.”

Heath touched my forehead.

I couldn’t tell if Heath’s hand was cold from being wet, or if my forehead was too hot, but a cool breeze spread through my throbbing head as soon as Heath’s touch landed.

“You’ll catch a cold like this.”

I didn’t ponder for long. The chilly sensation didn’t seem to stop, making it difficult to refuse.

“Well, please do.”

Heath looked away like a gentleman as I hesitated to speak.

With cold, stiff fingers, I fumbled to find the buttons on the back. The button just below the neck was easily undone, but the further down I went, the less I could reach.

It turned out to be unfortunate that I wore a dress adorned with many decorative buttons today.

While I was struggling for a moment, Heath’s voice came through.

“Is there a problem?”

I hesitated. I didn’t want to do this, but my whole body was tingling with cold. I eventually closed my eyes tightly and spoke.

“The buttons won’t come undone.”

An awkward silence flowed.

“Will you help me?”

I asked nonchalantly, though inside, I was intensely wondering whether it wouldn’t be better just to get sick and lie in bed for a few days.

“Yes.”

Thankfully, Heath answered calmly.

As Heath approached, I fidgeted with my fingers, feeling awkward.

There was no reason to feel awkward. Wearing several layers of petticoats under the dress, it was almost the same as being fully dressed even after taking off a few layers of the dress.

In South Korea, where offshoulder blouses were trendy and people posted bikini photos on social media during summer vacations, it was strange to feel embarrassed over a few buttons, but I couldn’t cool down my flushing cheeks.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Heath’s breath touched my earlobe and then fell away. I could still taste the sweet aftertaste of the soda he had drunk earlier.

Heath carefully gathered my wet hair clinging to my back over my shoulder. A brief, warm touch brushed past my nape.

“Sorry. Did I startle you?”

Heath’s voice apologizing politely was as calm as usual, but the slight gritting of teeth at the end couldn’t erase the impression that he was holding back with all his strength.

“No, no. It’s okay.”

“Then, don’t be surprised.”

With that, Heath began to unbutton rapidly. For a while, only the rustling of fabric and our shallow breaths were heard.

“It’s done. I’ll turn back now, so please be comfortable.”

Finally freed from the heavy, waterlogged dress, I peeked at Heath, who was dutifully looking away.

Sitting in the place farthest from the fireplace, perhaps out of embarrassment, he occasionally rubbed his neck with one hand.

Whenever he did, his deep brown hair would briefly reveal and then hide his reddened earlobe.

“Phew.”

I finally overcame the awkwardness and let out a small laugh.

“Why are you laughing?”

Heath’s voice, inquiring, was also tinged with laughter.

“Come closer.”

I patted the seat next to me.

“Heath, you’ll catch a cold too.”

“No, no. I’m fine like this.”

Water droplets still dripped from Heath’s hair.

I eventually pulled Heath’s arm.

“If you keep being stubborn, I’ll sit far away too.”

Eventually, Heath moved a little closer. Though he was still looking elsewhere, sitting side by side in front of the fireplace, it felt like warmth was quickly filling my body.

“I’m sorry. I came to relieve your exhaustion, but I ended up causing you more trouble.”

At Heath’s words, I shook my head.

“Not at all. It was so much fun today.”

I opened my mouth again.

“And Heath always thinks he’s making me suffer, but that’s not it.”

Heath turned his head to me in surprise at my words, then quickly turned away again.

“Ah—”

“I do it because I want to.”
I turned my head to catch eyes with Hiss and peeked out.

Hiss seemed a little flustered when he caught my eyes but soon smiled faintly.

“I might think it’s presumptuous, but I think there’s no one more suitable for the position of Crown Prince than Hiss, so I’m helping.”

Hiss was the one who worried about the Kingdom of Ksia more fervently than anyone else.

The reason for staying longer in the academy that graduates in 3 years to study imperial studies intensively, the reason for traveling all over Ksia’s territories every vacation, and even the reason why he first decided to contract an engagement with me, were all to become a good ruler.

“I do like money, but it’s not just about helping Hiss for money. I want to help. So don’t feel indebted.”

I crossed my arms and made a serious face.

“Don’t make me feel guilty for doing what I want.”

Hiss looked at me silently for a moment. It was difficult to read his feelings through his green eyes, agitated by the jumping flames.

After looking at me for a long time, Hiss slowly lifted one hand and took away a wet strand of hair from my face.

“I know.”

It was a quiet word.

“I just don’t believe it.”

Hiss’s smile, smiling again, was somehow full of wounds.

“How can you do that?”

“Huh?”

“How can you want to help others so purely?”

Hiss’s eyes, always upright and considerate, gradually darkened like spreading ink.