Shortly after, we plopped down on the floor, panting heavily.

“Phew, pant… oh, I’m so exhausted.”

I lay down flat. Playing with a kid burns a lot of calories.

But it seemed I was the only one tired, as Louis rushed toward me again soon after.

“Louis, give me a break.”

“Aileen, you’re low on stamina!”

“True, most adults are like this.”

And that’s normal.

Once I admitted my defeat, Louis who had climbed on top of me, chuckled.

“Aileen, can I invite a friend to the castle?”

“A friend? Ah, should I send an invitation to Lady Raphia?”

I recalled the shy young lady I met during the coronation ceremony.

Certainly, playing with a friend of the same age could be more fun than playing with me, with my low energy.

While I was silently agreeing, Louis spoke curiously.

“Yep, and I also have to send one to my secret friend!”

“Who’s your secret friend?”

“Ah, can’t say!”

Louis seemed surprised by his own words and quickly covered his mouth.

‘Come to think of it, he did make a new friend during the party.’

Could that kid be the secret friend?

“So how will you send the invitation?”

“Umm, I will send it myself!”

“Do so.”

It was too adorable that he was concerned about keeping it a secret when servants would find out anyway.

“I’m curious who your secret friend could be.”

“Since it’s a secret friend, it’s a secret!”

The kid evaded me and ran away.

‘How cute.’

Another good heartpounding moment today.

I was affectionately stroking my chest when—

“You must be full of yourself.”

“Ah!”

I was startled by the sudden touch, and found myself in Kashar’s arms.

“Don’t scare me like that!”

Feeling unjust, I struggled, but he just leaned in and kissed me.

“Because you’re cute.”

“…”

“See? You like it.”

I was still powerless against his charm.

‘Heart, don’t act up.’

I should say no in such moments!

While I was experiencing internal conflict, Kashar extended his hand confidently.

“Give that to me.”

“…This is from Louis. And he’s not a man; he’s a child.”

In case you keep forgetting, he’s your brother.

Ignoring my argument, Kashar smirked.

“Looking at him act like that, he’ll grow up fast. Quite the fox, isn’t he?”

He always asserted that ‘all men are beasts.’

“Maybe he takes after Kashar! This is mine, you know?”

“Well, fine.”

As I held the note dearly, Kashar shrugged.

‘Why is he so agreeable all of a sudden?’

Just as I thought it was too easy—

“I’ll snatch it from you tonight.”

He whispered slyly into my ear.

“…!”

My face flushed instantly.

Pushing him away, I retreated.

“Where are you going?”

“…To my room!”

“Ah, I see no reason to wait until night.”

He spoke as if realizing something crucial.

‘That guy’s a fox. No, a snake.’

It was clear that crafty blood ran in the royal family.

‘I can’t go now!’

I have a mountain of things to think about!
“Kashar!”

“Hm?”

“What’s that?”

What Kashar held was an ancientlooking book.

I had been curious for a while now.

‘It’s the first time I’ve seen him holding a book.’

It looked more intellectual and safer than when he held a sword.

As I gazed intently, he smiled and asked,

“Curious?”

“Yes.”

Nodding readily, Kashar’s cordial introduction followed.

“Fortyfive ways to be a good husband.”

What… fortyfive ways?

“It’s because the servants call you the prospective bride, so I thought I should prepare as well.”

My face never brightened up.

Having lost interest in the burning sweet potato of a book, I switched off my curiosity.

“Ah, right. I plan to go out in two days.”

“What outing?”

“Well, I received an invitation from the Countess of Sylphia Ailid. I asked to learn social etiquette from her.”

It was me who had promised to inform before going anywhere since I was caught sneaking out.

Kashar nodded at my words, seemingly finding it a good idea.

“Aha, bridal training? Go ahead.”

How could ‘social’ sound like ‘bridal’ to him?

“It’s social! Etiquette!”

Frustrated at having to redefine the word, Kashar embraced me.

“Then I’ll miss you a bit.”

“Ah, where are you taking me!”

Kashar kissed me as I screamed.

“You’re cuter without manners.”

He stole my voice with his lips.

In the end, it was I who was pulled into the bed.

(This is a time separator.)

Two days later, the day of my appointment with the Countess arrived.

‘I did try to dress as neatly as possible.’

The fact that she was to teach me manners made me more nervous.

Shortly after, the carriage arrived at the Countess’s estate.

Ludvion escorted me down.

Soon a butler came out to guide us.

“Welcome, Aileen Hallen. I will take you to where the Lady is.”

The Countess’s mansion was beautiful, full of lilies.

I saw a tea table amid the lilies.

Sylphia was waiting for me in the fragrant garden.