I signaled him to quickly get to the point without such nonsense. However, instead of addressing the main topic, the Birds urged me for my response.

“What are your preferences? Wouldn’t you feel more excited using honorifics?”

“…”

What kind of situation is this?

I couldn’t figure out what his intention was in bringing up such a conversation.

‘No, wasn’t it wrong from the beginning to try to find intent in a crazy person?’

I should have recognized him as a lunatic from the moment he tried to take me away as a pheasant. For now, I decided to answer his question obediently.

“It doesn’t matter. No, I don’t like your honorifics; they don’t sound nice.”

“Is that so?”

The Birds, who threw out his words as if it were nothing, asked again.

“What about flowers? You don’t have a preference for flowers either?”

“I like flowers.”

Feeling unjust that only I was using honorifics, I added, “But I don’t like your honorifics; they don’t sound nice.”

“Is that so?”

Terrifyingly, the Birds, who responded abruptly, continued to ask.

“What about this? You don’t have a preference for this flower bouquet?”

“I’ll take it.”

Receiving the flower bouquet without hesitation, the sweet fragrance tickled my nose.

‘It’s nice.’

Since the North was barren, and it was winter, there were no flowers to be seen. However, receiving such a large bouquet suddenly made me feel good.

But this mood quickly crumbled. It was because the Birds, who was holding the bouquet, spoke to me like this.

“I personally chose the roses for you early this morning.”

Suddenly, the beautiful flower bouquet felt uncomfortably heavy.

‘Ah, really. Do I have to accept this conversation?’

As I tried to return the bouquet, the Birds and my eyes met as if they were waiting.

In their gaze, which showed no trace of negative emotions, I felt my heart sinking. It was awkward, as if they were looking at a lover.

Unable to push him away or avoid him, all I could do was ask.

“Why are you staring at me?”

“Just looking at you makes me happy.”

“I’m not happy about it.”

I should’ve just not asked. Hearing the answer made me feel even dirtier.

Whether my furrowed face was visible or not, the Birds smiled brightly.

“I should have met you sooner.”

It was a chilling remark.

The next day, the story of Prince Birds and Marian spread like wildfire in social circles.

“Prince Birds went to the Chang Palace and met Prince Hadel’s lover.”

“There were more than one person who saw the scene of him handing over the flower bouquet, right?”

There were many eyewitnesses because Chang Palace was brightly lit on all sides due to the fire hazard.

The social circles, always lacking in gossip, were enthusiastic about this. Especially since Prince Birds had no common rumors, attention was naturally focused on him.

As much as Birds’ visit, the large bouquet he was holding became a topic of discussion.

“There’s a rumor that he personally chose and made that bouquet.”
“I suppose you are asking me to take good care of my future sister-in-law, right? It seems like you want to support Prince Hadel.”

“To say that, considering the appearance of that lady…”

Prince Birds, Sessil, and an unidentified lady were just beginning to discuss their triangular relationship.

The signal announced Sessil’s visit. The ladies, who had been gossiping about her, put on affectionate smiles and bowed their heads.

“Thank you for coming, Lady Sessil.”

“Yes.”

Sessil, sensing the atmosphere, gave a brief response. After all, there was no one who wanted to hear her greetings.

The hostess whispered to Sessil.

“Do you happen to know what will happen to the engagement between Prince Hadel and Miss Nella?”

Then another lady asked.

“There’s a story that Prince Birds ordered that lady to stay at the Jade Palace. Is that true?”

“Who is that lady from which family?”

Sessil repeated the same words like a parrot.

“I haven’t heard anything.”

She really didn’t know. However, the ladies looked at her as if she were hiding a secret.

On the way back home, Sessil shivered in desolation.

‘I thought a day like this might come someday.’

It wasn’t strange how it ended, as the relationship wasn’t based on true love.

‘But there’s no need to make me so miserable.’

Isn’t there courtesy even when parting? Sessil shot an angry glance into the air. She couldn’t figure out who she should vent this anger to.

The day after meeting Birds in the palace for the first time, the garden was completely set up with tables and chairs by the Birds.

As soon as I saw that, I turned my body around.

“I want to go back.”

The Birds casually clenched their fists and pointed to the chairs.

“Just sit for a moment.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Then we should throw all of this away.”

“What now?”

As he gestured, servants appeared one by one, carrying trays. From a large teapot with hot tea to a checkerboard-patterned cookie where black and white intersect, various cupcakes, and sparkling sugar cookies.