“You assigned a watcher to me.”

“There are watching eyes and listening ears throughout this castle, Princess. It’s better not to plot anything within this castle.”

“Since suspicion hasn’t been dispelled, maybe it’s better for me to leave Dongryeong after all. Would His Highness be relieved if I’m out of sight?”

“Yeah, that might be better.”

Geor smiled slyly as he spoke.
“The Maho Castle in the Northland is said to be incredibly beautiful. Everything shines in pure white, making you feel like you’re in heaven. It’s a place you’d want to visit at least once in your lifetime.”

“Then, should Hooje go together?”

“No, I’m fine. I don’t want to be with the princess. It stresses me out.”

“Oh, I see. That’s a relief.”

Ariana’s subtle smile was so beautiful that it could be described as sweet. However, Geor could feel a chilling wall hidden behind that smile.

It was rather fortunate.

Whenever Geor was with Ariana, he experienced stress like never before.

At first, it was the tension of not knowing Ariana’s intentions. Then, the burden of having to protect Ariana from the Duke of Ovelia. Now, an inexplicable irritation that came every time their bodies touched, their breaths brushed, or their gazes met.

During the swordsmanship lessons, there were many moments when their bodies touched. Arms, backs of hands, waists or thighs, or even cheeks against cheeks. With each overlap and brush, he felt a tingling thrill and a feeling of his stomach turning upside down.

When Geor talked about swordsmanship, Ariana would open her eyes wide and look up at Geor with an innocent expression. Even seeing that, he felt a sense of unease.

He thought it might get better over time, but due to the increasingly severe symptoms, he felt stressed.

It felt like riding in a carriage on an unpaved road.

Even now.

Why do I feel so nauseous even when you send me such a sharp smile?

“Dongheuho won’t send the princess to the Northland.”

“Really?”

“Of course. You can’t just hand over a pretty daughter like the princess to the Northern Prince.”

For a moment, Ariana’s white cheeks were filled with a peach-like beautiful color. The color silently spreading was so sweet that Geor forgot about the passage of time for a moment.

“Him handing her over to the Northern Prince. I’m not going to the Northland for that reason.”

As always, Ariana’s calm voice brought him back to reality.

“Just seeking various kinds of help from the Northern Prince and paying a visit for diplomacy. That’s all.”

“That’s fine in itself, but still, Dongheuho won’t try to send the princess. He probably wants to keep his precious daughter by his side, right?”

“Surely not.”

“Wanna bet?”

“What are we betting on?”

“Hair.”

Once again, an impulsive remark.

Strangely, when talking to Ariana, Geor himself often blurted out unexpected words.

“Hair? Is the loser supposed to shave their head?”

“Princess, you’re too radical. Shaving your head is a no-no. I’d be fine, but it wouldn’t suit the princess… with that dress.”

“Is it that big of a problem?”

“It’s a big problem. For a charming lady like you, how important is a dress? It only takes a handful of hair. If I win, I get a handful of the princess’s hair; if the princess wins, she gets a handful of my hair.”

“Hooje, I don’t want Hooje’s hair.”
“That’s hurtful. I should pray to comfort the sadness.”

Ariana was taken aback by Geor, who clasped his hands together and began to pray.

Geor, who could be so sharp and seemingly flawless, occasionally showed foolish and whimsical behavior like this. He was someone challenging to deal with in a different way than with Cyrus.

After finishing the prayer a while later, Geor asked, “So, what would the princess want if she wins the bet?”

“Well, what would be nice?”

Ariana touched her index finger to her chin, tilted her head slightly, and said, “A sword.”

“A sword?”

“I want Hooje’s sword.”

“Oh, you have a discerning eye.”

Geor pulled out the sword he had at his waist, with a navy blue scabbard matching the color of his hair, and placed it on the table.

There were two small gems embedded in the navy blue scabbard, the color of Ariana’s hair, but the sword handle was ordinary compared to the scabbard.

“It’s a good sword. You can pick anything. I was thinking of cutting the princess’s hair with this.”

“Well, I might pierce Hooje with that sword.”

Geor grinned.

“Do you think a handful of the princess’s hair is worth as much as this sword?”

“Of course.”

“You’re confident. Okay, let’s not waste any more time and go see your father.”

“Now?”

“How about tomorrow, then?”

Although Geor had planned to get permission for the Northern expedition from her father today, he hadn’t thought about what to say yet. If Ariana really wants to go, her father would probably allow it. However, seeing Geor suggesting a bet made her uneasy.

Perhaps it would be better to take some time to think about what to offer before going?

“Your father may still be asleep.”

“Father usually wakes up early.”

“It’s still too early.”

“Princess, did you oversleep today?”

“I need time to wake up.”

“Your father has probably already made a round of inspections at the administrative offices.”

Geor smiled mischievously as he watched Ariana feeling embarrassed.

“Why? Are you anxious because you might lose? Do you need time to think of a means to keep your father in check with your pretty hair?”

At Geor’s mocking tone, Ariana stood up, annoyed.

“Let’s go.”

A few months ago, Ariana wouldn’t have responded to such provocation.

The peaceful and secure time in Dongryeong had slowly seeped into Ariana’s heart, silently healing and fixing the broken and shattered parts.

It wasn’t perfect, but her heart was gradually getting better, accepting the emotions she had always observed from a distance as her own.

Geor also knew that Ariana had changed from when she first came to Dongryeong. The eyes that seemed like those of a wounded beast were now occasionally shining like a beloved cat or dog.

It was like that now.

“Really? Are you sure?”

“Yes. My father always listens to what I want. He will never object.”