CH 20

“I thought you were training in swordsmanship, brother?” Sylphia asked in a shaky voice.

“I finished a bit early today. I didn’t want to miss this precious opportunity,”

Raphir replied as he pulled out the chair next to me and sat down.

“I didn’t invite you, brother.”

“You’ve interrupted Eila and me multiple times when we wanted to have some time alone. Wouldn’t it be unfair if I couldn’t do the same?”

“…….”

Raphir said with a smirk, looking at Sylphia, who had closed her mouth in dissatisfaction. After chuckling at her discontent, Raphir turned his head towards me and rested his chin on his hand.

“How have you been, Eila?”

…He’s too close.

His face is too close.

“I-I’ve been well, Your Highness. Thanks for your concern.”

I remained seated but gently pushed my chair back, creating some distance between us.

Raphir seemed to find even that amusing as he chuckled lightly.

“I hope I didn’t disrupt his royal highness’ schedule…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll make up for it later since I finished early. I don’t want to get scolded by someone again.”

“…….”

Silently avoiding Raphir’s intense gaze, I turned my gaze away.

Sylphia furrowed her eyebrows slightly as she looked at Raphir.

“Brother, you’re too close. It’s impolite to Lady Eila,” Sylphia said.

“Is it?” Raphir asked without averting his gaze from me.

“Am I making you uncomfortable by being too close, Eila?”

“…….”

He had a bright smile on his face, but I couldn’t ignore the underlying pressure within it.

“N-No, Your Highness. I’m fine.”

Raphir smiled satisfactorily as he tapped his long fingers together.

“Eila says she’s fine.”

“Of course Eila would say she’s fine. How could she openly express discomfort towards my brother, the crown prince?”

Sylphia was usually kind to everyone, but Raphir seemed to be the only exception where she would speak so casually.

…And most of the time, I seemed to be caught between the two of them. Perhaps it was just my imagination.

“Sylphia.”

“…What’s wrong, brother?”

“Sorry, but could you excuse us for a moment? I have something important to discuss with Eila.”

“What? What is it…”

Raphir made a subtly meaningful gesture while looking at Sylphia.

Sylphia glanced back and forth between Raphir and me with a complicated expression, then sighed and lowered her gaze.

“Just this once, but I’ll leave the door open.”

“Thank you, sister.”

“Eila, I’ll be nearby, so if Brother makes you even slightly uncomfortable, call me right away. Understand?”

Sylphia stood up, placing her hand on top of mine before leaving.

Raphir quietly let out a bitter smile.

Soon, Sylphia left the room with the maids, leaving the door open. However, there were only Raphir and me left inside.

It was the first time something like this had happened since we grew up.

Sensing my unease, Raphir moved to the seat opposite me, where Sylphia had been sitting.

Normally, he would deliberately provoke me with his words and actions, enjoying my reactions. But at times like this, he would suddenly maintain boundaries, making him an unpredictable person.

“I haven’t seen you at the social gatherings lately.”

“I’ve been busy with work.”

“There are rumors that court mage Rojasis dotes on his youngest daughter too much, that’s why.”

“It’s just baseless gossip.”

“Even though suitors come knocking for a daughter who is reaching marriageable age?”

“That’s my choice. There are things I want to do more than settling down and starting a family.”

“Is it related to your work in the Magic Department?”

“Yes.”

Well, I couldn’t exactly call it a complete lie.

So, I wasn’t entirely at a disadvantage due to my father’s overprotection.

If I were an ordinary girl of my age, I might have already married and had a baby by now, but I was able to pursue my career and work because of it.

Raphir raised one eyebrow and smiled.

“It’s not good to delay marriage too much.”

I subtly hardened my expression. It was an unusually rude remark, even for Raphir.

Although he took pleasure in teasing me as his life’s amusement, he never crossed the line and made me feel really bad.

Anyway, hearing such remarks so blatantly made me genuinely upset.

“That’s not something His Highness the Crown Prince needs to concern himself with, I believe.”

Literally translated, it meant “What does it have to do with you?”

“It’s not as simple as that.”

“What do you mean?”

“There’s going to be a selection for the Crown Prince’s bride soon. The candidates have already been almost finalized, and the official announcement will be made next month.”

Normally, the selection should have taken place at least two or three years ago.

There were rumors that Raphir himself kept postponing it, citing reasons like he’s not mentally prepared yet.

I looked at Raphir with a questioning gaze, silently conveying my confusion.

Raphir remained silent for a moment, looking at me directly.

“The truth is, I also sent a letter to the Duke of Rojasis.”

“What? What letter….”

My eyes widened in surprise.

“…No, don’t tell me…”

“You’re right, it was rejected.”

“…….”

I stared at Raphir, speechless.

“After that, I sent several more invitations, but they were all declined. Judging from your reaction, it seems you haven’t even heard about it.”

“…….”

“That’s why I went to such lengths to have my sister leave the room and create this time with you. I wanted to personally confirm your decision.”

“…….”

Raphir smiled quietly.

“The ceremony is a mere formality anyway, and if you accept, the outcome will be decided at that moment.”

“…Are you saying?”

“Yes.”

“Your Highness the Crown Prince wants me?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

Raphir spoke before I could finish my sentence.

“…Why?”

“Why do you think so?”

Raphir tilted his head slightly and rested his chin on his hand.

He had an expression that seemed to convey how incredibly amusing and enjoyable the current situation was.

I furrowed my brow.

“I believe it’s not appropriate to treat a woman like a crop on a farm.”

“I never treated you like a crop even once, but if it felt that way, then I apologize.”

“Then, would you please explain to me? Why are you… suggesting this to me?”

Raphir paused for a moment at my question.

“Well, let’s say it’s because I like you, for now.”

“For now, you say?”

I furrowed my brow even more.

“No matter how much you may be His Highness the Crown Prince, discussing such a significant matter so casually, not only to the royal family but also to me is…”

“I’m not speaking lightly. If I outright confess my love here, you would probably jump up and run away. Don’t I know you?”

“…….”

Raphir looked at me, speechless, with a mischievous smile on his face.

“So I hope you won’t take it too seriously. Oh, of course, it’s not a joke or a prank either. Don’t forget that.”

“…….”

“I’ll meet all the conditions you want. Just tell me whatever you need.”

“Conditions…?”

“Yeah. If you want to continue your magical research even after becoming the Crown Princess, I’ll make it possible. If you want friendship, I’ll be a good friend for you. If you just want to maintain an external relationship, I’ll respect your wishes. At least for the time being.”

“What happens after the time being?”

Raphir’s lips formed an enchanting curve in response to my question.

“I’ll leave that to your imagination.”

“…….”

Raphir stood up from his seat.

“I’ll hear your answer later. We still have about a month, so take your time and think it through.”

“Your Highness, I…”

“I’ll make sure you won’t regret it, Eila.”

“…….”

As I once again found myself at a loss for words, Raphir left the room with a gentle smile.

After Raphir left, Sylphia came in again and explained the situation.

She revealed that Raphir had actually been planning this for a long time and had already received permission from the Emperor himself.

“To be honest, I have mixed feelings about it, but if Eila marries His Highness, then we’ll also become family,”

Sylphia said with a slightly uneasy expression, but then she suddenly smiled

“When you officially enter the palace, we can play together like this every day. We can have meals together, and the two of us can even host tea parties together. Oh, when that time comes, can I call you ‘sister’?”

“…….”

Sylphia was overflowing with excitement, as if the wedding was decided for tomorrow.

I found myself being held captive by her for a while and was not released until evening.