CH 40.1

When she found herself at the mercy of Daniel’s often relentless questions, Iveca had initially had to brace herself for them, as they washed over her like a crashing wave. However, as she warmed to their time together, the questions took on a much more friendly feeling; a feeling that he cared to know the answers.

“So what department would you like to work for?” Daniel’s eyes were flashing, and Iveca knew she was in for an interrogation.

“I’ve never thought …. I’ve enjoyed everywhere I worked. I really can’t think of any specific department.”

“Are you good at magic and kendo, like the medical department?”

Iveca shook her head.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t have much respect for life, not in that sense, anyway. I think I’m more talented in getting rid of people than in saving them.”

Daniel smiled, though Iveca was only half-joking.

“What about the finance department?”

“You have to risk your life for sums and numbers. It’s the worst of them all.”

“What about the Legal Affairs Bureau? Do you like to take the side of the nobles, the staff of affiliated organizations… your King?”

Another smile from Daniel. Iveca returned it playfully.

“Hmm…”

“Is that okay?”

“The Legal Affairs Bureau has so few people it doesn’t even have a TO. But I think I’ll do well if I do it. I’m naturally interested in it. Come to think of it, I think it might be the best option for them all. Well, it’s much more interesting than departments such as administrative offices and pharmacies, at any rate.”

On his birthday, they ate together for a day and had a comfortable conversation, and Iveca felt more comfortable with Daniel than expected as if repeated exposure to him had permeated. Daniel always asked her questions comfortably and was not angry no matter what she answered. Like a comfortable tea time, she gradually liked the times.

“Eve.”

“What?”

“What do you think love is?”

Iveca had to think for a long time. And she carefully asked back.

“Your Highness, what do you think?”

“Come to think of it, I’ve never told a woman I love her… yet.”

Then, have you ever said that you like her? With a strange feeling pressed down, she held a warm teacup and waited for an answer.

“…I don’t know. I just thought I shouldn’t just do it.”

When she finished eating the cookies, he picked them up from her plate and put them in her mouth. The touch of his finger surprised Iveca, and her eyes got bigger.

“You know better, living freely outside the palace. Tell me. What do you think love is?”

After swallowing the cookie in a hurry, she replied slowly, conscious of the warmth left on her lips.

“Well…”

Her eyes became thinner. It was to choose her words.

“I think there was only one person I liked. Rather, I’ve never even dated him.”

“What makes him different from other men?”

“It’s so hard to express in words…”

She sighed. Anriq came to mind. Because he was the first and last man she would cry for. After hesitating for a long time, she continued to whisper.

“Just, love didn’t matter. Doesn’t matter”

Her unexpected words made Daniel wonder. Before going to the Investigation Bureau, Iveca sighed, recalling the night she asked Anriq to be her genuine family.

“When I love people, I feel very lonely. The pain and loneliness that only I know, the frustration and sadness of the heart that I can’t convey, the resentment and endless thoughts that suddenly burst into tears… Even though the quiet pain gnawed at me and wandered around… but what doesn’t matter is love. If it’s not love, I’ll let anything leave me so lonely.”

There was silence again. In that silence, Iveca noticed Daniel had a little sympathy for her. His eyes contained pity for her, who calmly described all kinds of emotions rather than understanding.

“Life is fleeting, and our struggles are forgotten, and only records remain, so we will continue our boring history.”

Iveca spoke slowly.

“That’s why this heart that doesn’t even remain on the record may be for nothing, but I think it didn’t matter. Even if it becomes a shape that no one can understand.”

There was a moment of silence. She wondered if Kayden would have answered all of Daniel’s questions so seriously. Did Daniel have Kayden every day to talk with him about the thoughts he had buried deep in his heart?

She was lost in other thoughts as she gracefully put down the teacup with a perfectly aristocratic gesture. Her purple eyes reflected in the tea water left in the teacup were swaying as if they were her heart.

“Hey, your highness…”

“Huh?”

“Why do you keep asking this and that?”

He looked at her quietly, and suddenly held her chin and remained silent again. It’s also the first time he’s openly lost in thought, so she endured the gaze and waited in a straight position. Expecting how great an answer would come out, she was slightly disappointed by the shorter answer.

“Because I want to know.”