CH 19

In my field of vision came his necklace, studded with jewels like grapes. Rubies, diamonds, and sapphires. All kinds of expensive jewels adorned Frinel’s body and glittered.

Even if it’s just that necklace… Ah, what am I thinking? My eyes, which were glistening with desire, soon found their light. I shook my head slightly and greeted him.

“Greeting, Your Highness the Crown Prince of the Empire.”

“Why are you being so polite? There’s only us.”

Frinel raised the corner of his mouth with a smirk.

Seeing him like that, I sternly replied. “We’re in a relationship where we have to greet each other. Right?”

“I helped you with so many assignments!”

“…Hmm, assignments are not a measure of relationships.”

“Aah. It’s difficult, really difficult. Our relationship.” Frinel muttered curtly as he handed me the wooden swords he had brought.

“Get in position.”

“Yes.”

I got into the position as I had learned from him.

“Originally, you were supposed to practice on a straw doll, but I’m lazy to make it.”

“…You can ask the servants to make it.”

“I can’t bother them in a situation where I live in someone else’s mansion, right?”

Frinel shrugged lightly. “Just do it to me. I can avoid your attacks even with my eyes closed.”

“…Then I will go.”

Seeing him full of composure was annoying, so I gave strength to my hands. I struck the wooden swords straight in the posture I had learned.

It seemed that he wasn’t bluffing. He dodged my wooden swords with feather-light gestures. The space between my brows twitched slightly. As the training progressed, I became more eager. For once, I just wanted to erase the smile from that relaxed face.

But is it because of today’s dream? I couldn’t concentrate on my training.

“Ack…!”

Eventually, the wooden swords I was swinging slipped down from my hand and fell to the ground.

“I apologize. Again…”

I quickly picked up the wooden sword, breathing heavily.

Frinel’s eyes lengthened sideways. “I don’t think you’re in very good shape.”

He threw a question at me in a quizzical way. “Are you having any problems?”

“Ha…”

At Frinel’s question, I sighed deeply.

Could it be that I was influenced by the lively attitude he showed me? I felt like I could confide my concerns to him with a lighter heart. After agonizing for a while, I finally opened up about my concerns.

“…Gold, I need some.”

“Gold?”

“…Yes.”

Placing the wooden sword on the ground, I momentarily caught my breath. Frinel shrugged his shoulders lightly as if he was thinking about something.

“If it’s gold, I have the most in the Tiazen Empire. I’ll lend it to you.”

“…It’s okay.”

I couldn’t borrow gold in a situation where I was still fully indebted. No, to be precise, if I borrowed even gold, I felt like I would end up getting involved with this person. It was something that should never have happened.

Although slightly conflicted, I eventually shook my head and politely declined his offer. “I will only accept your heart.”

“Hmm?”

Frinel widened his eyes and spoke curtly. “What I want to lend to you was gold, not my heart.”

“…Yes?”

“I won’t give you my heart.”

Embarrassment added to my embarrassment, dying my cheeks red. Even though I pursed my lips as I was dumbfounded, I couldn’t find anything to say for a long time.

Well, what he said wasn’t wrong. Because he didn’t even say he would give me his heart.

Ah, I almost fell for his words again.

I soon came to my senses and answered clearly. “…Who even wants it? Don’t play with words.”

“Haha… I thought you would ask for something different. My heart instead of gold. It would be harder to win my heart than gold since my gold is abundant, but I only have one heart, right?” Frinel closed one of his eyes.

I pursed my lips, then opened my mouth again. “…Ha, yes. If you have a lot, could you lend me some?”

No matter how much I pondered, there was only one answer. Until I found a way to make money, I could do nothing but borrow gold from anyone. I’m still too incompetent. My expression darkened as I barely uttered my request.

I obtained the status of a princess, but in the end, having to borrow someone else’s power was no different from before and now. Just because I’ve gained strong backing doesn’t mean that gold rises above the ground.

“Well, then, I can lend you anything. But…”

I glanced at him, as I was concerned about his sudden darkening complexion, then spat out my words. “…But what?”

“There is interest.”

“Interest?”

Then he pursed his red lips before me, which I would have believed if he had makeup on.

“Right.”

His darkened complexion turned bright this time.

I raised my eyebrow and rose from my seat. “…After all, I might as well borrow from Duke Gracie.”

“Ah, I’m kidding. It’s just a joke. Can’t you even joke?”

He thought Lobelia would laugh at it. However, it seemed he had gone too far. Frinel scratched his back as if embarrassed. “Anyway, Lady Lobelia is so cute.”

“…You have a unique taste. For calling me cute.”

“By the way, how much should I lend you?”

“Um… It should be about 1,000 gold to use for one person, right?”

“Why would you need a person?”

“If you’re going to ask all sorts of questions, you don’t have to lend it to me.”

“I’m just asking about what you said.” He blinked sadly.

I finally opened my mouth, thinking I could tell him a little. “…I have someone to protect.”

“…Someone to protect?”

“I don’t know if they’re doing well or not. They’re probably doing well. No, they have to be well.” As I continued to speak, my throat choked involuntarily. My eyes slowly turned red.

“Is that person important enough to even make you cry?”

“Haha…”

As if embarrassed, I patted around my eyes. Frinel took out his handkerchief and held it out.

“I’m jealous of this. Is that person your first love?”

“First love… Well, it’s similar.” I added, wiped around my eyes with the handkerchief I had received from him. “They are someone I wouldn’t regret giving everything to.”

At Lobelia’s words, he stared at her for a long time. Although they got closer than the first time through the class together, Lobelia was still setting her thorns against him. But such a woman like an iron fortress, has someone who she thinks so desperately?

Is that person the owner of that tomb? Is that why she cried so pitifully? For some reason, he was jealous of that unknown person.

Frinel pouted his lips for no reason and said curtly, “What the. I have too. A person like that.”

“Who are you talking about?”

“I have someone like that too.”

It seemed like he really wanted me to ask it, so I asked him. “Who is it?”

“My mother.”

A sad smile rose over his face.

“Even though she passed away.”

My eyes flickered slightly as I looked at Frinel.

“If only a Shinsu clan existed, my mother would have lived. Because of the stupid jealousy… my mother… and I…” A dark shadow mingled with worry cast over his face, which always seemed bright.

Frinel, who had lost his words, suddenly lifted his head. “Huh?”

Then he asked me with a face full of surprise. “But why am I telling you this? Did you ever manipulate me? Huh?”

In response to his absurd questioning, I responded with a mischievous laugh. “Huh, who asked you to tell me? This is not even funny.”

“Is that your only reaction after hearing such a sad story?”

“It’s not sad at all.”

“Hmm?”

“Anyway, you’re working hard.”

I made eye contact with him. “Whether you pretend to be lively or pretend to be a playboy. You’re trying to live well, Your Highness.”

Then I threw off my mask for a moment and smiled softly. “But why should I be sad? I’m rather proud of you.”

“…You’re proud of me?”

“Yes, well…”

I want to say that to my Merilly. I’m proud of her for growing up well, even without her mother. Merilly came to my mind for a moment, so I shut my mouth.

In the meantime, Frinel was completely moved, her blue eyes shining brightly. “This is the first time someone has said that to me.”

“Um… Please don’t fall in love with me because it’s your first time. I’ll refuse in advance.”

“What? Are you really saying that as you know the relationship between me and Duke Gracie?”

“Pardon?”

“The imperial family and Gracie family are distant cousins. Marriage is possible, you know.”

“Ah… yes, I see.”

“Why is your answer like that?”

“Ah… I don’t have time now.”

The atmosphere surrounding us seemed to be getting strange, so I squinted my eyes and smiled awkwardly. “I have an assignment. This much.” Without looking back, I quickly escaped his sight.

Only the eyes filled with futility followed Lobelia’s back and sighed slowly.

“Ha…!” While spitting out a ridiculous laugh as if it were absurd, Frinel had a blush on his cheek.