Alisto's frank response brought happiness to the saint's heart, and she smiled gently as if her depression had never existed.
“I'm sorry I made you worry, but hearing that someone is worried about me makes me feel good.”
Alisto laughed lightly again at her words.
Him saying she felt good because someone was worried about her seemed so pure.
The image of her now in his mind overlapped with the image of her that day, when she didn't care how busy he was and asked him to make time to eat lunch outside.
At that moment she also looked exactly like a little puppy.
“Do you often fall asleep like you did today?”
The saint moved her eyes slightly and nodded.
“Yes.
Sometimes when I am in a bad psychological state or under a lot of stress, I feel better after sleeping deeply.”
Alisto nodded in understanding.
“Did your psychological state suddenly worsen, or did something happen that caused you stress?”
He waited inside himself for a moment for the saint to tell him about the message coming from the temple.
But it seemed like she had no intention of telling him that now.
“A little.
I'll tell you about it later when I get a chance.”
Alisto decided not to go further with the question.
Since she didn't pretend that nothing happened, it meant that she intended to tell him later.
And while he was thinking that insisting on someone who did not want to talk would only generate repulsion, and that he should end the matter there today—
The saint's slender neck seemed remarkably empty to him today.
Then he remembered his mother scolding him about the necessity of giving the saint some jewelry.
'a moment'
In his mind, Alisto imagined a scene of him giving her a gift.
He was not deliberately trying to imagine, but rather the scene was painted automatically.
The saint in his imagination was smiling brightly and happy with the gift.
Thinking about it, following his mother's advice seemed like a perfectly good idea.
Since his goal is to win the heart of the saint, a gift is a good way to express care and affection.
He intended to order Caster to choose something appropriate.
‘……’
But, is this enough?
Since it serves as a first gift, it might be a good idea for him to choose it himself...
He started rearranging his remaining schedule for the day in his mind to create time at all costs.
He'll review some documents before bed, and as for the dinner meeting...he'll send Gerold instead.
It seemed he could make time to visit the jeweler briefly.
While he was counting the time in his mind, Ruby knocked on the door.
Knock—, Knock—
“I brought food”
Alisto stood up as if the timing was perfect.
“Eat well, and rest deeply today.”
Atha nodded obediently.
“Yes, I will”
Once Alisto left, Atha felt a kind of remorse.
She wanted to stay with him longer while he was worried about her, and she even wanted to hold his hand.
'It felt good when he held my hand'
Is this what they mean when they say that tasting something once makes the desire for it stronger?
Can I ask him to hold my hand first next time?
Atha was cautious.
In Korea, it did not matter who initiated the hand touching regardless of gender, but in this world there was a strict “class difference.”
It would be annoying if there was a rule that forbade touching the Crown Prince's majestic body as a breach of protocol.
You don't fully know the historical background of this place, and there may be a negative view of a woman who initiates physical contact.
...Are you asking Ruby?
Seeing how she was scheming last time and talking about men and women's tears, it seemed that she had extensive experience in love.
Atha glanced at Ruby, who was serving her while she was eating the soup.
Their eyes met, and Ruby smiled brightly.
“Is there something you would like to say?”
Atha hesitated a little and stirred the soup with the spoon a few times, then asked carefully: “Is it okay if I ask the Crown Prince to hold my hand first?”
Ruby's eyes widened at the question.
Her facial expression looked like she had heard something strange, which made Atha's shoulders slump slightly.
“As I expected...it's not appropriate, isn't it?”
But Ruby slowly shook her head.
Once, twice, three times.
Then she clapped her hands slowly.
“It's a very cool idea.”
“…Oh?”
“What does it matter who goes first between lovers?
On the contrary, His Highness will be very happy.”
Were Ruby's eyes really shining or was it just her imagination?
“Oh, really?
You mean it's not weird?”
Atha asked with a suspicious expression, but Ruby confidently assured her: "It's not strange at all.
I'm telling you he'll be very happy.
Oh!
Don't ask him if you can hold his hand, just hold it tightly all of a sudden.
What do you think?"
Ruby's voice sounded excited for some reason...is it just her imagination?
“…We are not at that stage of the relationship yet.”
Atha shook her head, and Ruby's mouth opened in astonishment.
Not at that stage?
it's not?!
How could someone who had taken over a pavilion in the Almond Palace be so lacking in confidence?
No, she doesn't seem to lack confidence, since she wants to start by holding his hand.
But how can you say that you are not at a point where you can just hold his hand?
“Miss Atha, you're both at that point.”
“Huh?”
Ruby thought that a question mark had appeared over Atha's head, so she said firmly: “You two are at a stage where you can hold hands without words, for sure!”
Then Atha's cheeks turned red.
“Ah, really?
I…this is my first time in such matters...”
While Atha was sheepishly confessing, Ruby realized the truth of the situation.
It seemed like it was her first time in love, so she was cautious and hesitant.
Ruby decides to roll up her sleeves for Atha, who is new to love.
“Don't worry, Miss Atha.
Just trust me.”
'In principle, next time you meet, hold his hand tightly first.'
***
The next day—
The Empress's tea party was held in the ballroom on the first floor of the Rose Palace.
The windows connected to the balcony were wide open, the breeze was caressing the place, and every time a pleasant scent of natural flowers adorned the surroundings.
Every corner the eye could see was decorated with live flowers, adding liveliness, and the ladies who attended the party were as beautiful as the flowers.
Surprisingly, the party was not limited to only ladies, but some well-dressed young nobles were also present.
The atmosphere was free too.
There were typical tables covered with white tablecloths, but there were also low tables and sofas, high tables for standing up enjoyment, and in the garden outside the porch there were tables covered with umbrellas and rocking chairs decorated with flowers.
It looked like a small banquet for young people.
Since there were no designated seats, Atha headed towards a small, comfortable sofa by the window.
The seating was two single-person sofas facing each other with a low table between them.
As soon as Atha sat down, a maid dressed in an elegant uniform approached.
“It is an honor to serve you.
We have prepared aromatic chamomile tea with a touch of orange for you to enjoy a refreshing taste, Miss Atha.”
“Ah, yes”
They seemed to prepare a different tea for each person invited.
Soon, beautiful jasmine-colored tea and different types of cakes were placed in front of Atha.
After the maid left, Atha sipped a mouthful of tea, and as the maid said, the fragrant smell and refreshing taste were wonderful.
Atha put down the teacup and looked around.
The people gathered in small groups and talking seemed very happy, and of course there were no faces she recognized.
In the past, it was painful to be alone in a crowd of people, but today she felt it was okay.
Enjoying quiet time alone in a beautiful place seemed like a good feeling.
While Atha was bravely holding the fork and starting to eat the cake, someone approached her.
She was a young lady about her age.
“Hello.
Can I sit with you?”
Contrary to her expectation that she would be alone until the end of the tea party, Atha nodded welcomingly when one of them spoke to her.
“Yes, please have a seat.
Nice to meet you.”
As soon as she sat to Atha's left, the maid approached and prepared tea for her.
“This is rose mint tea.
Have a nice time.”
As soon as the maid left after a slightly dry greeting, the missus sitting across from her started talking as if getting to know strangers was normal for her.
“This is the first time I've seen you.
I'm Hella Hauser.”
“I am Atha Herman”
At that moment, Hela's eyes widened in astonishment.
"Oh my God, I heard about you.
You're staying at the Blossom Mansion now, right?"
The end of her question coincided with a gradual decrease in the noise of the hall.
Was it just imagination?
Atha lowered her voice unconsciously.
“Ah, yes.
It just happened like that somehow.”
Her voice was low and perhaps a little trembling.
“Blossom Palace is not a place that just anyone can enter.
Do you have an area that you excel in exceptionally?
Are you very smart?”
“No, not really...”
“So, is it love?
Has His Highness’s always cold heart caught fire?
Really?”