"E–excuse me??"
That single word was enough to make Jinho's face flush red, mortified at the thought that Seongjin had misunderstood him that way.
He quickly raised both hands, shaking his head fiercely as he corrected Rora's meaning.
"She meant… that we were working all… night…"
He blurted it out too loudly, not even knowing why he reacted like that. His voice gradually softened with each word until he completely fell silent, staring at the ground, waiting—hoping—that Seongjin understood what he meant.
But Seongjin simply cleared his throat and asked,
"When did you two finish working?"
Rora answered, noticing that Jinho had gone strangely quiet.
"About four hours ago. We slept for two hours, then I woke up when I remembered my mistake. Please, let us go quickly."
She tried dragging Jinho away, but Seongjin said,
"I'll come with you."
Jinho replied with surprising nonchalance,
"There will be eyes on us. We need to stay low."
And with that, they all hurried out through the castle gates, leaving Seongjin standing there, still staring at the empty spot where they'd disappeared.
He bent down, covering his face with both hands, confused by the sudden heat flooding through him—even though the weather was far from warm.
His heart pounded at a ridiculous pace, his emotions flaring up for something that didn't make sense at all.
It was a new, unfamiliar feeling—
as if receiving a sliver of approval from someone he barely knew had somehow changed the world around him.
"Be normal, Seongjin… This isn't the first time a maid talks comfortably with you. Why are you embarrassed?"
No… maybe just because he misunderstood them. But still—
since when was she close to him?
He straightened, trying to shake off the embarrassment as he continued walking, though his mind refused to settle.
Why was Jinho acting more relaxed than usual?
Shouldn't he be annoyed, angry—anything but smiling, laughing, and yelling like an ordinary person?
"I'm probably the one overreacting…"
he muttered to himself, though his thoughts wouldn't stop circling the matter.
He had always watched Jinho from afar. He knew his habits.
He even knew Jinho was Prince Rafael's friend, and the time they spent together was enough for him to learn his temperament.
…Or maybe Jinho was planning something.
"Commander! You finally arrived!"
A knight's shout snapped him out of his deep thoughts.
"Good morning, Seongjin. How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine. And all of you?"
he asked, his tone disciplined and firm. The knights hummed in agreement that they were well.
Prince Rafael entered wearing his military uniform, surprising everyone with how prepared he looked—his sword hanging at his waist as if he were heading into battle.
Everyone placed a hand over the left side of their chest, bowing their heads in the empire's formal greeting.
Rafael spoke with a steady, serious tone,
"As you all know, our kingdom, Astarveil, will be hosting the ducal family of Sylvanor by my father's request.
And since I am not yet the crown prince, I have been summoned—along with a selected group of you—to show them that we are capable of protecting the empire."
From his words, everyone understood:
his coronation was very close.
If not within the month… then soon after.
:
Seongjin:
"Sir Prince… do you mean we're going to compete in the tournament? Isn't it enough that you already won the war?"
Rafael:
"Your question is fair, but there's nothing we can do except show off for now.
So let's do what my father orders."
He paused for a moment, letting everyone absorb his words, then added with a teasing tone,
"Did Jinho take you back to your room last night? Didn't he explode at you?"
Seongjin's expression was unreadable. He had told them he wouldn't get involved, so why were they hearing about the one who had thrown a knife at him, now escorting him to his room?
He replied calmly,
"Yes… and unusually, he was… gentle."
Rafael glanced at him, half-looking, a tiny glint of mischief in his eyes.
...
"…Ah–choo."
A sudden sneeze echoed in the room.
"Are you sick?" Rora asked casually.
"No, just a sneeze. When will you be done? We're already late," he replied in the same tone.
Rora: "Just a little more of the mixture I need to bring."
Jinho: "Mixture? Is this magic, or just a recipe?"
Rora spun around, looking alarmed, then said with a laugh,
"Eiiiyoo!? Don't you know? This is a mixture made from jasmine flowers and red rose water. Only the rarest flowers, which only grow in the Nilfaire garden within the palace…"
Jinho:
"I honestly don't know…"
Rora:
"Let me finish my words, you rascal!"
"Excuse me, miss, I'm done," the shopkeeper interrupted, clearly frustrated.
The mixture was in a bottle that looked like the plastic ones from his real world, inside was a colorless, unpromising liquid.
Rora sniffed it carefully, showing signs of relief as if she'd inhaled a calming scent.
Jinho leaned closer, trying to smell it, but immediately sneezed repeatedly.
Rora took the bottle and hid it in her clothes, looking at him in surprise. His nose was red, and the skin under his eyes slightly puffy.
"Are you sick?" she asked as they started walking out together.
He shook his head.
"The smell gave me a headache. What kind of medieval nonsense is this? And why do you even need it?"
"Either your nose isn't working right… or you're sick," Rora replied sarcastically.
She explained,
"The bride that the prince will bring in the future… we have to put this mixture in one of her cups of tea. If it works, it becomes tea with a different color and scent. …"
Jinho smirked in irony at their plan, "Nonsense on top of nonsense… Does smelling tea make her… sense danger? I can smell it too—doesn't everyone? How did I even tolerate this story?"
He muttered to himself while rubbing his nose, quietly continuing his path beside her. Everyone around seemed happy, of all ages.
For a moment, the empire felt endless in his eyes—a place where the sun never set.
That safe sun that gave them security seemed never to leave.
Everyone's smiles reminded him of the crescent moon from last night.
Isn't this a beautiful place… yet my thoughts are tangled, aimless… What's coming next?
A stream of thoughts swept him along:
"Today is the seventh of the eleventh month, meaning the Duke's visit to Rafael is happening today.
He'll be accompanied by a select group of knights and the most trusted servants.
I remember Seongjin went with him and successfully caught the Duke's attention.
It makes me wonder—even if the emperor owes the Duke a service, is it necessary for him to personally attend the future emperor's assessment?"
"Snap out of it. We've arrived at the palace," Rora said, clapping her hands in front of his face to break him from his daydream.
He snapped out of it, seeing the head butler and other servants looking at them—not angrily, but with welcoming anticipation.
It was more intimidating than an angry gaze, Rora muttered. Jinho nodded in agreement, and they approached, both nervous beyond measure.
Their bodies refused to stay still, limbs trembling. If Rora were thrown out, or Jinho punished…
Or perhaps both at once…
The thought flashed through Jinho's mind, and he wished it would happen—it would simplify so many of his plans.
But then a voice shouted, startling him:
"Jinho and Rora, you will serve the prince when he leaves the palace today!"