June straightened slowly after bowing, her hands still gently folded in front of her.
Inside, however, her thoughts were in complete chaos.
Huh…? Why did I greet him so formally?Of course he's the Crown Prince, June!What were you expecting?
She blinked, slightly embarrassed at herself.
His presence was overwhelming — like standing too close to a winter storm. It made her forget how to act normally.
Lucas was still watching her.
Silent. Observing.
June felt the pressure again and quickly scolded herself in her mind:
It's okay… don't panic.Everything will be alright.Just stay calm and act normal.
She took a quiet breath, lifting her gaze carefully to meet his eyes — not boldly, but not timidly either.
From Lucas's perspective, it looked as if she had gathered courage in a single moment.
Interesting, he thought.
Most people avoided eye contact with him.
But this girl…
She looked nervous, yes — yet there was a quiet strength behind her calm expression, like hidden steel beneath silk.
"You're unusually calm," he said suddenly.
June blinked again.
"I… am trying to be, Your Highness."
Her honest answer caught him off guard.
For a split second, the cold prince didn't know what to say.
Because she wasn't pretending.
She wasn't trying to impress him.
She was simply being herself.
And that was far more unsettling than anything else.