Chapter 25

In the guest room, Elina was sitting on the sofa. She reached for the tea that Sara had prepared and looked at her own face reflected in the cup. Her expression was not a happy one.

"Miss... Is something the matter?"

"...Sara, do you think I'm doing something unnecessary...?"

"Miss?"

"I feel like I'm being a nuisance... to Prince Alvis."

She had been waiting for him to wake up for so long. When his eyes finally opened, she was overjoyed. After that, she went to his side almost every day to change his bandages. Although Alvis seemed troubled, he eventually allowed her to take care of him.

"That's not true."

"But... I feel like I'm the only one getting carried away..."

"Miss..."

"It's painful... Even though he's so close, Prince Alvis feels so distant..."

He is a gentleman, after all. Since he still sleeps a lot, they don't talk much. Elina just holds his hand and looks at his sleeping face.

When they first became engaged, it was enough for Elina that he accepted her. She didn't expect anything more, but now she finds herself wanting something different from Alvis. She has developed desires.

"...I want to be closer. Is it wrong to wish for that?"

"Miss, I'm not saying this to make you feel better..."

"I'm not thinking of it as a kind of sedative. It's true that Prince Alvis's warmth is comforting... but it feels like my chest is being squeezed. My heart races. It's different from when I was engaged to Prince Gerald... I want to know him more."

But that's just how Elina feels. Alvis treats her as a fiancée, but he also treats her like a younger sister or a young lady. There's a line drawn. That's how she feels.

"But it's just in my head... Prince Alvis doesn't think that way. I know that... That's why it's painful. Not being seen..."

"Miss, you like Prince Alvis, don't you?"

"I do, I think...? I'm not sure yet... But I hope I can."

"That's right. But, Miss, no matter what, you can't know what Prince Alvis is thinking unless you ask him. Just waiting won't change anything."

"Sara..."

Just waiting won't convey anything. Sara is right.

It was the same with Gerald. Elina thought they understood each other and that he would fulfill his responsibilities in the end. But Gerald didn't understand her at all.

The only gifts from Gerald were flowers sent every year, and they had never gone on a date in the town below the castle. They used to meet once a month when they were young, but as they grew older, the frequency decreased to a few tea parties a year. At the academy, he was always too busy to meet properly. It was only natural, when you think about it.

That's why every invitation from Alvis, every time they walked together in the town below the castle, was a new experience for Elina. It felt special. She was just so happy, and maybe she was mistaken, but Alvis was undoubtedly special to her.

"...Miss"

"Sara, I—"

Knock, knock. The door was knocked on, and when the maid opened it, it was the guard, Dain.

"Lord Dain?"

"Excuse me, Miss. Prince Alvis has summoned Lady Lithaard."

"...Prince Alvis?"

Elina stood up in surprise. Since she arrived, she had never been summoned by Alvis before; this was the first time.

"Miss"

"I understand... I'll talk to him properly."

"Yes... Please do your best."

"? ...Let's go then."

Led by Dain, Elina headed to Alvis's private room.

At the entrance, Dain stayed outside as a guard, and Elina entered the room. The maids were waiting inside. From what she heard, Alvis was the only one in the bedroom.

She took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Knock, knock. But there was no response.

"?"

"Miss Elina, please come in. Prince Alvis summoned you."

"Y-Yes."

Encouraged by Naris, she cautiously opened the door and entered the bedroom. The room was slightly dim, a place she had entered many times and was already familiar with. As she approached the large bed at the back, she saw Alvis sleeping.

"Prince Alvis?"

She called out hesitantly, but there was no response. She could hear his faint breathing, indicating that he was sound asleep. Despite coming with some tension, she felt a bit let down. However, since she had come all this way, she sat in a chair and admired his sleeping face, which she had seen many times before.

His silky blonde hair and closed blue eyes. His face, which always wore a gentle smile when he was with Elina. Though they were cousins, his face didn't resemble Gerald's much. The only similarity was their hair color, but Alvis's was a deeper blonde.

She gently touched Alvis's hair, careful not to wake him. The maids had told her that his hair was easy to manage because it was so soft.

Suddenly, her gaze fell on Alvis's lips. Almost unconsciously, Elina touched her own lips. It was sudden, but Elina had kissed Alvis. At the time, it was probably to silence her scream, as he had no other way to cover her mouth while injured. Even though it was an accident, it was Elina's first kiss.

"...Prince Alvis... and I..."

Almost unconsciously, she stared at his lips and leaned in a bit, moving closer to Alvis. As her face neared his, just as their lips were about to touch, Alvis's eyes suddenly opened, and their gazes met.

"E-Elina..."

"Ah!"

Alvis had woken up. Surprised, Elina lost her balance and fell onto Alvis. Still injured, Alvis couldn't support her, and Elina ended up on top of him.

"..."

"..."

Elina was aware of what she had done. Her face turned as red as a boiled lobster, and she couldn't bring herself to lift her head.