# 12
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It can't be quiet like this. Someone would definitely move again, whether it was the Duke of Spindel or any other enemy.
Spindle, who planted me here, will seek to make the most of me in order to achieve his goals.
I was thinking about how to stop it, then I went back to lying on the bed again.
I was bored so I took out a bottle full of candy from under the bed. I looked at the colorful candy, then took one and put it in my mouth.
While I was chewing loudly...
“It's good!”
As I chewed it imagining it was from Syretine, it became even more delicious. I will chew candy whenever I feel angry because of Sirtain.
It tasted so sweet that my mouth started to feel numb. The sweet taste spreading in my mouth made me feel as if my mind was in a state of numbness.
As if he were Cyrtain himf.
Maybe the candy looked like the person who gave it to me.
When I think about two biographies, I feel angry, but at the same time I feel sorry, and also…
“It's unfortunate.”
He looked like me. Someone who cannot rest anywhere.
'As if he were an evil wolf.'
Why does he manipulate people's feelings like this? To me, he was no longer just an ordinary enemy.
* * *
While Evelyn was tossing and turning on the bed, Certain was meeting with Rosalina.
Rosalina smiled innocently as if she was doing this for the first time. There were fine cuisine on the table, in keeping with Rosalina's taste. Thanks to the maids who moved quickly due to Mortega's insistence.
Rosalina thought it was all thanks to Cyrtain's attention, so her cheeks flushed.
‘Surely, His Highness the Crown Prince is thinking of me in particular.’
These little things were making Rosalina confused. A simple look or a slight smile made her unable to leave him.
This was the reason why she was unable to quit working as a maid despite the insult she received from Evelin.
'A stupid and clueless girl.'
Evelyn never fit into two biographies.
Rosalina looked at Sirtain quickly. The movement of his hand that was holding the tea cup, his clothes that fit the ceremony, and his calm smile.
It was a symbol of refined elegance.
Cyrtain was the one who more than anyone else suited his status as heir to the throne. Rosalina was biting her lips hard.
Even just watching him made her feel like her breath was quickening. How would she feel if she touched his fingers?
What if he embraced her in those wide arms?
While Rosalina was lost in these thoughts, Certin said in a soft voice as if he was melting.
“I heard that the lady is suffering a lot.”
“No, Your Highness, she is someone who cannot be helped.”
Sertin opened his eyes narrowly.
Rosalina looked like she was pretty sure Evelyn was completely stupid.
“...What did she look like to the lady?”
“Hmm… She was a childish person. But she was innocent at the same time. Sometimes she seemed cute too.”
Rosalina said it in the best possible way. Even though she hated Evelin, she deserved a hit on the head.
The swellings were gone, but the cut she received from Evelin on her forehead still hurt.
She had never experienced a more humiliating moment in her life than crawling on the ground and picking up a stone.
Rosalina gritted her teeth.
“She seemed like a good person.”
“If the lady says so, then it must be so. Anyway, keep working, as I have no one else I can trust.”
Certin's lazy smile made Rosalina's eyes become misty. Rosalina was willing to l her soul if Cyrtain showed any interest.
Rosalina nodded enthusiastically.
“Just trust me, Your Highness. I will take care of the princess to the best of my ability. I will do anything for Your Highness. Please understand my sincerity, Your Highness.”
“Of course. If anything happens to the princess, come to me and tell me.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
This was a simple trick, an illusion for her that she was close to Sirtain.
All of this will help Rosalina move forward.
Cyrtain gave a small smile.
* * *
Two days after that, there was a problem with me even though I was living quietly.
"Oh? Where are we going?"
What's up with this sudden exit? I have a lot of things I need to accomplish inside the palace! Moreover, there are a lot of people outside, and I don't know any of them!
I was completely surprised when I was told that I had to accompany the Crown Prince on his official schedule.
“I don't want to go. Evelyn is going to spend the day drawing and playing!”
“No, Your Highness. Isn’t this dress beautiful? Please take a look at it.”
Serena spoke in a gentle tone with a hesitant face. At her side, Rosie held a pair of shining shoes.
"Look at these shoes! Don't you think they're so cool? If you wear them, you'll look like a real princess!"
"I don't want to. It's not pretty at all. You wear it!"
I turned my head away from them forcefully, making Serena and Rosie look like they were about to cry.
Since Augustine had been pulled out like that earlier, they had become more careful in dealing with me.
They are afraid that I will go to Sirtin and reveal their treatment of me.
Chh. I should have used this method before.
“So, how about this?”
“Or maybe this?”
While Serena and Rosie were trying to convince me with their faces pale, a person appeared from the Crown Prince's Palace.
“Greetings, Little Moon of the Empire. I am Mortega, Special Assistant to the Crown Prince.”
"Oh! I haven't seen you in a while!"
It was his assistant whom I had met before. This was the first time I had officially received him. While I was sitting quietly reading a book, Rosalina was exchanging greetings with him.
“Miss Rosalina, the weather today is very nice. Are you okay today?”
“Thanks, Sir Mortega. I heard that Her Highness the Princess will be accompanying the Crown Prince today on his agenda. Is there anything I should take care of?”
“Nothing. The Crown Prince decided to take matters into his own hands.”
“…Thank you, sir.”
Oh, so they know each other. The conversation between them seemed very natural.
Mortega turned his gaze to me with a look full of regret. The smile had disappeared from his face.
“Your Highness, are you ready?”
"I don't want to! I won't go! Today Rosalina promised to paint for me!"
“…If you insist, the Crown Prince will get angry. You have to prepare quickly...”
“Mr. Mortega, this way you won't make her understand.”
Rosalina closed the book and sat down in front of me.
“If you do that, your husband will be angry with you. You will not be allowed to eat chocolate, you will not be allowed to eat cake, and you will not be able to play hide and seek. I will draw for you tomorrow.”
As I looked at Rosalina's innocent smile, I thought about it. She uses threats on a child in this way. There is no worse villain than her.
But the desperate thing is...
“…Is this true?”
I couldn't help but give up.
Oh, really. This is frustrating.
***
Cyrtain was watching Evelyn, who was sticking to the carriage window and looking outside.
Evelin seemed to not care about him at all, focusing only on the scene outside. She really looked like a little girl at that moment.
A little girl is so excited that she doesn't know what to do while on her way for a walk.
Although she had refused to go out and shown stubbornness, there was no trace of it now.
Serten smiled softly and said.
“I heard it's going to rain tonight.”
“I love the rain!”
“I heard there will be thunder and lightning.”
"Ah! Scary!"
“If you are afraid, you can sleep in my bed.”
Evelin blinked at Sirtain's words.
A..sleeping together?
'Is this man crazy?'
In fact, Certain had always known how to stay one step ahead of Evelin.
His skill at leaving me speechless at times was truly amazing.
I have nothing to say in response to this.
Evelyn swallowed.
'I should have said it wasn't scary at all.'
Evelin blinked, holding the edge of the window tightly.
“Why don’t you say anything? If you’re afraid, I’ll let you sleep with me.”
“…Ah, I was thinking about that.”
“What are you thinking about?”
“My mother said that if I held a man’s hand and slept with him, I would have a child. I don’t think Evelyn is capable of raising a child yet.”
She spoke whatever came to her mind without thinking.
“Huh.”
Syrtin covered his mouth with the back of his hand and let out a small laugh.
Is this funny to him?
“It's okay Evelyn. If that happens, I'll raise this child.”
This person...what is he planning now? How can I respond to this?
While I was thinking about it, tilting my head as if I didn't understand, Sertin said
“So, everything is settled. Sleep in my bed tonight, Evelyn. I’ll make sure you don’t feel afraid.”
So, that's how it goes. Let's see how this can end.
“So, let's play a game of shadows... Will you read me fairy tales, sing me a lullaby, and pat me on the head too?”
Serten rolled his eyes and smiled.
"Of course, Evelyn. Do I look like a man who can't even do that?"
You really don't know when to stop.
Hah