Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Chapter 22
I nodded, contemplating what to say to comfort him.
I really didn’t know if next year would be a remembrance banquet rather than a birthday banquet.
Because he could change his mind right away.
However, I couldn’t even imagine how much conflict and trouble he must have gone through before saying that.
The full-scale banquet preparations started after lunch.
“First of all, let’s prepare you first.”
“It won’t take too long since I just need to change my clothes. Wouldn’t it be better for Your Majesty to prepare first?”
“No, you first.”
Declan shook his head resolutely.
“Your Majesty, it seems that Her Highness will take longer than you do, so how about preparing first?”
Noah, who was standing next to him, cautiously offered his opinion. “It’s only going to wrinkle if you’re dressed beforehand.”
At that, Declan wrinkled his forehead in disapproval.
“Why don’t you make other preparations first and change your clothes later?”
“I think it would be better to do as the chieftain said. All I need to do is change my clothes.”
As Noah and I continued to persuade, Declan reluctantly stood up.
“You’re bothering me. Noah, tell Liam to come in.”
“All right.”
Noah went out to call Liam.
‘Why is he calling the Captain of the Guards?’
Liam was the captain of the Guards escorting Declan.
“I would be relieved if the doll didn’t come with me to the bathroom.”
Declan looked at me with a puzzled expression on his face.
Are you doing that because you’re afraid I’ll sneak a peek…?
My mouth was wide open at the pain I had experienced for the first time in my life.
“If you thought I was going to follow you into the bathroom using the doll as an excuse, you are really wrong—”
“Still, you can come in as an excuse. There is nothing that can stop you.”
“Your Majesty…!”
I cried out in anguish and resentment.
“Why? You secretly watch next to me when I sleep.”
Declan’s lips twitched slightly.
“Hey, that’s for singing a lullaby!”
As he continued spouting his words, I opened my eyes sharply and stared at Declan.
“Anyway, it’s true that you’re appreciating me while I’m sleeping?”
“If you keep saying that, I’ll never repay you in the future.”
So, that’s how it works? Do you know that I’m the only one suffering?
I folded my arms and shook my head. Although he had a troubled expression on his face, he couldn’t hide the smile on his lips.
“That’s difficult.”
“If that’s the case, I’d have secretly sneaked a peek every time you took a bath!”
It felt like there was a fire inside, so I fanned it with my hands hurriedly. If I had made up my mind, I could have seen as much as I wanted!
“Well, it would be.”
Also, I was even more pissed off at the way he responded in a sarcastic way.
“If Your Majesty desires so, there is nothing I can do.”
“Why would I?”
Declan gave me a slightly bewildered expression.
“Even if you say you don’t want me to do that, you keep saying things like that, so it means that you want me to see it?”
“Well.”
I grinned at Declan, who was rarely speechless.
Yes, why are you messing with me?
“If Your Majesty wants to show me your flesh like that, I won’t decline, then.”
Saying that, I reached as far as my nose could touch and gently placed my hand on his chest.
‘He shouldn’t have felt anything, but why is he so surprised? Oh… did you say you can feel the warmth?’
Watching him harden and his ears gradually turn red, I smiled triumphantly.
‘…Cute.’
At first, I thought he would make fun of me with an indifferent expression despite such provocations, but the unexpected reaction was interesting.
Meanwhile, Noah also had a look of confusion as to whether it was the first time he had seen Declan like that.
“Come on and go before I chase you out.”
“…Uh, I got it.”
As Declan hurriedly disappeared into the bathroom, Noah followed to serve him.
Liam and I, just the two of us, watched him closely.
He must have seen Declan’s bewildered expression for the first time, although there was no change in his expression.
‘Are all knights like this?’
Liam and the few people here were all the knights who followed Declan.
‘I don’t think that’s the case…’
The other knights were obviously surprised to see me moving with the doll’s body.
However, Liam was calm.
‘Is that what he was supposed to be?’
The fact that he’s the Captain of the Guard and that Declan entrusted the doll to him means that he was someone Declan truly trusts.
Nonetheless, I couldn’t figure out what was going on at all. Even now. He might be curious or have a negative reaction to the doll, though he just kept quiet.
As I sat down on the chair and looked at his expression, I heard a familiar voice.
“I didn’t know you were going to do this.”
The tips of his hair were wet because he hadn’t dried them properly. Opening my mouth as I was about to ask what was going on, Declan stared at Liam with a cold gaze.
“Liam, you can go out now.”
At his words, Liam swiftly bowed his head and quietly left the room. Nevertheless, Declan had never looked at Liam like that, so I was worried if there was something.
“Is appreciating people a hobby?”
He raised his eyebrows and asked a question out of the blue.
‘What else is this now?’
I was a little nervous about the seemingly unusual atmosphere.
“You stare at me when I sleep, don’t you think that’s enough?”
“What else are you trying to tease me about this time?”
Because I didn’t do anything, when I was questioned this way, it felt rather unfair.
“You look like you’re going to pierce Liam’s face. It’s a good thing he didn’t see you. It’s the perfect act as a pervert.”
Finishing his words, Declan sneered with his displeased face.
“…Oh.”
It was true that I was staring at Liam, so there was nothing to refute.
‘Is that why he felt bad? Why, does he feel bad when he was not the one involved or something…?’ With that thought in mind, I tilted my head, not understanding Declan’s demeanor, which was crooked.
“What do you mean, ‘pervert’?”
“Then, what should you call sneaking around?”
“I, I mean… it’s for a reason.”
“You’re not interested in my body, though Liam is different? Since he can’t see you, you must have been able to enjoy it with peace of mind?”
A resentment rose. However, ahead of the banquet, I had nothing to do with feuding with Declan.
‘Phew, I have to be patient.’
He must have been more sensitive because it was Chloe’s birthday, so I thought I should appease him.
“The Captain of the Guard must have seen many conversations between His Majesty and me over the time. He has no words. He even saw me move.”
Declan gazed at me with narrowed eyes, as if trying to figure out if I was lying or not.
“…Liam’s role is to escort me.”
“Is that so? Does your Majesty trust the Captain of the Guard?”
“Yes, the Duke of Castor’s only concern is the defense of the Empire. A family that avoids political strife.”
The Duchy of Castor was a sword that has been protecting the empire from generation to generation as the minister of military affairs.
Liam said that he was the second son of the Duke of Castor.
“I see.”
If Declan judged that, there would be no problem.
“It wouldn’t be a problem to tell Liam about your existence. But, the fewer people to know, the better.”
Listening to him, I nodded my head as I thought the same thing.
“So, is the misunderstanding cleared up now?”
As I pushed my face close to Declan, he coughed and bit his lips.
“What a misunderstanding. You’d better not be rude to other people.”
“I understand.”
As soon as I answered, he glanced at me.
“Don’t trust anyone but me.”
“People can’t even see me except Your Majesty, do they?”
“Still, you don’t know. There’s nothing wrong with being careful.”
Even though the possibility of danger seemed small, it was not completely nonexistent. So, I nodded my head.
“Can’t I trust the Chief Attendant or the Chancellor? They are the people your majesty acknowledges, right.”
At my words, Declan glanced at Noah next to him before replying.
“The only person you can fully trust and rely on is me. Don’t forget.”
Normally, I would have asked more of this and that, but I quietly replied that I understood because his expression was so determined, and I felt somewhat uncomfortable.
Noah started tidying Declan’s hair, sitting in front of the dressing table.
His bangs were neatly pulled up, revealing a straight forehead.
‘I mean, he’s handsome.’
I admired Declan’s appearance from the side. His sharp but elegant facial features attracted attention.
“It feels like my face is being pierced. After all, your hobby is to appreciate people’s faces.”
It was then that I realized that I had been staring intently at Declan, so I looked away in surprise. “It’s not like that…?”
“What? You’re still looking at my face, though.”
“That, that—!”
I shook my head to find an excuse.
“It’s okay. I’ll give you permission, especially for you.”
“Pardon?”
“To look at me.”
“…Huh?”
What else is he thinking now?
“You can’t be rude to me. It’s rude to others, but it’s fine if it’s to me.”
Saying so, Declan lifted his chin with satisfaction.
‘What? What about that narcissism?”
Of course, it is true that Declan is very handsome. Just looking at him will give you a refreshing feeling. But, when he said to look at him openly like that, I felt a bit of a backlash.
“I am grateful for the generous generosity, but I would kindly decline.”
“You don’t have to. Take it easy. For you, I can give you my face.”
I was so upset that I couldn’t speak. Still, it was true that he was proud of himself, so I couldn’t completely deny it.
With my mouth wide open in a strange sense of defeat, Declan smiled languidly when he saw me like that.
“Your Highness, where are you now?”
“Why?”
Noah, who was grooming Declan’s hair, asked abruptly.
“I have something to tell you.”
“Just do it here.”
“That’s a bit difficult.”
Declan raised his eyebrows at the continued request, but pointed to where I was.
“My lady. Listen with one ear to what His Majesty has just said, and let it flow through the other.”
I was bewildered by Noah’s actions, who suddenly came near and whispered to me.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen anyone pretending to be good-looking, but isn’t it true that he’s good-looking? He’s a person who has nothing to lose in terms of status, abilities, and looks. Oh, of course, except for his personality—that’s the other thing. Everything is good, but what about that? God doesn’t give everything. So, please understand…”
“Noah.”
As I stared at Noah in amazement, a call that seemed like a growl from behind cut him off.
“Um, it’s the first time I’ve seen His Majesty look so happy on Her Highness’ birthday. So, please understand.”
Noah ignored Declan’s call and even covered his mouth with his hand as though whispering to me.
“Noah, come right now.”
“Yes, I’m coming right away.”
Noah ran opposite me—not in the right direction, but roughly—swept one eye, and quickly ran back to his place.
“I told you not to make a useless fuss?”
“Oh, did you hear everything?”
Noah responded slyly and continued to arrange Declan’s hair again.