APTB | Ch 12

“Riona Ascalberk…”
Vincente muttered the name, feeling uneasy just saying it. He narrowed his eyes, staring into the dark bushes, seeing even the smallest leaf wedged between the rocks.
This meant the Almisc poison hadn’t been fully neutralized. Even after 30 minutes in the healing hot spring, it was still affecting him.
“Ha…”
The poison-induced excitement that he always managed to suppress was now uncontrollable.
He exhaled sharply, leaning back again.
As he closed his eyes in the still water, images of the princess, Ortensia, filled his mind—her flowing black hair, her blue eyes, her rosy cheeks and lips.
Ortensia.
The white and blue hydrangeas…
He understood now why the emperor gave such a delicate, beautiful flower’s name to his youngest daughter.
“I came to be your wife.”
It’s too late. Why did she show up now?
She was the one I’d been waiting for. Now I understand. She should’ve come sooner. What took her so long?
In the fantasy of his thoughts, he imagined shaking her delicate shoulders.
“I won’t leave. We need to talk about our marriage…”
Yeah. Don’t go. Stay here. I won’t send you anywhere.
If you want me, I’ll stay.
Vincente quickly took her hand, guiding her to the edge of the hot spring.
He gently sat her on his lap and wrapped her in a tight embrace. He buried his nose in her neck, breathing in her scent.
His thighs stiffened.
Yes, he had actually held her.
Even if just for a moment, when he almost kissed her, holding her soft body and feeling her skin pressing against him.
The sweet scent that rose, the feel of her chest against his, and her skin so soft, it almost melted in his mouth…
His desire flared uncontrollably.
“Ugh…”
Vincente rose slowly from the water.
“Ha…”
He wiped his wet hair and spat out water.
“Damn it.”
He cursed, the self-loathing flooding in. He tried to calm his breath.
The intense heat inside him started to cool down, and his mind cleared.
What the hell is the emperor trying to do, testing me like this?
And Ortensia…
What is she thinking with that little head of hers?
“I don’t want to go see the emperor’s daughter…”
Vincente sighed, remembering the promise he had made, and glanced at the bushes.
The leaf that had been tumbling around in the rocks was now hidden in the dark.
The pain he had been feeling earlier was gone, just like that.
It was time to go bow to the arrogant emperor’s daughter.

“Princess! Princess! Did you know the lord has returned?”
Marisol came running into the room just as Tia finished her bath and opened her journal.
“I bumped into him on the way here! And I don’t know if he recognized that I’m your maid, but he was so polite, even greeted me! He’s just so charming, I swear! The way he nodded his head—such elegance! I could tell right away! He’s the master of the castle!”
Marisol set down the basket and quickly wrapped her arms around her face, looking thrilled.
“That’s the ‘handsome guy’ I’ve heard about!”
She said with a dreamy look in her eyes, gazing off into the distance.
“What’s in the basket?”
Tia motioned to the basket at Marisol’s feet.
“Hot! I got some flowers and treats. Do you know the chestnuts? The ones they used to serve at the palace? They’re not going to serve those anymore. The Carios chestnuts are famous, and these just came off the tree. They’re so soft and sweet!”
Marisol was so happy, looking like she’d received a lot of gifts for helping with the saffron harvest.
Though she was a bit immature, the young maid was skilled and quick, so she was well-liked here.
Unlike in the palace, where she was treated as a burden due to her age and family’s low status, here, Marisol had a pretty decent position.
“I brought the prettiest flowers to float in your tea, Princess! The rest, I just picked the pistils and dried them. The ladies will save some for me.”
The desk was filled with snacks.
Roasted chestnuts with golden brown shells, honey-glazed cookies, and golden saffron flower tea.
Oriana and Marisol sat at the round table, talking to each other.
“I think I can finally make the princess happy, Ori.”
Marisol happily chewed on a cookie, glancing at Tia, sending a subtle look like she wanted attention.
“I didn’t know how ‘handsome’ meant ‘handsome’ in such a serious way. If it’s that kind of handsome, it’s a whole different story, huh? Hehe!”
“She’s already talking about his looks. Wasn’t she calling him an old man before?”
“Twenty-one isn’t old! Our princess will be twenty-one after her birthday!”
“It’s his character that matters, not his looks…”
Oriana seemed not to care much about Vincente.
Their first meeting was awkward, after all.
Tia popped a chestnut into her mouth, chewing as she thought about him.
Of all the beautiful things she’d seen on her way to Karayan, he was by far the most handsome…
“Why not? Ori, don’t you know that as a person ages, their looks show their character? I think Vincente has a wonderful character. He’s reliable and will give his whole heart to love you, Princess! Eek!”
Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Marisol stood up quickly, blushing.
Oriana gave her a side-eye, still with red cheeks.
“It’s Vincente, Princess.”
His voice came softly through the door.
As he entered, the room suddenly went quiet.
Oriana and Marisol stood up, biting their lips and pretending to be invisible, silent as if no one was there.
Vincente entered the room, dressed neatly, with his hair perfectly dried and combed, bowing his head politely.
“I apologize for not recognizing you earlier, Princess.”
Marisol’s eyes widened with curiosity.
“As I explained earlier, I was affected by monster poison and wasn’t in my right mind. I hope you can forgive me.”
His apology didn’t seem to earn full approval.
Oriana’s cold stare gave away that she wasn’t convinced.
Tia didn’t want to make things harder and chose not to bring it up.
“I wasn’t considerate either, so don’t worry about it. You even made sure to cover me, while I didn’t do the same for you.”
Marisol’s eyes widened even more.
Vincente’s gaze flickered in surprise as he looked away awkwardly.
“…I’m sorry for making you see something harmful.”
But the strange smile that appeared on his lips didn’t seem apologetic at all.
It seemed to suggest he didn’t feel any shame about showing his body.
“It wasn’t bad.”
Tia nodded, reassured.
“Pfft.”
Marisol couldn’t hold back her laughter, and Vincente shot her a narrow-eyed glance.
It wasn’t meant to be rude, but rather encouraging.
Tia felt the need to clarify.
“I meant that your body didn’t hurt my eyes, so you don’t have to worry.”