DD 14

Chapter 14

“You don’t look well. I should get going.”

She nodded when told to rest. After seeing off the Crown Prince, she spotted a child playing in the garden. The moment he noticed her, he ran into her arms. Comforting him, Isilia smiled. He stared at her with trembling eyes—just like his younger sibling—probably startled. She soothed El and smiled.

“We’re going to the palace tomorrow.”

The golden eyes rounded. That should ease her daughter’s disappointment. Isilia smiled as the child’s cheeks flushed.

“……”

Under Ruiyan’s gaze, Johan lowered the hand he had raised. The mischievous boy, who showed no hesitation speaking informally to his mother, always acted meek before his father. Isilia found that adorable and smiled. Johan, whose attempt to reach out to her had been blocked by Ruiyan, looked up at her with a tearful expression. She turned her head at the warmth that thumped lightly against her shoulder. Golden eyes—so much like her own—were hidden under heavy eyelids. She stroked El’s weakly swaying head and looked forward. A faint blue light flickered in her palm; when she smiled, Johan’s eyes widened.

She’s sick, she silently mouthed. Johan nodded. Ever since his sister collapsed, the clingy child had been restless. He tried to sit beside Isilia but Ruiyan lifted him and seated him next to himself, making Johan sulk. She couldn’t leave feverish El alone in the mansion, so she brought her along. They would check her condition at the palace as well…

“……”

Her thoughts stopped. Someone’s cool blue eyes were boring into her, so she lifted her hand. She spread her fingers, brought them to her lips, and narrowed her eyes playfully. Johan finally turned his head away. Seeing him give up and lower his head, Isilia smiled. Raising her gaze slightly, she saw him. He looked out the window with his expressionless face. She followed his gaze, but quickly lost interest in the fleeting scenery and looked forward again. He still didn’t look at her.

“……”

Silence settled. She considered saying something, but the words wouldn’t come.

When they arrived at the palace, she smiled at the sight of the black-haired young man who came to greet them. He nodded at her greeting and walked over. When the Crown Prince saw the child, he turned his head slightly.

“I’ll call the royal physician.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

She sighed as she watched the attendant hurry away. El was prone to high fevers from time to time—her body was weak from birth. She had improved after becoming the young prince’s playmate, perhaps because she was more active. The lingering minor ailments had disappeared. She looked down at El rubbing her cheek against her mother’s hand, then lifted her head again. The Crown Prince was speaking with Ruiyan. She picked El up, letting her rub her cheek against the coolness of her mother’s hand. Marillian must be somewhere here by now. She wondered if she should return, then shook her head. How cowardly of me. I was invited by His Majesty—how rude of me to think of running away.

“Isilia.”

“Yes?”

“Leave El with the Duke and go ahead. The young lord should go with Ruiyan as well.”

Johan frowned at the Crown Prince’s words. Ruiyan scolded him, and Johan gave a polite bow before following his father. Isilia could clearly see his face full of displeasure and awkwardly laughed. Jordan shook his head as he watched Johan disappear.

“He’ll drop the children off first. It’d be awkward for them to follow us in.”

“……”

“Or would you rather go with him?”

He smiled teasingly. She looked away. “Don’t tease me,” she grumbled as they walked down the corridor. Count Agnes—her father—had told her he knew about her relationship with Ruiyan. When she stopped in front of the door, hesitating, Jordan approached.

“You’re not opening it?”

“……”

“Didn’t I tell you not to ignore me?”

“…My father, Count Agnes… Does he know?”

“Know what?”

He was infuriating. Her friend of six years always teased, regardless of her feelings. She narrowed her eyes; Jordan laughed. Why do you think His Majesty summoned you two? he mouthed. Isilia nodded. Right. Of course. She opened the door, froze at the familiar faces inside, greeted them, and took a seat. Ruiyan entered soon after. She raised her head when she felt eyes on her. Two pairs of green eyes were staring silently.

“……”

She looked away from the blank expressions. When Ruiyan sat beside her, the stares disappeared. With only a few words from His Majesty, the meal began. Since Ruiyan arrived, Arwin, who had been focused only on his meal, finally raised his head. He glanced at the father cutting meat beside him, and opened his mouth.

Father knows.

“……”

What are you going to do?

“……”

I don’t know. She gave no answer. Arwin sighed.

You always—

“Isilia.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

She closed her mouth. Turning from her brother, she faced the Emperor. Despite his age, his straight posture showed how healthy he still was. Their eyes met, and he continued.

“It’s been about a year since we last spoke face-to-face.”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“You look pale. Are you ill?”

“No, I’m fine.”

She answered too quickly, and saw her brother frown slightly. He hid it right away—but too late. Arwin still wasn’t good at hiding his feelings. The Crown Prince, seated to her right, smiled faintly. Despite her curt answer, the Emperor seemed unbothered. Her father remained silent.

“There have been disturbing rumors circulating in the palace recently.”

His deep blue eyes briefly rested on her father before moving away. It must have been deeply unpleasant for him. The suffocating atmosphere almost made her laugh. She held back the urge and glanced at Ruiyan. He quietly sipped his wine. Only two people had stopped eating—herself and her brother. That made her want to laugh again; Arwin glared at her.

Stop smiling.

“Are you finished eating?”

“My stomach feels a bit unwell… I apologize for leaving early, Your Majesty.”

“No need. Go rest. I heard the child is sick.”

She stood up. Her father still did not look at her. The bitterness in her chest made her stomach churn even more. She bowed and left the dining hall, heading toward her children. She greeted the occasional person she met and finally reached the room. Johan turned at the sound of the door opening. He ran into her arms, and she soothed him as they went inside.

The young prince stood nearby. She wrapped a strand of his black hair around her finger; he raised his head. He looks dejected. She smiled; he smiled back. She set Johan down and pulled up a chair. El seemed to have taken her medicine and fallen asleep. Isilia reached out—there was still a slight warmth. The fever had subsided. Thanks to the palace, perhaps. When she woke, she would still feel weak, but she would no longer suffer.

“Will she be alright?”

“She’ll be weak, but fine.”

She ruffled Johan’s hair and looked at Zion. His long eyelashes cast shadows over thoughtful eyes. The prince was stranger than he appeared—sometimes more adult than El. When she mentioned that before, Jordan had only laughed. Of course he did; laughing pointlessly was practically his hobby. Lost in thought, she waited. Zion finally spoke.

“It won’t be long.”

“……”

“Then El will get even better.”

El would wake sometime late at night. Isilia nodded silently. Zion smiled.

“Really soon.”

She said nothing. When their eyes met, his blue eyes curved. She opened her mouth. El will wake late. Zion smiled. I know, he said. She watched the boy, then turned away. Johan complained, asking if he could go outside. She agreed. The palace was heavily guarded; it would be fine for a moment. Isilia entrusted El to Zion and carried Johan outside.

“Mom!”

“Slow down, Johan.”

Unlike El, Johan rarely visited the palace, and he was excited. As she watched him run, she sank into thought. The meal should have ended by now—why was Ruiyan taking so long? Was the Crown Prince picking a fight again? She looked away for one moment, and Johan ran farther ahead.

“Johan!”

“I’m going slo—ugh!”

Hearing him cry out at the corner, Isilia rushed forward. Thankfully, he hadn’t fallen—his clothes were clean. The one who caught him rose to his feet. Isilia opened her mouth to thank him. The moonlight revealed a familiar shade of green.

“Isilia.”

Her body froze at the eyes that met hers. Her brother called her name, and she barely answered. Johan, having forgotten he almost fell, clung without worry to the man holding him. Count Agnes gently patted him with his usual stern expression.

“You haven’t left yet.”

“Let’s talk. Just for a moment.”

“……”