IPWDP 19

Chapter 19

Ephelia’s carriage entering the palace could be seen clearly from Regios’s office.
She belonged to the ducal family, yet she was already designated to become part of the imperial family.
So instead of staying in the guest palace, it was decided that she would stay in his—the Crown Prince’s palace.

When the carriage stopped, the butler opened the door.
The first thing that appeared from the open door was a small foot in dress shoes.
A tiny foot wearing yellow shoes trimmed with white lace.

Regios always wondered how she could walk on such small feet.
Without noticing, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
After the tiny foot, a small hand gloved in lace appeared and took the butler’s hand.

Her hand was just as small as her foot.
When he held her hand to escort her, it felt as if it might slip away like grains of sand.
So without realizing it, he would tighten his grip.
Because of that, whenever he escorted Ephelia, he consciously forced strength out of his hand.

Ephelia smiled slightly at Lamont.
If Regios had greeted her himself, she would not have smiled like that.

Originally, the one who should have welcomed her was Regios.
But he deliberately did not go out.
As if inviting her here was already fulfilling his duty.

He couldn’t take his eyes off her as she stepped down from the carriage and followed the butler inside.
Before her parasol was opened, she lifted her face toward the sky and squinted slightly against the sunlight.

Her candy-colored orange eyes sparkled as the light seeped into them.
They didn’t even meet eyes, yet he felt his heart drop with a thud.
Then his heart began pounding violently.

“Damn destiny. This isn’t love.”

He had mocked Union when told about destiny—yet in the end, he invited Ephelia here.
But only that.
Even though she stayed in the same palace, Regios never went to see her.
Several days passed like that.

“What is Ephelia doing?”

“She is spending her time quietly.”

“Doing what?”

“Reading books, doing embroidery.”

She doesn’t look for me, does she?

He didn’t bother saying the words lingering in his mouth.
If she had asked for him, the butler would have mentioned it.

Ephelia did not seek him either.
He knew why.
She knew what he disliked, and to avoid provoking him, she stayed still and quiet.

He was the one who made her unable to ask for anything from him, yet the fact angered him.
If she had at least sent word for him to come, he could have used that as an excuse—pretending to reluctantly go.
But she only spent her time quietly in the palace.

“Ah, come to think of it, not long ago she asked us to find a box.”

“A box?”

“Yes.”

“Nothing else?”

“No other requests.”

A box? For what.
He would have preferred if she had demanded unreasonable things.
Apparently, she even ate whatever was served without objecting.

“Pay more attention to her meals.”

“Already done. We are preparing desserts she likes.”

These wretched feelings were unbearable.
He wanted to see Ephelia.
It was nothing more than a feeling planted by destiny, yet she was painfully lovable.
And so—Regios never went to her.
That was the only way he knew to resist destiny.

Lamont, who had served the Crown Prince for years, sensed his discomfort.
He remembered Regios, Hailen, the deceased young masters, and Ephelia when they were children—
lovely, sweet children who played, laughed, and ran through the palace.

Ephelia, the youngest of them all, had been bright, clever, and adorable.

Seeing her now, quiet and fading like a withering flower, pained him.
Everyone blessed the two of them.
But the two themselves were unhappy.
Perhaps they would have been better off if destiny had not bound them.

Lamont trembled and erased such impious thoughts.

If he cares so much, why doesn’t he treat her kindly?
But that was not his place to say.
All he could do was watch with silent regret.

“Um…”

At the cautious voice, the maid clearing the dishes turned to Ephelia.
The Crown Princess was a gentle woman—no, gentle to the point she seemed like a delicate porcelain doll.
Though she did not show it, the maid was surprised.
It was the first time Ephelia had called her since arriving here.

“What can I do for you, Your Highness?”

“Could you find a small box for me?”

“A box? What kind would you like?”

“Anything is fine. Palm-sized would be enough.”

“I’ll find one and bring it to you.”

“Thank you.”

Though she spoke as if anything was fine—
she was the Crown Princess.
Even if the Crown Prince disliked her, a mere maid had no right to treat her lightly.

And yet…
The maid quickly pushed aside a certain memory from earlier.

“Do you need anything else?”

“No. That’s all.”

The maid relayed the request to the head maid, who brought out a luxurious box—higher quality than anything Ephelia could obtain from her own ducal house.
The maid hurried back to Ephelia.

“Here it is, Your Highness.”

Ephelia smiled faintly as she accepted the box.

“Do… do you not like it?”

“No, I do. Thank you.”

To be thanked by someone like the Crown Princess—
the maid found her strange, and kind.

The reason Ephelia smiled was simple.
The box the maid brought was far better than anything she could have procured at the duchy.
Not knowing this was given by the head maid, Ephelia could not shake the feeling that her situation was worse than a maid’s.

She placed a handkerchief inside and closed the box.

“You should begin getting ready, Your Highness.”

“I understand.”

Today was Regios’s birthday.
During the day, there was a short hunting event, followed by a banquet at night.

Women did not participate in hunts—no one hunted in dresses.

After several hours of preparation by professionals, Ephelia was finally released.

“Do you like it, Your Highness?”

Ephelia looked at herself in the mirror.

“Yes. Thank you.”

“You are beautiful.”

Ephelia smiled faintly.
Under a small diamond tiara, soft light-brown hair flowed in loose waves.
Her orange eyes stared back at her.

She was beautifully dressed, but not stunning enough to cause astonishment.
And even if she had been dazzling, she would never captivate the Crown Prince’s heart.

As long as she was his destined match, such a thing would never happen.
The hair and eyes he once praised lost their brilliance the moment he learned she was his destiny.

Long ago, he told her she looked sweet—like candy.
Now she knew:
Regios disliked anything sweet.

Knock knock.

“His Highness has come to fetch you.”

“Let him in.”

Only family or a fiancé could see a lady while she was being dressed.
If that fiancé was the Crown Prince, he wouldn’t need to observe such politeness—
yet he always made his attendants ask permission first.
Some would call him considerate.

To Ephelia, it only emphasized the distance between them.

“It’s still early. Are we leaving already?”

Normally, he would come right before departure.
This was unusual.
But she didn’t dislike it—no, she was grateful.
Every moment with him was precious.

“Are you finished preparing?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s at least have tea.”

The sudden invitation flustered her.
But she didn’t dislike it.

“Shall we go to the drawing room?”

“Yes.”

Outside, Tail waited.
They exchanged polite nods, and Tail quietly stepped out to give them privacy.
Ephelia nervously glanced up at Regios and managed to speak.

“I didn’t expect you to come get me.”

She was about to add: so I’m happy.

“His Majesty ordered me to. Told me to spend some time with you.”

“…I see.”

Of course.
He would never come of his own will.

Only the two of them were in the drawing room.
Which meant Regios would prepare the tea himself.
He didn’t ask what she wanted—
he already knew she always drank milk tea.

“Sugar, four spoons?”

“…Yes.”

Why be kind?
Why be gentle?

Forget my preferences. Stop remembering.
It only makes me hope again.

Every day, she hoped.
Every day, she was disappointed.
And every time, she was hurt.

Ephelia wished she could stop expecting anything at all.
Or maybe…
it was her fault for continuing to hope despite being disappointed again and again.