CHAPTER 105
“Such a strange hair color.”
“…….”
“Your skin is unnaturally pale.”
“…….”
“And you’re taller than me?”
She evaluated me point by point, then sighed.
“Well, you didn’t fall for me despite my temptations. So I suppose someone like you, from the kingdom… definitely wouldn’t.”
I wondered whether I should keep tolerating this. Malina’s feather-light mouth didn’t stop.
“If you plan to stay by the prince’s side, behave from now on.”
It sounded like a scolding, and I fought back a chuckle.
“As an aide, shouldn’t you avoid causing harm to the prince?”
“…….”
“I heard the Aision Desert ended up with the kingdom because of you.”
“…….”
“And yet you boldly call yourself the prince’s aide. That’s quite shameless, isn’t it?”
It was… painful in a way.
I personally thought giving up the Aision Desert wasn’t a loss, but most people would likely think like her.
‘She’s right. I mustn’t cause harm to Giovanni.’
The urge to mock Malina vanished. I silently listened to her words, which were meant to ensure Giovanni’s well-being.
“She’s more capable than she looks, this woman.”
“……?”
Kitchev stepped forward and looked Malina straight in the eye.
“You should know, Domikatun, that the prince recognizes talent well. Even if someone questions why he chose such a person, it always proves to be helpful in the end. That’s been my experience too.”
“…….”
“And the prince has chosen this woman, Egrain.”
Kitchev’s mouth twisted into a mischievous smirk.
“Do you doubt the prince’s judgment, Domikatun?”
‘Huh.’
I was stunned. Kitchev was defending me.
‘Still… he’s on our side.’
“……Impossible, Kitchev Kachin. That would be disappointing. You know how much I admire the prince, and yet you say that?”
Malina lowered her eyes, pretending to be shy, then covered her mouth with her hand and asked:
“Since we’re talking about it… where is the prince right now?”
“And why would you ask?”
“Obviously to check that his strong body is safe, to ask about his well-being. It’s been a whole year since I last saw him. Isn’t it natural to worry?”
At that moment, I instinctively felt that Kitchev and I were of one mind.
‘Why you?’
I reminded myself:
Malina Domikatun is the crown prince’s wife.
‘And yet she’s openly showing interest in Giovanni?’
I had no idea what guts she had, but considering the circumstances—
‘This can’t be good for Giovanni.’
The palace was thick with caution toward Giovanni.
Rakki Koon appeared boisterous and relaxed outwardly, but his gaze toward Giovanni was chillingly cold.
‘A scandal with another man’s wife, especially your brother’s wife, is obviously a huge minus.’
No wonder Kitchev was trying desperately to put her in her place.
Malina could damage Giovanni’s reputation.
To me, she looked like a fly that needed to be swatted.
“How was the prince in the kingdom? Surely the other women didn’t leave him alone.”
“That’s not something for Malina Domikatun to be concerned with.”
“Oh my, why speak like that? So disappointing. I’m just worried that some strange woman didn’t attach herself to the prince.”
She glanced at me.
“Who else in this palace worries as much about the prince as I do?”
“Please refrain from making statements that could cause misunderstanding.”
No matter what Kitchev said, Malina clung persistently, like an annoying buzzing fly.
A fly that shouldn’t attach itself to my precious protector’s descendant. I had no choice but to intervene.
“I didn’t want to say this, but…”
“What?”
“The prince doesn’t like you.”
“……What?”
For a moment, Malina’s expression froze. Kitchev stared at me in shock.
“What did you just say?”
“The prince doesn’t tolerate women who ignore a refusal and flirt with men who have a wife. He doesn’t like women like you.”
As I explained it clearly, Malina’s face turned bright red.
I grabbed her wrist silently as she tried to strike.
Her body was built to endure sealed water magic. She couldn’t possibly resist me.
When I squeezed her wrist firmly, a faint gasp escaped.
Then I yanked her closer. Our faces inches apart, her black eyes wavered.
“Don’t approach our Giovanni—no, the prince.”
“Y-you… who are you?”
“Me?”
I curled the corner of my mouth.
“The prince’s protector.”
“What?”
“If you harass him again…”
I glared at Malina with lethal intent and anger in my eyes.
“I’ll come for you.”
“…….”
“You want to live in a state of neither life nor death?”
This was a spell I’d learned from the sorcerer Kitchev spoke of. Imperial people feared such spells above all.
“Y-yes… what?”
“If you’re curious, you can test it.”
I glanced at her trembling wrist, then released it sharply.
Her wrist bore red marks from my grip, and fear flickered in Malina’s eyes.
“Putting force into one’s voice…”
Tailin clicked his tongue. There was no actual curse or special effect, but the intimidation was clear.
Watching Malina scurry away in a panic, Kitchev stammered.
“Malina Domikatun… she’s running away? Without a peep?”
“Well, she talks big but has a weak nerve.”
Kitchev looked as if he didn’t quite agree.
“I originally thought to stay out of it since you and the prince have a certain relationship, but thinking it over, this was better.”
I couldn’t allow Giovanni’s honor to be tarnished by my own hand.
Though a bit extreme, I nodded in satisfaction at having threatened her, leaving Kitchev horrified.
“What were you trying to do? Are you crazy?”
“They say rumors spread. I figured if I said this, she’d give up.”
“Crazy…”
I smiled as he muttered that she was surely insane.
“At one point, I even thought you liked the prince. I thought you might be jealous because you hated me so much.”
“Not at all!”
“Really not?”
Kitchev denied it vehemently.
“Of course, because the prince keeps his distance from women and uses such excuses, some misunderstand, but…”
He frowned deeply as he said this, looking mortified.
“The prince hasn’t had that kind of relationship—with men or anyone.”
“……?”
Question marks formed. My mental gears clicked.
“You mean… the prince is still…?”
Instead of an answer, there was a dry cough.
“Well, Kitchev might not know everything. Even an aide can’t know all of the prince’s private life, right?”
“Maybe, but as far as I know, there wasn’t. And probably never will be. Really.”
“…….”
“Don’t think it’s strange. He’s simply not interested.”
“…….”
“Obviously, don’t talk about it anywhere. Here, claiming he has experience with women is less shocking than being a virgin.”
Kitchev’s words went in one ear and out the other.
‘The first time?’
The memory of a drizzling rainy day, the cold, the quiet dim temple, our breath entwined.
‘Of course, it was my first too. My first, but…’
I never imagined Giovanni would be the first for him too.
‘Was I a little clumsy?’
I wasn’t sure.
Intoxicated by warm body heat, I only felt happiness.
…The feeling of a tight embrace was really nice.
“Why do you have that expression?”
A voice snapped me back to reality.
Kitchev’s suspicious gaze made me erase the thoughts in my head.
“What expression?”
“It was… oddly disgusting.”
‘This guy…’
Before I could speak, another voice retorted.
“What are you saying!”
It was Jenny.
“You’re just beautiful!”
Jenny shook her head vehemently, her young face set in determination, eyes sparkling.
Her happy grin looked like a puppy’s, so I patted her head.
“Lucky you. A loyal maid at your side.”
I chuckled at Kitchev’s grumbling remark.
“Quickly, lead us to the prince’s residence.”
“Follow me.”
After taking a few steps, Kitchev muttered:
“At least, the prince’s marriage path mustn’t be blocked.”
“Considering that woman just now, he seems popular. I don’t think his marriage path will be blocked.”
“People like Malina Domikatun aren’t helpful. They only endanger the prince’s position.”
Kitchev’s unusually serious tone made me shut my mouth and listen.
“Marriage is an important card for someone whose power is weak.”
“…….”
“The prince shouldn’t have been away for so long. In the end, things went as Koon wanted.”
He shook his head.
“There’s no use talking about it now. The future is what matters. Many chiefs were swayed by Rakki Koon, but not all. It’s not too late.”
Kitchev, unusually, looked deeply worried.
“Don’t worry. He didn’t come here to harm us. He’ll simply become an important card rather than an ordinary marriage.”
“Let’s hope so.”
‘This guy.’
Knowing his sincerity toward Giovanni made his once irritating behavior seem somewhat endearing.
I lightly rose on my toes, resting my chin and arm on Kitchev’s shoulder.
“W-what are you doing?!”
“We’re in the desert. I’m going to act like a desert warrior now.”
“Act like a desert warrior?”
“We’re comrades, comrades.”
“Ugh, don’t strangle me!”
“Hey! Don’t push our lady!”
