~Chapter 44~
Ruby was surprised by Ivan’s unexpected offer and opened her eyes wide.
“Are you saying you’ll help me, Your Highness?”
“Yeah, if it’s something I can help with.”
“Why?”
Ruby’s innocent question made it hard for Ivan to answer honestly. Instead, he looked down and mumbled.
“Well, the issue with Cardonia is something that belongs to Grand Duke Lux and the lord, but in a broader sense, it’s a problem for the entire Balder Empire, right? I just want to help solve the problem.”
It was a reasonable excuse.
Fortunately, Ruby seemed to accept Ivan’s explanation without much doubt.
“Your Highness, your dedication to the Empire is really impressive.”
“Well, it’s not that great,” Ivan replied, not fully accepting her praise since part of his reason for helping was to get closer to Ruby.
“If you’re really going to help me, there are many ways you can assist,” Ruby said.
“What do you mean?” Ivan asked.
“Right now, there’s nothing you can help with, but I might ask for your help later,” Ruby explained.
“Anything, just tell me. There’s almost nothing I can’t solve.”
Even though Ivan was still young, he was still a prince, and he intended to use his authority to help Ruby in whatever way he could.
“That’s reassuring. I’ll be glad to have you help,” Ruby smiled at Ivan.
Looking at Ruby’s smiling face, Ivan felt like he would want to help her with anything, even if it was a difficult request. He really wanted to be close to her, like he was with Theo and the other kids.
“If you ever need anything, feel free to ask, Your Highness.”
“Are you saying you’ll help me?”
“Yes. If you’ve helped me, I’ll return the favor. I don’t know if there’s anything you’d need from me, but just in case, I’ll offer my help.”
Ivan wasn’t exactly sure what kind of “card” he had in his hand, but he instinctively felt that one day, he might need Ruby’s help.
“Don’t forget that promise.”
“I won’t forget, I promise.”
Ruby added, “We’re friends, after all. Right?”
Friends. That was something Ivan should be happy about, and it was the reason he had been trying to get closer to Ruby in the first place. But for some reason, he felt uneasy.
Logically, it was a good thing, but there was a strange bitterness in his chest.
“Yeah, we’re friends.”
Ivan decided to ignore the uncomfortable feeling in his throat and chose to focus on their friendship.
“Now, let me show you around Grand Duke Lux’s mansion.”
Ruby led Ivan through the mansion, showing him different parts of the house.
The mansion was more historic and charming than Ivan expected. It wasn’t flashy, but it wasn’t something to be dismissed either. The mansion was full of meaningful items, much like the extravagant displays in the Imperial Palace.
As Ivan admired the items with curiosity, Ruby smiled warmly, clearly pleased with his interest.
After the tour, they sat down for tea while watching the children play in the garden.
Theo always looked like a carefree child when he was with the other kids.
After playing for a while, the tired children ran back to the table where Ivan and Ruby were sitting.
“I’m hungry.”
“Already? There are some snacks, so help yourselves.”
Ruby offered biscuits and various sweets to Calix and Sasha, then gave some to Theo as well.
“Please, Prince Theo, help yourself,” Ruby said.
Theo hesitated to eat, looking at Ivan first.
“Go ahead,” Ivan said, giving Theo permission.
Only after Ivan’s approval did Theo reach for the basket with relief.
Ruby noticed how distant Ivan and Theo still were and felt a little sad about it. They were in a competitive relationship, so it was hard for them to get close. She couldn’t force them to be friends, but at least she hoped Theo wouldn’t feel the need to be cautious around Ivan.
“Both of you princes eat so elegantly,” Ruby said, clapping her hands lightly, impressed.
“We’ve been taught palace etiquette since we were born,” Ivan said in a matter-of-fact tone.
“We’re still not perfect. Even though we’ve been visiting the palace for a while, we still can’t match the elegance,” Ruby said, watching her younger siblings devour the sweets.
Because they were at Grand Duke Lux’s mansion, the kids were paying less attention to their manners.
“Well, who cares? As long as they enjoy it,” Calix grumbled.
“I’ll eat this one,” Sasha said, offering a new cookie to Ruby.
“Thank you, Sasha. You’re the only one who thinks of me,” Ruby said, smiling.
Calix, feeling left out, quickly grabbed another cookie and handed it to Ruby.
“I can do this for you too,” Calix said, proudly.
Ruby took both cookies from them.
“My siblings are so sweet,” Ruby said, patting their heads. They both giggled happily.
“You guys get along well,” Ivan remarked as he watched them.
Theo, sitting nearby, looked at Ruby and the other children with envy. It seemed like Theo liked Ivan, but he didn’t know how to approach him. He clearly wanted to be closer to Ivan, but didn’t know how.
Ruby noticed this and decided to help Theo.
“Does Prince Ivan dislike you, Prince Theo?”
Ivan was caught off guard by Ruby’s direct question. No one had dared to ask about their relationship before, assuming that things were obviously tense between them.
Theo seemed to be expecting a negative answer, his face filled with a hint of resignation. Maybe he thought Ivan would give the same answer that others expected.
Ivan hesitated for a moment as he thought about the question.
Did he dislike Theo? Was he annoyed by him? Uncomfortable?
The answer came surprisingly easily.
“No.”
Ivan shook his head honestly.
Theo’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“You don’t dislike me?”
Theo’s voice trembled.
“It’s not that I dislike you. It’s more that I don’t feel one way or the other. You haven’t done anything wrong, so I’m not really sure.”
Though Ivan’s answer wasn’t entirely positive, it made Theo smile widely.
“I like you, Prince Ivan!” Theo said, admitting his feelings honestly.
Ivan rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, not used to this kind of honesty from Theo.
“I haven’t done anything,” Ivan muttered.
Theo seemed to look up to Ivan, admiring him.
“That’s okay, I want to be like you. Good at sword fighting and studying.”
Theo clearly admired Ivan’s abilities, though Ruby wasn’t sure just how skilled Ivan was. But since Theo looked up to him, Ivan must be quite impressive.
“Well, think what you want,” Ivan replied, not showing dislike for Theo’s admiration.
Though it was still a bit awkward, Ruby felt like both Ivan and Theo were getting closer.
She hoped their relationship would continue to improve, just like hers with her siblings.
After their tea time, it was time for the princes to leave. The children saw them off, offering their polite goodbyes.
“Come visit us anytime.”
“Next time, we’ll show you something fun at the Imperial Palace,” Calix said confidently.
“Next time, we’ll go eat something delicious,” Sasha added.
Ivan was pleased with their warm goodbyes, and even the promise to see each other again felt natural.
Theo, however, seemed reluctant to leave the children. He kept looking at them with lingering eyes.
Theo stepped forward and grabbed Ruby’s wrist, pulling her toward him.
Ruby, seeing how much it meant to him, leaned down willingly.
Theo whispered in Ruby’s ear, “Thank you for asking Ivan for me.”
It seemed Theo was very happy to hear that Ivan didn’t dislike him.
“Now you don’t have to worry about it. You can be confident. Ivan doesn’t dislike you,” Ruby said, smiling.
“I will!” Theo grinned.
Seeing Theo’s bright smile made Ruby smile too.
Ivan, who couldn’t hear their conversation, watched them curiously but didn’t get an explanation.
Ruby and the children waved until the princes’ carriage was out of sight.
Once they were gone, the air in the carriage between Theo and Ivan was tense and awkward.
Theo, encouraged by knowing Ivan didn’t dislike him, looked at Ivan without hesitation.
“Do you have something to say?” Ivan asked in his usual gruff tone.
Theo smiled honestly, “Because you’re so cool.”
Ivan, caught off guard by the honesty, coughed awkwardly.
“Stop saying nonsense.”
Though he tried to act casual, the atmosphere in the carriage had completely changed from when they first arrived at Grand Duke Lux’s mansion.
