YMPDKMA Chapter 22

I muttered words he couldn't hear and closed my eyes. My eyelids felt heavy—I'd lost sleep, and now the tension had broken. A thin stream of wind poured through the window I'd opened to cool his fever. Should I close it? I wondered, then fell asleep without meaning to.

The dream Tori had interrupted earlier continued. The tall man—a head taller than me—had no face, but he was rather my type. Bellua's fields were beautiful in spring, full of light violet scent.

Though I'd never walked with a man like this, I'd loved going alone to the hill behind the estate. From that hill you could see the whole village—watching it dye itself in soft sunset colors, anyone would fall in love with small, beautiful Bellua.

Evening in Bellua always mixed sweet flower scent with savory cooking smells. If you closed your eyes and listened, you could hear village children running and playing. I'd truly loved Bellua like that.

"I love Bellua."

At my smiling words, the man looked down at me. He seemed to smile a little, so I gripped his hand tightly. But his hand was unbelievably small. Too small to be an adult man's hand—I stared and squeezed it harder. It was soft. Nice texture, at least.

I started worrying as I played with the man's hand. Ah, wait. Was this a dream? But why could I feel his hand so clearly?

"…Hey."

Mm?

I frowned at the man's voice calling me. His body was fully grown but why was his voice so young? Then I startled awake—not in the dream, but in reality.

Sharp sunlight stabbed into Rupert's bedroom. I blinked slowly a few times to clear my blurred vision. My dazed mind returned gradually. I hadn't dreamed that long, but it was already morning.

Red walls. Rifles hung neatly in a row. My gaze swept the room and landed on the object right in front of me. Softly curling golden hair covered a snow-white forehead. For a moment I wondered whose brilliant hair that was.

"Get off."

"…What?"

"I said get off."

That smooth, pretty forehead—no, the forehead's owner—commanded coldly. I creaked my head down and checked the identity of the hand I was holding. White and fine, but with sharp knuckles. That hand was attached to Rupert's arm.

I was so shocked I forgot to breathe. I dropped his hand like shaking off something foul and scrambled backward. I moved so fast I fell off the bed with a thud, but didn't feel the pain.

Are you insane?! Lariette, you've lost your mind!

"Ah!"

"……"

"I'm sorry!"

I'd thought it was cold when wind came through the window as I fell asleep, but I never imagined I'd crawl into his bed in my sleep. My sleeping habits were usually quite well-behaved.

Rupert looked down at me where I sat frozen on the floor, hands pressed to the ground, mouth opening and closing uselessly. Fortunately, he didn't seem displeased that I'd dared climb into his bed and fondle his hand. Maybe because he was still pretending to be a woman?

"Idiot."

His insult came dry as always. Ah, thank goodness. He didn't seem angry. I bowed my head low.

"I'm truly sorry! I must have done it in my sleep…"

"Enough. Go get Tori."

Maybe it was the effect of swallowing my herbs—he was more generous than expected. I'd thought he'd grab one of those rifles off the wall and threaten to shoot me.

"Yes, yes!"

I wiped my mouth where saliva had dried and jumped up. Only then did my bottom hurt from hitting the floor. If he were a prince instead of a princess, this would have been a real disaster. I couldn't get married anyway, but I really almost became unmarriageable.

Whew. I swallowed the sigh trying to escape and felt deeply grateful for his disguise as a woman.

When I brought Tori back, Rupert glared at me with annoyed eyes as if asking why I was still standing there like an idiot. Being able to get up feeling light this morning was all thanks to me—specifically thanks to my medicine—but he was shameless as could be. His ungrateful attitude made my temper flare, but I forced myself to smile brightly.

"Your Highness, are you all right?"

"From now on, don't let her in at night. No matter what. Ever."

Rupert ignored my question entirely and petted Tori's head like an animal as she scurried to him. Rotten brat. I bowed politely to hide my twisted expression and scrunched up my nose.

"Your Highness, you should thank her first when someone helps you."

"For what?"

At Tori's words, Rupert raised one eyebrow at an angle. Cocky little bastard. Enemy spawn. I cursed him silently with every word I could think of, proper and improper. I should have left him in pain. My heart ached with regret.

"Lariette brought medicine for Your Highness. That's why your fever broke."

"…What?"

Judging by his blank expression, he didn't even remember me shoving medicine into his mouth last night. I saw my chance and spoke quickly.

"I'm rather weak, so I keep emergency medicine on hand. If you're unwell in the future but don't want to call the physician, please tell me."

"Why would I trust medicine from you enough to put it in my mouth?"

"But you're fine now, after taking my medicine."

I smiled slyly at Rupert's sharp voice. Ugh, this person throws a fit even when you help him. Still, it was true he was fine, so he lost his grounds to scold me and shut his mouth. I smiled prettily and moved close to him like Tori.

"Your Highness."

"What."

The brighter my smile, the more Rupert's face hardened. When I kept grinning as if nothing was wrong, he couldn't stand it and snapped.

"Why are you smiling? What exactly do you want?"

"I'm happy Your Highness recovered."

"I'll pay for the medicine. Don't think you can milk this."

"Can't I get paid for the medicine and milk it?"

"You're pushing it."

Oops. I'd crossed the line. Rupert crumpled his face viciously, looking ready to sit up and grab a gun. The wall with the rifles really wasn't far from his bed, so I shrugged.

"It's a joke, Your Highness. You can't think I did that expecting something in return? I'm your maid."

"Enough with the bullshit. What do you want?"

"Bullshit? I'm your maid…"

"For f*ck's sake, you think your master is too stupid to know her own maid? What do you want?"

I felt oddly moved by how quickly he'd spoken to cut me off.

Ah. He acknowledged it. Even if he'd only blurted it out because he was sick of my chattering, this was the first time Rupert had acknowledged me as his maid. I'd been his maid for months now, but hearing the words "my maid" from his mouth felt strangely significant. I tested the waters carefully.

"If you insist on putting it that way, well… may I go outside the palace on the 15th?"

"Why?"

"The medicine you took yesterday was incredibly expensive."

At my deflection, Rupert slammed his pillow. Ugh. That temper of his.

"Did I ask about the medicine cost?"

"My brother is entering the military academy. We're in the same capital—I want to see him."

"You really dote on that brother of yours."

Rupert's words came out mocking and mean-spirited, but I didn't argue back. I waited quietly. If he said no, I couldn't go. I couldn't give him any excuse to suspect me more. But I really wanted to go. Only half a year had passed, but I already missed Bellua and my family.

"Go."

His careless permission fell onto my politely bowed head. I looked up, smiling with happiness.

"Don't scrunch up your face."

They say you can't spit on a smiling face, but apparently you can heap abuse on one just fine. Still, I didn't mind—not when I'd get to see Rehan soon.

The attendants and servants closest to young imperial family members had free access to the palace without needing special permission from the chamberlain.

I'd never left the palace or spent money since entering it. When I stopped by the treasury and confirmed the fairly substantial salary that had accumulated, my mouth split into a grin. First time I'd ever earned my own coin. First time feeling this way about it. Pride swelled in my chest like it might reach the sky itself.

Well done, Lariette!

Father would be pleased to see this salary. Not nearly enough yet, but maybe I'd contribute to the Bellua household soon. I walked along with those small, pathetic thoughts warming my chest.

The military academy was within the same capital but far enough from the palace that I'd need a carriage to arrive on time. I was looking around for the cheapest coachman when a flower shop caught my eye and stopped me.

Did people gift flowers for entrance ceremonies? I remembered doing it for graduations, but entrance ceremonies—I wasn't sure. I hesitated, then decided it was better to have flowers and feel awkward than not have them and feel flustered. I stepped into the shop. Better than having Rehan be the only one empty-handed while the other kids held armfuls of blooms.