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“Then, do you like me?” (Reynsis)
“Your Highness, no one hates you in this Palace —” (Prim)
“I’m not talking about everyone. I want to hear what you think of me.” (Reynsis)
“Y-you’re too close, Your Highness!” (Prim)
Only then, did his face stop leaning towards her, but he was still not satisfied and spoke again.
“You said that he’s two years younger, right?” (Reynsis)
“Yes..” (Prim)
“What is your opinion about that?” (Reynsis)
“Excuse me?” (Prim)
“The age difference between the two lovers.” (Reynsis)
“Umm.. I think that Lise is just fine being on her own.” (Prim)
[e/n: What kind of half answer is that Prim?! Can I just edit her reply? Srsly. ლ(ಠ_ಠ ლ)]2
Her answer made him frustrated. It was an ambiguous answer.
“I mean, you don’t mind your partner being younger than you?” (Reynsis)
“Well…” (Prim)
Prim was in agony. It was because she never thought about that before.
[t/n: u nEver tHoughT abOut it BeforE??]3
Reynsis was a bit impatient waiting for her answer as he was nervous too.2
“Well…?” (Reynsis)
“…..” (Prim)
“If they are taller and healthier than me, wouldn’t that work out enough? I don’t really know since I never thought about this so deeply.” (Prim)
Reynsis’s face had a dazed look of bewilderment.
He couldn’t believe that she never thought about that when he was fussing over being so young. This pretty face of his was useless.9
He didn’t even think of the possibility that Prim might elope with someone else one day.
— Prim was lovely in her own way. Her smile was like a shining evening crescent moon. Her pretty pink lips that brought him chills whenever she spoke and her raven eyes which twinkled in mirth whenever she laughed captured his full attention.3
If she went to the Imperial Palace, there would be more men there than there were present at Belles Palace.
‘Some of them might be interested in her.’
That thought made him sick to his stomach. He clenched his fist without knowing.
Fortunately, Prim will always be in his possession.4
“Then, I will try.” (Reynsis)
Prim was startled when Reynsis spoke as if he was saying a vow.
“..Try what?” (Prim)
“Of course… To be ‘Beauty’s’ ideal type.” (Reynsis)1
He stared at her with a determined look on his face.
‘Is this the power of love?’ Prim gently smiled and nodded.2
***
Everytime the carriage rattled, Prim’s heart shook along with it. Prim stroked her chest as if to calm her nervous system.
“Are you nervous?” (Reynsis)
Reynsis asked since he was sitting opposite to her. Moreover, he’s been staring at Prim for a while. She shook her head as she flashed an awkward smile at him.
“N-no, not at all.” (Prim)
“Then why are you sweating?” (Reynsis)
“I think my stomach hurts.” (Prim)
“Lies.” (Reynsis)
Prim didn’t make a huge fuss like she usually does when he accused her of lying. She was annoyingly quiet. That was a very rare occasion.
Reynsis asked as he was worried about her.
“Are you scared?” (Reyn)
The blue of his eyes caught hers in midair. She was about to speak, but eventually gave up and shook her head.
It was Reynsis who should be scared in this situation, not her. She was thinking pessimistically again.
Prim smiled reassuringly.
“I’m fine. It’s just I’m a bit nervous since this will be my first time there officially as a tutor.”
“Are you really though?” (Reynsis)
“Mm. I’m being honest! Won’t you believe me~?” (Prim)
She was being playful, but he was still firm. Reynsis stared at her eyes as if he was being swallowed by those black midnight eyes.
“Wait a year and half for me.” (Reynsis)3
“A year?” (Prim)
Reynsis just nodded. A year?
When she was about to ask for a reason, the royal carriage suddenly slowed down. That meant they were nearing the Imperial gates.
When the carriage stopped, the door swung open. A servant, who wore a pair of glasses greeted them politely.
“Welcome, Your Royal Highness, Prince Reynsis. It’s a great honor meeting you here again.”
Reynsis nodded as he got off the carriage. He didn’t forget to turn around and escort Prim from the carriage.
He looked around the Palace. His eyes were passive and as cold as the winter wind.
“His Majesty, the Emperor is waiting. I will escort you to the Imperial audience room.”
The servant bowed humbly and turned around, ready to guide them.
Prim looked at him nervously, but Reynsis was exceptionally calm.
“I’m going now. WAIT for me here.” (Reynsis)
(e/n: Needs a massive, neon floating sign that says ‘WAIT HERE PRIM’)2
Reynsis smiled lazily at Prim. Nevertheless, his smile was breathtaking, as if to appease God. She couldn’t even feel worried after looking at his face so she nodded in return.
As she looked at him from behind, a servant approached her.
“Miss Primabel?” (Servant)
Surprised by the sudden approaches, she widened her eyes.
“You are Miss Primabel, aren’t you?” (Servant)
“Ahh yes, what business do you —” (Prim)
“I will explain the details later. For now, please follow me, Miss.” (Servant)
“Only me?” (Prim pointing at herself)
The servant just nodded. Prim glanced at all the servants from the Belles Palace behind her with hesitation.
“This way, M’lady.” (Servant)
(e/n: SEE!? What did I tell you about the sign?!?!)4
The place that the servant guided her was such an enormous room that it was impossible to guess the size at a distance. Prim asked with a confused look on her face.
“Here?” (Prim)
“This is the room that His Majesty has given to you. He asked me to deliver this message, ‘From now on, you will reside here.’ That is all, M’lady.” (Servant)
“I’m sorry, what the —” (Prim)
“You have been appointed as an Imperial painter in the Palace, Miss Primabel.” (Servant)
An Imperial painter?!
Prim was amazed by this title given by the Emperor that her jaw hung wide open. The position was beyond the scope of the original unknown painter; the real Primabel.
But her painting skills were…
The mere thought of it made her dizzy. She would rather ask the Emperor to make her a handyman.
“And…” (Servant)
Prim was ready to bury herself in a hole with hearing there was to be an additional condition.
“His Majesty said that you are to continue with the Prince’s education.” (Servant)
“Then please rest now.” (Servant)
After the servant said that, he bowed and left. Prim who was left standing there, was unable to go anywhere in the palace or outside.
***
“It’s nice seeing you again.” (Emperor Vierno II)
The Emperor exclaimed with a friendly tone. Reynsis decided to chuckle and shrugged it off.
The pair of blue eyes were looking at the Emperor as if he was a black painting. Dull and uninteresting.
“I heard that your eyes are already better.” (Emperor Vierno II)
“….That is right, Your Majesty.” (Reyn)
His answer was a bit late. He was restraining himself from saying “Are you satisfied now?”
But doing so will tarnish Prim’s reputation as his tutor. That is why Reynsis was suppressing his anger.1
“Then you can enjoy seeing the full beauty and glory of the Delision Empire!” (Emperor Vierno II)
“….” (Reynsis)
“Look around, I’ve assembled the most exotic pieces of fine art and spent great efforts in decorating this room.” (Emperor Vierno II)
Reynsis’s look around with his usual dry gazed.1
Exquisite porcelain figurines twisted together with inlaid gemstones, oil paintings depicting chaos of mythical gods and monsters, and the complex colours of the different era’s of furniture haunted his vision.
‘This felt disgusting.’1
Reynsis narrowed his eyes with the sight of the gaudy decorations. While watching the so-called ‘beautiful’ scenery, the Emperor finally asked the Prince what has kept him curious overnight.
“So, what happened?” (Emperor Vierno II)
“I don’t quite understand what you mean, Your Majesty?” (Reynsis)
“Your eyes… No matter how much gold and resources I used, your eyes couldn’t recover their original colour. I did everything for you! To heal you and for years…, but then you suddenly got better. It is just… unbelievable.” (Emperor Vierno II)
The Emperor behaved as if he was mournful and disheartened for his son’s condition. Reynsis felt disgusted with the Emperor. This monarch’s hypocritical display of compassion stirred Reynsis’s deep-seated anger within him as he did his best to suppress it from showing.
“I know this all happened 16 years ago. At the time, I just couldn’t grasp anything. Why don’t you try to recall how you suddenly recovered?” (Emperor Vierno II)
Reynsis raised his head to meet the Emperor’s eyes. As he smiled gently, until his eyes went as a pair of crescent moons.
“You already know that the man who committed such a disrespectful display towards Your Majesty was considered a con-artist.” (Reynsis)
That smile was hiding words full of intentional meaning in that twisted beautiful face. The Emperor could sense it.
‘The man who bestowed him such prophecy was a fraud. Therefore, the Emperor would be considered as a fool to believe such a fake prophecy.’
His twisted, subtle smile was saying that.
That was an intentional insult towards the Emperor. However, the Emperor decided to mask his own thoughts as well with a fake smile in return.
“Of course. What would I gain if I kept reminiscing about the past? I’m just pleased that you have returned.” (Emperor Vierno II)
“….” (Reynsis)
“The Prince is aware that your schedule from now on will be busy in no time, yes?” (Emperor Vierno II)
“… I understand, Your Majesty.” (Reynsis)
Reynsis bowed and nodded his head with respect. The Emperor smiled kindly with that sight.
“You should return to your quarters. It will be a long while before the Prince can leisurely enjoy a day of respite.” (Emperor Vierno II)
“You have my deepest respect as I thank you, Your Majesty.” (Reynsis)
Reynsis bowed again and turned around to leave the throne room. As he was about to step outside, the Emperor’s voice echoed behind his back.
“I heard that you brought her here too.” (Emperor Vierno II)
His footsteps stop abruptly.
“You two seem close.” (Emperor Vierno II)
Reynsis slowly turned his head around.
There was an indescribable feeling if one looked into the 8th Prince’s eyes.
There was a sense of unbridled attachment in those eyes. Eyes that struggled to hide his inner thoughts and emotions, but failed to do so. The prince was still wet behind the ears.
(e/n: *Wet behind the ears is an idiom for lacking experience or adult maturity.)
‘As expected.’ The Emperor smiled with an obnoxious manner.
“I realized her methods of educating you are quite admirable. How can I not praise her? Thus, she will continue to mentor you as I command her to do so.” (Emperor Vierno II spoke lazily)
“….” (Reynsis)
His eyes darkened as the various emotions brought forth earlier were engulfed into his entire self once more.
It was obvious that the Emperor tried to gauge his reaction by mentioning his tutor.
Reynsis unexpectedly clenched his fist. The blue veins from his fist were showing.
“…You have my gratitude, Sire.” (Reynsis)
But, he must endure his anger.
With Prim as his tutor, everything that he does will reflect on her.
“I will take my leave now.” (Reynsis slightly bowed)
Without looking back, Reynsis finally stepped out of the suffocated room.
“It’s quite obvious you are fond of the tutor… almost as if you were possessed by her.” (Emperor Vierno II)
The Emperor clicked his tongue.
Until Reynsis ascends into adulthood, he must keep the girl by his side no matter what.
“Until Reynsis grows up… Hmm.”
A condescending sneer flashed across his features once more. A wicked and mocking smile from a black hearted and twisted man.
‘Ah~ What should I say if the Emperor asked me something? Fate? Destiny? Novel? No! He would never believe me.’
The worries that filled Prim’s mind disappeared more easily than she thought.
When Reynsis returned, he said that the Emperor didn’t ask him for anything out of the ordinary.
He definitely asked the Prince’s something, but Reynsis didn’t say anything to her. She was curious.
Then out of nowhere, Reynsis blurted out how he loves it when her eyes sparkle like a beautiful light when she’s happy.1
She was upset and embarrassed.
“You’re cheeky, aren’t you? So in conclusion, nothing happened? You just said that your eyes got better overnight? You really said that?” (Prim)
Prim got even more upset. If she was fearless enough, she really wanted to barge into the throne room and question the Emperor herself.
Then, Reynsis put his head on her neck from behind.1
She felt a sigh and a hot breath on her right ear. It was a sigh of relief mixed with irritation.1
“Now.. calm down.” Reynsis murmured silently. She was already calm.
“Are you alright?” Prim asked gently.
No matter how upset she was, it could not be compared to what Reynsis went through.
“Are you worried about me?” (Reynsis)
He turned her to face him slowly as he put their foreheads together, and stared in those black midnight eyes.