Chapter 78
As I gazed steadily at Serenon Solatine, he turned his eyes to me and flashed a bright smile. It was a clear, cheerful grin.
"What a shame. Don't play only with my brother, Lady Crisis. I'd appreciate it if you played with me sometime too."
His voice was kind, as if seeking permission. There was no hint of pretense.
Have I been holding too many preconceptions about Serenon?
Even though this was the first time I'd properly spoken to him—having only glimpsed him at formal occasions—I realized I'd formed biases about him. Reflecting on my narrow-mindedness, I let a soft smile curve my lips.
"It would be an honor, Your Highness. Call on me anytime."
Curiosity about Serenon sparked within me. He looked slightly surprised at my smile, then beamed even brighter than before.
"Haha! Alright then. I'll head out. My brother must be waiting."
I gave Serenon a brief nod, then signaled his attendant with my eyes to guide him away. The attendant, who had been fidgeting anxiously between us, now wore a relieved expression as he led me forward.
"Crown Prince, Your Highness. I've brought Lady Crisis."
Arriving at the large tent, the attendant spoke softly at the entrance.
"Bring her in."
The attendant stepped back from the door, and I pushed aside the tent flap, entering slowly. Unlike its grand, ornate exterior, the inside was simple and impeccably tidy, without any frills.
I glanced around briefly, my gaze halting where golden threads shimmered—on Diego Solatine, who wore a wine-red tunic long enough to cover his hips, cinched with a belt at the waist, instead of the flashy imperial uniform from formal events. A relaxed air emanated from him as he leaned back in his chair, tilting a glass of wine.
His eyes locked onto mine. As always, Diego's eyes held a color that seemed ready to draw you into sleep at any moment.
Like the deep sea swallowing the ships of sailors who set out on adventures. The waves churning in his gaze were threatening, yet so mesmerizing that even as they engulfed you, it would feel ecstatic.
Surely, no one suits the throne like Diego.
Not avoiding his stare, I walked toward him. Even a mere glance or gesture from Diego exuded the aura of a ruler.
Finally standing before him, I bowed deeply and formally.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Crown Prince. A title that suited the man before me perfectly. For the first time, the idea that he was the sun of the future truly sank in.
"Yes. Thank you for coming, Shushu."
He stared at me for a long moment before responding. His gaze, which had been appraising my outfit, lifted hurriedly, and he gave an awkward smile.
"What brings you to summon me?"
Tilting my head slightly as I asked, he blinked in a daze, then murmured "Ah" and rose from his seat. He lifted his stiff chin, meeting my eyes.
"You're participating in this hunting tournament, aren't you?"
"That's right."
"As an old friend, I can't just send you off empty-handed."
Except for the slight hiss on "friend," he finished cleanly and picked up a box from the table, extending it toward me.
"Your hunting tournament banner."
A graceful smile bloomed on Diego's red lips. Staring briefly into his sparkling eyes—which shone as if beholding something beloved—felt oddly unsettling, so I turned to the open box.
Inside lay a long strip of deep blue velvet cloth. The ribbon, identical to the color of Diego's eyes, seemed meant for tying hair.
What a kind person.
My heart twinged at Diego's thoughtfulness in preparing even the banner. Smiling brightly at him as he watched my reaction,
"Thank you, Didi. With this, I feel like I'll return safely."
Objects imbued with warm feelings carry magic. The forest was far from the north with no magic beasts, and no animals there could harm me anyway—but with Diego's banner, I felt even safer.
Diego, who had been gazing at my smiling face for a while, let out a long sigh. The breath, laced with a sigh-like lament, made me wonder if I'd done something wrong, and I blinked. He smiled gently, as if it were nothing.
"If it's alright, may I tie your hair with this?"
Entrust such a task to the Crown Prince...?
I hesitated briefly watching Diego hold out the ribbon with shining eyes, but if he wanted to, what was the harm? I nodded readily.
"If you're fine with it, of course."
Diego grinned radiantly and moved behind me. I felt his faint breath on my nape. Slowly closing my eyes amid the familiar vanilla scent filling the tent, I accepted the touch of his hands on my hair.
Smooth. Gentle strokes.
Instead of a comb, Diego's long fingers combed through my hair. It must have been tedious to untangle the thick locks cascading to my waist one by one, yet he tended to them meticulously without complaint. The fragrance of the oil in my hair mingled with the vanilla scent enveloping the tent.
This feels... a bit strange.
Maids combing my hair was routine, but having a grown man do it by hand was a first. His touch was as careful as handling fragile glass. Fingers occasionally brushing my nape as he smoothed my hair. Even breaths spreading over it.
All these elements wove a peculiar atmosphere in the tent.
"......Your hair is so soft."
After silently stroking my hair for a long time, Diego murmured. His low, sunken voice grazed my ear, making me blink slowly as I whispered a short "Thank you."
"Now, I'll tie it."
His hands began gathering my hair together. Feeling my scalp tugged gently, I blinked languidly. His soft touch made me drowsy.
"High ponytail or low?"
"I prefer high."
I usually wore it loose, but when tied, I liked a high ponytail. Nodding, Diego gathered it from higher up. Cool air settled on my exposed nape, hidden before by my hair. Feeling awkward at the bare skin, I touched it.
A pause.
Diego's hands, gathering my hair, froze for a moment. With a Sword Master's keen senses, I felt his gaze—meant only for my hair—slide down my neck. As his graceful touch stiffened, I turned my head in confusion.
"Didi?"
I met his blue eyes, dazed. Our gazes locked, and his pupils trembled slightly as his throat bobbed.
"Aren't you tying it?"
Tilting my head, Diego snapped to attention and let my raised hair drop abruptly. Staring intently at him wondering what was wrong, he slightly averted his eyes.
"......Low ponytail suits you better."
I looked at him expectantly for an explanation, but he silently turned my face forward. I'd glimpsed his ear tips flushed red. Diego began tying my hair loosely enough to cover my nape.
Then why ask in the first place?
Absurd, but as the recipient of his gift, I stayed still. Fiddling with my now-tied hair, I slowly voiced a sudden question.
"I have something I'm curious about. May I ask?"
"Anything."
At his ready reply, I continued cautiously.
"I ran into the Second Prince outside your tent."
"With Serenon? That makes sense. His tent is right next to mine."
Diego's tone about Serenon flowed smoothly, without a trace of displeasure. Nodding faintly so as not to disturb him as he tied the ribbon,
"Yes. He asked where I was going and said if it was to you, he wouldn't hold me back. I'd assumed you and His Highness the Second Prince weren't on good terms...... so I was surprised otherwise."
Diego's hands paused while tying the ribbon. His sigh tickled my hair.
"Yes. Realistically, Serenon and I get along fine. We're actually on pretty good terms. Serenon...... has no ambition for the throne."
"His Highness the Second Prince?"
"Yes."
I asked in a slightly raised, surprised voice. Diego affirmed shortly in a somewhat wistful tone, plunging me into deep thought.
Come to think of it, I'd never seen the Second Prince publicly show desire for the throne. Amid rampant rumors and slanders, he'd stood silently, while those truly pushing his claim were the Second Prince faction nobles centered on his maternal Kypress family.
"Shushu, I don't like you getting close to others."
Diego whispered softly. Before I could ask why, he continued.
"But with Serenon, I'd like you to be a little friendly. He's a truly pitiful child."
......Pitiful?
Not an assessment for a rival contending for the throne. Finding it odd, I resolved to learn more about Serenon.
"All done."
Diego slowly withdrew his hands after fussing over my hair. Fiddling with the neatly tied locks, I smiled faintly.
"Thank you for tying it, Didi."
I felt a sigh-like exhale from behind. As Diego dipped his head slightly, something moist and soft touched then left my nape. Startled by the sudden gentle sensation, I turned.
Diego, who had kissed my nape, smiled calmly. Blinking at him, he chuckled and tidied my stray bangs tickling my eyes.
"A victory kiss. Don't get hurt, and bring back enough game to flatten Audi Prama's nose."
His tender words tickled my heart. Gazing into his blue eyes filled with affection—and something thicker, incomprehensible to me—I curved my eyes into a bright smile.
"Of course. I'll bring back victory."
I, Mir the mercenary who had massacred magic beasts my whole life. Nothing in this forest could oppose me.
"Shushu."
"Father?"
Heading back to the Crisis tent with the banner from Diego, I encountered Kaiser Crisis, who had vanished at the Emperor's call, and approached him gladly. After glaring fixedly at the ribbon tying my hair for a moment, Kaiser smiled faintly at me.
"The hunt's about to start. Ready?"
"Yes. All prepared."
I smiled proudly, glancing at the bow on my back and the sword at my waist—a gift from Kaiser.
Kaiser stood beside me.
"Good. Then let's go to the forest entrance together."
Accepting his arm naturally around my shoulders now, I matched his steps toward the forest entrance where people gathered.