Miragen realized that her feelings for Robert were anything but simple.
Unless you were a fool, you couldn’t help but notice. Like his unusually kind attitude towards her or how his expression oddly grew complicated whenever he looked at her. She understood that Robert harbored special feelings for her too.
Yet, the boundary remained meticulously upheld. It was as if they were almost touching, yet never really did. There were times she furrowed her brows at his actions, which seemed to tease her.
In truth, they weren’t in any sort of relationship, but sometimes she found herself a little irritated by his attitude. What kind of person did he think she was?
If someone were to ask her what she truly knew about the man named Robert, she couldn’t provide a straightforward answer.
He had just appeared one day out of nowhere, and suddenly they had become quite close, hadn’t they? Her affection wasn’t rooted in any particular reason; she wasn’t even sure when these feelings had developed.
If they hadn’t contacted each other for a while, she would feel inexplicably disappointed, and if they hadn’t seen each other for a long time, she would grumble and reach out.
She wasn’t oblivious to the fact that she had slowly seeped into his life. Thus, she thought this time, he merely came to the Imperial Family for other business. Although she had called him, he had said last time that it would be hard for him to come.
So, she secretly thought about pulling back her feelings and focusing on her work, yet she never imagined he would come looking for her like this.
“I came to see Miragen.”
What did it mean that he was now calling her by the name he hadn’t used last time? She had heard he was with Adrian on the day he became a duke.
She knew the two were close, but the fact that she wasn’t there had been on her mind ever since.
She had no intention of feeling jealous. It was just a trivial concern.
Unlike with others, it annoyed her that she and Robert still felt so awkward around each other. She had been optimistic that they would eventually grow closer.
But to suddenly come and call her by her name…
As unexpected events piled one after another, Miragen could no longer hide her emotions.
Her usually playful face turned red, and warmth escaped from her chest, full of embarrassment.
To Robert, it seemed as if bridging the gap was something so natural.
He approached and gently brushed her hair aside, fastening her brooch again as he quietly smiled.
To anyone observing, it would seem they were a couple who had been together for a long time.
Though she had much to say, Miragen wanted to create a little distance for now. Not because she disliked it, but because it felt like her heart might burst if they stayed this close.
It was amusing how her attitude changed when looking at another man, but after all, he was Robert, wasn’t he?
She was genuinely curious if he had indeed asked her last time if he had met many women.
Asking if he had met a lot of women was genuinely out of curiosity.
If he hadn’t met many women, there was no way he could be this skilled, right?
He secretly hoped that wasn’t the case, but Robert answered that he had only been with one person in his life.
Truthfully, doubts lingered.
If it were true, it would be talent, but could there really be talent in charming women?
…Could it really be so? At that sudden thought, Robert noticed his expression darkening slightly.
As if waiting for that moment, a soft voice flowed back into Miragen’s ear, creating a bit of distance.
“I guess you didn’t like my visit. Was it too sudden?”
“That’s not it. Do you remember what I asked last time?”
At the response asking if he remembered the previous question, Robert swallowed for a moment.
The “last time” probably referred to when they met in the South.
If it was about that time, there was only one memorable question.
“Are you experienced with women?”
“Yeah, that one.”
“As I mentioned before, I’ve only been with one person in my life.”
He didn’t want to include Teresa as that one person.
After all, it was a false love, and at that time, Robert had only thought of Miragen when he answered.
Of course, he wouldn’t know, but Robert chuckled at the doubtful gaze directed at him.
Well, if he had to count, it would be dozens of times.
What expression would she make if she found out that those dozens were about one person?
Robert often felt joy when he was with Miragen.
Wasn’t this reaction part of that joy?
Sometimes, her childlike innocence made it easy to forget other worries.
#
What he always felt when he was with Miragen was that hiding his emotions was not so easy.
What could he do when just looking at her made him want to smile?
Miragen grumbled, saying not to tease, but the strange questions she blurted out only made it funnier.
Even though she called herself a princess, her actions were closer to those of a child.
“I hear you’ve been doing well with Adrian? I was surprised to hear you were together on the day you became the head of the family.”
“I wanted to invite you if possible. It was a sure way to show that things are different now.”
“…It would’ve been okay to invite me, too.”
That’s definitely true.
Whether it was the Order or the Imperial Family, there was no denying that there were opposing forces to the Taylor Duke household.
But wouldn’t it be weirder if the princess showed up on the day a new head of the family was introduced? Miragen seemed to realize how embarrassing that was, fanning her face with her hand and pouting her lips.
“If Her Highness the Princess had been there, unnecessary rumors would have started, wouldn’t they?”
“That’s right. I didn’t say it without knowing. I was just surprised that Adrian was there. But…”
With that trailing off, Miragen glanced at me and started to twitch her lips.
“Why do you keep calling me Her Highness the Princess? You called me by my name just fine a moment ago.”
“It’s a slip-up. Haven’t I always called you that?”
I tried calling her by her name on purpose. I was curious if she would remember what I had called her earlier, and indeed, it seemed she did.
Using Miragen was obviously more natural for me.
While I chuckled at her fondness for being called by her name, my feelings toward her became a bit complicated.
I wished we could interact like we used to. If that happened, I wouldn’t be able to handle the aftermath.
That’s why I intentionally drew the line, yet sometimes I couldn’t help but want to cross it.
When I saw myself precariously crossing those lines little by little, it did indeed make me feel fearful.
But still, isn’t that just how human hearts work?
Some people were recalling memories from previous encounters.
Perhaps someday Miragen would also remember those memories, but I honestly hoped she wouldn’t.
Because the memories she would recall weren’t all good ones.
“What are you thinking about? Earlier, you said you disliked me, but it’s not like you didn’t want Robert to come, right?”
“What was I thinking… Well, I guess.”
For a moment, I looked at Miragen.
Whatever answer I gave would serve as an excuse. I knew well what would fluster her.
Even while pretending to be nonchalant, she would get flustered when I poked at her directly.
Seeing her stare at me intently, I let out a sly smile and quietly responded.
“If it’s thoughts about the person in front of me, then that’ll be my answer.”
It wasn’t a lie, so I smiled softly while saying it.
In that instant, Miragen’s body froze.
Her twitching shoulder shook, and the eyes that had been gazing at me trembled before finally closing gently.
I had guessed the reason why Miragen was asking whether I had much experience with women.
Naturally, it must have been because I had already mastered how to treat her.
“Is that so…”
I tried to act casual, but that didn’t hide the blush on my face.
Even with my palm covering my face, forming a triangle, the redness showed through.
I chuckled for a moment seeing her take several deep breaths, then slowly stood up and extended my hand.
I had no intention of sitting here forever.
Besides, hadn’t she said last time that she had something to give me?
She stared intently at my hand through the slightly parted fingers, then carefully took my hand and got up from her seat.
Jabgon stood up from his seat.
“Can I give you a piece of advice?”
“If it’s advice, what are you referring to?”
Miragen, lightly gripping my hand, spoke up.
With her face still flushed red and a slight smile, she frowned and continued,
“Don’t do this kind of thing to others. Are you planning to scare someone to death?”
“I had no such intentions. It seems you were quite surprised, though.”
“It doesn’t seem like you did it unknowingly.”
So, she still has quick perception.
To others, it might look like I was escorting her, but Miragen seemed quite concerned about holding my hand.
So, I intentionally stacked my hands. Miragen, startled, flinched her shoulder.
If she’s surprised by such things, I wonder what she’ll do in the future.
If everything ends well, she’ll see even more shocking things.
That’s a matter for later, but now, I often imagined a perfectly concluded scenario.
Once the revenge on the Crown Prince is well settled, the reincarnation ends,
and the family is thriving without even the name of a traitor, just waiting for the day to die without worries.
Honestly, it’s a future with almost no chance of realization.
If that were to happen, I might be able to think seriously about love.
If that day comes… I wonder what kind of expression I would be making.
I might doubt if that situation is just a dream.
In fact, I still can’t believe I’ve become the Head of the Family.
Miragen adjusted her grip on my hand and hurriedly moved forward.
My attitude, soaked in residual thoughts, hurried my steps to catch up with her as she moved ahead alone, almost scolding me.
For now, let’s focus immediately. There’s still much to see with Miragen, isn’t there?
“Where are we going now?”
“Why would you ask me that?”
When I asked, Miragen rolled her eyes at me, as if it were ridiculous.
Although I stood up, I thought it would be better if she decided the destination.
Whether we go to the Imperial Palace or out somewhere, I had secretly decided that today would be that way.
“You said you had something to show me, but are we going to the Imperial Palace?”
At those words, Miragen, deep in thought, eventually shook her head.
It seems she thinks it’s a shame to go to the Imperial Palace right now.
I secretly thought the same, so our steps turned away from the front and into the side.
It’s a somewhat secretive outing, but as long as we don’t get caught, it shouldn’t be a problem.
Thus, the Duke and the Princess headed outside.
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