Don’t Concern Yourself With That Book

After leaving the Administrative Office, I let out a sigh in anticipation.

“Ha… That was faster than I thought it’d be.”

I wanted to take a seat but what if a rumour spread about the princess sitting on the stairs to the Administrative Office? That would only make people shake heads.

“When will the Lord come?”

It was also because of the upcoming Founding Festival that people both inside and outside the Empire were buzzing about the princess.

The princess who was currently dressed in very colourful clothes should be more conspicuous than others. It would only be burdensome if everyone had to bow to me.

“Thinking about it again, it’d be better for me to sit down and wait for the Lord to arrive.”

Lifting my skirt, I entered the garden near the Administrative Office. I knew there wouldn’t be anyone here because everyone was busy with work.

“Spring is coming.”

The neatly arranged garden looked beautiful. As I stared at the rose buds, I realised that they were soon going to bloom. We are now in the month of Venus. As Venus is the Goddess of Beauty and Love, the month of Venus boasts to be the most beautiful out of the 12 months. It was also known as the Month of Flowers because it was when all the flowers were going to bloom.

‘If I had been back in Korea, cherry blossoms would have been in full bloom by now.’

As I walked along the flower beds, I spotted a hedge maze deeper into the garden. I also spotted another palace with a gold roof on the other side of the garden.

Most of the Central Palaces had golden roofs. Staring at the white walls of the palace, I tried to figure out what palace that was. Then, I heard strange footsteps.

“What is it?”

Was someone here? I thought I had heard the cries of a purring beast.

“… Are those cries?”

When I thought of beasts, I could only think of the watchmen guarding the Forbidden Forest. I was hoping they wouldn’t release the beasts here since most of the people here are templars…

“… They wouldn’t release them because the templars were bored, would they?”

Just then, in front of me, a patch of grass seemed to have pressed down as something flew by.

“Urgh!”

It passed by so fast that all it left behind was white fur.

“That surprised me. Huh?”

I was so startled I flinched and touched my chin before taking a step back. I noticed something at the end of the flower bed. But it was already too late to lament about a sudden slope in the garden. Of all times to be dressed in a heavy robe in which I could barely move.

I was so going to be scolded by Rebecca!

I squeezed my eyes shut because I thought I was going to lose my balance and roll around the ground. But I could only feel pain in one area. The pain wasn’t on my knees or my back but my waist. My waist…?

“It’s been a while since I’ve last seen you but this is what you look like now.’

“… B… Brother?”

I widened my eyes at the sight of the black hair in front of me. Castor was staring down at me.

“Ashley.”

I wasn’t on the ground for long before Castor used his strength to pull me up.

“Ah… Bro…”

After I got over my daze, chills swept my body.

“Brother.”

As if he could feel my gaze, he smiled drowsily before grabbing me. Goosebumps travelled down my skin. The red sun shifted across the blue sky behind his shoulder… What the heck. The weather was nice again.

I opened my closed eyes and groaned inwardly. I had to get my act together.

“Thank you… for your help.”

“Alright.”

“Were you on your way somewhere? W-why are you here around this time?’

“Hm. I don’t know why you’re so surprised? I can go anywhere I want to in the palace…”

As he continued to hold my arm, he lowered his head, closing the gap between us. He whispered affectionately with the narrowed distance between us.

“I’m happy to know that you’re curious about me.”

I felt like melting at the voice that soaked my ears. It felt like my blood was being drained out of me whenever I was with him. Why? Why? Why was he here? That was all I managed to think about. There were only Administrative Offices and Institutions in the area. Was the Crown Prince supposed to personally stop by for his political affairs? But his palace was still quite a distance away.

I didn’t fall on the floor but I could feel a tingling sensation along my waist which he continued to hold.

“What about you? Where were you heading to?”

“T-That palace…”

“The palace?”

Of course this was better than rolling down the slope… No, it was better for me to roll down the slope than to meet him and accept his help.

“I was on my way back to the palace. I-I met Granius. But, brother, it’d be better if you can let me down now…”

“Hold on.”

My line of sight wavered slightly. Castor lifted me off the slope and placed me down next to the flowerbed. We were now at the same eye level. Castor narrowed his curled eyes.

“The dress is too long for you. It’s dragging on the ground.”

As I followed what his golden eyes were staring at, I noticed the ends of my dress stained with dirt and grass. I staggered backwards as I struggled to avoid his hands. Still, I could not move back any further and was alas stuck in the same spot.

“So, you’re avoiding me.”

“Ah. T-that’s not it.”

His gaze lingered on his empty hands before he lowered his head and smiled languidly. Lifting my head, I faced the golden eyes looking down at me.

“Alright, of course, that’s not possible.”

He slowly extended his hand towards me.

“You asked me to be your patronus?”

“…..”

“But isn’t it strange how you’re avoiding me?”

He swept my cheek with a smile so gentle that if any normal woman were to receive it, their cheeks would flush. His black hair fluttered in the wind over the androgynous eyes that had been hidden beneath.

“Up you go.”

The drowsy yet dangerous glint in his golden eyes looked youthful.

“I hope you won’t be doing that the next time we meet.”

He took a step towards me to narrow the distance I created before whispering.

“Because I care about you so much.”

“…..”

“Ashley.”

He smiled beautifully as if he was possessed.

“Were you asking why I was here?”

“… Yes.”

He stroked my cheek before twirling my hair and lifting my hand. Then, he shifted his gaze.

“I came to look for my beast because he was angry.”

“A beast?”

“That’s right.”

I didn’t manage to see it before because I hadn’t been paying attention but he was dressed pretty casually. With loose hems, his clothes exposed his firm neckline and the dip to his chest.

“I thought I’d be able to find it if I came here and I was right.”

His golden eyes lowered coldly.

“Ashley.”

“Yes.”

“What should I do with a beast that has more people following him than me?”

Sunlight set his black hair ablaze as his golden eyes shone brilliantly.

“This is concerning.”

Castor smirked slowly before speaking languidly.

“He was very upset when he heard that you requested me to be your patronus.”

He whispered casually as if he was talking about someone completely unrelated to him before he removed his hands from me.

“Ah. Ah… I!”

He didn’t chase after me when I took a step back and turned around.

“E-Excuse me, I’m in a hurry to get somewhere, brother.”

“Alright.”

He replied monotonously. However, his drowsiness permeated his playful tone. I was about to walk away before I stopped.

How?

I gripped my trembling fingers tightly.

I wasn’t acting strange. It would not be strange for someone who had once almost drowned in water to be terrified when seeing a puddle. Of course, it would only be natural to be afraid.

Clenching my fists, I raised my head and turned towards Castor. I gripped the ends of my skirt before being as polite as I possibly could.

This was the choice I made.

“Brother, I’m going to miss you.”

To my patronus in the largest festival of the Empire that was coming in a month and to the Crown Prince.

I had decided.

That I was not going to do it.

“…..”

We were going to meet again in three days.

“I look forward to seeing you again.”

Castor smiled and tilted his head.

“… Yeah. We’ll be seeing each other more often now.”

I stared back at his piercing gaze before turning around. At some point, I had started trembling.

***

The princess who had been trapped in the castle for such a long time lived happily ever after with the knight who defeated the dragon.

Fairytales tend to end in happy endings. But in the castle I had been temporarily confined in, there was only the villain who killed me and my dead maids.

Perhaps that was why the first face that comes to mind whenever I closed my eyes was ironically Castor. His beauty was dazzling and it remained so even as he struck me with a sword.

My dying maids. Their bloody faces. Sometimes their cold faces would draw a startling smile.

Then… The next person that came to mind was Amor who held a stronger presence in my life than I initially thought despite his pale face and thin hair.

I had always been with him during my regressions.

“Though he doesn’t remember everything…”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

Squatting on the terrace, I leaned against the railings and stared at Amor who looked busy.

“… I can smell grass.”

“… Do you not like it?”

I shook my head.

“No. I like it.”

It’s been a long time since we last met but he acted nonchalant and kept himself busy. I waited for him because I didn’t want him to stop his work halfway just for me.

People had yet to find out that Castor was my patronus so life had been peaceful so far. Though everything will change once the announcement is made two days from now.

“I like this smell because it smells like you.”

“Is that so?”

He smiled.

Amor’s room only held the essential furniture and some decorations. His elegantly patterned furniture was made of good materials but it was not enough to fill this spacious room so there was still this feeling of emptiness.

Green plants filled the overwhelming void and the hanging vines in particular seemed to make up for the lack of vitality in the room.

“Have you been well?”

“A little.”

As he leaned against the headboard, he seemed to be busy struggling with the things on his table.

There were small bottles containing different liquids and seeds. Some were grinded into powder and others were blended into a liquid which Amor made float in the air as if he knew where to place them.

It was a little strange to say this but it felt like I was in a laboratory. Come to think of it, a white gown might suit him well. Flasks and big goggles too.

T/N:

missed last week’s update hehe, so double updates for this week!!