Chapter 172
“Do I like it? What kind of foolish question is that?”
“You’re handsome.”
“Does that suit Your Highness’s taste?”
Reno bumped his forehead lightly against mine as he asked. Our gazes locked in close proximity.
The playful glint in his crescent-moon eyes was unmistakable. He was doing this on purpose.
Even though I knew he was teasing me, my face burned hot.
Sure, Reno was undeniably good-looking, but honestly, it was Isaac who’d made my heart race at first sight. His ruggedly masculine face had been exactly my type.
But the more time I spent with Reno, the more I found myself drawn to him too. So this is the kind of man I like? It was a revelation, an undiscovered preference I hadn’t even known I had.
Still, I didn’t want to admit it outright.
Just look at him—that smug face, itching to tease me further. If I answered, he’d never let me live it down. Better to escape this embrace first.
“I won’t say. And put me down now.”
“But I’d love to carry you all the way to your palace. Is that not allowed?”
“No. Put me down.”
When I tapped his shoulders insistently, he obediently lowered me. Only after my feet touched the ground did I realize—one of my shoes was missing.
‘When did it come off?’
As I glanced around in panic, a faint laugh tickled my ears. So soft and ethereal, it could’ve been an illusion.
Following the sound, I spotted a shimmering orb of light floating midair—Reno’s spirit, the one I’d seen before.
The spirit twirled playfully around me, holding my missing shoe, before dropping it. The shoe tumbled onto the grass.
“My apologies, Your Highness. Spirits aren’t well-versed in etiquette. At least the heel’s intact.”
“It’s fine.”
Reno inspected my shoe. He could’ve just picked it up, but instead, he knelt on one knee, examining it closely.
“May I see your foot? I’ll help you put it on.”
“Huh? I can do it myself.”
“It’s too dark—you might not see well.”
You can’t see either, you know.
I bit back the retort, not wanting to drag this out, and reluctantly extended my foot.
As I slipped my toes into the shoe, Reno guided it on. His large hand, protruding from the shoe, cupped my heel.
“Your Highness has such small feet.”
“Or maybe yours are just too big?”
“Hmm, perhaps.”
His reply seemed casual, but for some reason, it left me feeling oddly flustered. Was I overthinking this?
Embarrassed by my own reaction, I hurried ahead the moment Reno withdrew his hand.
* * *
Back at the princess’s palace, my maids greeted me. As I’d pondered during the walk, I asked about Isaac’s whereabouts.
“Where’s Isaac?”
“He’s waiting by Your Highness’s bedroom. Shall we summon him?”
“No. I’ll go myself.”
It felt better to tell him directly.
After asking Reno to wait, I headed to my chambers. Near the bedroom, I spotted Isaac in his pristine uniform. His hair was slightly damp—he must’ve washed and changed.
“You’ve returned, Your Highness.”
“Mm…… Lord Isaac, step inside for a moment.”
I gestured as I opened the bedroom door. The moment he entered and I closed the door behind us—
Isaac began unfastening his jacket’s seams, shrugging it off.
Stunned by the unexpected move, I hastily grabbed his arm.
“W-wait! Hold on!”
“……?”
Though he didn’t speak, his eyes clearly asked, Why not?
“I called you in because I had something to say! Not for… this.”
I struggled to calm my racing heart. Thankfully, the spike of emotion subsided quickly.
“Speak, Your Highness.”
Despite my composure, facing him directly made me hesitate. But delaying wouldn’t help, so I forced the words out.
“Tonight… I don’t think I’ll need you. I’ve decided to leave it to Reno. You may rest.”
Did I phrase that too vaguely? Does he not get it?
Ding!
[<System> Affection with ‘Isaac Harsen’ has slightly decreased.]
……So he did understand. But why the drop in affection? Shouldn’t he be relieved to be freed from duty?
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