It was the first time Jamon had come to my room.

If he had come just one day later, it would have been a big deal. I never imagined that Jamon himself would come looking.

“Won’t you go out to see?”

“Yes, yes, I should.”

Prompted by Davi’s words, I hurriedly got up from my seat. I had been momentarily dazed.

As I opened the door, there was Jamon, looking exactly like Irmin. His expression seemed rather displeased.

“You seem to be in good shape.”

Was my being alright a problem? I was dumbfounded.

“Greetings, Your Highness. It’s an honor to meet you.”

Shailo hurried over from behind and greeted him. Davi, regardless of the prince’s visit, sat drinking her tea. It was the audacity of a divine maiden.

Jamon, not paying the slightest attention to anyone else, fixed his gaze solely on me. Shailo looked awkward, having been completely ignored.

“How’s your health?”

“Pardon?”

“Are you alright.”

“Oh, I’m fine. Were you worried?”

“No.”

He’s funny. Coming all the way here out of worry, and yet so blatantly dishonest.

“…….”

Jamon discreetly rolled his eyes to scan the situation in the room.

First Shailo, then Davi, and finally his gaze returned to me.

“I have something to say. Could you come to the garden a bit later?”

It seemed like whatever he wanted to discuss wasn’t meant for here. Something not to be said in front of others.

From his expression, it looked serious. Wonder what’s happened this time.

“I’ll be there in about 30 minutes.”

“Understood.”

After responding, Jamon coolly left.

As soon as Jamon was out of sight, Davi asked me.

“What’s with him?”

“That’s just how he is.”

I was already used to Jamon’s audacity. Anyway, it was time to send these people off.

“I need to get ready to go out, so please, everyone, it’s time for you to leave too.”

“Fine then.”

Davi got up from her seat and took Shailo with her out of the room. Shailo gave me an awkward smile and a nod as he left.

Well, time to get ready.

Given Jamon’s personality, he was probably already waiting in the garden. I had to get ready quickly and head there.

* * *

As I went to the garden, as expected, the first one to greet me was a cat.

I comfortably picked up the cat and looked for Jamon. Jamon was sitting on the bench where we always sat.

Meeting Jamon here had become so familiar, it almost felt like a routine.

At my call, Jamon looked at me. He immediately got up from his seat.

“You came quickly.”

“I thought you’d be waiting.”

Perhaps I hit the nail on the head, for Jamon didn’t say a word. Instead, he changed the subject.

“Do you often fall ill like you did yesterday?”

I’ve never actually been bedridden in my life. Instead of answering, I awkwardly scratched my head.

Taking that as a response, Jamon made his own judgment.

“I’ll assign you a personal physician.”

“No, that’s not necessary.”

I waved my hand hurriedly. There was no need for that. Besides, my being sick was a lie in the first place.

But the thought of assigning me a personal physician? That’s overkill.

“Your Highness, may I clarify something?”

Jamon looked at me as I spoke. Without any hesitation, I asked.

“Do you like me?”

Jamon immediately made a face of disgust.

If it’s a no, then it’s a no. There was no need for such a look. It was hurtful.

“Then why do you take care of me like this?”

“You’re a tool I’m utilizing. I’m just paying the price for that.”

“You don’t have to.”

I spoke firmly.

“It’s fine if you don’t take care of me.”

“…….”

“Honestly, I’m not on your side, Your Highness.”

I just wished he would reconcile with Irmin soon.

Having made a decision about my future, I didn’t hesitate to speak my mind.

“Your Highness, you don’t actually plan to rebel, do you?”

I had been observing for the past few days. Rebellion, my foot. There was nothing happening.

Jamon fell silent for a moment, then finally spoke.

“I was planning to consolidate my position first.”

“A lie.”

Having known Jamon for a while now, I could easily tell if what he said was true or not.

I figured Jamon was just being spiteful.

Not that it was any of my business anymore.

“I plan to leave soon.”

“……?”

Jamon looked stunned at my abrupt statement.

“Where to?”

“Either way, you won’t be seeing me much in the future.”

I didn’t want to give details. There was no need to.

Thinking that I would soon leave Anais’s body, I was naturally preparing to detach myself from people who didn’t matter.

Jamon seemed angered by my words.

“You are my fiancée. Where do you think you’re going without permission?”

Jamon was showing his possessiveness, as usual.

I responded nonchalantly.

“You know it as well, Your Highness. We have no real relationship. It was forced through your threats.”

“…….”

Jamon’s expression darkened, unlike before.

“Is it because of me… that you are leaving?”

Not really, but it wasn’t bad for Jamon to feel some guilt. He should realize that his actions were wrong.

So, I decided to add a little lie.

“I can’t say it isn’t.”

It was a bit spiteful.

“Anyway, I thought I should tell you. I’ll be going now.”

As I started to walk away without looking back, Jamon called out to me.

“Tomorrow―”

“……?”

“…Can I see you tomorrow?”

“Yes, sure.”

I wasn’t leaving right away. I would still come to the garden tomorrow.

Satisfied with just that, Jamon quietly nodded.

‘Why is he acting like this?’

I left, filled with curiosity.

* * *

That night, Irmin came to my room.

“Anais, you’re the best!”

He was very excited. Seeing him so thrilled was somehow irritating. Maybe it’s just his inherently annoying nature.

“What is it?”

“I talked with Jamon. He came to me first!”

That was unexpected. A person who seemed like he would never talk to Irmin had taken the first step.

Irmin excitedly continued.

“It’s the first time since we were kids. Can you believe I had a conversation with Jamon for more than 10 minutes? From today, you’re my religion.”

“Please, stop with the creepy talk.”

Worried someone might overhear, I quickly pulled Irmin, who was still outside, into the room.

After closing the door properly, I asked Irmin.

“Tell me slowly, what happened?”

“Listen.”

Irmin managed to calm his excitement and began his story.

The story was simple. Jamon came to Irmin’s room, and after about an hour of conversation, they dramatically reconciled. End of story. Irmin’s side of the story was lengthy, but it was a trivial tale.

‘All this trouble for something that ended so easily.’

An empire almost shook over a mere sibling fight. And I was the biggest victim.

“From now on, keep having conversations and getting along. And try to refrain from dumping responsibilities on each other.”

“You sound just like Jamon. Alright, I’ll keep that in mind.”

Irmin just seemed happy about having had a conversation with Jamon.

Finally, this complicated matter had come to an end. There was nothing more to worry about. I felt much lighter.

* * *

The next day, I visited the garden as usual. There, as expected, were Jamon and the cat Nemoh.

“Good afternoon, Your Highness.”

“…….”

Jamon was consistently reticent.

Only after I took a seat beside him did Jamon start to speak.

“I’ve reconciled with my brother.”

“I heard. That’s good to hear.”

“I won’t dream of rebellion anymore. I’ll do my best in my own position.”

“That’s a sound decision.”

He asked flatly, looking straight ahead.

“Even so, are you still planning to leave?”

I nodded without hesitation. I had no intention of changing a decision that was already made.

Jamon’s gaze lingered on me.

After hesitating for a moment, he began to speak slowly.

“I…”

“……?”

“I don’t usually keep people close.”

That was obvious. Though it was nothing new, I naturally accepted it.

“May I ask why?”

“Because I give my affection too easily.”

So typical of Jamon.

He had a quite sensitive nature. Even someone as distant as me was concerned about him.

“To be honest, I can’t deny that I enjoyed the time spent with you.”

“Yes.”

“I won’t force anything in the future, and I’ll settle the engagement from my end but…”

Jamon paused, hesitating for a long time. Then, biting his lip, he finally continued.

“…Could you reconsider leaving?”

Jamon was seriously delicate.

He was the type to build walls around himself because he liked people too much. He must have been hurt a lot by those he grew attached to.

It was pitiful, but the situation was unavoidable.

“I understand your feelings, but my decision to leave is already made.”

“Why? I’ve taken care of everything I caused!”

“I have my own reasons.”

Jamon clenched his mouth shut. He seemed to accept my firmness as something he couldn’t change.

He visibly looked downcast. It was difficult for someone with a tender heart to hide their emotions.

I added one more thing for Jamon.

“But I will remain in another form.”

“……?”

Confusion flashed across Jamon’s face. I gave him a meaningful smile.

“Your Highness, may I ask a favor of you?”

“…Yes, please speak.”

I began my request.