Summer 7

Thanks to the Prince’s consideration, Senita was carried out on the attendant’s back after being treated. Though flustered, the injured child obediently followed instructions. She behaved like a loyal servant.

Once the brief commotion subsided, a maid brought in tea. After the maid left, only the mother and son remained in the drawing room.

Crimson waves of the setting sun washed over the window.

Was it already this late?

As Iskandar checked the time, he thought that he should have fed the young maid before sending her off. The sight of the child trembling at the thought of sharing a table with the Prince, awkwardly handling the cutlery, would have been considered even more amusing than when she insisted on returning home alone with her injured leg. It would have been quite a sight if she had dropped her fork or broken a glass or plate.

“You seem to be in a good mood.”

His mother’s words pulled Iskandar from his petty thoughts. The gesture of raising his teacup and lightly wetting his lips was serene.

“Do I?”

“You were laughing.”

“Was I?”

“Yes, didn’t you know?”

This time, he replied with a deliberate smile. He must have been terribly bored. Who would have thought he’d even unknowingly laughed at the thought of such a spiteful prank as teasing a young girl? He lowered his gaze and absently brushed a hand across his dry cheek.

“You were quite the gentleman, Iskandar.”

The gentle voice drew his gaze back up. Iskandar looked into his mother’s face. A faint joy shimmered on her pale face. Under the setting sun seeping in from outside, the Empress’s eyes gleamed with a vivid violet hue. It was a beautiful color, but he stood and closed the curtains. The edge of the fabric caught the sharp claws of light.

“I was just concerned because the child was injured.”

“I didn’t know you could be so kind, even to a child like that.”

“She’s a pitiful child.”

“If the girls who adore you heard that, they’d all pretend to trip and fall.”

Svetlana chuckled softly.

“She was such a pretty child. She’s lovely now, but she’ll surely grow into a great beauty.”

She looked pleased. Iskandar agreed. Though he couldn’t tell how beautiful she would grow up to be, like his mother, the child was certainly attractive. Her charming, lovely aura gave the impression of a small orange blossom or a fluffy fledgling.

“She was so pretty when she was next to you.”

“Was she?”

“Yes, it made me wonder what it would have been like if Nadia had been born.”

“Ah.”

He couldn’t suppress the sigh that escaped his lips.

Nadia.

That was the name of the child who died before being born, the sister Iskandar could have had. Like all absent things, she was a forgotten soul, eroded by the passage of time. She was an even more poignant being because the Emperor had taken a mistress in the same year.

Slightly embarrassed by the sudden utterance, Iskandar lifted his teacup to buy himself time to collect his thoughts. Svetlana had rarely mentioned Nadia’s name in front of him. And now, she suddenly remembered the daughter she had lost, which meant that the young maid had stirred up some truly peculiar sentiments within her.

Why? She was pretty, but she didn’t resemble his mother. Nor did she look like him. Was it because she was just a child of that age? Could she project the image of her daughter, who would have been one of the noblest women in the empire, onto a lowly maid for such a trivial reason?

However, Svetlana seemed livelier than usual when talking about the young maid. Should he consider himself fortunate that she wasn’t weeping over her lost daughter? Considering her complex psychology, which he couldn’t fully grasp, Iskandar carefully chose his words.

“So that’s why you seemed so pleased while fixing her hair.”

“It was rewarding to see how quickly she brightened up with just a little attention.”

“To the point of asking her to smile.”

“She looked even prettier when she smiled, didn’t she?”

Iskandar chuckled softly. Indeed, the joy a little girl could bring was something he, as a son, couldn’t offer. It was easier to understand when it came to matters of that nature.

“She would look even prettier if she were bathed and given new clothes.”

“Iskandar, you’re truly kind to that child.”

At those words, the boy’s brow furrowed slightly.

“I didn’t say that with any particular intention.”

“No, I like it. But it’s a shame we didn’t bring any clothes for a child. Is there a clothing store here?”

White, blue, and yellow; ribbons, frills, and lace; feathers, flowers, and jewels. Iskandar listened quietly as his mother listed the colors and styles of dresses for young girls.

One thing became clear in their conversation about the young maid. Svetlana was also quite bored. Enough, at least, to continue this conversation. The days they were spending here were as peaceful as they were tedious, so it was understandable.

Several weeks remained until they returned to Rasrosad. To make the rest of the summer enjoyable, they both needed entertainment to break the monotony of their daily routine. Something moderately interesting and novel.

Wasn’t there something perfectly suitable?

Iskandar leaned forward slightly. He looked directly at his mother with a faint smile and asked,

“Do you like her?”

“Hmm?”

“The child, I mean.”

“Well, she is cute.”

It was a vague answer, but it was enough.

It was enough for the maid to become a plaything, a replacement for her dead daughter.

He thought his mother needed a toy, something to bring her some enjoyment to this overly peaceful retreat.

That applied to Iskandar himself as well.

The decision was easy. She was just a maid, and it was temporary amusement.

So, the next afternoon, as the summer sun cast its rich light, he called for an attendant.

“That maid from yesterday.”

Leaning languidly against the blue, silk-covered couch, he gestured with his hand.

“Bring her to me.”

***

Senita, whom the Prince’s attendant carried, attracted a great deal of attention from the servants of the summer palace. As soon as they finished their work, they rushed to the child’s room and made a fuss.

“My goodness, what happened?”

“So, how was it? What did he say to you, Senita?”

The maids bombarded her with questions, their eyes shining with excitement at this surprising and interesting incident. Overwhelmed by their enthusiasm, Senita stammered, repeating that he had been kind and nice to her. It was an innocent—and naturally unsatisfying—answer.

Unable to hear the story they wanted, the maids soon began to chatter amongst themselves, weaving all sorts of fantasies about the Empress and the Prince.

“Alright, alright, everyone go back to your rooms!”

The palace manager put an end to the seemingly endless commotion. As he waved his cane with a stern face, the maids, knowing of his quick temper, scattered in alarm.

Nora, who had been sitting by the bedside tending to the child, jumped to her feet at the manager’s sudden appearance. Senita tried to stand up with her, but Gaspar raised his hand to stop her.

“So, you were injured? And His Highness showed you kindness?”

“Y-Yes.”

Senita’s face paled as she answered. Facing Gaspar, she was reminded of the basket she had dropped in the forest. Guilt for not completing her task and fear of the punishment she might receive pricked her young heart like sharp needles.

The Prince had said it was alright and that she should blame him, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. It was only natural.

“His Highness said not to punish you because you couldn’t complete your errand because he startled you.”

Senita’s eyes widened. Gaspar clicked his tongue, seeing the bewilderment swirling in her round blue eyes.

“He instructed us to let you rest until you recover, so be grateful. And keep your wits about you. If you bother them again, you’ll be in serious trouble!”

“Yes, I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”

Senita pressed her clasped hands to her chest. Her eyes sparkled with gratitude and moisture.

Satisfied with the child’s obedient attitude, Gaspar quickly left.

Now, only Senita and Nora remained in the small maid’s room. Since it was already nighttime, Nora checked Senita’s leg once more and pulled the blanket up to her chin.

“Are you hungry? Should I get you more bread?”

“It’s okay.”

“Are you in pain?”

“No, not at all. I’ll feel better soon.”

Nora smiled quietly at her cheerful reply. However, a shadow of worry hung over her face, which she couldn’t hide. Noticing this, Senita quickly glanced at Nora, her eyes darting around nervously.