CPG | Chapter 4

The tingling sensation on the back of his hand lasted longer than expected. For a servant, hands were constantly in motion. Whether holding a rag or moving items, the lingering sensation on the back of his hand was distracting.

If it were pain from an injury, he could endure it. If he thought it was from a branch scratch, he could ignore it, but the itch and odd feeling were the problem.

The sensation persisted throughout the day, causing him to worry as he fell asleep. What if it was the same tomorrow? He was already short-handed with cleaning and attending to the prince, and if he couldn’t focus, he’d surely hear complaints from the prince.

By the next morning, the sensation had vanished as if nothing had happened, and Rayyan sighed in relief.

For three days.

Back to his usual self, Rayyan moved busily while observing the prince, drawing several conclusions.

First, the prince’s personality wasn’t good. It could be because he was born a prince or just his nature. Having not watched him closely, it was impossible to conclude. Regardless, while attending to him, Rayyan never received any acknowledgment like “well done” or “it’s okay.”

Moreover, the prince was particularly sensitive about being touched. Though trained to avoid touching while attending to someone, accidents could happen. The incident with the prince was an accident when he slapped Rayyan’s hand away to prevent him from undressing him.

Rayyan learned more while observing the prince.

While moving his hands diligently, Rayyan glanced at the prince’s face. His complexion had improved since they first met. The dark circles under his eyes had lightened a bit, and the chapped lips had healed somewhat.

Though not a drastic change, for Rayyan, who checked the prince’s condition daily, the small difference was significant. Expected to worsen day by day, the unexpected improvement was surprising.

– If just being with you has an effect… yes, someone will recognize your true worth.

His grandmother’s words from childhood echoed in his mind, followed by the prince’s irritated voice.

“Is it soup again today?”

Is he crazy? Or is he just a fool who can only make one thing?

Despite the prince’s mixed irritation and disdain, Rayyan steadfastly set the table before him. The prince wasn’t in a condition to eat anything else, so he only made soup, but he didn’t dare say that, fearing the outburst and insults he’d receive. Though young, the prince’s temper was fierce enough to rival an adult’s.

“I’ll try to prepare something different starting tomorrow.”

It was better to be considered a fool. At least he gave hope that today would be the last day of eating soup.

“Do I have to eat this all day today?”

The prince, accepting it, twisted his face beyond description.

“How many days have I been eating just soup?”

Ternnis looked at the watery soup with a weary expression. Three days. Eating the same thing for breakfast, lunch, and dinner made him nauseous just looking at it.

But he had no other choice. Yesterday, he threw the soup and demanded something else, but with no ingredients, he had to skip a meal. Even as an abandoned prince of the empire, it was a ridiculous situation.

Though he didn’t throw the soup today, mealtime wasn’t enjoyable. With that thought, Prince Ternnis reluctantly picked up his spoon. As he was about to eat the soup, he froze as if time had stopped.

‘Not enjoyable?’

Until now, Ternnis had lived a life where he felt nothing from food, clothing, or even the most beautiful things everyone desired. Every moment he remembered was stained with pain, leaving no room for joy. Yet, here he was, pouring emotions into a mere soup…

With a smile tinged with self-deprecation, Ternnis ate the soup. What did it matter if he ate the same thing every day? He once thought he could eat dirt if it could ease his pain. He lived without knowing what he put in his mouth every day.

Having erased all emotions, Ternnis repeated the act of eating soup.

Watching from a step back, Rayyan inwardly clicked his tongue.

“He’s not like a child.”

He’d often been told he was mature for his age, but he was nothing compared to the prince before him. Outwardly a child, his eyes were weary as if he’d lived through the world.

Knowing the circumstances, Rayyan felt pity. Pain matures a person. Especially for the prince, standing on a cliff that could crumble at any moment, how much more so.

Afraid the prince might notice his pity, Rayyan lowered his gaze. Naturally, he noticed the prince’s clothes.

The outfit was as complicated as the first day. Having dressed himself, there were awkward spots here and there. The shoulder buttons weren’t fastened, and part of the collar was tucked in.

Wanting to help him dress properly, Rayyan’s hand twitched. He clenched his fingers tightly, fearing he might act impulsively.

“Do you have something to say?”

“…”

Rayyan, not understanding the prince’s sudden words, widened his eyes. Ternnis put down his spoon and sneered at Rayyan.

“Weren’t you staring at my face and clothes because you had something to say? Or do you find it amusing that I’m wearing these clothes?”

Since coming to Sanges Castle, Ternnis had been furious at the sight of the clothes sent to him. The Empress clearly saw him as a clown, not a son. That’s why she sent such ridiculous clothes.

He’d tried to tear them apart in anger but fainted from the pain burning inside him. The only one witnessing this was the black-haired servant.

“Do you think I’m making a scene wearing these fancy clothes because I’m about to die?”

Is that why you keep looking?

Despite his prickly words, his eyes were filled with scars.

Rayyan shook his head, indicating it wasn’t so.

“Your clothes aren’t properly worn. If your collar is tucked in like that, it’ll be uncomfortable when you turn your head. The shoulder buttons are half-done, so you’ll feel like your arms are floating.”

“…”

Ternnis looked at Rayyan as if he were crazy. My collar, what?

“May I adjust your clothes for a moment?”

“Is that really what you notice in this situation?”

“The more complicated the outfit, the more uncomfortable it is if not worn properly.”

Is he a bit of a lunatic?

No matter how Ternnis looked at him, Rayyan steadfastly focused on his clothes.

“It’ll only take a moment.”

“Do as you please.”

Ah, this is why you don’t talk to crazy or deranged people. Ternnis felt the conversation was pointless and turned his gaze elsewhere. What did it matter about clothes?

As soon as Ternnis gave permission, Rayyan reached out. His proactive movement, unlike his usual distant demeanor, made Ternnis’s eyebrows twitch. But the touch on his shoulder wasn’t unpleasant, so he stayed still.

The light touch, like a feather passing by, was all it took before Rayyan’s hand left his shoulder. Now it was time to fix the collar, but Rayyan hesitated to approach.

“What is it?”

“I’d like to ask for your understanding. I’m not confident I can adjust the collar without touching Your Highness.”

“Just do it.”

When someone touches him, the pain intensifies. Naturally, avoiding the servant’s touch was wise, but now he was resigned. It would only deepen the burning pain in his neck.

Ternnis crossed his arms and closed his eyes, signaling Rayyan to proceed. Rayyan’s hand hesitated, then slowly approached, unlike before. His fingertips brushed the boundary between Ternnis’s neck and collar, then slipped inside.

As Rayyan adjusted the collar and was about to pull his hand away, the prince made an unexpected move. Turning his head and body, Rayyan’s hand brushed his cheek.

Rayyan paled and knelt.

“I touched an unauthorized area. I’m sorry.”

Though it was the prince’s movement, he couldn’t push the blame. From the moment Rayyan spoke of adjusting the clothes, he was responsible for everything that happened.

Rayyan knelt, apologizing, but Ternnis, lost in thought, didn’t look at him. Instead, he focused on the refreshing sensation on his neck and cheek, leaving no room for other thoughts. Strange and stranger still, Ternnis concentrated all his attention on where Rayyan had touched.

“You…”

At Ternnis’s rough voice, Rayyan looked up. Ternnis’s low gaze met Rayyan’s face. Just a few years older… a mere servant. Yet…

“What did you do to me?”