Summer 11

Since Nora had earnestly advised her, Senita intended to take heed.

However, the Empress’s and the Prince’s comfort was too sweet. The food she ate, the clothes she wore, and the time she spent playing with the Prince were all intoxicatingly delightful. Compared to the days when she ate hard bread in the dark, windowless attic, this dreamlike state was incomparable. Senita wished this time would last forever.

Especially when the Prince quietly observed her, as he did now.

“I think I’ll read a book today.”

Iskandar picked up one of the books the attendants had prepared.

It was the seventh day since they had started playing with the toys.

The sunlight was particularly strong that day, making it difficult to go outside. Having decided to stay indoors, Iskandar sat on the drawing room floor as he had on the first day and opened the book.

Svetlana, sipping a cold drink with ice, quietly watched her son. The young maid, dressed in lemon yellow by the Empress, knelt beside him, blinking.

“It’s a fairy tale. I used to read it when I was little.”

After checking the book’s contents, Iskandar glanced at Senita and smiled faintly. Startled like a bird shot from its perch, Senita immediately lowered her head. She seemed to think that something terrible would happen if their eyes met. Iskandar stared at her small head for a moment, then said abruptly, “Look at me, Senita.”

“Y-Yes!”

Even more startled, Senita quickly met his gaze. His image was reflected in her bright blue eyes.

Iskandar smiled with satisfaction. Though she was a foolish child, she did everything she was told. He found her efforts to fulfill her role after crying so much on the first day amusing and endearing.

“Here, read it to me.”

He handed the book to Senita.

It was the story of Cinderella. It was a fairytale for young girls about a count’s daughter who was mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters, forced to do chores, and ultimately found happiness with a prince.

Senita’s reading was bound to be clumsy. Still, her young, clear voice and unrefined pronunciation would likely charm Svetlana. Then, Senita would have fulfilled her role.

All she had to do was read obediently, but she just stared at the open book without doing as she was told.

“What’s wrong?”

Iskandar asked, suppressing his slight irritation.

“It’s…it’s just, Your Highness, I…”

Senita stammered, her glass bead–like eyes darting around. Iskandar easily understood what her hesitant behavior meant.

“Can’t you read?”

When he asked calmly, Senita’s face instantly turned bright red. Just like a ripe plum.

How could she be so transparent?

Iskandar chuckled softly at her behavior, which revealed her answer without him having to ask.

“You don’t know how to read.”

“I’m sorry…”

He hadn’t meant to scold her, but the child shrank back. Iskandar watched her for a moment. Her golden hair cascaded down her bowed head like a waterfall, and her bright blue eyes flickered as she glanced at him and then away. She seemed to be gauging his mood, worried that she might have offended him.

It was strange. She wasn’t that young, yet she couldn’t read. He felt a renewed sense of the maid’s lowliness; she hadn’t even had the opportunity to learn such a basic skill.

Iskandar chuckled and took the book back. Senita’s hand followed the book as if she had lost something precious, then fell away.

“Shall I teach you?”

He asked half-impulsively, amused by the situation. He was momentarily surprised by his own words but quickly decided that this, too, could be an amusing pastime.

“Don’t you want to learn how to read?”

“Are… are you going to teach me?”

Senita asked, her eyes widening. She seemed quite surprised.

“Yes.”

“Your Highness?”

“Yes.”

Though he phrased it as a question, he wasn’t actually asking for her opinion. Iskandar ordered an attendant to bring paper and a pen. While they were being prepared, he led Senita to a chair by the table. It was opposite the sofa where Svetlana was sitting.

Soon, an attendant arrived carrying a pen, ink, and a stack of high-quality paper on a gleaming tray. Iskandar picked up the pen and began to write the letters one by one. His handwriting, honed through years of practice, was elegant, befitting a future emperor. Svetlana, who had been quietly watching, spoke up.

“Is this alright, Iskandar?”

Her voice was cautious and laced with concern. He didn’t stop writing. He didn’t even look back. Only after finishing the last letter did Iskandar turn to his mother. The muscles around his mouth tightened into a gentle smile. His face was as serene as an angel in a holy painting.

“Yes, it’s sad that she can’t read, especially since she’s a subject of Malezik.”

“Oh, so that’s why… How compassionate. Yes, you’re right. Caring for the ignorant and the unfortunate is also a mission bestowed upon you by God.”

Svetlana’s face filled with vivid joy. She seemed quite proud of her son, who not only played with the pitiful child like a younger sister for the summer, but also showed concern for her as a future monarch and a subject of his kingdom.

“Be grateful, Senita. You couldn’t ask for a better teacher than Iskandar.”

Thank you, Your Highness. Senita parroted the Empress’s words and thought back to what they had said.

Ah, I’m a pitiful child.

I’m an unfortunate child.

Their casual conversation pricked at her heart like thorns.

It was true; it wasn’t wrong. She had even heard it often. Yet, somehow, she felt a newfound sense of shame.

Senita looked around, moving only her eyes.

The furniture was densely covered with intricate patterns as if refusing to leave any empty space. The clean, polished marble floor and colorful carpets. The delicate and intricate ornaments were likely meticulously crafted by artisans.

She had gradually become accustomed to all of this, but it naturally belonged to her masters. She was merely a temporary resident, a guest in this splendid world, allowed only to tend to it and care for it, thanks to their grace.

Amidst it all, Senita sat like a still life, gazing at the Prince. When their eyes met, he smiled faintly at her. That fleeting smile was the most beautiful thing in this place at that moment. She knew that even that was something she could only enjoy during the summer.

Senita finally understood. She wished for this time to last forever because she knew it wouldn’t. She knew this time wouldn’t last, that it was just a fleeting dream that would disappear when summer ended.

“Now, Senita. This is the first letter.”

Iskandar pointed to the letter he had written on the paper. Though Senita already knew the pronunciation, it sounded uniquely elegant and refined coming from him. The voice of this impossibly noble being—someone she couldn’t even hope to reach—resonated within the child’s small body.

Struggling to suppress her welling tears, Senita repeated the pronunciation after the Prince. Though she spoke the same letter and word, it wasn’t the same. It couldn’t be the same. It wasn’t meant to be the same.

***

Senita learned to read from the Prince for a while. Whether it was because the Prince was a good teacher or because the student, fortunately, wasn’t completely dim-witted, she quickly learned to memorize the letters and combine them to spell words.

Senita studied diligently. It was a wondrous experience to string together letters that had only seemed like pictures and understand their meaning. Furthermore, given that the Prince was taking the time to teach her, it was only natural that she should be enthusiastic.

Unlike during playtime, the Empress didn’t watch them for long while they studied. On the other hand, even after Svetlana left, Iskandar stayed to continue their lesson. Senita was happy about that. That he had stayed by her side for so long.

Whether out of pity for her situation or sympathy for her illiteracy, the Prince kept her by his side. Perhaps that was why she was allowed to stay.

In that case, being pitied by those of high standing didn’t feel so bad. There were definitely advantages. In fact, there were many. Now, having him teach her how to read was an unparalleled act of mercy and an honor. It truly was.