Summer 6

The boy smiled faintly at the girl’s reply, and with a light movement, he easily mounted the horse. His slender arm gripped the reins and enveloped the child’s small body as if in a cage.

Iskandar lightly tapped the horse’s flank, and the horse slowly began to walk at the signal. The guards followed behind them.

Entrusting her body to the horse’s slow rhythm, Senita blinked, wavering between piercing pain and joy. From this high vantage point, the forest was a completely different space. The sunlight was brighter, and the air was clearer.

Most of all, she sensed the presence of another person behind her. The fact that the owner of that presence was the Prince she admired made Senita’s heart flutter. Iskandar’s embrace was warm, and he smelled clean and pleasant. It was the warmth and scent of an exalted being—enchanting and comforting.

Enveloped by it, she was overwhelmed by an indescribable emotion. Her mind went blank when she realized that this person, whom she would have been thrilled just to glimpse, was showing such boundless kindness to an insignificant maid like her. Joy and gratitude filled her chest, lifting her heart to soaring heights.

This isn’t right. Senita took deep breaths and blinked repeatedly, trying to compose herself. It was as if all of this were a mirage that would disappear if she did anything.

But in the girl’s blue eyes under the midday summer sun, the world continued to shine.

Brilliantly and sparklingly, yet like a lie.

***

The Prince returned from the forest with a maid.

The Empress visited Iskandar’s room because of unexpected news delivered by an attendant.

“What in the world does that mean?”

The news was so strange that Svetlana thought she had misheard. Even after she understood the information correctly, the Iskandar in the story didn’t seem like the son she knew; he felt unfamiliar and strange. Despite suppressing the disturbing thoughts that invaded her mind, she still couldn’t understand.

If she couldn’t understand by hearing alone, she would have to see for herself. Making up her mind, Svetlana immediately rose. Her son’s suite was on the same floor, so it didn’t take long to get there.

There was no refusal. Iskandar calmly and naturally welcomed his mother. He looked as composed as ever.

“Please come in. I would have come to see you if you had sent word.”

“It’s just… I heard something strange. I heard that you brought a maid back, Iskandar.”

Svetlana, who had just entered, found the child sitting in the drawing room.

“Omo.”

A gasp escaped Svetlana’s lips as she took in the unexpected scene.

Upon seeing the Empress, the child jumped up from the chair on one foot and clumsily bowed her head. Her tangled golden hair fell forward as she bowed. There was a bandage wrapped around her ankle. Judging from the medical supplies on the cart, it seemed that she had just been treated.

“Is this the maid you brought back?”

“Yes, I found her injured in the forest.”

“And so you brought her here?”

“Yes, because she was injured.”

Iskandar responded lightly. His nonchalant attitude made it seem as if he were wondering what the problem was, and it almost made Svetlana believe that it was only natural. Perhaps it was simply because Iskandar was kind—he had shown mercy to someone as lowly and insignificant as her.

If the person before her had been a slightly older maid with more womanly features, Svetlana might have suspected that Iskandar was developing romantic interests. But with such a small child, that couldn’t be the case.

… Even so, did he have to do this himself?

Though she didn’t fully understand her son, it felt awkward to press the matter further in this situation. Svetlana’s gaze, which had been fixed on Iskandar, shifted quietly to the maid. The small, young girl barely reached her shoulder.

“I see they even make children this young work at the Summer Palace.”

A voice as cold as winter asked the question.

At his mother’s words, Iskandar also turned his gaze to Senita. The child, head bowed low, was agitated and uncertain about the Empress’s words. He briefly observed her trembling shoulders and tightly clasped hands before his lips curved into a gentle smile.

“It’s just chores.”

“But she seems too young.”

“They must have given her work because she’s capable. This isn’t Rasrosad. Things are different here.”

“Ah.“

Svetlana exclaimed, enlightened by her son’s words.

That’s right. This isn’t Rasrosad. It wasn’t strange for a young, inexperienced child to do chores in a Summer Palace like this one. This was Martiera’s Summer Palace, not the Imperial Palace of Rasrosad!

“Indeed.”

Her mood brightened instantly. Feeling a newfound sense of liberation, she smiled and looked at the maid.

“Lift your head, child.”

The maid quickly obeyed the Empress’s command.

Her eyes widened as she faced the Empress. Her clear, bright blue eyes glistened with moisture and looked pure.

Svetlana quietly observed her eyes, straight nose, deeply colored lips, and well-defined features. Then she spoke.

“You’re a pretty child.”

She wasn’t just saying it to be nice. Svetlana didn’t offer empty compliments. She had lived a life where she didn’t need to, and it didn’t suit her temperament. Even by her aesthetic standards, cultivated amidst the extravagant tastes of her homeland, the child’s appearance had enough beauty, like a doll crafted by an artisan.

“Thank you…”

Senita, unaware of this, took it as a common compliment and replied in a small voice.

Should I have answered? She became worried after speaking. Encountering the Prince and now the Empress, figures she had only dreamt of, was more frightening than exciting. Her heart pounded so hard that she felt like it would burst.

“Your hair would look even better if it were tidied up.”

Startled, Senita quickly grabbed her hair. She blushed when she heard the Prince chuckle softly. Oh no! It must look very messy. Senita clumsily tried to comb her hair down. Her dry fingers quickly snagged on the tangles and got lost.

Svetlana’s mood brightened further as she was amused by the child’s pathetic attempts. This clumsy, innocent behavior—something an experienced servant would never exhibit—looked quite endearing.

“Samara, please fix the child’s hair.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The lady-in-waiting who attended the Empress approached Senita. Her hands moved quickly and skillfully as she untied, combed, and re-braided the tangled hair.

While she worked, Senita simply blinked.

Being rescued by the Prince, brought back to the palace, treated in his room, and now being complimented by the Empress and cared for by her lady-in-waiting—it all felt like a dream.

Seeing them once would have been enough, yet these noble individuals were being so kind to her! She must have used up all her luck. There was no other explanation for such good fortune!

While Senita was overwhelmed with emotion, the lady-in-waiting tidied up her hair. Braiding it neatly into two braids made Senita look even lovelier.

“Smile.”

At the Empress’s command, Senita looked startled and bewildered for a moment before smiling as instructed. The Empress was satisfied.

“Looking at her like this, she really is a cute child.”

“Is she?”

“She looks just like a doll.”

“It must be an honor to receive such praise from you, Mother. Isn’t it?”

“Oh, yes! Yes! It’s a great honor.”

Senita reflexively bowed her head. Her heart drummed rapidly in her chest. Thump, thump. The sound echoed in her ears.

“Senita.”

Iskandar approached, interrupting the sound that only she could hear. He lifted her face and wiped her cheek with a handkerchief. As his hand came closer, a pleasant scent wafted toward her. A beautiful aura poured down on her like a waterfall, enough to make her shiver.

“There’s mud here.”

He firmly held her small chin with his large hand to prevent her from turning her face. His gentle touch as he wiped her cheek was too soft to resist. Lost in his golden gaze and unable to move, she felt tears well up in her eyes. She was overwhelmed with gratitude. Senita blinked repeatedly to quell the sudden tears.

Then, the Prince knelt on one knee to bring himself to her eye level. He took her small hand and placed the handkerchief in it.

“Keep it.”

Senita’s mouth parted slightly at his words.

“If anyone scolds you, show them this. If you’ve done anything wrong, tell them it’s my fault. Say that you couldn’t do it because of me.”

You’re telling me… to dare blame His Highness the Prince?!

Senita was flustered. From the moment he rescued her from the crows, his kindness had been nothing short of angelic, sending shivers down her spine. The prince’s kindness was utterly unreasonable.

What should I do? I don’t know what to say. 

Senita’s eyes darted around. Should she simply express her joy and gratitude? Or should she ask him to take back his words, since she couldn’t possibly do what he asked? Was there another answer she should give? She wanted to find the right answer, but it was too difficult for her.

She repeatedly parted her lips, but no words came out. After a long hesitation, the words that finally escaped her were…

“…Yes.”

Obedience.

At her hesitant reply, the prince’s eyes crinkled as he smiled enchantingly.