Summer 8

“Senita.”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure you didn’t make any mistakes with the Empress and the Prince?”

Mistakes… What constitutes a mistake? The atmosphere hadn’t seemed negative, but perhaps it was different for those of royal blood?

Senita, unaware of their delicate customs, was suddenly frightened and mumbled,

“I think so…”

“Thank goodness.”

A sigh like the wind dispersed. After hearing that, Senita hung her head low. The Empress and the Prince being kind to her wasn’t entirely a good thing. She felt foolish for being so naïvely excited.

Did I trouble Auntie by bothering them? What if I can no longer stay at the palace because of this? 

The more she thought about it, the more her worries grew, filling her with bottomless anxiety.

“Senita.”

Nora cupped Senita’s cheeks and lifted her downcast face. Her tear-filled eyes were helplessly exposed. Her lips were tightly pressed together to hold back her tears and hurt.

Seeing this, Nora smiled wryly and stroked her golden hair. It was a gentle touch, as always.

“You should be grateful to the Prince who saved you and the Empress who showed you mercy.”

Senita sniffled and nodded slightly.

“And don’t catch their eye again.”

“Yes.”

Nora gripped the child’s arms tightly. Her eyebrows were curved and her brow was furrowed. Senita bit her lip at her aunt’s serious expression.

“If by any chance—really, just on the off chance—something like today ever happens again, do exactly as you’re told without question. But don’t act foolishly; just stay calm and quiet. Promise me, okay?”

“Yes, I promise.”

I will definitely do that. I will do whatever my aunt tells me to do without fail.

As Senita blinked, reaffirming her promise, tears streamed down her round cheeks. Nora gently wiped away the tears and told her to go to sleep.

When Nora extinguished the lamp, deep darkness filled the room. Lying in bed, Senita carefully slipped her hand under her pillow. She felt a soft texture that she had kept hidden. It was the prince’s handkerchief.

She took it out and clutched it tightly in both hands. She pressed it to her nose, inhaling deeply, and smelled the pleasant scent. The Prince’s scent.

Still, the Prince understood my worry. What had flustered me with anxiety could be resolved with a single word from him—something so trivial to him. And yet, the fact that he took the trouble to say even that one word to Gaspar moved me, and it made me feel deeply grateful.

I’ll never forget this kindness. I’m happy to have this memory.

Repeating the words like a mantra, Senita closed her eyes.

She truly intended to be well-behaved. She wouldn’t think about the Empress and the Prince again and would focus solely on her work. She had already experienced a once-in-a-lifetime stroke of luck, so she didn’t wish for anything more.

However, unfortunately, the resolve of a lowly maid was utterly futile before an absolute decree.

***

He was in the light, as if he himself were light.

“Hello.”

When Iskandar greeted her from the sofa, Senita quickly bowed her head. Was this enough courtesy to avoid offending him? Since the incident in the forest, she had been constantly afraid of doing something wrong, and her heart trembled.

The Prince’s attendant had appeared suddenly at the beginning of the afternoon. Saying it was an order, the man lifted the child from her bed and carried her straight to the Prince’s suite. Without a chance to ask what was going on, Senita was brought there and sat in the same spot as yesterday, fidgeting with her clasped hands.

Why? Why did he bring me back again? Did I do something wrong after all? That shouldn’t be…

“How’s your leg?”

At the Prince’s question, Senita’s gaze fell to her bandaged ankle. It had definitely been throbbing earlier, but now she couldn’t feel any pain.

“Does it hurt?”

“It’s fine!”

So, this wasn’t a lie.

“I’m glad.”

Kind and gentle words. The Prince’s voice carrying those words was sweet today as well. Like the plum she ate yesterday, perhaps even sweeter.

Not knowing how to respond, Senita simply rolled her eyes. All she could see were the tips of his shoes, yet even that made her heart flutter.

“Today, Senita, you’ll be my playmate.”

What followed were words beyond her wildest dreams.

Senita raised her head without realizing it. Then her eyes met the Prince’s. His black hair was slightly more disheveled than yesterday, and his attire—a silk robe over an indoor shirt and trousers—looked much more relaxed.

“Play… mate?”

At her foolish question, his warm, sunlight-golden eyes crinkled slightly.

“Yes.”

He affirmed, but it was still a puzzling command, even after hearing it again.

A playmate? Could someone like her possibly be the Prince’s playmate?

Above all, they had nothing to play together. She couldn’t help with hunting. She had never played games like chess and didn’t know the rules. He wasn’t like Franco; he wouldn’t hit her while playing. Besides, he was grown up; he wouldn’t play hide-and-seek. How could she possibly entertain the prince? Senita couldn’t understand.

“Don’t you want to?”

The Prince interrupted Senita’s silence and asked abruptly.

“No!”

Senita shook her head in surprise. In any case, as Nora had told her, she had to obey his commands without question. Of course, she would have done so even without Nora’s words.

“Good girl.”

Hearing her answer, the Prince stood up. He pointed at Senita and spoke to the maids standing behind him.

“Wash her.”

As soon as he gave the order, the maids, as if waiting for it, led Senita away.

The maids from Rasrosad took the bewildered Senita to the bathroom and scrubbed her from head to toe with fragrant bubble soap. After drying her hair with a towel and applying fragrant oil, they dressed her in white muslin undergarments.

Just as Senita marveled at the soft texture and lingering floral scent of the fabric against her skin, the Empress entered the room.

She smiled at Senita and complimented her on how cute she looked today. Then, she had Senita try on the numerous dresses hanging on the rack, one by one. Each time Senita changed, the maids slightly altered her hairstyle and presented her to the Empress. Then, the Empress would express her opinion, saying that the previous dress was prettier or that this one was cuter.

“It seems there’s nothing suitable today.”

I’ll have them prepare more. With that, the Empress dressed Senita in the prettiest, neatest dress. It was the one she liked the most at that moment.

Only after going through the entire process without saying a word could Senita finally return to the Prince’s drawing room.

Iskandar was waiting there.

The boy, who looked more like a man than a child, was dressed impeccably, like a prince. The moment Senita saw him—dressed in a navy summer jacket adorned with gold thread and with his black hair neatly combed back—she forgot to breathe. Iskandar truly looked like someone born of light, residing in an impossibly high place, beautifully dressed. He was a sacred object at the end of an altar, to be admired only from afar.

“Oh my, Iskandar. You’ve made an effort today.”

The Empress entered, passing by Senita, who stood frozen by the door as if rooted to the spot.

While the Empress exchanged light pleasantries with Iskandar, Senita remained motionless by the door, unable to move. She hadn’t realized it when the maids were leading her around, but now that they had let go of her, she didn’t know what to do. Should she follow the Empress inside? But how could she dare?

“Senita.”

Iskandar’s voice interrupted her thoughts. His golden eyes were fixed on her.

“Come here.”

He casually and naturally indicated where she should stand. Having received permission—or perhaps a command—Senita took a brave step forward. She passed the decorative shelf with a vase full of roses and stepped onto the ornately patterned carpet. Her small shadow stretched across the room in the late afternoon light.

She entered the drawing room where her master was and stood beside Iskandar in the spot he had designated. She felt strangely relieved. How comforting it was to simply do as she was told! Feeling faint joy at this realization, Senita clasped her hands and lowered her eyes.

Then, the Empress took a few steps back and observed the two of them.

“Yes, it was a good choice to dress her in light blue. You look good together.”

The Empress clapped her hands together and laughed heartily. Her satisfied smile was so bright that it seemed to melt the ice.

Wearing a sky-blue silk gown with lace and ribbons over her white dress, Senita looked beautiful enough in Svetlana’s eyes. The flower-shaped decoration in her golden hair, which was neatly combed and hung down, also went well with it. She sat down on the sofa, feeling the pleasure that only a valuable toy can give.

As if taking that as a cue, Iskandar sat on the floor. Soon, attendants arrived, each carrying a tray, and placed them beside him.