The Abandoned Princess’ Secret Bedroom

The Duke of Biserk looked at the queen as he smiled. The smile on his elegant face was flawless.

“I apologise for my great disrespect, Your Majesty.”

He put one hand on his chest as he bowed down to Bastian, even though it was humiliating. He was disrespectful to Pamela, but most gracious to Bastian.

“Your Majesty!”

Pamela tried to say something, but Bastian shook his head. Bastian responded to the Duke with a determined expression.

“No. I do not think it was the Duke who was ill-mannered. Rather, thank you for being honest about the inconvenience. Our trust will not be damaged by this.”

There was even a smile on Bastian’s face. Even Bastian, who couldn’t go against his mother, was uncomfortable with the current atmosphere. Pamela’s face turned white when Bastian chose not to support her.

“… Your Majesty, may I ask you for one more thing in this uncomfortable situation?”

“What?”

“Please allow me to escort the princess to her residence.”

Lewelyn’s eyes widened. For a moment, a look of disgust appeared on her face. But she cleared her expression and glanced at her half-brother with questioning eyes. Bastian looked at Lewelyn warmly.

“Very well. Please take care of my sister.”

****

Holding Almondite’s hand and heading out into the hallway, the few nobles in the Palace looked upon the two in shock. Immediately, Lewelyn lifted her hand that had been placed on Almondite’s palm. When her skin left his, coldness returned. She realized that Almondite’s hands were hot.

“They can’t see us anymore.”

“Princess.”

“You don’t have to worry about me.” she said sharply. 

“…”

“Thanks… Do you have to follow me?”

Lewelyn turned her back on him, sneering. She had a lot to worry about, without even considering Almondite. Lewelyn walked away without looking back and fortunately, Almondite didn’t follow her.

“Can we visit the greenhouse again?” he called after her but she didn’t hear him. 

‘Yesterday, I was embarrassed, but I might remember if I go back to the greenhouse. Why did I not think of that? Wouldn’t it have been better to go to those places and retrace my steps than to just sigh and give up?’

She couldn’t even imagine she slept with a man she couldn’t remember now…

The reason her mother built a greenhouse near the detached palace was because she wanted something secret. Perhaps, knowing she would eventually fall out of favor, the garden was attached to the detached palace?

“Princess.”

Lewelyn’s eyes widened at the sound of a deep voice. She turned around and saw a large man walking towards her. Although it was dark, because of his size, he stood out.

He stopped in front of Lewelyn, and after a moment she raised her head. A strong jawline and a tightly closed mouth were visible. Then crimson eyes turned to her. It was Tristan.

“What’s going on?”

Lewelyn asked with a puzzled expression. Did Tristan ever come to see her? They weren’t close enough to pretend they knew each other, and they weren’t even in business together. Then why?

“…”

“…”

Only a strange silence prevailed between the two. Lewelyn felt embarrassed for some reason. She guessed that he didn’t just come here without thinking. She erased the thought and asked.

“If you’re thinking about my mistake yesterday, did you decide to not forget it?”

He did not reply for several seconds.

“Anything more to say?” he asked harshly. 

Lewelyn was stunned for a moment. His tone had become cold. 

“I came here because there was no one to escort the princess.”

“Escort?”

“That’s right.”

“Oh, that can’t be right…”

She sneered coldly. If even one of her escorts had done their job properly, she wouldn’t have been kidnapped that day. When she returned to the tent, trembling with fear, branded, she had to hold back her tears for a long time.

“If you want, I can escort the princess from now on.”

Tristan seemed to straighten up upon saying that. Lewelyn sighed.

“Didn’t you tell me back then? It is an insult to me for a knight without proper status to escort me. Do you want me to be insulted like this?”

After speaking, Lewelyn clenched her fists. Her hands were trembling, and she tried to hide her agitation. Hardened magenta eyes watched amber eyes sway.

“There were times when I thought the princess was insulting me.”

She waited impatiently for his response. 

“However…”

“Princess!”

As Tristan was about to continue speaking, another voice was heard. It was Almondite. Why did he follow her? She frowned at the man walking towards them. 

“Are you meeting the Duke today as well?” Tristan asked, lowering his voice. The serene, subdued voice somehow carried a dark undertone. 

“Today?” she repeated in confusion. 

It had only been two days since she met Almondite. Isn’t the word ‘today’ meaningless? She was puzzled by Tristan’s question.

“Didn’t you meet him that day too?”

“What?”

Lewelyn saw Almondite getting closer and closer. He was also grimacing, his turquoise eyes disapproving. 

Lewelyn shut her eyes then, a scene flashed behind her eyelids. 

The color of the hair held between her fingers was red. The color of the eyes of the person who licked her tears were clearly turquoise. He looked at her as if she was lovable. When he kissed her lightly on the lips, he smiled happily as if nothing could be better.

Under the scent of flowers that tickled her nose and of the cool breeze that scattered strands of her hair, appeared the face of the man she was with…

It was Almondite.

**

‘You want me to say I slept with you?’

‘Is it graceful to tangle bodies?’

They enjoyed their tea.

‘It seems like you liked it too. I’m so glad you’re keeping it a secret.’

Tristan could not understand what the princess was saying. 

He and she slept together? What the hell did she mean by that disgraceful claim? At first, he thought it was low-quality harassment. But even the princess wasn’t that unkind, and her expression was serious. Suddenly, she turned pale.

Tristan was a knight and had interrogated criminals several times. He knew what that expression was. Realisation after saying something one should not have.

Uncomfortable silence rested between them.

He knew what to say. 

‘I can’t… I will just pretend I never heard that.’

**

He never repeated anyone’s words. He didn’t even think of doing so. Especially since the noble princess had said it. There would never be any leaks. However, he knew she should assure her of this fact.

As he left the princess’s tea room, he was overcome with a strange feeling.

His stomach simmered and he felt like something in his heart had been cut out. It was heartbreaking and bittersweet. He found himself harboring subtle jealousy over the fact that the princess had slept with someone. His heart ached as if he had been stabbed.

But why? Why? Even knights who were asked to abstain,  no matter how hard they tried, spend a night with the woman they desired. He had never been in a relationship because he was not interested in physical relationships.

Anyway, Princess Lewelyn was 20 years old while he was in his thirties. 

Young people have physical relationships. Even knowing that, he couldn’t stop thinking. Who the hell did she sleep with? Who dares to bed a noble princess? 

The princess has no fiance. So, who… who dared?!

Tristan was choked up and angry. Then something flashed through his mind. The night before, it was obviously the Duke of Biserk who was holding the princess.

‘Princess!’

Almondite, who was clutching the unconscious princess in his arms, looked at Tristan with a wary expression. At the time, Tristan did not recognize him.

“Who are you and what are you doing with the princess?”

“I am Almondite Biserk. Now, you must reveal your affiliation.”

He remembered feeling bad about being so hostile. The Duke of Biserk was being welcomed in the palace. But what was he doing here? 

“I am Tristan Jayad, the commander of the Imperial Red Knights.”

“So you are the famous Jayad.” the Duke mused. 

“You will have to explain why you are holding the princess.” Tristan repeated.