"I'm sick, so stay with me. Yes?"
Seeing Tess with his blue eyes full of tears, it made me sigh, but I couldn't help it. I nodded in agreement, but my father shook his head sternly.
"Your Highness."
"Duke, please. It hurts more without Euseniel."
My father was troubled, I was silent, and after a while, the Emperor appeared, and things were settled.
"Oh my God, Millen, look at my face and allow just one night. If Lady Euel's honor is damaged, of course, Telun will be held responsible-"
"-Your Majesty."
Seeing my father answering, clenching his teeth, the Emperor avoided his gaze, realizing that he was joking.
Anyway, the winner was Tess.
My mother, who had been left behind in another world, was having a hard time even living day to day.
A cold that would pass easily in others would lead to pneumonia or unconsciousness for my mother. It reminded me of the past when I had to get used to the ER needlessly.
For this reason, I was very sensitive to sickness, and when Tess said he was sick, I sided with him.
"It's good because I'm sick."
"Why?"
"Because Euseniel is by my side."
I let out a sigh at the immature kid's words.
I changed into the pajamas brought by the maid, and I lay down next to Tess while receiving the Empress's stinging gaze. This wasn't the first time and it was not unfamiliar.
When this kid was sick, he didn't take medicine or eat, and he called only me, and whenever he got sick, I had no choice but to yield to Tess, who was noticeably skinny.
… Sometimes it seems like he got sick on purpose, but maybe it was because of my mood?
"Euseniel."
"Yes?"
"I like Euseniel the best in the world."
"Sleep."
As Tess turned to look at me, the towel on his forehead slid down.
"Hey, look at the ceiling and lie down straight."
"But then I can't see Euseniel."
"You can see me as much as you want when you wake up tomorrow."
"Will you stay by my side?"
Looking at the blue eyes twinkling with excitement, I couldn't say no. If not, this stubborn kid would definitely keep dropping his towel wipes to look at me.
"Yes."
At my answer, Tess closed his eyes with a smile on his feverish face. Not forgetting to hold my hand tight.
When I opened my eyes, I saw Euseniel. Unlike the usual times when I pretended to be sick, this time I was really sick and I was still dizzy, but I hugged Euseniel tightly.
"Ummm...."
Euseniel frowned, but did not let go.
My Euseniel.
When I said I was sick, Euseniel was always by my side. She looked at me with a lot of worry, unlike usual.
She sometimes says, 'Dear Tess, get well soon.' Euseniel thought I was asleep, but I heard everything.
Still, I hope the pain goes away soon. Because while I'm sick, Euseniel might meet that person earlier.
Ethyl Bonart.
He had almost black hair and brown eyes. He was even learning swordsmanship and seemed like a mature person from Father's story.
There were many things that fit Euseniel's taste, but what if Euseniel likes him?
I don't want it, I don't want it, I don't want it.
Don't take Euseniel.
I was so scared, I knew Euseniel hated me crying, but I cried. My body heated up and it made a thumping sound, and it hurt.
I decided to find a way to stop Euseniel from going to the Bonart when the pain went away, and I found something very good.
"Oh, the way you hold a wooden sword is quite familiar. Have you ever learned swordsmanship, Miss Euseniel?"
Sir Guard said it was interesting.
"You can call me Euseniel, Count Guard. And I went to the Bonart family to learn swordsmanship for a while."
"Okay, I'll call you Euseniel. The Bonart family, so why don't you go now?"
Sir Guard, why are you asking such a question?
"I can't go because I don't know when the Crown Prince will come to Hardland."
My shoulders shuddered automatically at the thorny words.
"Hahahahaha."
Fortunately, Sir Guard laughed out loud and Euseniel looked away from me. It's good for Euseniel to look after me, but it's a little scary in times like this.
Sir Guard, the Master of County Guard, has long since retired, but he was escorting me at Father's request. He was a former knight commander, so his skills were amazing.
"Sir Guard is more awesome than Duke Bonart! Right?"
"I'm pretty proud of my skills, but Duke Bonart is also formidable."
"No, Sir Guard is the best. Yes?"
Euseniel shouldn't have gone to the Duchy of Bonart!
"I can't lie, Your Highness."
But Sir Guard was a man who always speaks the truth, and this time was no exception. I said while holding onto the embarrassed Euseniel.
"Still, Sir Guard is great. So, Euseniel, don't go anywhere? Understand?"
"Yes. So, let's practice swordsmanship."
"Yes!"
Euseniel didn't lie. So, there would be no more going to Bonart to learn swordsmanship.
Fortunately, Sir Guard was a good teacher, and Euseniel seemed to be delighted. Thank God.
After Sir Guard started class, there were many days when Euseniel didn't frown at me.
Maybe Euseniel didn't know, but I didn't like it when she sees me with a frown sometimes. She didn't know that I was so sensitive to her mood.
This was always a secret.
If Euseniel found out, she would definitely wear a thick mask. I hated it when I got the smile that looks like it was made when she was dealing with someone other than myself.
"Gasp, haa...."
Euseniel continues to practice cutting. I sat down under the tree and saw the shining girl.
The grown-ups say Euseniel was difficult to understand. This was wrong. Euseniel was very easy to understand.
"Miss, you have a guest."
"A guest?"
Euseniel's guest, who is it?
I told Father that I was afraid to see anyone other than the Hardland family. Father must have told everyone not to go here while I was in Hardland.
"Euel, a welcomed guest has arrived."
Soon the Duchess appeared, and after that,
"If you don't come, I'll come."
"Ethyl."
It was an eight-year-old boy I had seen a while ago at the palace. The boy's brownish-black hair shimmered in the sunlight, dressed in a black sweatshirt. Black suits him well.
"You said you were coming to learn swordsmanship, but there was no contact."
"Ah, sorry. I completely forgot."
"Leave!"
For a moment, I forgot about the difficulties and ran quickly. And pushed his body with all my might.
But Bonart's eldest son, who was much taller than me, was ironically well-balanced.
He even greeted me.
"Ethyl of Bonart greets His Highness the Crown Prince-"
"-Leave! Go!"
In the end, I pushed him again, and the guy who I didn't want to see his face, fell. That felt good.
"Ethyl."
Euseniel approaches someone other than me.
"Ethyl, are you okay?"
"It hurts a little."
When Bonart's eldest son rubbed his chest, Euseniel asked him with a worried face.
"I'm hurt too!"
I hate you, Euseniel.
"I'm hurt here too, Euseniel."
I held out my right shoulder, but it was a cold reply that returned.
"Why did you bump into him like that? You may have been bruised, so go inside the mansion and have it looked. Count Guard, I ask you to take His Highness, please."
"Of course."
"Ethyl, can you stand up?"
Euseniel supported Bonart's eldest son. She was about to put his arm around her shoulder.
I knocked down his hand. I wouldn't let you dare touch Euseniel's body.
"Euseniel, go with me."
"Your Highness, Sir Guard-"
"Sir Guard, please take that guy with Sir."
I grabbed Euseniel's hand with all my might and sniffled. My shoulder was really hurt and I thought I was going to cry, but I was holding it in.
"I'm hurt, Euseniel."
"That's because Your Highness pushed him with your body."
I was saddened by Euseniel's attitude, who had looked at him with a happy expression.
"I am hurt! It hurts!"
I pulled Euseniel's arm as she was about to support Bonart's eldest son. Support me too.