“Shailyn! Linus! What are you doing without turning off the magical tool?”

Dain called out to us, running with a startled expression.

The wooden dummy, which had been flashing red light from a hole in its forehead, slowly fell over.

I wasn’t entirely sure what had happened, but it was clear the Crown Prince got hurt while saving me.

“Your Highness! Are you alright?!”

I worriedly examined him as he grimaced, clutching his right arm.

When Dain tried to check his injury, the Crown Prince furrowed his brows even more and refused.

“Bring a doctor immediately!”

“Don’t make a fuss, Dain.”

“What are you talking about? It looks like your arm is broken!”

“That’s why, don’t make a big deal out of nothing.”

The Crown Prince stood up as if nothing was wrong.

However, he still couldn’t move his injured right arm.

“This won’t do. Let’s go get examined by our physician.”

“Dain—”

“Your Highness, as a subject, I have a duty to assist my lord.”

Dain, unusually serious, spoke sincerely, and the Crown Prince eventually relented.

Dain, supporting him, turned to me, who was unsure of what to do.

“Sorry, Shailyn. Let’s talk again later. Sorry.”

With that, the two of them left the training ground, leaving me behind.

Dain came to see me around early evening.

Anxiously waiting for him, I was able to hear a detailed explanation of what happened.

Before I arrived, they were conducting high-intensity training using specially designed magical tool wooden dummies.

These wooden dummies were sensitive and attacked even the slightest movement.

Unaware of this, when I suddenly appeared, the dummy targeted me, and the nearby Crown Prince got injured trying to block it.

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have called you today.”

“No, I came unannounced. How is His Highness? Is he badly hurt…?”

“It’s not severe, but he can’t use his right arm for a while.”

“Oh, how long?”

“Well, about a month or so?”

If he couldn’t use his arm for a month, it was likely a fracture.

Was it okay that the Crown Prince broke his arm because of me…?

Seeing my pale complexion, Dain laughed heartily.

“Don’t worry, Shailyn. Linus also said it wasn’t your fault.”

“But…”

“I apologized on your behalf, and I even offered to guard him until he recovers if he wants.”

It seemed Dain had handled it neatly, but I still felt uneasy.

Since he got hurt saving me, shouldn’t I apologize and thank him personally?

When I cautiously brought this up, Dain nodded readily.

“If you want to, you can. It wouldn’t hurt to visit him.”

“But how do I meet the Crown Prince?”

“Oh, you need to apply for an audience. I’ll contact him in advance.”

“Thank you.”

Dain waved his hand dismissively and smiled.

And the next day.

I went to the imperial palace with flowers and cookies for the Crown Prince.

I intended to bring Carl along, but for some reason, he refused.

‘I’m busy that day.’

‘I didn’t even say when?’

‘I faint in crowded places.’

‘How did you go to the square…?’

‘Anyway, I have things to do.’

‘Okay.’

I left him behind since I didn’t really need him, just called him out of habit.

“It’s my first time in the imperial palace, it’s fascinating…”

Setting foot inside the massive castle I had only seen from afar felt different.

So this is a real castle.

I lost count of how many gates I passed on the way. Royal guards in uniform stood watch everywhere.

The Crown Prince’s palace was grandly situated on the left side of the main castle.

The black and red-toned interior reflected the owner’s taste, looking sleek and luxurious.

“This way, please.”

A palace maid bowed politely and guided me.

Following her, I rolled my eyes to take in the sights.

The minimally placed decorations all exuded a dignified presence.

“It’s impressive, but it could be a bit more vibrant.”

I thought bringing bright flowers was a good idea, as it didn’t quite match my taste.

“We greet Her Majesty the Empress.”

Suddenly, the maid stopped and bowed deeply.

The Empress?

I quickly turned my gaze forward, having been glancing at a painting on the wall.

There stood a red-haired woman in a veil, accompanied by maids.

‘Her face is covered?’

When Shailyn was young, the Empress’s portrait frequently appeared in newspapers.

Of course, she had been reclusive due to an unknown illness for several years, so it had been a while since anyone saw her…

I didn’t know she now covered herself entirely when she used to not mind showing her face to the public.

“This is Miss Shailyn Sharofe, a guest of His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“Shailyn Sharofe greets Her Majesty the Empress.”

Following the maid’s introduction, I stepped forward and greeted.

The Empress nodded silently and passed by me.

‘She’s less sociable than I thought?’

Feeling slightly awkward at her cold reaction, I resumed walking.

A short while later, we arrived at the Crown Prince’s office, and the maid announced my visit before leaving.

I entered alone.

“Shailyn Sharofe greets Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

“You’ve come.”

The Crown Prince was dressed impeccably from head to toe, as usual.

His right arm was wrapped in a white bandage.

Ugh, the guilt…

“Thank you so much for saving me. I brought this as a gift.”

Though it wasn’t intentional, I felt sorry for causing his injury, so I bowed and handed over the flowers and cookies.

He took the cute and vibrant bouquet, a mix of various flowers, and said,

“You brought something that suits you perfectly.”

“…Is that a compliment?”

“Think what you want.”

Strange. Why does it always sound like an insult when the Crown Prince talks?

Ignoring my unease, the Crown Prince opened the cookie box.

“Did you bake these yourself?”

No, I bought them from a famous handmade confectionery on the way…

“Since I bought them myself, I guess you could say they have my personal touch?”

“You’re ridiculously honest.”

He chuckled softly and took a bite of a cookie.

Perhaps because I bought mostly mild flavors, knowing from Dain that he disliked sweet things.

“Hmm.”

The Crown Prince didn’t seem displeased with the cookies.

“How’s your health?”

“How do I look?”

“…You seem uncomfortable. You’re not right-handed, are you?”

“I am.”

Oh, dear.

I despaired, having taken the right arm from someone right-handed.

Would he hold a grudge and just kick me out?

“I’m sorry…”

“I believe I told Dain it’s not your fault.”

“But I’m still sorry. Is there anything I can do to help…?”

“Not really.”

The Crown Prince shrugged, sitting on the desk.

“You can’t fix my arm right away.”

“……”

“You can’t replace my arm either.”

“……”

Does he want to drive me crazy with guilt?

Fidgeting uncomfortably as if sitting on pins and needles, I suddenly had an idea and spoke up.

“Then how about using me as your arm? I write beautifully and have surprisingly strong arms. Keep me by your side and use me!”

This way, the Crown Prince could have a substitute for his injured arm, making things a bit easier for him, and I could alleviate my guilt while gaining an opportunity for the mission.

In other words, it was a win-win-win situation.

“…You?”

His golden eyes scanned my slender arm with a skeptical look.

To emphasize that not having visible muscles didn’t mean I lacked strength, I said,

“Surely you haven’t forgotten that I beat you in a duel?”

“…Ha.”

The Crown Prince laughed incredulously and ran a hand through his hair.

Wow, he’s really handsome.

I quietly clasped my hands and waited for his response, and he suddenly asked,

“Do you really want to serve me that much?”

Serve…?

Well, in a way, it could be considered serving.

I nodded vigorously. The Crown Prince chuckled.

“Alright, if you want it that badly, I won’t deny you.”

“Gasp, really?”

“Work hard to make up for it.”

“Yes!”

I answered energetically.

* * *

Every day from 1 PM to 6 PM.

For this month, I decided to serve the Crown Prince for exactly five hours a day.

Returning to the Duke’s mansion and sharing the news, Dain showed a vague reaction.

“Well, I see… But did you really have to do that?”

“I feel sorry for His Highness.”

“Hmm…”

Dain stroked his chin, pondering, then grabbed my shoulders and said,

“Shailyn, Linus is a meticulous person. Keep that in mind.”

“Got it.”

“Seriously. Even if you want to punch him, hold back. Understand?”