At their first meeting during the banquet, Robellia had been too overwhelmed to notice her nerves, but now that she was actually facing Akan, she couldn’t stop her heart from pounding. Unlike before, when his appearance had been scruffy, he now looked clean and handsome, making it even more embarrassing to meet his gaze.

Akan was as inexperienced as she was. The two of them sat facing each other, stiff and awkward, like children turned into adults overnight by some kind of magic.

The maids soon brought tea and refreshments. Robellia’s face hardened at the sight of the overly sweet treats she usually enjoyed. Why did they have to bring all this? She shot a resentful glance at her overworked maids.

Even as she raised her teacup, Robellia’s mind was on Akan. She wondered how he saw her now that they had met again. What if he thinks I’ve gained too much weight? Or that I’m not dignified enough? Late worries flooded her mind, one after the other.

Ten years ago, Akan had acted mature for his age, but his build had been smaller than Robellia’s. Now that she saw how much taller and broader he had become, she found it fascinating. Realising that her judgement back then hadn’t been wrong, she felt a brief surge of confidence – only for it to fade away, leaving her reeling with self-doubt.

Holding her teacup at an awkward height, Robellia froze as Akan looked at her with a puzzled expression.

“Your Highness?”

“Oh, oh…!”

She was startled and replied in a voice that was far too loud, causing her face to turn red with embarrassment once again. Even Akan’s slight smile felt like a mockery of her own awkwardness.

Unaware of Robellia’s thoughts, Akan picked out a few treats from the large, stacked tray. He placed a slice of cake topped with candied strawberries and white whipped cream, along with some sweet biscuits, on a plate and slid it in front of Robellia.

Robellia looked at the plate as if it were her mortal enemy. After a moment’s hesitation, she opened her mouth nervously.

“Do you think… I’m too… uh…?”

“Pardon?”

Akan, unable to understand a word, tilted his head in confusion. Suddenly, Robellia felt as if the drawing room had become unbearably hot. Once again she struggled to find the words.

“In your opinion, Akan… do you think I’m… too chubby?”

Her voice, as if trying to shrink into a mouse hole, made Akan’s eyes widen in surprise.

From off to the side came a low chuckle from a woman. Robellia turned her head quickly and gave her a sharp look. Lady Karen, who had accidentally let out a small laugh, looked away as if nothing had happened.

Normally, Robellia wouldn’t have cared if the maids giggled or burst out laughing. But this was different – there was a guest present, and not just any guest, but someone very important, someone she desperately wanted to impress. Shaking with anger, Robellia clenched her hands and gave her order in a firm, determined voice.

“Get out… all of you.”

Lady Karen, shrinking like a turtle, scurried for the door. Not wanting to risk Robellia’s wrath, the other maids quickly followed her out of the room.

Getting everyone out was all well and good, but now that only the two of them were left in the drawing room, Robellia found herself growing nervous for an entirely different reason. Akan seemed to feel the same as he cleared his throat awkwardly.

“Your Highness, if it’s not too much trouble, may I sit here?”

Akan made a subtle gesture with his chin towards the empty seat next to Robellia. While such a gesture might not have been out of place ten years ago, it wasn’t exactly appropriate for two unmarried adults to sit next to each other now.

But Robellia had no reason to worry about such formalities – especially where Akan was concerned.

When she gave a slight nod, Akan moved to sit beside her. Robellia adjusted her posture, sitting up straight with her back perfectly aligned.

“Phew…”

They both let out a heavy sigh almost simultaneously. No matter how many heartfelt thoughts they had shared through letters, it had been a very long time since they had last met in person. Their mouths and throats were unbearably dry.

“Your Highness.”

“Yes…”

Akan’s voice was deeply serious. Robellia couldn’t bring herself to meet his gaze, instead keeping her eyes on the table as she fidgeted nervously with her fingers.

“Don’t you like me?”

“What? No! No, I mean – not no, I mean, yes – no, that’s not what I meant, I mean…”

At Akan’s words, Robellia quickly raised her head. Totally confused, her words stumbled, and the more she tried to explain, the less she understood what she was saying.

Akan’s lips curved into a gentle smile. Robellia’s cheeks blushed redder than the strawberry on top of the cake.

Unable to stay still, Robellia fidgeted restlessly – behaviour unbecoming of a princess. Akan gently reached out and took one of her hands in his.

She felt the warmth of his touch. Robellia stared at Akan in silent amazement. He was no longer just a figure in her dreams or someone who existed in her letters. He was here, breathing, speaking and holding her hand.

“Akan…”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Just call me Robellia.”

“Hmm…”

If they were to marry, it might be natural, but for now it was too soon. Besides, this was the Imperial Palace. One never knew where ears might be listening. Even if the Emperor or the Crown Prince, who held the real power at the moment, didn’t punish Akan for this, the risk remained.

Realising the reality of the situation a little too late, Robellia lowered her gaze with a sullen expression. Akan’s lips parted slightly.

“Robel…”

“Huh?”

“I’ve always wanted to call you that. Would that be all right?”

Robellia blinked, a blank expression on her face. It was just a simple, abbreviated nickname, but as a princess, she couldn’t remember ever being called that before.

It felt a little awkward, but not uncomfortable. It was as if there was a strange tickling sensation deep in her chest that she couldn’t quite explain. Without saying a word, she simply nodded. Akan, with a gentle smile on his face, slowly released Robellia’s hand.

“Please, go ahead and eat. You like strawberries, don’t you?”

“Um… yes…”

He must have remembered something she occasionally mentioned in her letters. Robellia used her fork to pick off just the strawberry on top of the cake and popped it into her mouth.

Akan’s gaze, focused entirely on her and ignoring the snacks in front of him, made her feel incredibly self-conscious. To distract herself, Robellia ran her fork through the innocent whipped cream, leaving traces, before finally speaking.

“You… you should talk to me more comfortably.”

“That, perhaps a little later… gradually.”

It felt like her heart was going to jump out of her chest. If not her heart, then perhaps some strange, unnecessary words she might regret saying. To stop herself from talking nonsense, she stuffed a large bite of cake into her mouth. It tasted like nothing. Akan, who had been watching her quietly, finally spoke.

“I’ve always wondered.”

“Wondered… about what?”

“Everything. When you wrote in your letters that you were eating cake, I wondered what expression you had when you ate it. Things like that.”

Suddenly Akan put his hand to Robellia’s face. With delicate fingers, he wiped a bit of white cream from the corner of her lips. Mesmerised by his soft, creamy smile, Robellia was momentarily dazed – until she saw his cream-covered finger move to his red lips. Then she snapped out of it.

“No, don’t!”

She quickly reached out to stop him, but it was too late. Akan’s tongue, redder than his lips, darted out and licked the white cream clean. The very cream that had been on her lips.

Robellia’s head whipped around and her vision blurred. Instead of a romantic flutter, she was overcome with embarrassment.

“Why… why did you eat that?”

“It’s sweet.”

Akan replied with a mischievous smile.

Robellia felt her heart squeeze as she kept rolling her eyes. She had no idea how to handle such a strange situation, one she had never experienced before. On top of that, there was one thing she really couldn’t stand – Akan’s calm and collected demeanour, which was the complete opposite of her anxious state.