“About the west gate, though.”

“Robel.”

“Why? You said you were curious.”

“It was just a joke.”

Disappointed, Robellia puffed out her cheeks.

She hadn’t expected anything special, and she hadn’t urged Akan to come over that night. She had wanted to get married right away, but for various reasons it had been delayed. What she really wanted was to have some private time, just the two of them, not like now, when they were being closely watched.

“I… hate you.”

With her usual pout, Robellia complained, just as she had to her father and brother. But Akan, who she expected to brush it off like the others, looked nervous and opened his mouth in panic.

“No, Robel. It’s not that… I mean, it’s not a joke, it’s just that of course I want to spend the night with you… I mean…”

Robellia’s eyes widened in surprise at his unexpected, desperate explanation. Then a clear sound of laughter escaped from her lips.

When Akan realised that Robellia wasn’t serious, he quickly closed his mouth. He tightened his grip on Robellia’s small hand with his large one.

Childish or mature, the outward differences were meaningless. Neither wanted to be disliked, and both shared the same insecurities. It was because they loved each other. In love, everyone becomes like a child.

Finally, the man who had succumbed to temptation hesitated before speaking.

“The west… the gate, what’s wrong with it? Um, I’m just asking if there are any areas where security might be lacking.”

“Hmm, yes. I’m just telling you to protect me.”

It was a clear conversation, where both could read the other’s mind. Robellia would welcome him at any time, and Akan would come to her palace whenever he wanted.

Robellia told him everything – where the maids were on duty and when the soldiers’ night patrol shifts changed. Since the rules had never changed in her lifetime, she knew every detail without having to pay much attention.

When she had finished, Robellia added quietly.

“If you knock two or three times, I’ll know it’s you.”

“I really want to treat you with the utmost respect, Your Highness…”

“I know.”

She didn’t need to hear him say it all. She already understood Akan’s feelings. Robellia smiled shyly before continuing.

“If you can’t sleep, you can come over.”

Akan nodded, his ears blushing. The looks between them soon became heated.

They shared a happy moment until Madam Suther couldn’t stand it any longer and knocked loudly on the door.

* * *

Akan did not immediately accept Robellia’s offer to visit at any time, although she had given him the freedom to come whenever he wished. After each meeting during the day, though he always felt a sense of longing when they parted, he was careful to honour his words about wanting to treat her with respect.

Had there been no other variables, it was unlikely that Akan would have come to Robellia’s bedroom before their wedding night.

Knock, knock-knock, knock-knock, knock-

Exhausted from crying, Robellia had just fallen into a light sleep when she was awakened by the sound of someone knocking three times on her bedroom door.

It was late at night and the area was quiet. Had she imagined it? But then someone knocked on the wooden door again – knock, knock, knock.

Robellia hesitated, slowly sitting up in bed. What if it was Akan? But she wasn’t sure if anyone else was coming. Still, she couldn’t bring herself to open the door.

Wearing her nightgown and a shawl over her shoulders, Robellia cautiously approached the door.

“Who is it…?”

There was no response from the other side. Suddenly, Robellia remembered what her brother had told her earlier that day. He had warned her to be cautious and to stay alert, even in the palace, for her own safety. She hadn’t paid much attention at the time, distracted by other matters.

A shiver ran down Robellia’s spine as she moved to her bed to ring for a maid. But just as she did, she heard a familiar voice from outside the door.

“Robel, it’s me.”

As expected, it was Akan. Robellia breathed a sigh of relief, straightened her shawl and opened the door gently.

Akan stood in the dim corridor, wearing a robe that covered him from head to toe, without a lantern in his hand. As soon as their eyes met, filled with gentle warmth, Robellia immediately lowered her head. She knew her face must be swollen and unattractive from crying herself to sleep.

Akan, glancing around the empty hallway, asked, “May I come in?”

Robellia stepped aside without a word. Akan stepped cautiously into the bedroom and quietly closed the door behind him.

The room, lit only by a single faint candle, was dark. They were both silent for a moment.

The awkwardness between them, which until yesterday had been as sweet as a pair of larks, was due to the events of the day.

The wedding, scheduled for next month, had been cancelled.

The decision had been made by Crown Prince Raves, and while Akan insisted that it was only a postponement and not an outright cancellation, Robellia couldn’t hold back her anger. What frustrated her even more was that, unlike her, Akan had accepted it so easily, leaving her feeling betrayed.

She had waited over ten years, but how much longer would she have to wait? Robellia was already twenty-two. A child or two should have been expected by now.

Akan was the first to break the heavy silence.

“I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what?”

Even though Robellia knew it wasn’t Akan’s fault, her voice was inevitably sharp. If she continued to behave like this, stubborn and unreasonable, she might really end up being hated by him. With that fear, tears welled up in her eyes again.

“Robel…”

“I know. I know, just go.”

Akan walked quickly towards Robellia. Without thinking, she took a step back.

“Robel, let me see your face.”

Robellia shook her head, keeping it low. She didn’t want to show him her ugly crying face. She had been crying since the afternoon and her eyes were no doubt swollen.

“Have you cried a lot?”

Akan cupped Robellia’s cheeks with his hands. His hands were unexpectedly cold, probably from being outside for so long. Robellia lifted her swollen eyes and looked up at him like a fish.

Akan wore an expression that seemed to hold back pain. He didn’t shed tears, but he looked deeply sad.

The tears that had gathered in Robellia’s eyes fell in a steady stream, almost as if she were crying for Akan.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t handle things properly and kept you waiting so long, Your Highness.”

“No, no… I’m the one… I’m sorry…”

Robellia felt ashamed. If she thought logically, she knew that neither Akan nor her brother would have wanted this to happen. It was clearly something inevitable. There were other matters far more important than the marriage of a princess.

She knew she shouldn’t feel this way, but she couldn’t help feeling disappointed. She was afraid that her first love, which she thought would finally come true, would vanish like soap bubbles.

Robellia shivered as if soaked by a cold rain, then continued.

“I’m afraid. I feel like you’re going to leave me.”

“What are you talking about? I’m not going anywhere, I won’t leave you.”

Akan pulled Robellia close and hugged her as she shivered. The thick shawl she had been wearing fell to the carpet with a soft thud. Her delicate body, clad only in a thin nightgown, nestled completely in Akan’s arms.

The robe, soaked with the night’s dew, carried the earthy, grassy scent of a walk in the garden. Robellia’s scent lingered from the moments she had spent waiting, unable to enter directly. Slowly, she lifted her wet eyes to look up at him.

“Akan, then stay here tonight. After all, we’re going to get married one day…”

Akan immediately understood Robellia’s request. Even though their wedding had been cancelled, Robellia wanted to be completely united with Akan, to make the fear she couldn’t shake disappear completely.

“Your Highness…”

“Please don’t refuse. If you do, I…”

Robellia closed her eyes tightly. Just saying the words took more courage than she had left. Instead of promising to cherish her, all she wanted at that moment was for him to want her. Her violet eyes filled with tears that refused to dry.

“Robel, look at me.”

Akan’s voice remained undeniably soft. Robellia opened her eyes slowly. Through her half-lidded gaze, Akan’s lips pressed gently against hers.