Chapter 46 – Preferences and Gifts

Kairan’s most exceptional talent was, without a doubt, “making Lenoa blush.” It wasn’t something he did just once or twice, and even though he did it repeatedly, for Lenoa, it never became something she could brush off lightly.

Who would have thought that he would seize the opportunity to display this talent just because she asked about his preferences during their conversation? What was even more frustrating was that Kairan himself spoke so nonchalantly, as if it were just another part of his daily routine.

Still, this “making her blush” was usually done with good intentions, like the compliment just now. It was never the kind of insincere flattery typical of nobles, and Lenoa, being the recipient, understood that well. Even though it still made her feel shy, she couldn’t help it.

“Thank you for the compliment. Maybe someday, we could do a duet.”

Unlike the piano, Lenoa had confidence in her singing. Anyone who heard even a single line of her beautiful voice, as if jewels were falling, would naturally assume she was gifted in singing.

As a Princess, Crown Princess, and later as Queen, practicing her voice for official declarations had also improved her singing skills. When she learned singing as part of her etiquette lessons, her skilled teachers were always delighted to hear her. She often received praise during those lessons.

‘You are like a Lorelei. It’s a shame we can’t record this voice and preserve it in history!’

In short, Lenoa was bound to be good at singing.

However, despite her confidence in her singing, Lenoa was not confident about singing in front of others. The only times she had sung were during lessons with her teachers or, as a child, when she would sing and dance playfully for her parents.

Back then, after one of her little performances, her parents had smiled so much that it became the talk of the court for three days.

‘Oh, how embarrassing.’

Fortunately, her parents had kept their daughter’s antics a secret. Now that Lenoa was older, just thinking about those moments made her feel utterly mortified.

Every time her delicate singing and graceful dancing ended, her parents would show their affection. They would gently stroke their daughter’s sweat-drenched cheeks and whisper:

‘Our dear Lena. You’re so lovely; we can’t possibly let anyone take you away.’

Recalling even this made her blush, though she could laugh it off now. Unlike Kairan’s actions in front of her.

Lost in her rosy memories, Lenoa didn’t notice that a hand was reaching out to her, just like back then.

When she came to her senses, Kairan’s hand was already extended.

‘Huh? What?’

Startled, Lenoa took a step back, but Kairan silently reached further, not to touch her cheek but near her ear.

His fingers lightly tapped the bright yellow bead earrings he had gifted her.

“You’re wearing the earrings… I gave you.”

“Oh… Yes.”

Lenoa finally understood his intention, but she stood still, fully feeling the touch near her ear. His hand was as tender as if he were handling something precious, like his own child.

“I only just noticed. They suit you well.”

“…”

Lenoa’s hairstyle had changed since she had gone to the secondary palace.

At the secondary palace, her maids had styled her hair in a half-updo, which they couldn’t stop praising. Although it was still summer, the heat wasn’t unbearable, and on a sunny day like today, Lenoa’s long, light-colored hair looked best when left down.

Now, she had no choice but to tie her hair up. When Kairan fainted, and she was nursing him, her loose hair had felt inconvenient, and she worried that even a single strand might fall near him and cause trouble.

Her hairstyle, like her earrings, ended up being for Kairan’s sake. With him still touching her earrings and earlobes, Lenoa’s ears began to itch.

“Stop it! If you keep touching them like that, you’ll damage the earrings.”

Lenoa brushed Kairan’s hand away and scolded him lightly.

“Oh… My apologies.”

She had only meant to tease him a little, but Kairan looked noticeably flustered. He quickly withdrew his hand, which had been suspended in midair, and lowered his head.

Come to think of it, Lenoa had never seen Kairan wearing earrings. She had seen him wear necklaces and bracelets a few times, but she couldn’t recall ever seeing him with earrings. Unlike her, his hairstyle was the typical short cut that exposed his ears.

In Celesta, it wasn’t uncommon for men to wear earrings, but Kairan didn’t seem to know how to handle them. Maintenance was likely done by his subordinates.

“It’s fine. Just be careful next time… Oh.”

Lenoa carefully touched the earring Kairan had been handling before removing it. She held out one of the earrings to him.

“Look at this.”

“What?”

“It’s already a little damaged.”

From how much he had touched it, the earring in her palm had indeed become slightly scratched. She had suspected as much when she felt the bead’s surface wasn’t smooth, and her suspicions were confirmed.

“I-I’ll buy you a new one.”

“No, instead… When you’ve repaired this one, bring it back to me.”

“…”

“And Kairan, when you’re in good health.”

Lenoa placed the earring in Kairan’s hand. The earring returned to the hand of its original owner.

Rising from her chair, Lenoa spoke.

“Well then, I’ll be going now. I need some personal time.”

Though Kairan looked regretful, he didn’t stop her. Lenoa left the room.

Having spent so much time nursing Kairan after his collapse, without even a moment to process her shock, she was utterly exhausted. Thankfully, now that he was up and had even shared dinner with her, it seemed she wouldn’t need to worry about him for a while.

Returning to her room, Lenoa collapsed onto her bed, stretching out her arms and legs. Exhaustion hit her like a wave, making her feel as if she, too, were a patient like Kairan. Though perhaps not as bad as him.

Even though she had mentioned needing personal time, there wasn’t much for her to do. She hadn’t brought any work with her, so she couldn’t focus on tasks. The few books available at the secondary palace didn’t suit her current mood, and she hesitated to read. She feared that, as soon as she let her guard down with a book, an attendant would rush in with news of Kairan.

Exploring the secondary palace? Strolling through the gardens? Lenoa had done those things so often that she was tired of them. She had already done them upon arriving at the palace earlier today. Like playing a game of spot-the-difference, she had looked around to see if anything had changed, but nothing had.

“I wanted to show Kairan around…”

Lenoa murmured with a wistful expression.

Since this was Kairan’s first time at the secondary palace, it must have felt entirely unfamiliar to him. Given that he rarely went outside, he probably hadn’t even seen the beauty of the gardens yet.

The secondary palace’s gardens were as breathtakingly beautiful as those of the royal palace. Unlike the unchanging interior of the secondary palace, the gardens were like a living painting, always blooming with vibrant flowers. Now that it was summer, the roses would be in full bloom in all their colors. She had wanted to show him, but circumstances had prevented it.

‘Oh, that’s it!’

Lenoa suddenly came up with an idea and sprang to her feet.

‘I should bring him some roses from the garden.’

Kairan didn’t seem particularly interested in flowers, but roses were an exception.  

One day, during her time as a Princess, Lenoa had gone to the royal palace garden to relax and had found Kairan staring absentmindedly at a bouquet of roses.  

She had considered leaving quietly but ended up watching the roses alongside him. Only then did Kairan seem to notice her presence, turning to look at her.  

Their gazes met in the air. Kairan gave her a polite nod and spoke.  

‘Princess… I like roses.’  

Unlike his usual self, Kairan stammered shyly. It was an unexpected declaration, but it carried a hidden intent to keep her there a little longer.  

Unaware of his intentions, Lenoa found his words so absurd that she let out a light laugh. When she noticed he seemed even more flustered, she quickly responded.  

‘I like roses too. But my favorite is still plum blossoms.’  

Looking at the roses, Lenoa smiled brightly, as fresh as the green grass beside them.  

Ah, I should keep my distance from him. 

Lenoa regained her composure and stopped smiling.  

After leaving him with a quick, ‘I’ll be heading back now,’ she exited the garden without looking back. She knew Kairan would be taken aback, but there was no helping it. They had already exchanged several words.  

In the past, she would have fled the garden the moment she saw him, but now they had become close enough to exchange a few words. As her parents gradually began to view him more favorably, her attitude toward him had also changed over time.  

That day was also one of the rare occasions when the countless gifts Kairan had sent her didn’t arrive.  

Lenoa dressed in a simple green walking dress and headed to the garden, accompanied by a knight and a maid.  

The evening, still carrying traces of summer, wasn’t too dark. Lamps placed throughout the garden served as fireflies, making it brighter than other places. Thanks to this, she quickly found her way to the roses.  

As expected, the roses were in full bloom. Lenoa carefully picked a single rose, the first one that caught her eye, with her gloved hands. Both the maid and knight had offered to pick it for her on the way, but she had firmly refused.  

Perhaps because she had plucked it from the roots rather than just the stem, the rose came out surprisingly well for her first attempt. She placed the rose in a water bottle the maid had prepared, and the three of them safely returned to the room in the secondary palace.  

Cradling the water bottle, now serving as a vase, Lenoa went to see Kairan. He was still lying in bed.  

“Here, this is for you. A gift. A get-well gift.”  

“…”  

Kairan alternated between looking at the vase he had unexpectedly received and at Lenoa. She smiled warmly and continued speaking.  

“You said before that you liked roses. So, earlier, in the garden…”  

Before she could finish, Kairan placed the vase on the bedside table and abruptly stood up to embrace her by the shoulders.  

“W-what…”  

“You remembered my preference…”  

He had been certain that Lenoa wouldn’t care about his tastes at all. But he had been mistaken. She remembered something, after all.