The Unemployed Prince Covets My Nephew - Chapter 26
Hello? My name is Theodore. I am five years old.
Thank you for inviting Mommy Hailey and Theo.
I like that I can eat lots of bread and meat until I’m full.
Now I can have many happy dreams.
I hope grandmother can have happy dreams too.
—Theodore
Since Hailey always wished Theo ‘Have happy dreams tonight’ and kissed his forehead before bed, wishing for happy dreams was the best thing Theo could say.
The queen suffered from severe insomnia, a fact known only to her closest aides.
Although wishing for happy dreams wouldn’t cure the queen’s insomnia right away, she could feel the sincerity in the clumsy writing of the child who had put in so much effort.
“……Thank you, dear.”
Theo’s delivery wasn’t over.
He walked around the table and stood in front of Anais, handing over another letter.
Anais, surprised by the unexpected letter, widened her eyes.
“For me too?”
“Yes!”
Anais awkwardly accepted the letter, staring down at Theo’s small hand.
To Aunt Princess
Hello? My name is Theodore. I am five years old.
I like grape-flavored candy the most.
I want to eat delicious candy with you later.
I will be a good child.
Please become a wonderful king, Princess.
—Theodore
Reading the short letter from the child, Anais couldn’t help but smile.
Theo had asked Hailey what kind of person the princess was, and upon hearing that she would become the king who would protect the country Theo lived in, he had confidently added that line.
Asking to eat delicious candy together later was Theo’s way of expressing his desire to play with her, showing his utmost courage.
“Is it okay if I pat your head?”
“Uh… if you’re on our side, it’s okay!”
Theo shyly offered his head.
Anais, as if seeing a puppy for the first time, gently patted the child’s soft back of the head.
As she stroked the small back of his head, she felt a warm feeling in her chest. She realized she was feeling affection.
Watching this scene with displeasure, Axel spoke up grumpily.
“Mine?”
Seeing Axel confidently demand with his hand outstretched, the queen clicked her tongue, and Anais shook her head.
“I’m the Dad! I deserve to get a letter the most.”
Axel felt wronged.
Theo, knowing nothing, just alternated between the princess and the queen, offering the back of his head and laughing ‘hehe.’
“Wouldn’t it be better for you to receive one from the person on your right?”
Anais added with a smile.
Hailey, who could fill several boxes with the letters she received from Theo, just laughed nonchalantly, thinking it was a joke.
Then Axel turned his head to look at Hailey.
“When?”
“What?”
“How long do I have to wait?”
It wasn’t even Hailey’s suggestion, but Axel took it up eagerly.
Everyone was looking at Hailey, so she couldn’t strongly refuse by saying ‘No!’ She felt awkward.
“I-I’ll write it soon.”
“……I’ll wait. I’ll prepare a reply too.”
Axel was a persistent and opportunistic person who never let go once he bit.
‘What? Is he really going to write a letter? But then, if he replies, do I have to reply again?’
Hailey suddenly felt flustered, her face heating up. She awkwardly averted her gaze and drank her tea like it was water.
‘Hmm?’
The queen and Anais, who had been watching the two from across, exchanged glances and smiled meaningfully as if they had made a pact.
* * *
Hailey found this situation very awkward.
‘How did it come to this?’
She had been pushed into an impromptu royal tour with Axel.
As the tea party was wrapping up, the queen mentioned that she had a gift prepared for Theo and would take him to the queen’s palace.
Then, as if waiting for this moment, Anais quickly added,
‘Oh my! I’m curious about the gift too. If it’s alright, I’ll accompany you. Ah! Since the weather is nice today, how about Your Highness show the princess consort around the palace? There are many secret places in the palace.’
Hailey was flustered, making a face that said, ‘Huh? Suddenly calling me the princess consort? What?’
But Theo, enchanted by the queen’s promise of ‘a room full of toys,’ grabbed her hand, and Anais had already turned around and walked away.
Left alone with Axel, Hailey didn’t know what to do.
‘Good. Come with me. Is there any place you’re curious about?’
‘Well, actually, I’ve pretty much seen everything.’
‘Even the forest behind the central palace?’
‘There’s a forest?’
With a minimal entourage, Axel and Hailey headed for the forest.
The palace forest was restricted except for the annual hunting competition, accessible only to the imperial family.
“Have you never been to the hunting competition? I thought all the noble ladies in the capital participated.”
“……Well, my sister did.”
Hailey smiled bitterly.
All nobles in the capital participated in the royal hunting competition. Along with banquets held at the palace, it was a good opportunity to express feelings to someone they fancied.
Noble ladies typically prepared handkerchiefs embroidered by themselves to present to someone they liked.
But Hailey, having to take care of Theo at home, neither had the opportunity nor the interest.
Axel muttered a small curse as if understanding.
“Damn bastards.”
Axel glanced at Hailey walking beside him.
He wondered if he had said something unnecessary, but she seemed unaffected.
Hailey felt indifferent. Although her past as a noble lady living like a non-noble was bitter, she had no regrets about what she had endured.
She couldn’t forgive the baron couple because they did something unforgivable to Theo.
“The hunting competition is actually not fun at all.”
“Pfft.”
“Really, it’s not fun at all.”
“Why?”
Axel added to comfort her, feeling like he had said something unnecessary, but his words made Hailey laugh.
‘He’s quite quirky, unlike his appearance.’
Hailey began to see the prince, whom she initially thought was just crazy, in a different light.
“Because I always come first, it’s boring.”
“Of course.”
“You tend not to believe what I say right away.”
“Well, I wonder why.”
“……It’s not a boast!”
Why are you getting defensive?
Hailey wanted to say that but held back, smiling lightly to appease him.
“Sure. You’re a prince, so of course.”
“I’ll show you when we go to Winchester! You won’t be able to look down on me anymore.”
“Oh my, when did I ever look down on you, Your Highness?”
As she turned to say that to Axel, Hailey tripped over something, losing her balance. Her long skirt got caught, making her fall, and she closed her eyes tightly.
“I’m not a prince, call me Axel.”
“……”
Nothing happened. Axel had quickly wrapped one arm around Hailey’s waist, pulling her into his embrace.
Finding herself suddenly in Axel’s arms, Hailey opened her eyes in surprise, her view filled with Axel’s firm chest.
Hearing the low voice so close, Hailey slowly lifted her head.
“Hailey, you need to practice walking in a long dress more.”
Axel said, looking down at her with his characteristic lazy smile.
Her face was redder than the crimson sunset at a summer beach.
For some reason, Axel thought he enjoyed seeing her face like that.
“Ah, okay.”
Hailey tried to gently push away from Axel’s chest.
‘……?’
But Axel didn’t budge.
To Axel, it felt like she was lightly tapping him with her thin arms, which he found amusing. He didn’t want to let her go.
Seeing Hailey flustered and struggling, Axel mischievously looked down at her.
After a few more attempts, Hailey finally realized Axel was playing around and hit him with her fist. It was more of a ‘thump’ than a ‘tap.’
“Let me go right now!”
After failing a few more times, Hailey extended her index finger and, like she would with Theo, instructed Axel, ‘You shouldn’t do this.’
Of course, that was only from Hailey’s perspective. To Axel, it just looked like a feisty kitten yapping, ‘Let me go now.’