# 2
---
Even in the novel, Cyrtain does not trust Eveline at first.
He tested her several times, and only relaxed his guard after he was sure she was really stupid. But the novel made it clear that he later regretted it.
This test, too, will eventually pass.
Sertin sat next to me. I thought he would leave right away, but he stayed.
The couch, already narrow, seemed even smaller as his massive body leaned into it. His broad shoulders were touching me, pressing me slightly to the side.
I rolled the candy into my mouth.
I could feel his warmth on my back, enveloping me completely. His breath, his smell...
Have you ever sat near such a handsome man?
No, I was not immune to this kind of situation. It was like this guy could make candy taste better just by being there.
damn it.
I focused on breathing and tried to focus on the flavor of the candy.
It's sweet.
Thanks to the candy, I was barely able to calm myf down. If it weren't for her, my body might have caught fire with embarrassment.
I made a great effort to keep my eyes from drifting to Sirtain's hands.
His scarred hands were prominent, bearing the faint marks of old wounds. His hands were long, a bit rough, perfectly proportioned and, annoyingly enough, his hands were the type I preferred.
What the hell am I thinking?
As if he could hear my thoughts, Sertin suddenly asked me in a low voice: “What do you usually do to pass the time?”
“Um… I read books.”
I said the first answer that came to my mind. Maybe Evelyn reads books, right?
At least I could read, so that was a safe answer.
Evelyn's memories were absorbed into my memories, but frankly, the girl was a complete idiot to the point of being painful.
Even in the Duke's household, she was being deceived and exploited, without fully realizing what was happening to her. She was not mature enough to realize her situation.
This is the girl I was meant to be.
“Hey, this medicine is for Evelin! Why are you taking it?”
"I'm just keeping it safe so you don't lose it! Valuables should always be given to your closest friends."
"Really? So you'll protect her for me?"
"Of course! We're friends, right?"
"friends!"
Evelyn was so easily taken advantage of, she was tricked into handing over her things to so-called friends. Now, none of those “friends” are anywhere.
This is not important at the moment.
The only thing that mattered was the massive presence sitting next to me.
“Books, huh?” Sertin asked
“So you like to read. I think one of the gifts prepared might be a book. Bring it.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Suddenly I had a bad feeling. Was it normal for me to feel uncomfortable when receiving gifts?
The servant came in with a box.
He started taking the contents out one by one and arranging them on the table.
The brightly colored items were clearly intended for children.
That's not what I meant by books.
Evelyn would certainly have liked these things, though. She loved everything cute and shiny and her room was proof of that.
The server's voice was cold as he presented the items.
“This is a coloring book, this is a story book, these are crayons, and this is a puzzle game. Your Highness the Prince.”
His look at me was full of hostility.
I understood why. He served a war hero, then returned to see his master saddled with a foolish princess.
Honestly, I can't blame him.
He didn't hate me personally, he hated Evelyn and what she represented. He hated Duke Spindle, who had arranged this ridiculous marriage.
He had every right to do so.
It was the Duke who planned everything, and he even used his daughter as a tool to weaken the Crown Prince's influence.
In the novel, this was all part of Spindel's plan. He used Evelyn to plant a spy in the household of Cyrtain while also sabotaging the prince's chance at marrying a powerful and influential noblewoman.
Those in charge had already chosen a suitable bride for Sirtin, a woman of status and authority. There was even a formal engagement.
But all that was destroyed when she showed up. No wonder they hate me.
"Wow! Thank you for the gifts! You must really like me! I like you too!"
I tried to look cheerful and lighten the mood, but instead, Sertain's expression turned dark.
His eyes were filled with contempt.
damn it.
I turned and headed towards the first book I saw.
snow white.
It wasn't bad, it had pictures too.
This might actually be decent.
It looked expensive too, the cover was embossed with gold leaf.
Well, maybe they should have chosen something nice for the Crown Princess.
Sirtain's voice interrupted my thoughts.
“Can you even read?”
Pretending you don't know how to read is too much, isn't it? In addition, Evelyn knew how to read before her brain was damaged at the age of ten.
“Yes! I can read very well. Do you want me to read to you? Princess Snow White ate some grapes and then fainted...”
Cyrtain narrowed his eyes and smiled.
It was the kind of smile that made my throat go dry, the kind that only a villain in an adult rated novel could do.
Why are you smiling? Do you like my acting?
“Why did she faint?”
“I ate poisoned grapes.”
I forced my voice to sound as cheerful as possible. Surely Evelin didn't really know what poison was, right?
“Do you know what poison is?”
Oh no.
He chose this book on purpose, didn't he?
Every word felt like a trap. My grip on the book tightened as I told myf to stay calm.
Focus, this is the lion's den.
Why didn't I choose coloring books? Those books were safe.
The tension made my fingers tremble a little.
Sertin's blue eyes sparkled as he looked at me, sharply.
I said trying to look innocent:
“The poison is harmful, it made the princess unconscious, didn’t it?”
“Smart girl.”
Sertin leaned closer, his face inches from mine, and I felt his breath on my skin.
His scent overwhelmed me.
It was intentional.
He was testing me, and I knew it.
I forced myf to stay calm. Certain was an expert at making people nervous.
I could feel his every breath.
My body trembled instinctively, but I managed to suppress the reaction.
eyelash.
Just blink beautifully.
Our eyes met.
I rolled the candy into my mouth, trying to cope with the tension.
Then Sertin extended his hand and covered my hand with his.
I froze.
He guided me to turn the page.
It was the hand I was staring at earlier.
I pressed my teeth against the candy to keep myf from screaming. My body tensed up so much that I forgot to swallow.
His voice touched my ears.
"Do you think you'll learn anything your father didn't teach you? Poison is bad, you know. You should be aware of such things... things that can hurt people."
His hand…
She was suddenly pale, making his veins stand out even more.
Elegant but still masculine.
I stared at his hand so hard that I forgot there was something in my mouth.
When I opened my mouth to answer, the candy slid out of me and rolled right onto the book.
With a little saliva.
Thus, a drop of saliva fell directly onto the back of Sertain's hand.
no. No, no, no!
My hostage!
She stared at Candy in horror, unable to fix the situation.
“…my sweets.”
I muttered in disbelief.
What was I doing in front of a handsome man like this?
“I don’t think we need to run any more tests on her, Your Highness. Please, go and wash your hands.”
The servant's voice was full of certainty and disdain.
I almost didn't notice it, just stared at the dessert.
Sertin withdrew his hand and wiped it. The suffocating tension surrounding me finally eased.
“...Maybe you're right.”
I no longer care what they say.
I just sat there, frozen, looking at the candy like a pathetic child.
The photo book next to her was now stained, its pages soaking with saliva.
Oh my God I want to die.
The door closed when Sertin and the servant left the room.
When they were gone, I put my head on the desk.
The half-melted red candy was still in front of me.
I closed my eyes tightly and muttered under my breath.
“…I want to die.”
I pretended to be foolish in order to survive, but at this pace, I was going to die from humiliation first.
Was this his plan from the beginning? To kill me with my shame?