5.
The next day, when Philomel woke, her nanny asked with an uneasy expression if everything had been alright the night before.
“Something wrong? Nothing in particular. Why, did something happen?”
“……No. It’s nothing, if you say so.”
Had something happened?
As Philomel looked at her with suspicion, her nanny quickly changed the subject.
“More importantly, the Emperor has sent you some fruit from the World Tree. It’s said to be exceptionally good for recovery.”
“……His Majesty?”
Philomel asked, her eyes widening.
“Yes. Please offer him your thanks when you next see him. To think he would give something so precious for a mere cold……”
The World Tree was a sacred artifact at the center of the continent, and its fruit was known to restore vitality to the dying.
It was an elixir that could make an eighty-year-old man lively again, yet to the Emperor, it was just cold medicine.
It was no wonder, as over a dozen were offered as tribute every year. Still, it was unexpected that he had given one to Philomel.
Had she known nothing, she would have been thrilled, interpreting it as a sign of a father’s love and concern.
But now, she only felt a hollow bitterness: ‘Polan must have sent it in the Emperor’s name.’
She was grateful for the gesture, but the object of that favor wasn’t Philomel—it was the Emperor’s daughter.
Philomel replied in a businesslike tone.
“I understand. Tell him I thank him for his undeserved grace. Bring the fruit with my medicine.”
“Oh. Is that all?”
“Why? Do you need anything else?”
“It’s nothing.”
The nanny seemed puzzled by the lukewarm reaction, but she immediately moved on to the next matter.
“Ah, and hearing that you were ill, the young master of Abridon has asked to pay a visit.”
The young master of Abridon. It was Nasar Abridon, Philomel’s fiancé.
“Is that so?”
“He said he would like to visit when you are feeling well enough. When should I schedule it?”
Thanks to the rest, Philomel’s condition had improved. The cold symptoms had mostly subsided, too.
“If possible, set it for this afternoon. If he says he has other plans, then we’ll see him tomorrow.”
Philomel replied, thinking of the boy who had stood in the rain.
Not long after, word arrived from the Duke’s estate that he would visit that afternoon.
As Philomel recalled Nasar Abridon’s neat, handsome face, she gripped the edge of her blanket tightly.
This was an opportunity to discern the true heart of Nasar, who had always been nothing but kind to her.
When she found out that her fiancé, Nasar, was the male lead who ended up with Ellensia in the novel, Philomel had shuddered with rage.
To think he would take away not just her father and her status, but even her fiancé.
In the novel, Nasar was impulsive, romantic, and devoted—the quintessential male lead. Of course, only for the protagonist, Ellensia.
None of that was the Nasar she had known.
‘But then again, he wasn’t mine to begin with…….’
If a blow is inevitable, it is better to take it all at once. Enduring it over several days would only prolong the sting.
Several hours later, the promised time arrived.
“Nasar, fix your expression. The Princess will be here soon; you don’t intend to show her a sullen face, do you?”
Philomel’s footsteps halted at the voice drifting from the private parlor.
She signaled for the maid, who was about to announce the Princess’s arrival, to stop.
Perhaps because Philomel was always late to appointments, Nasar and the Duke were chatting, assuming she would be tardy today as well.
‘Until now, I was always late because I worried about what to wear, wanting to look pretty for Nasar…….’
She didn’t need to do that anymore, so she was dressed simply.
“But Father, I am today……”
“I know you are upset that you can’t keep your plans with your friends because of this visit. But you must do what is required of you. Have you forgotten who you are?”
“……I am well aware.”
As the Duke quietly admonished him, Nasar closed his mouth, unable to voice further complaints.
After counting to ten in her mind, Philomel entered the parlor.
“It has been a while since I have greeted you, Your Highness. How are you feeling?”
When the Duke greeted her first, Nasar wiped away the childish look he had worn just moments before and stood.
“I have been deeply concerned to hear that you were ill.”
“It has been a while. Duke…… and Nasar. My cold is almost gone. Thank you for your concern.”
Once the Duke finished the perfunctory pleasantries, he excused himself, saying he had a meeting to attend.
He didn’t forget to lock eyes with his son before leaving, conveying silent pressure. It meant not to offend Philomel’s mood.
It was typical of the Duke to remain thorough, even knowing the Princess was head-over-heels for his son.
After sitting down and facing the boy, Philomel spoke.
“Nasar.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
She remembered the first time she saw him.
Philomel had fallen in love at first sight with the mature-looking, handsome boy.
His personality, which was unlike a child’s, and the mysterious aura created by his rare platinum hair were charming. She even liked his red eyes, which others deemed eerie.
That was why she had been incredibly happy that Nasar was her fiancé.
“Your Highness.”
“…….”
“Princess. Are you alright?”
“Ah, yes. I’m fine.”
Nasar looked at her with a concerned expression. She must have been lost in old memories for a moment.
“I am worried that you might be overexerting yourself.”
Kind Nasar.
In the past, she had never doubted that his kindness stemmed from feelings the same as hers.
In truth, Nasar had been kinder and more polite than anyone else around Philomel.
But after reading , cracks had begun to form in that long-held belief.
Philomel spoke his name once more.
“Nasar.”
“Yes, please speak.”
“If I make a full recovery, would you like to go on a picnic somewhere?”
On days with good weather, she would occasionally go outside with him, carrying a food basket packed by the maids.
At most, it was just going to the hills within the Imperial Palace grounds accompanied by a swarm of servants, but those were Philomel’s favorite times.
“That sounds lovely.”
Nasar nodded readily.
“Where should we go for our picnic?”
“We shall go wherever you wish, Your Highness.”
“Isn’t there anywhere you would like to go, Nasar?”
“I am happy anywhere, as long as I am with you.”
It was an impeccable attitude and response.
“Actually, perhaps a picnic doesn’t suit the current weather. It poured with rain the day before yesterday, and the Foundation Day celebration was even postponed. What do you think, Nasar?”
“Now that you mention it, I think you are right, Your Highness.”
“It might be nice to just enjoy the feeling of a picnic indoors while having some snacks.”
“Yes. That also sounds good.”
“My maid told me there is a pianist who is the talk of the social circles. I think it would be wonderful to invite them and listen to them play together.”
“I have heard of them as well. I think that is an excellent idea.”
He remained impeccable, but that was all he was—impeccable.
*Ah, Nasar doesn’t want to do anything with me.*
Philomel realized.
From start to finish, Nasar hadn’t expressed a single opinion of his own. He was merely responding appropriately to Philomel’s suggestions.
Before, she had believed this attitude of accommodating her every whim stemmed from affection.
However, the Nasar in the novel was a man who would fret over doing whatever Ellensia desired before she even had to ask.
A man who didn’t know what to do in front of the woman he loved—a man simply in love.
The reason he could always remain calm and polite in front of Philomel was simple:
He didn’t have even a sliver of love for her.
‘Even the request to come visit today was likely the Duke’s idea, not Nasar’s.’
With the experiences of the past few days, her eyes—now stripped of their comfortable illusions—could see the world around her all too clearly.
“Then we shall arrange for the musician. Once you have fully recovered, if you would send word……”
“No.”
Philomel cut Nasar off and stood up.
“Yes?”
Nasar looked at her with bewildered eyes.
“Let’s consider that matter forgotten. Thank you for coming to visit. My body has not fully recovered and I am tired, so you may take your leave now, Young Master.”
Philomel spoke the words she had prepared, trying to smile as politely as Nasar did.
“And there is no need for you to come to the palace twice a week to be my playmate anymore.”
“What do you mean……”
“I have wasted too much of your precious time for no reason. You must have your own schedule. From now on, feel free to spend your time with other friends.”
“Please, wait a moment. Have I perhaps offended you? If so, I apologize. Please, do not be angry……”
“Not at all. You have done nothing wrong.”
Nasar was confused by Philomel’s attitude, as she didn’t lose her smile.
“Even though we are engaged, I’m saying this because it seems we don’t have enough time to make other friends because we meet too often. Wouldn’t it be better for me to have other friends besides you, Young Master?”
“……I understand.”
“Then, goodbye.”
Leaving Nasar behind with a suspicious look on his face, Philomel left the parlor.
She returned to her room and checked her expression in the mirror.
Did I smile like Nasar earlier?
After practicing by crinkling her eyes a few times, a plausible smile emerged. This would be the mask Philomel would wear from now on.
Learn from Nasar. Be kind to everyone, but give your heart to no one.
‘……Only then will I be able to leave without any regrets when I run away.’
The girl in the mirror wore a lonely smile.