I could smell his fragrant breath, and it was starting to drive me crazy. I looked at his red lips—they seemed so natural and delicious.
I felt his hand on my back, as if supporting me in the middle of this heated moment.
I didn't even notice that I had bitten my lower lip because of my imagination. That small action made the moment even more intense.
"And now you're trying to seduce me by biting your lips?" he whispered while staring at them.
I wanted to close my eyes—I was starting to lose control because of how fragrant his breath was. I wanted to taste his lips. We stayed like that for minutes. No one moved. As I said earlier, one wrong move and our lips would collide. We were both staring at each other's lips like someone craving something forbidden.
The moment was interrupted by a knock on the door. The crown prince stepped back and put some distance between us.
"Your Highness?"
I secretly frowned. It was Min Yun. We were so close, yet someone had to interrupt. I was so eager to taste his lips and feel his kiss.
I bit my lower lip again. Maybe this is just teenage hormones?
"Oh, you're not alone here," Min Yun said.
"Hi, Min Yun," I greeted him, even though I was a bit annoyed that he ruined our moment.
"It's already dark, and yet you have no plans to go back?" Min Yun asked.
"We were about to. I just finished my artwork," the crown prince replied.
"May I see it?" Min Yun said as he walked over to the table to inspect the painting.
"Beautiful as always," Min Yun said. "Come on, let's head back to your chamber." Then he turned to me.
"I'll escort you to your chamber too," Min Yun said.
I just nodded and didn't say anything. While walking, the crown prince and Min Yun were deep in conversation. I could feel how close and comfortable they were with each other. The way the crown prince talked to him was so different from how he talked to me.
Suddenly, my stomach growled like a monster.
The two men in front of me stopped and turned around to look at me.
I forced a smile. Of all the places and people to hear my stomach growl—why here, and why them?
"I'm sorry," I said, bowing my head.
"You should have said you were hungry," the crown prince said.
"I didn't think my stomach would growl that loudly," I replied.
"Let's stop by the garden first. Min Yun, please ask the royal chef to prepare dinner for two and have it delivered to the garden," the crown prince instructed.
Min Yun nodded like an obedient soldier. "Yes, Your Highness."
Then Min Yun left. We headed in the opposite direction, toward the garden.
When we arrived, he told me to sit and wait for a while.
"Thank you," I muttered.
He didn't respond. He was gazing up at the dark sky filled with stars.
"Do you believe in shooting stars?" I asked.
"Shooting stars?"
Right. He didn't know what that was.
"Stars that fall from the sky. When it happens, I usually make a wish."
"I don't believe in that."
"It doesn't hurt to wish."
"Tsk."
I shook my head. I hoped he would change his attitude.
After a short wait, Min Yun arrived with the food.
"Eat with us, Min Yun," the Crown Prince offered.
Min Yun nodded and sat on the floor. We started eating our dinner. It was so delicious, and I truly enjoyed the food they served us. After finishing, they brought us tea to help with digestion.
"Thanks for the dinner," I said.
The night ended so well for me. The Crown Prince and his friend accompanied me to my chamber. My parents asked where I had been the whole day, and I told them I was with the Crown Prince. They smiled, as if hoping the wedding would happen soon.
The next day…
It was our second day in the palace. I woke up early because I was so excited to see the Crown Prince. I asked the court ladies who were serving us to help me get into the Crown Prince's chamber.
I was standing in front of his door, gathering the courage to knock. The court ladies and eunuchs allowed me to hit.
When I didn't hear a response, I opened the door and went inside.
I looked around. His room smelled fresh—just like his breath. It was clean, neat, and filled with paintings. He had talent. I envied him.
I looked at the person sleeping silently on his bed. I walked closer and stared at him intently.
His face was perfect. That's all I could say. Marrying him felt like a big bonus for me.
"What are you staring at?"
To my shock, I fell to the floor.
"Ouch... my back hurts."
The Crown Prince sat up in bed and helped me.
"You're so clumsy," he said.
"You scared me."
"Who said you're allowed to enter my room?"
"I asked their permission," I said, pointing at the door.
"Tsk."
He gently supported my back to help me up.
"Ouch, my back still hurts."
"Next time, if you don't want to get hurt, don't come here uninvited."
He let me sit on his bed.
"I'll call the royal doctor," he said.
I stopped him by touching his hand. "No, please. I don't want my parents to worry. I'll just rest for a while."
He looked at me, then at our hands.
"I'm sorry," I said, pulling my hand away. I hadn't even realized I was holding his.
"Have you eaten breakfast?" he asked.
"Not yet."
"Let's eat together."
Those words made my heart flutter.
He went outside, maybe to call his servants to serve us food.
He returned and sat beside me.
"Do you want to go to the library?" he asked.
My eyes sparkled at his question. Was this a sign he was starting to like me?
"Yes," I answered.
"Okay."
We stayed like that for a few minutes while waiting for breakfast. I wanted to start a conversation, but I was hesitant—what if he got annoyed and changed his mind about the library?
After a while, our food was served.
We ate our breakfast in silence and finished with tea.
"Is your back okay?" he asked.
I nodded. "At least I got to rest for a while."
"Wait for me outside. I'm going to change clothes."
I nodded and followed him.
It didn't take long for him to change. We began walking toward the library.
"Do you like reading?" I asked.
"Yes."
"I like reading too."
He looked at me as if trying to say something. I expected him to respond with, 'Who asked?' but to my surprise, he asked, "What's your favorite story?"
"Me? Debris in My Heart," I said. I knew it wasn't finished yet, but the feeling of being one of the characters made it my favorite. I was starting to like this world—from my parents to the person I was with.
"Is that a fiction story?" he asked.
I nodded again. He was preparing himself because he was the heir to the throne.
We went inside the library. He went straight to the politics and government section, while I went directly to the fiction books.
As I was busy looking for a book to read, I saw a light coming from one of the shelves.
I closed my eyes because I couldn't bear the brightness coming toward my eyes.
"Are you done?"
I snapped back to my senses when I heard the Crown Prince's voice. The light had vanished too.
"Why are you closing your eyes?" he asked again.
"Ah... I was just... remembering the title of a book I read at home."
He nodded and didn't ask further.
I picked a random book without even looking at it and walked over to the table where the Crown Prince was sitting.
I pulled out a chair and placed the book on the table. We were facing each other.
"Do you like this kind of book?" the Crown Prince asked.
"Huh?"
"The book you picked."
I looked down and read the title. After reading it, I realized which book I had taken.
"Our Honeymoon After the Wedding"
My face turned red. I was so embarrassed. Why? Because the book I grabbed was for newlyweds. You know—the different styles and techniques couples do together.
"I didn't mean to pick this—I'm sorry!"
I stood up, ready to return the book, but he grabbed my arm.
I looked at him. Why was he stopping me from returning the book?
He stood up too. We were just staring at each other, with the table between us.
He looked at my lips, and without warning, he kissed me.
I was shocked. I wasn't prepared for this. My eyes were wide open, while his were closed—maybe he was focused on savoring the kiss.
I slowly closed my eyes, too. This is what I wanted, right? To kiss him and feel his lips?
The kiss didn't last long. He pulled away, and I looked at him while he avoided my gaze.
"What was that for?" I asked.
"It was unintentional. I didn't mean to."
"Yeah. I know," I replied.
Unlike me, he hadn't fallen in love yet. In just a few days, I had already fallen for him. I knew he wouldn't fall in love right away. It might take months before he starts liking me.
After that incident, we both went quiet. We ate lunch, but no one started a conversation. I didn't know where my voice had gone. In my world, I was always cheerful and talkative. But now, I couldn't say a word.
We stayed in the library the whole day. He accompanied me back to my chamber afterward. My parents asked what we did, and I told them we studied.
Third Day...
The day we were returning home. I still hadn't learned the Crown Prince's story. If I had just found my voice yesterday, I could have asked him some questions.
"My lady, the Crown Prince is here."
I got out of bed and hurried outside.
I saw a handsome man waiting for me.
"What are you doing here?"
"Let's go to the garden," he said, then turned his back on me.
My parents weren't in the chamber. They had left early to tour the palace with the King and Queen.
"Why do you want to go to the garden?" I asked, clueless.
He didn't respond. Are we going to be silent again like yesterday? Ugh! I'm not an introvert. I can't live without talking.
"Here we are," he said.
Then he handed me a bouquet.
"Is this for me?" I asked.
"Yes."
I smiled. "Who made this?"
"Me."
"You have so many talents, don't you?"
He laughed. This was the second time I'd seen him laugh.
"Yes."
"Thank you for the flowers."
"Don't forget about me. Let's write letters to each other," he said.
"Will you miss me?" I asked.
"How talkative you are? Maybe yes."
I frowned. "I wasn't talkative yesterday."
He was still laughing. "Then be talkative today," he said, then suddenly turned serious.
I mirrored his serious expression.
"Let's get married as soon as possible," he said.