“I…Your Highness. I wanted to see Queen.”“Queen? Why so suddenly…?”“He was crying so hard when he left. I’m worried about him.”As I spoke, I paid attention to signs that Queen was somewhere in the room. However, I could neither hear nor smell a bird. Prince Heinley smiled awkwardly.“There’s nothing I can do. Queen went hunting.”“Hunting?”” I don’t know exactly what exactly he went hunting for, but he goes out alone to fly in the capital.”“Did he come in crying?”“Somewhat? But he was quite alright.”The blue-haired knight worried that Queen came crying, but Prince Heinley said otherwise? I couldn’t help but be curious, but Prince Heinley looked calm. If the owner said it was alright, then it had to be. I nodded reluctantly.“I see. That’s a relief.”I nervously brushed the skirt of my dress. There was nothing else I had to say. I said, “I’ll see you again,” and glanced towards the entrance as a signal that I wanted to leave, and Prince Heinley quickly strode forward to open the door. He didn’t stop there however, and followed me as I stepped outside. I looked at him curiously, but he simply smiled and asked me which direction I was going.“So how was the gift?”I pointed to one direction, and Prince Heinley fell into step beside me. When I glanced back briefly I spotted the blue-haired knight, who ducked his head hurriedly when our eyes met. I turned my head around again.“Queen? Was the gift not to your liking?”“Oh, I liked it. Thank you, Prince Heinley.”“Wasn’t it too much?”“!”How did he know that? I looked up with a start, and Prince Heinley explained with a faint smile.“I was a little worried. Of course, I am friends with you, but we haven’t known each other for a long time. I thought you might feel burdened.”“I see.”“I hope you don’t feel pressured. The western kingdom is a jewel capital and many of the mines are owned by the Imperial Family. ”Feeling relieved, I nodded, and the prince smiled and placed one hand on his chest.“Thank goodness. I was worried.”“I can see why you’re mistaken to be a womanizer.”“What?”“It’s because you’re friendly and caring.”“… I’m not a womanizer, Your Majesty.”“Of course I believe that.”“You shouldn’t completely believe this face.”Well, at the New Year’s celebrations he had laughed when I said I didn’t believe the rumors he was a womanizer. He smiled awkwardly, and murmured in a gloomy voice.“It’s because of my friend. He truly is a flirt.”“Duke Elgy?”“You heard of him?”Is there any noble who hadn’t heard rumors of the two of them? But instead of being honest, I asked more questions about the Duke Elgy.“Duke Elgy recently came to the southern palace. Did he say he liked it here?”After he arrived, most of what I heard about him had to do with him and Rashta. It was said he often accompanied Rashta, and there was no mention of Prince Heinley, who was supposed to be a close friend. That was why I questioned Prince Heinley, to know if he and Duke Elgy had a fight.Prince Heinley’s expression subtly shifted. I stopped walking for a moment in worry, and Prince Heinley stopped as well.“As a matter of fact, Your Majesty, I have a favor to ask of you.”He completely sidestepped my question.“What is it?”“I’ve been worried about how to say it. Now that you brought it up, I think I’d better ask for a favor.”“?”“Stay out of side in front of Duke Elgy.“…”What did you mean by this? I looked up in amazement, but Prince Heinley looked more serious than ever.“Can you do that?”“But why?”“Any woman who gets entangled with the Duke Elgy is doomed to unhappiness.”“?”“Sometimes he’s like a living cursed doll or a real ghost story. If you catch his eye…”Was this a joke? A form of flattery? I smiled, but Prince Heinley lowered himself slightly so that his brilliant purple eyes were level with me.“I’m telling you, please. Never, ever look beautiful in front of him.”