BCOM 13

Chapter 13

Be Careful with Me

Anes lightly tapped the door with one hand and looked at Teowin, who had his eyes wide open.

She had kept him on the terrace, partly out of pride wounded by his initial, open dislike of her, and partly because of unease about the unpredictable crown prince. Still, she had left the door open so that he could enter at any time if he chose.

She had let her guard down more than she intended because he kept his promises so faithfully.

Well, I guess I’m not being very careful after all.

Teowin, who had only tapped the door to check if it would open, pushed it wide, and Anes smiled faintly. Watching him honor his promise while visiting only when the marquis was away… how could she not relax?

Teowin, as if checking each step carefully, entered the room once he confirmed her faint smile. His eyes sparkled, though the sharpness inherent in them always lent a hint of suspicion, even in moments like this.

“Excuse me.”

Despite it being Anes’s room for the first time in several days, Teowin’s expression was calm, showing no particular excitement. He didn’t look around curiously or inspect anything.

He slowly took a seat at the chair by the table near the terrace, where he had never sat before when visiting. Watching his careful movements, Anes went out to move the items she had set on the table, one by one.

“Servants could handle that…”

“If we don’t want it to be known that His Highness the Crown Prince snuck into our house, it’s better I do it myself, right?”

As she moved even the teacups, Anes shrugged lightly. Teowin, remaining silent, didn’t meet her eyes after her playful remark.

Regardless of his intentions or whether she was promised to someone else, it didn’t matter. What would stick in people’s minds was that the crown prince had sneaked into her house and crossed the terrace.

“How did you even think of doing that in the first place?”

Pouring tea into his cup, Anes asked.

The tea was pleasantly sweet, good to drink even if it had cooled slightly. She had already brewed it and transferred it to a teapot so it wouldn’t go bad. She couldn’t bring her own tea to alert him of the visit.

“I see. Since no one knew I was coming, there could only be one teacup. I was a little disappointed when I saw only one cup on the table. That was short-sighted of me.”

Anes sat across from him, watching his honest answer.

“Well… if I had to give a reason, nothing suitable comes to mind.”

He seemed to ponder for a moment, then took a sip of tea. Whether he noticed the effort she had put into the details or not, his expression didn’t change.

‘Huh… marrying someone like this, living together, becoming a lonely empress, and eventually being killed… I would follow a reincarnation path, and he’d follow the regretful man path?’

No, this isn’t a prediction of the ending.

Reading so many romance novels had naturally led her thoughts there. But looking at his actions now, Teowin didn’t seem like the type who would neglect her or treat her badly enough to become a “regretful man” character.

Predicting the ending would have been simpler. A careful life would be the same, but imagining ruining a kingdom… she couldn’t even guess that yet.

“I’ve felt this before.”

“Yes?”

His low voice pulled Anes from her fantasies about the novel’s ending, about her own future.

When she met his amber eyes, he stared quietly at her. Not knowing why, she returned the gaze for a moment, blinking.

“Sometimes… how should I put it… you seem a little absent-minded. I wonder if something’s bothering you.”

Unfair. Anes could hardly read his thoughts, but he seemed to know exactly what she was thinking after only a brief look.

She pursed her lips, and Teowin, who had been looking at the snacks, lifted his eyes. His slightly pouting expression puzzled him, and he furrowed his brows.

“Did I say something wrong?”

Seeing his questioning expression, Anes openly pouted.

“I guess I misjudged someone.”

No, it was the author who misjudged him.

In the novel, Teowin Kiest wasn’t the considerate, gentle man she now faced. In the palace, as the crown prince, he would assert charisma in meetings, sharply criticize nobles, or even summon absentee lords to the capital to discipline them—showing no mercy regardless of rank.

That was the man from the book…

Gracefully finishing his tea, Teowin used a napkin to wipe the edge of the cup he had touched, then brought the teapot to pour more tea.

“Oh, I…”

Before she could finish her thought of “I should have served you,” he slid the full cup across the table. Startled, the cup landed perfectly in front of her.

“This…”

“Tea time is meant to be shared. I don’t like watching you drink alone while I sit idle.”

Even preparing tea had been her way of showing respect, but she hadn’t expected him to act like this.

“I made this because I felt bad keeping you on the terrace all the time. It was meant as a token of gratitude, and now you just give it to me?”

Anes replied with a touch of stubbornness, but knowing the intent behind his words, she picked up the cup.

“I couldn’t leave the tea leaves as they were until you came. Putting the brewed tea into the teapot in advance was good, and preparing tea that tastes sweet even if it cools was thoughtful. I know it was prepared for me, so we drink it together, not alone.”

Though his tone was slightly formal, it was genuinely kind.

“Wow,” Anes thought, lowering her eyes while holding her cup and sipping.

Indeed, Tarin makes excellent tea. Considering all circumstances, she appreciated the skill that went into brewing it.

“Is there any difficulty in the household since Marquis Rizern left?”

Teowin delicately cared for her. She shook her head.

“It’s truly fine. You didn’t have to come.”

Surprisingly, Teowin nodded. Unlike her expectation that he would create reasons to visit again, he accepted her words.

“Good, that’s a relief.”

After she finished her tea, he wiped the cup and poured another.

What… now that the door is open, his business is done?

Feeling inexplicably disappointed, Anes stayed silent. Despite telling herself she didn’t want him to come, she still felt this twinge of emotion.

Several rounds of tea passed quietly, with neither speaking much. Anes ate a scone or two in between, enjoying the calm.

“Beloved daughter! Dad’s home!”

Today, Marquis Rizern returned, somewhat drunkenly. Two knights escorted him to the mansion entrance and then left.

“Father! What’s going on?”

Startled, Anes ran out and took his hand, supporting him around the waist.

The firm yet warm touch of his strong body, the slight weight leaning against her, conveyed a gentle warmth.

For someone who lived alone, human warmth felt remarkably unique. Not every touch felt like this, but she understood it perfectly now.

She strengthened her hold to support him.

“It’s fine. I’m not that drunk. I was in a good mood and had a drink with the knights.”

Climbing the stairs slowly with Marquis Rizern, Anes smiled, feeling lighthearted despite the effort.

She didn’t know who had sent her here, but for this, she was truly grateful.

Her mother’s absence was a tiny, almost negligible regret, but she was thankful for the feeling of a harmonious family.

Maybe… if it’s that crown prince, he could create a good home, even if not to this extent.

If things could change at all, instead of following the author’s script exactly…