Episode 8
I stepped forward and stood face-to-face with the Crown Prince.
He tilted his head and offered his left cheek.
‘Ah, he wants me to do it.’
I rose onto my tiptoes, preparing to place a kiss on his cheek. As our faces drew closer and my lips were just about to touch his skin, the Crown Prince suddenly turned his head.
“Ahhh!!”
Thump—! Clatter.
Startled, I pushed his chest, causing the golden eagle emblem pinned to his coat to fall to the floor.
Touching the Crown Prince’s body was a serious breach of etiquette, but I had no other choice, standing on tiptoe. The distance between us was barely a sheet of paper, and if I hadn’t reacted quickly, it could’ve resulted in an accidental kiss.
The atmosphere instantly turned tense.
I quickly bent down to pick up the fallen emblem, glancing up at him apologetically.
“I-I’m sorry. I thought I was supposed to do it… I’ll reattach this for you.”
“Alright.”
Jereon took a step closer and stood before me again. As I pinned the eagle emblem back on his chest, I felt the fierce rhythm of his heartbeat through the fabric.
‘He must’ve been startled.’
But I couldn’t help feeling wronged. He had definitely offered his left cheek. While I tried to make sense of the situation and properly attach the emblem, his voice came from above.
“What a shame.”
“Pardon?”
“I mean—it was almost a disaster.”
“I’ll be more careful next time.”
Given today’s awkward incident, I decided to keep the rest of the greeting simple and bowed my head.
But the Crown Prince seemed intent on receiving his customary cheek kiss regardless.
“Well? Aren’t you going to finish?”
He spread his arms as if to urge me. Feeling like a defendant on trial, I looked up at him solemnly.
Jereon once again presented his left cheek. Determined to avoid a repeat of earlier, I pecked him lightly like a bird feeding and quickly pulled away.
Apparently, he found my gesture lacking in sincerity, as he looked down at me coldly.
“Was that it?”
“Yes! Right here! Th-that’s it. I’ll take my leave now.”
Fearing he might stop me, I rushed out the door. I heard a faint “Wait!” behind me, but I didn’t stop until I reached the end of the hallway.
‘Tomorrow’s problems can wait for tomorrow!’
I live in the moment.
Lying in bed, I recalled what had happened before I left for the day.
“What a shame.”
When the greeting had nearly turned into a kiss on the lips, the Crown Prince had clearly said that.
‘Why would he say that? What exactly was he regretting…?’
If it had truly been an accident, he should’ve shown some embarrassment, yet he had blushed and looked completely at ease.
As if it were intentional.
‘Could it be… he regretted not kissing me?’
The more I thought about it, the more it seemed that wasn’t just a coincidence. Considering all his behavior, I began to suspect he’d chosen me as some sort of practice partner for kissing.
‘The only ones who know he’s inexperienced in kissing are those who were in the office at the time. He must want to keep it secret, so he’s trying to solve it quietly!’
Whatever his reasons, I wanted no part in it. Even Hassel’s behavior suggested the same—he’d quickly distanced himself, likely knowing that once you get caught in the Crown Prince’s rhythm, you’re in it until the end.
‘If I keep this up, I really might get dragged into something ridiculous.’
I sat up in bed and considered applying a hair-growth ointment around my lips to discourage further advances—but then, a better idea struck me.
A way to avoid cheek kisses altogether!
That night, I slept outside on the balcony of my bedroom wearing only thin clothing, without even a blanket. As a result, I successfully caught the cold I’d been aiming for.
Cough, cough.
I sat at my desk in the royal office, waiting for the Crown Prince to arrive. My maid, Nancy, had brewed me a herbal tea good for sore throats, but I didn’t drink it.
I even refused when she offered to call the royal physician.
My head throbbed, and my body felt weak—but my heart was at ease.
‘Free from cheek kisses at last!’
Clunk.
The office door opened, and the Crown Prince entered with his aide.
As always, he headed to his seat, but halfway there, he diverted course and walked straight toward me.
“Come now. Time to greet properly.”
Cough, cough.
Before I could say anything, a dry cough escaped me. Seeing this, Hassel subtly raised a thumb behind the Crown Prince’s back. Always so perceptive.
I feigned illness even more earnestly and spoke in a regretful tone.
“Your Highness, I’m terribly sorry, but I must offer a standard greeting today.”
“What are you talking about? This is our usual routine.”
“I think I’ve come down with a cold—my throat has been sore since morning.”
“It’s not like we kiss on the lips. It’s just the cheek. Shouldn’t matter.”
“I’m only worried I might pass it to Your Highness. If you’d prefer a cheek kiss, perhaps Aide Hassel could…”
“It stings because of his beard.”
Behind him, Hassel proudly stroked his beard with a smug smile. I almost felt envious—until another cough interrupted my thoughts.
“Cough… Anyway, Your Highness. I’d hate to pass this along to you. Cough. Please allow me to offer only a verbal greeting today.”
“…Even dogs don’t catch summer colds. Fine. We’ll skip today’s morning greeting.”
Clicking his tongue softly, he turned away, and I returned to my seat, wearing a victorious smile.
Cough, cough.
My plan had worked—but as time passed, another problem surfaced. Perhaps I had pushed myself too hard yesterday. This cold was becoming all too real. The coughing wouldn’t stop, and I found myself clutching a handkerchief over my mouth constantly.
Cough! Cough! Cough!
Berrin kept glancing at me with concern, and Hassel approached me once the Crown Prince had stepped out.
“Miss Shanael. Don’t you think it’s time you got some rest?”
“I’m fine. Really.”
“You don’t look fine. There’s no color in your face. As much as you hate cheek kisses, this is going too far. You’re only hurting yourself.”
He didn’t know what had happened last night—how the Crown Prince had turned his head deliberately to aim for a real kiss.
Though I was sure of it, I refrained from accusing him recklessly. Instead, I kept my thoughts to myself and stifled another cough.
“Please, don’t push yourself. Go and rest. I’ll explain things to His Highness.”
“I appreciate your concern, Aide Hassel, but… cough… I’ll let you know if it gets worse.”
Now the soreness wasn’t just in my throat—my back ached, and my entire body throbbed. Simply sitting was a struggle.
While gripping my pen and forcing myself to write, the Crown Prince returned.
“Shanael, how much have you written?”
I heard that question at least three times a day, without exaggeration.
“I’m still drafting the outline. I think I’ll be able to properly write it by tomorrow… cough. My apologies.”
“I see.”
He returned to his seat and resumed reviewing documents with Hassel. Although the office was spacious, my coughing echoed throughout.
They say love, poverty, and a cough can’t be hidden.
I was well aware that my coughing was growing worse.
Cough! Cough.
Jereon turned his head mid-conversation and looked at me. Oblivious, I kept writing with my head down.
“Shanael.”
Hearing his voice, I raised my head, handkerchief covering my mouth.
“Yes, cough, Your Highness.”
“Hmm. You should return to the detached palace and rest. You can finish writing later.”
“Are you sure, cough… it’s alright?”
“Of course. Go on.”
“Thank you, cough, Your Highness.”
As I stood and gathered my belongings, Jereon spoke to Hassel.
“Hassel.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Send the royal physician to the detached palace. Make sure Shanael gets treated for her cold.”
“Understood.”
“Oh, and don’t forget—use only the best herbs. Her cough must be cured so we can resume our usual greeting.”
“…Yes, Your Highness.”
At that moment, I withdrew any goodwill I’d just mustered for the Crown Prince, briefly thinking him generous.
Carrying my things, I approached his desk and bowed.
“Then, cough… I’ll take my leave now.”
“Very well. Rest up. I expect to see you recovered by our next meeting.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
I also bowed to Hassel before exiting the office. While I’d been slumped like a sick bird inside, the moment I stepped out, my energy surged.
‘Freedom! Liberation! I’m finally free!’
Even though I coughed again, my expression was radiant. No one would suspect I was ill. Still, I refrained from wandering and headed straight to the detached palace.
Nancy, seeing me return early, looked worried and quickly tended to me.
“Miss Shanael. Would you like a warm bath?”
“Yes, please. That would be lovely.”
“Right away, then.”
Despite being a detached residence, the palace lacked nothing. My fever had worsened, and I was a little dizzy, so I lay on the large bed for a while before being helped into the bath.
As I sank into the hot, steaming water, I felt as though I were floating peacefully down a river. The humidity soothed my sore throat.
I closed my eyes and focused on the aroma of herbs Nancy had sprinkled in the bath.
‘So this is what it means to savor life.’
Though I had been dragged here against my will, I told myself to enjoy this rare moment of indulgence.
“Miss Shanael, I think it’s time to get out now.”
“Just a little… longer. My body feels so relaxed, and my throat… finally feels at ease.”
Nancy agreed to return later and quietly left.
It was paradise. As I let my mind drift and relaxed, I eventually dozed off.
All I’d wanted was to fake a cough—but things escalated far beyond that.
“Ugh… my body feels like lead. Cough, cough.”
Trying to prolong the coughing, I’d refused the physician’s medicine. Now I was paying the price.
Nancy said I’d been coughing loudly all night and hadn’t left my side, diligently changing the cold compress on my forehead.
Hassel had stopped by in the morning, likely out of concern, and told me to rest peacefully since the Crown Prince would be away for the day.
Though sick, I felt at peace—until suddenly, the door burst open with a loud bang.
I expect to see you recovered by our next meeting.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
I also bowed to Hassel before exiting the office. While I’d been slumped like a sick bird inside, the moment I stepped out, my energy surged.
‘Freedom! Liberation! I’m finally free!’
Even though I coughed again, my expression was radiant. No one would suspect I was ill. Still, I refrained from wandering and headed straight to the detached palace.
Nancy, seeing me return early, looked worried and quickly tended to me.
“Miss Shanael. Would you like a warm bath?”
“Yes, please. That would be lovely.”
“Right away, then.”
Despite being a detached residence, the palace lacked nothing. My fever had worsened, and I was a little dizzy, so I lay on the large bed for a while before being helped into the bath.
As I sank into the hot, steaming water, I felt as though I were floating peacefully down a river. The humidity soothed my sore throat.
I closed my eyes and focused on the aroma of herbs Nancy had sprinkled in the bath.
‘So this is what it means to savor life.’
Though I had been dragged here against my will, I told myself to enjoy this rare moment of indulgence.
“Miss Shanael, I think it’s time to get out now.”
“Just a little… longer. My body feels so relaxed, and my throat… finally feels at ease.”
Nancy agreed to return later and quietly left.
It was paradise. As I let my mind drift and relaxed, I eventually dozed off.
All I’d wanted was to fake a cough—but things escalated far beyond that.
“Ugh… my body feels like lead. Cough, cough.”
Trying to prolong the coughing, I’d refused the physician’s medicine. Now I was paying the price.
Nancy said I’d been coughing loudly all night and hadn’t left my side, diligently changing the cold compress on my forehead.
Hassel had stopped by in the morning, likely out of concern, and told me to rest peacefully since the Crown Prince would be away for the day.
Though sick, I felt at peace—until suddenly, the door burst open with a loud bang.
