Episode 10
“Why did you suddenly ask for honey wine?”
“…Just felt like drinking it.”
Easton scratched the back of his neck, embarrassed, while talking to his aide through a communication device.
“You don’t even like sweet drinks.”
“Just send it. Stop asking so many questions.”
“Alright. Are you doing okay?”
“It hasn’t even been a month. And the rain hasn’t stopped at all.”
He looked out the window. It had been almost a month since he arrived, and the rain was still pouring just like the day he came.
“…How’s Psyche?”
“She’s holding on well, thankfully. She’ll be fine until early autumn. Don’t worry and just focus on finding the herb.”
“…Thanks.”
“I’ll send the honey wine by special owl delivery. It should arrive in half a day.”
Easton ended the call and put the communicator in his pocket. Then he lay down on the bed.
Back in the palace, he had been extremely busy. This free time felt unfamiliar. All he could do now was wait for the rain to stop and for the rare herb Aiola to bloom.
“…I’m bored.”
He mumbled, not used to doing nothing. For the past few days, he passed time by reading books on herbal medicine that Layla had lent him. But now he had read them all.
“Doing nothing is more tiring than being busy.”
He pressed his eyelids, trying to sleep. But instead, Layla’s face suddenly appeared in his mind.
Easton’s eyes flew open.
“…I’m crazy.”
He quickly sat up and shook his head. He couldn’t deny it anymore—he clearly liked her.
But even so, nothing should change. After all, they had only known each other for a few days.
‘No. I can’t.’
He sighed and lifted his head. His face reflected in the mirror on the bedside table.
“…Ha.”
He let out a small laugh.
His face was completely relaxed—and he was smiling without realizing it.
He swallowed hard.
Sure, it was normal to feel a bit of affection for someone. But it had to stay as just that.
There was no reason for him to really like her.
Yes, her soft pink eyes that curved like crescent moons were pretty. But if someone asked if he liked Layla, he would confidently say no.
She was outgoing, warm, expressive—all things he was not. It was interesting, but not special.
Yes, she looked cute dancing in the rain, but he definitely didn’t like her.
She was just bright and friendly, and he felt a basic fondness for her. That was it.
Trying to convince himself, Easton gulped down cold water.
Knock knock.
Someone tapped on the window.
He looked outside and saw a large owl wearing a raincoat with a small backpack, staring at him.
“…Ah, the honey wine is here.”
It arrived way faster than expected.
He placed a silver coin in the pouch on the owl’s leg and carefully took out the bottle of honey wine.
“This is just a bribe. I need her.”
Then, with an umbrella in hand, he quickly headed outside.
Not liking her, yet rushing over this fast—he was clearly lying to himself.
He arrived at the house with the orange roof.
“Ahem.”
He cleared his throat, as if nervous, and knocked on the door.
“Miss Layla.”
Suddenly, there was a loud crashing sound inside.
Was something wrong?
Before he could think more, the door swung open.
“Gasp—Easton?”
Layla stood there, her face a mess like it was smudged with soot. Her usually shiny hair looked like a bird’s nest.
“Did something happen?”
He was shocked by how different she looked.
“Oh, I was… doing some potion research!”
She smiled awkwardly and opened the door wider.
“Come in!”
Still confused, Easton stepped inside.
The house still smelled faintly of herbs—but also had a bit of a burnt smell today.
“You were doing potion research… in the kitchen?”
He looked toward the big pot boiling in the kitchen.
“Ah, yeah… well…”
She trailed off and tried to explain.
“Aiola is a tricky herb. I was just practicing a bit.”
Then Easton noticed the open herbal medicine book beside the pot—it was a detailed guide on how to draw out Aiola’s full effects.
“It needs to be perfectly mixed to work well. That’s why I was testing it.”
Embarrassed, Layla quickly closed the book.
She added more explanation to cover it up.
“Even that herb I used on your forehead before—same idea. It looked messy, but the mix was perfect…”
Easton slowly walked over and turned off the fire.
Then, in a low voice, he asked:
“Why are you doing all this?”
“…What?”
“She’s just my younger sister. You have nothing to do with her.”
By now, the two of them were standing very close.
His cold blue eyes stared into hers.
“Is this just because you love studying?”
“Hmm…”
Layla didn’t avoid his gaze.
Instead, she looked him straight in the eye and answered in a clear but soft voice.
“I told you, Easton. I don’t want others to suffer the same pain I did.”
Her pink eyes came closer, and Easton’s eyes wavered like leaves in the wind.
“I hate seeing you or your sister hurt.”
This is bad.
Please don’t smile like that. He tried to frown and look away.
But it was no use—Layla smiled brightly and added:
“That’s all.”
Easton’s ears turned red.
How could he keep denying his feelings for someone who did so much for him?
His heart beat loudly. He gave up pretending.
The wall in his heart finally broke, and feelings he tried to ignore came rushing in like waves.
The feeling of first love was clear and strong, just like the earthy scent of the day he first met her.
It was a feeling he had never experienced before—and now it shook him to his core.
