BCOM 08

Chapter 8

Beware of Me

Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—Anes didn’t go out to greet the Marquis that late night when he returned. Even when it was time for him to come back, she couldn’t sleep, lying wrapped tightly in her blanket and breathing slowly.

“That was scary back then… but I didn’t realize it was this bad…”

She began speaking aloud, trying to shake off her fear.

“Why did you suddenly appear like that…?”

A man appearing out of nowhere at a window, not even on the first floor, while she was asleep—the circumstances had aligned in the most unexpected way.

She hadn’t intended to be frightened, nor did she want to show such vulnerability in front of him. And yet, he had saved her when she couldn’t even help herself despite feeling like she might suffocate. Perhaps she felt it was a little harsh that he had pushed her away and even glared at her afterward.

“Well, who told him to come in like that… But he probably didn’t expect me to react that way…”

She was genuinely grateful that he had taken care of her so intimately in that situation. Her thoughts kept bouncing around uncontrollably.

What would have happened if she had just died there, unable to do anything? A brief time with a good father figure, spending a few days without worrying about money in a wealthy household—was that the small pleasure she could experience before dying?

“I’m glad I didn’t die… And I’m glad it was His Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince…”

Anes muttered to herself almost hypnotically, repeating that everything was okay and there was no problem.

Though she drifted in and out of light sleep, she was finally able to sleep properly in the early hours of the morning.

The next day, at the same hour,

Anes watched a man hesitating on the terrace railing in front of her.

She liked sitting on the second-floor terrace after lunch, and today she had come up there with the deliberate intention of looking outward, turning the sofa toward the outside.

Just as her eyes began to drift shut, he suddenly appeared over the terrace railing.

She was startled, but not enough to feel like her breath had stopped. He glanced subtly at her and then called out suddenly, “Teowin,” as if announcing his presence.

She guessed he must have realized she had mistaken him for someone else.

Anes didn’t respond but stared intently at him.

Seeing no reaction from her, he remained behind the railing, hands behind his back, waiting patiently for any response.

“Come in.”

After making her wait for a full five minutes, Anes finally spoke gently.

Teowin, whose expression had been rigid until then, relaxed and gracefully stepped into the terrace.

“I apologize for causing yesterday’s incident due to my sudden visit.”

He began with a sincere apology. Though he didn’t know exactly why she had been so startled, he clearly understood that the fault was his.

As he bowed slightly in greeting, Anes snapped out of her daze and gestured to rise from her seat.

In an instant, Teowin stepped closer and pressed her shoulder gently back into the chair.

Instead of rising, Anes complied, sitting obediently. She was grateful that he had taken responsibility for her and ensured she was okay the previous day.

“You may lie down to speak. Judging by the drowsiness on your face, it seems you didn’t sleep well last night.”

His voice had softened, without harshness or teasing.

As he adjusted her posture comfortably, Anes leaned back and welcomed him as a guest.

“Why did you appear like this? I’ve been attacked by intruders before… I didn’t realize I had such fear.”

“Oh… I thought coming through the front gate would attract attention, so I came this way. But I have no justification for intruding into your space without prior notice.”

If he had explained in advance, she wouldn’t have been as shocked. So today, he waited on the railing first, announcing his name loudly: Teowin.

Not someone else, but Teowin had come specifically for her. Although she worried if the mere sound of his name would calm her, she had prepared herself somewhat and wasn’t as startled as the previous day.

She eventually straightened up from her reclined position, finding it uncomfortable to continue speaking while nearly lying down.

“Thank you for saving me yesterday.”

Though it felt like giving medicine after causing a minor injury, she had no choice but to express gratitude since he had acted appropriately and prevented greater harm.

“I feel awkward accepting thanks. I was the one who caused the situation.”

“You still made His Imperial Highness uncomfortable, even though it wasn’t entirely necessary.”

Anes bowed her head again. She could still clearly recall his flustered yet careful attempts to ensure her breathing returned to normal, showing his genuine concern.

“So, you weren’t surprised today?”

He asked, though he had seen everything earlier. His eyes remained fixed on her.

“As you can see, I wasn’t.”

He nodded in relief, and Anes felt a subtle shift in her emotions at his exhale.

“Then, Your Imperial Highness, I believe you haven’t yet explained why you came yesterday.”

Anes asked politely while seated. Whether out of shyness or unwillingness, he didn’t answer immediately.

Teowin brushed aside some black hair, glanced elsewhere, then returned his gaze to her.

“I knew the Marquis had been attending the Imperial Palace for several days.”

“Yes, he said it’s essential for regulating his mana. So, while he was at it, he was also preparing a suitable candidate for the vacant Captain of the Imperial Knights…”

She rambled through what she knew, but Teowin didn’t respond further.

“Right. I first asked if you’d like to stay at the palace, but you refused. You didn’t want the estate left unguarded.”

Anes stared intently at Teowin, realizing he had thought the same as her and made the suggestion—she felt a sense of camaraderie.

And she was touched by his answer to her.

“Well, I didn’t intend for you to move in. I just wanted to bring food, thinking you’d be alone at the estate during the day. The first day was a bit of a mess, though.”

To go to such lengths for such a simple reason… she understood why he had climbed the terrace railing to avoid being seen. It was unimaginable that the Crown Prince would visit the Marquis’ estate for such a reason.

“My father and Your Imperial Highness truly are important people. Even I, your daughter, am being cared for like this—it’s an honor.”

Anes bowed slightly in her seat, not standing, and Teowin waved his hand in dismissal.

“As you can see, I’ve been perfectly fine.”

“I ruined yesterday, didn’t I?”

“Well… being startled isn’t unusual. I don’t think it’s necessary to blame His Imperial Highness.”

Anes spoke smoothly, almost conversationally, and Teowin’s responses revealed quite a bit with little effort.

“Still, I came to apologize… It seems I may visit like this from time to time.”

For once, he came sweetly and warmly to apologize. But in the end, it was just his way of casually sharing his intentions.

“As you can see, I’m fine. You don’t need to come. Really.”

Perhaps he hadn’t anticipated her firm refusal. Teowin paused, staring intently at her.

The silence between them was broken first by Teowin.

“I will come.”

His answer was simple—no reasoning, just a straightforward declaration. In a way, it felt so Teowin-like.

“If that’s the case… then yes, I won’t leave my room.”

Anes replied firmly. He first looked defeated but soon laughed heartily.

“…Even if you laugh like that, people will come whether I call them or not.”

“Hahaha… let them come. I’m coming anyway.”

Where does that confident look come from? No one could stop the Crown Prince determined to come.

“Come. I won’t stop you. I’ll manage things myself.”

At her resigned tone, Teowin smiled slightly. His determination had ultimately forced Anes to raise her hands in surrender.