PLML 40

CHAPTER 40

Sigh…

“Is something wrong, Jenne? You don’t look well.”

“No, I’m fine. Don’t worry about it.”

Sigh…

“How could I not worry? I…”

As Ferus looked at Jaina with concern, a little girl came running up to him.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince!”

Ferus flashed a soft, angelic smile. His golden hair shimmering under the sunlight and his handsome face were enough to melt anyone’s heart.

The girl blushed shyly and held out a flower with both hands, as if it were a precious treasure.

“Please take this.”

Ferus accepted the flower.

“Thank you. It’s beautiful.”

The girl smiled, brighter than the fully bloomed flower she had given him.

“I meant the little lady, not the flower. Receiving a flower from such a lovely young lady is an honor.”

The girl’s cheeks flushed even redder, like a ripe autumn apple, and her tear-filled eyes blinked slowly as if she might burst into tears. Jaina watched Ferus comfort the child with dull eyes and shook her head.

‘What’s so great about that cheesy act that everyone falls head over heels for it?’

It had only been thirty minutes since they got off the carriage. In that short time, more than a dozen people had blocked Ferus’s path—adults, children, men, women—everyone was desperate to at least exchange a few words with him.

The Crown Prince of the Empire was clearly someone far too lofty for commoners to even glance at. But the crowd’s reaction was more like they were seeing a top-tier celebrity.

Now that she thought about it…

She had seen newspaper articles praising Ferus and detailing his daily life and activities.

‘He really does have the face of an idol.’

Whether the crown prince was an imperial idol or not, Jaina couldn’t care less. All she wanted right now was to escape the burning stares aimed at her.

‘Now I know what it feels like to be a normal person dating a celebrity.’

The child, overwhelmed by Ferus accepting her flower, had burst into tears and only stopped crying after a long while. Jaina had stood blankly while Ferus comforted her.

Only after the girl left did Ferus return to Jaina’s side.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Jenne.”

“No. I wasn’t waiting at all.”

“Are you mad?”

“Nope. Not at all.”

“Good. I was worried I might’ve upset you.”

‘If you knew it would upset me, maybe don’t keep doing it? How many times has it been now?’

Jaina held back her annoyance, fearing that Ferus would start going on about jealousy or something equally frustrating. She pet Cotton, who was nestled in her arms, hoping to soothe her irritation—but it didn’t work. The soft fur that should’ve been comforting was blocked by stiff fabric.

“Kyuu…”

Cotton let out a small whimper, looking up at her.

“It’s okay.”

Dressed in a pink bunny outfit, Cotton looked so cute that Jaina couldn’t help but smile faintly.

Ferus had refused to give up on their outing. Instead, he’d come up with a way to disguise Cotton’s true identity as a magical creature.

He had brought, from who knows where, a pink pet outfit—like the kind high-ranking nobles dressed their cats and dogs in.

“If she wears this, no one will realize she’s a magical creature. It’s enchanted to mask her aura too.”

Just as Ferus had said, dressing Cotton in the bunny suit had kept anyone from suspecting her true nature.

But now that she thought about it, it was strange.

‘Why the hell do you even have something like that lying around?’

“Kyuu!”

Cotton shivered and shook her head. The floppy pink bunny ears bounced around wildly.

“I’m sorry, Cotton. Just hang in there a little longer.”

“Kyuu.”

Cotton nodded her head.

“Jenne, if you keep focusing only on Cotton, I’ll get jealous.”

‘Says the guy who left me alone how many times now?’

“I was just saying you were taking too long.”

“Sorry. No matter who approaches me now, I’ll never leave your side again.”

Ferus made this promise… and broke it in less than five minutes.

He disappeared again because journalists had caught wind of his presence and started to swarm the streets.

“I’m really sorry, Jenne. I’ll be right back.”

“Sure. Go ahead.”

Once again, Jaina was left alone.

‘Well, not completely alone. I’ve still got Cotton.’

At least without Ferus around, she was out of the spotlight, which was a relief. Sitting on a bench to catch her breath, she suddenly felt exhaustion hit her like a wave.

“I want to go home.”

“Kyuu.”

“You too?”

“Kyuuu!”

“Alright. Let’s head home before dinner. Everyone’s probably waiting.”

Despite saying he’d be “right back,” Ferus returned an hour later.

“Kept you waiting, didn’t I, Jenne?”

“No, not at all. The weather’s perfect for sitting on a bench doing nothing.”

Jaina’s tone made it clear she was not okay. But Ferus didn’t seem to notice—or didn’t care. He just kept smiling.

“I’m really sorry. To make it up to you, I’ll take you to an amazing dessert shop.”

Jaina scoffed.

‘Does he really think dessert is enough to win me over?’

There was no way a bit of sugar could soothe the irritation of being dragged around all day.

Or so she thought.

“Wow, what is this? It’s melting in my mouth!”

“Right? Try this one too.”

Ferus handed her a mille-feuille layered with thick cream.

With the first bite, the pastry flaked apart, mixing perfectly with the rich cream. A subtle hint of lemon floated through the flavor, giving a refreshing twist to the sweetness. Jaina smiled happily at the delicate taste that spread in her mouth.

Her vow not to be swayed by mere dessert vanished without a trace.

Now, she was fully engrossed, picking and tasting desserts from the pretty tray in front of her.

“Feeling better now?”

‘This guy… he really knows how to work people.’

Jaina was annoyed at herself for falling into his trap, but there was no helping it. Who could resist desserts that good?

“I’m not completely over it yet.”

She tried to suppress her voice and cling to the last shred of pride, but couldn’t stop the corners of her lips from curling up.

‘Theo’s probably hungry too… I feel kinda bad eating all this alone.’

“What are you thinking about, Jenne?”

Ferus asked with a flirtatious tone. Jaina found his constant teasing annoying.

“I was thinking I’d like to come here with my husband next time.”

“To think you’re even thinking of my brother in a place like this—he’s lucky to have your love.”

“And you have the love of the entire empire.”

“Sometimes, one person’s love is more precious than the love of millions. I wish Jenne would pay a little more attention to me.”

His usually soft, curved eyes turned serious for a moment. Jaina, ready to brush him off as usual, was momentarily speechless at the unfamiliar expression. The lack of a smile made her think… maybe he actually meant it.

But as soon as she began to hesitate, Ferus smiled again, as if nothing had happened.

“What’s this? You actually took me seriously for once?”

The return of his usual demeanor put her at ease.

‘As I thought. He was just testing me. I can’t let my guard down for a second.’

Frustrated that she almost fell for it, Jaina didn’t respond to his comment.

Not that Ferus minded—he continued to chatter on excitedly. Most of it was nonsense, so Jaina tuned him out and focused on the dessert in front of her.

Eventually, the tray of sweets was empty and inside her belly. Slumped in her chair with a satisfied smile, Jaina watched Ferus rise from his seat.

“Time to move on to the next place.”

“There’s still more?”

She asked, exasperated, and Ferus gave her a look like she was being ridiculous.

“Of course. You didn’t think we’d part ways after just some dessert, did you?”

After leaving the dessert shop, they wandered through the city nonstop. Sightseeing, a play—classic date itinerary.

And yes, they were fun.

But fun or not, Jaina was exhausted. Unlike Ferus, who enjoyed crowds and activity, she was someone who quickly grew tired in bustling places.

‘I just want to go home.’

The only thought left in her mind was to get back and collapse in bed. Every step she took seemed to drain her energy.

“Kyuu, kyuu.”

Sensing her state, Cotton looked up at her with worried eyes, letting out little whines. Tilting its head as if asking are you okay?, Cotton made Jaina smile awkwardly.

She wanted to say she was fine, but couldn’t get the words out.

Her physical and mental exhaustion had hit their limit.

And now, frustration started to build.

‘Why does this guy keep dragging around a married woman like it’s nothing?’

If he weren’t the Crown Prince and Theo’s brother, she would’ve smacked that grinning face of his at least three times by now.

“Jenne, what’s wrong? You don’t look so good.”

Finally noticing something was off, Ferus asked.

“I’m fine. Just a little tired.”

“I’m sorry. I’ve been dragging you all over without thinking.”

‘If you’re sorry, how about letting me go now?’

Whether he read her thoughts or not, Ferus spoke again in his usual gentle tone.

“We’ll just stop by one more place. Don’t look so defeated.”

The final destination Ferus dragged her to was a jewelry store.

As soon as they entered, all the staff bowed deeply in unison. The owner, seemingly having been waiting, rushed forward with a sycophantic smile.

“It’s been a while, Your Highness.”

He guided them skillfully to the VIP room.

“I’d like to give Jenne a gift to thank her for spending the day with me. Please, pick anything you like—no pressure.”

Soon, the owner brought out several cases filled with dazzling jewels. They were all stunning, but Jaina, drained as she was, couldn’t care less.

Seeing her lukewarm response, the owner asked nervously:

“Is nothing to your liking?”

Normally, Jaina might’ve said something polite just to be courteous, but right now, she had no patience.

“No.”

Flustered, the owner quickly brought out more treasures.

A one-of-a-kind blue sapphire. A legendary red diamond crafted by a godlike artisan. A yellow topaz infused with so much mana it could be used for magical creature restraints. All rare and priceless.

But nothing caught Jaina’s eye.

‘Irritating.’

It seemed Ferus wasn’t going to let her leave until she picked something.

‘Fine. Have it your way.’

Jaina looked at the jewels in front of her with dull eyes and said lifelessly:

“I’ll take them all.”