*Episode 5*
With no other choice, I reluctantly stepped out from behind the curtain. I had never once stood in front of a large crowd, and the weight of their attention made my body gradually stiffen as I moved to stand beside the Crown Prince.
“Now, Shanael. Say a few words to our guests.”
“Ah, hello. Thank you all for coming. I’ll do my best. Fighting!”
I awkwardly pumped my fist into the air , but not a single person joined in. This was the quietest moment I’d experienced since arriving at this banquet. It was so silent, I could hear someone gulping down their wine in the back.
No one responded to my attempt at enthusiasm. Just then, Jereon clenched his fist and looked at me.
“Yes, fighting.”
“…Yes.”
Timidly, I mirrored his gesture and bowed my head. A few nobles awkwardly cleared their throats and offered a half-hearted “fighting” in return.
With my short introduction done, the Crown Prince launched into a lengthy speech, revealing far too much information about the novel. I gave Hassel a pleading glance to step in and stop him, but he simply shook his head.
That was all the answer I needed—no one could stop the Crown Prince once he got going.
Despite sipping champagne, my throat was dry from listening to him ramble on so excitedly. What had him so animated?
“That’s why I sent her letters with feedback every week. Thanks to that, the story became more polished for all of you.”
As Jereon smiled and recounted his past involvement, murmurs of admiration rippled through the crowd.
“How considerate of him.”
“No wonder the story felt more immersive.”
And all I could think was: You people have no idea how much I suffered.
Even after I’d directly called him a nightmare reader, the Crown Prince proudly boasted about everything he’d done.
“I think the author felt overwhelmed, which is why she rushed the ending. As for the bald depiction of the crown prince in the novel—she told me it was because the protagonist was too perfect. Like me, for example. Hahaha!”
The noble ladies burst into lilting laughter like cascading pearls. Standing at the front, I tried to mimic their expressions, but my lips just wouldn’t cooperate.
I forced a smile and bided my time. Just as things seemed to settle, Jereon suddenly placed his hand on my shoulder.
“Which is why I’ve decided to keep Shanael by my side always.”
The phrase “by my side always” stirred a wave of excitement. The audience, clearly enamored with romance novels, interpreted the words with dramatic flair.
“Oh my!”
“Good heavens.”
“If she’s always by his side, then surely—”
All eyes were fixed on the Crown Prince, their cheeks flushed with curiosity. He looked at me warmly, his lips slowly curving into a smile.
“I intend to formally appoint Shanael…”
“……”
“As my official scribe. What do you think, Shanael? You’ll be free to move around the palace and no longer just a guest. You’ll be my person now. Write by my side—the work of a scribe is writing, after all.”
“A scribe, huh…”
So much for always by his side—it was just another way of telling me to write.
—
A scribe. What even was that, exactly? Traditionally, it was someone who sat beside the Crown Prince to record his affairs. But in my case, I’d become the one under constant surveillance, writing under his watchful eye.
Honestly, I preferred working alone in the detached palace. Here, I sat at a small desk in the corner of the office, writing quietly—until the Crown Prince would rise, stretch theatrically, and stroll over behind me.
Ah, he’s back again.
He’d stare so intently at my back that it began to sting, only to return to his seat moments later. In the span of writing thirty lines, he must’ve done this three times. I couldn’t take it anymore. I cautiously lifted my gaze toward him.
“Your Highness, may I ask you something?”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“You don’t have to come all the way over here—I could just speak louder…”
Perhaps pleased that I was initiating conversation, he swept his cape dramatically and walked over. The woody scent that clung to him brushed against my senses.
Before I could even ask, he leaned over to peer at the manuscript on my desk. Then he placed a hand on the back of my chair and turned his head swiftly toward me.
Whoa, that’s way too close.
Startled, I scooted my chair to the other side.
“What is it, Shanael? What did you want to ask?”
“If it’s not too much trouble… may I return to the detached palace to write?”
“Why?”
“I just prefer being alone…”
I looked up at him with what I hoped were imploring eyes, but his smile didn’t waver.
“No can do. You’re a scribe now. That means you belong by my side.”
“But the official scribe is already here…”
I glanced toward Berin, the actual royal scribe, but it made no difference.
“Still, I like it better this way. Stay here.”
“…Understood.”
I knew why he insisted I stay close. Hassel had told me. Apparently, noblewomen frequently visited the detached palace, and the Crown Prince was worried they might guess the identity of the female lead.
As if I ever planned to make her based on anyone specific.
The heroine was deliberately designed with average looks, completely devoid of family affiliations.
Chestnut-brown hair like the setting sun, and eyes sweet as chocolate.
Unfortunately, that average appearance ended up looking a lot like mine.
“But Shanael.”
“Yes?”
I looked up from my writing. The Crown Prince was resting his chin on his hand, gazing at me quietly. His stare was a bit too much, so I dropped my eyes, then cautiously met his again.
“Hm…”
“Is there something you wanted to say?”
“They’re the same.”
“Pardon?”
“The heroine’s eyes—they’re just like yours. Even her hair.”
Ah, so he finally noticed.
“If you’d like, I can change her appearance.”
“…No. I like it.”
He tossed the words casually, then lowered his head to scribble something before glancing up again.
Was he even getting any work done?
“Shanael. I think the next episode needs more impact. Like…”
“Like what?”
“Add a kiss scene.”
They’d only known each other a single day. And he wanted a kiss already?
As I stood there blinking, Jereon waved his quill like a conductor, visibly delighted.
“Romance should move quickly. Strike while the iron’s hot! Push the plot forward—make them kiss and get engaged.”
“I mean, I’d love to wrap this up and be free, but won’t readers find that jarring?”
“What do you mean, jarring? Readers want to see the Crown Prince in love. How long are you going to keep teasing them?”
(We’ve only released two chapters since the hiatus—what teasing?) “Are you really sure about this?”
“Yes. Have them kiss—immediately.”
“…Cough. Alright.”
I had no say in the matter. It was easier just to write what the Crown Prince demanded. No one could overrule him anyway.
—
*The Crown Prince’s Final Love, Episode 2 – A Flame-Like You*
From the moment he laid eyes on her, the Crown Prince’s heart burst into flame. A burning passion welled up inside him—the thrill of a new love. Each time he looked into her chocolate-sweet eyes, he felt an overwhelming urge to kiss her.
—You are more beautiful than all the flowers in this garden, more than anything in this world.
—You flatter me, Your Highness. How could I compare to the world’s beauty?
—To me, you are the sun. The only light I see.
He took her soft hand and gently pulled her close. Their chests met. Their eyes locked.
Unable to suppress his desire, the Crown Prince leaned forward.
Beneath the moonlight, the two shared a gentle kiss, confirming their feelings.
—
The tip of my quill trembled under a sudden breeze. But it wasn’t my breath—it was his, right over my shoulder.
Can he not back off a little?
He was so close, I could feel his face brushing my right cheek. If I turned my head even slightly, our lips might meet. I tilted my body the other way and looked up at him.
“Your Highness, I don’t mean to be rude, but it might be best if you stepped back a bit…”
“I can see it better this way.”
Still, sticking your face this close is just asking for an accident.
His cologne was stronger than ever now. That clean, woody scent made it feel like I was breathing in the forest. My chest expanded with each inhale.
“But… is that it?”
His words, in contrast to his pleasant scent, made my chest constrict.
“…I beg your pardon?”
“That kiss. Just a ‘gentle’ one? Shouldn’t they be… I don’t know, entangled or something?”
I was too stunned to speak. He sighed, as if disappointed in my lack of understanding.
“Guess you don’t have much experience, huh? You can’t write kisses like that.”
“Your Highness, with all due respect… I have kissed someone before.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“You mean, like this?”
“Most first kisses aren’t overly intense.”
“Hm…”
Wait—did he just say you don’t have much experience? Was he including himself?
Jereon narrowed his eyes suspiciously. Was it really that hard to believe I’d dated someone before?
Maybe for someone of his rank, love wasn’t common outside of arranged marriage.
The air between us grew tense.
Clatter!
“Your Highness, the chancellor requests your input on these reports— What… are you two doing?”
Hassel blinked, puzzled, as he caught us sitting way too close, gazing at each other.
“Perfect timing, Hassel.”
Jereon greeted him cheerfully. Hassel, ever perceptive from years at his side, visibly tensed.
“Come over here and read this with us.”
