chapter 6

"Lady Liana, would you mind giving me twenty minutes?"

She blinked.

"Twenty minutes?"

"I'd like to wash up first. I left my room early this morning, and I don't think it's polite to take a lady around the capital looking like this."

Liana's cheeks turned pink.

"O-Of course. I don't mind waiting."

"Thank you." Elias smiled warmly. "I'll be back before you know it, then I'll show you around the city."

Just as he turned to leave, Selene narrowed her eyes.

"Wait."

Elias froze.

Slowly, he looked back at his sister.

"Yes?"

"You want to bathe now?"

"...Yes."

Selene folded her arms.

"Why didn't you bathe before coming downstairs?"

Elias forced a laugh.

"I... overslept."

"You've never skipped your morning bath before."

"I suppose today is an exception."

Selene continued staring at him.

Something about his behavior felt... strange.

Then another thought crossed her mind.

She tilted her head.

"Did you go somewhere this morning?"

For a split second, Elias's heart nearly stopped.

Did she know?

Had someone seen me returning from the forest?

"N-No," he answered quickly, forcing another laugh. "Where would I even go this early in the morning?"

Selene raised an eyebrow.

"You seem awfully nervous."

"I'm not nervous."

"You are."

"I'm just in a hurry."

Before she could ask another question, Elias began backing toward the doorway.

"I'll go wash up now. I don't want to keep Lady Liana waiting."

He gave them both a quick smile before slipping out of the drawing room.The moment he disappeared, Selene let out a thoughtful hum.

"He's acting strangely today."

Liana looked down at her teacup.

"Maybe... maybe he really did oversleep."

Selene smiled knowingly.

"Perhaps."

Then another idea suddenly came to her.

A mischievous grin spread across her face.

"Liana."

"Y-Yes?"

"Why don't you wait for him in his room?"

Liana's eyes widened.

"I-In his room?"

"Of course."

Selene giggled.

"If you stay here, he'll probably find another excuse to disappear. But if you're already waiting in his room, he'll have no choice but to hurry back."

Liana's entire face turned bright red.

"I don't know if that's appropriate..."

"Oh, don't be so shy." Selene took her hand with an encouraging smile. "You're practically family already."

"S-Selene!"

Liana covered her burning face with both hands.

The thought of waiting alone in Elias's room made her heart race.

Still...

A small part of her couldn't deny that she liked the idea.

Selene stood.

"Come on. I'll show you the way."

Liana hesitated only a moment before nodding.

"O-Okay..."

Meanwhile, Elias had already reached the staircase, completely unaware of the plan his sister had just made. His thoughts still lingering on the previous night.

He barely noticed the servants greeting him as he walked down the long hallway toward his room.

The moment he stepped inside, he headed straight for the bathroom without looking around.

"I'll be quick," he muttered to himself.

Soon, the sound of running water filled the room.

------

Selene led Liana upstairs.

"This is Elias's room," she said, stopping in front of the large wooden door.

Liana stared at it nervously.

"Should I... really wait in here?"

Selene smiled reassuringly.

"Of course. He'll be back in a few minutes. Make yourself comfortable."

"B-But—"

Before Liana could protest, Selene gently pushed the door open.

"Go on."

Liana slowly stepped inside.

The room was neat and surprisingly simple for a prince. A bookshelf lined one wall, while a desk near the window was covered with neatly stacked books and maps. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, giving the room a peaceful warmth.

"I'll leave you two alone," Selene said with a teasing smile.

"W-What?"

Before Liana could stop her, Selene closed the door behind her and locked it outside.

Liana stood frozen in the middle of the room.

Her heart pounded.

She clasped her hands together, trying to calm herself.

"I hope I'm not being too forward..."

A few minutes later, The bathroom door opened with a soft creak.

Unaware that anyone was waiting in his room, Elias stepped out, fresh from his bath. Tiny droplets of water clung to his smooth skin, glistening beneath the warm morning sunlight that streamed through the windows. He hadn't bothered getting dressed yet, holding only a towel in one hand as he lazily dried his damp silver hair.

His physique was naturally striking. Broad shoulders flowed into a lean, well-proportioned frame, while his firm chest and defined muscles gave him an effortlessly masculine appearance. His body was neither overly bulky nor too slim—it was the perfect balance of strength and elegance. Water trickled from the ends of his damp hair, gliding over his collarbones and disappearing down his torso, making his skin shimmer in the soft light.

Completely unaware that he wasn't alone, Elias continued drying his hair as he walked toward his wardrobe.

Then he stopped.

Liana stood near the window, staring at him with wide eyes. Her breath caught in her throat, and a deep blush spread across her cheeks. She had always thought Prince Elias was handsome, but seeing him like this made her heart race.

Elias followed her gaze, and his own eyes widened in shock.

"Lady Liana?"

Realizing he was standing there without any clothes, he quickly wrapped the towel around his waist, his face burning with embarrassment.

"How... how did you get into my room?" he asked in disbelief.