Flower of Steel

Yes. Noble beings who could be justified in becoming the next emperor by nobles and the people. With that logic, it was probably the grand duke or one of two duke families.

I was about to think deeply about this. “Huh?” That was when my left wrist was grabbed. I was surprised, but it was being carefully handled.

“You got a cut here.”

He spoke as he pointed at my hand, and I realized there were some scuffs on my hand. It wasn’t a big injury, and there were a few droplets of blood on it. It probably happened when I ran over to my cousin because of the sudden appearance of the leader of the assassins.

“Oh, it’s okay, Your Highness. It will heal quickly.”

“I’m not okay.”

I was surprised and looked at his face. But the Crown Prince, who had just spoken those shocking words, searched his jacket, then frowned.

“What are you looking for?” I asked.

He then frowned and answered frigidly, “…Handkerchief.”

Am I going crazy? He looks so cute… Anyway, I had a handkerchief on me, so I handed it over to him. “Here.”

The Crown Prince then took my handkerchief and began wrapping it around my hand. What a relief. I blew my nose a lot with this… but I didn’t today!

As I was thinking about that, I heard the Crown Prince’s voice. “It’s done.”

My left hand was treated quite nicely. “Oh, thank you.”

Who would ever have the luxury of having the Crown Prince take care of your injury with a handkerchief like this? As I thanked him for such a rare experience, he continued, “Of course. You’re my…”

At that moment, I felt like I had butterflies in my heart. Why? Why was I doing this? I couldn’t understand why I was doing this. This felt so unusual that I couldn’t understand what this feeling was. It was true that I was looking forward to what he was going to say next. As I was waiting for that very word, his smooth voice came into my ears.

“…Associate secretary who will follow me to the embankment construction soon.”

I had sudden fatigue coming over me at those words. Why does he have to say that on such a beautiful Friday! To heck with secretary! …But yes. I’m a secretary. I’m just an ordinary girl who’s not pretty or from a powerful family. False hope only returns me hollow disappointment. I’m not perfect, and the best I can do is be a sidekick with some skills. I don’t deserve a romance. But of course, I’ll do my best to grab the chance if it ever comes to me… Although, I’m sure it will never come.

“I am deeply honored, yes.”

The Crown Prince suddenly smiled at my answer. That fantastic smile along with the night sky made me almost gasp. He answered, “That’s good.”

…He’s just so handsome that even his smile makes me put all kinds of meanings to it. He probably doesn’t have any thoughts about that. I guess it’s better if I just don’t have any false hope at all.

“Let’s go. Everyone must be shocked that I went missing.”

Then I realized. Rian and everyone else must have been worried sick! “Yes!” I responded.

After he said those words, we returned to the private room where we watched the play. There, Rian and the twins were watching me. Then I saw an injury on Lumi, so I ran over to her and began making a fuss.