[IHTTMBW] Chapter 46

“Is there any dessert?”

“No.”

“Ugh...”

“If there’s no dessert, then there’s no Myrthi.”

I firmly declared, wagging my finger at them as if scolding them. ‘How dare you try to take me without offering dessert? I only walk the path of sweets!’ I thought. Little did I know at that moment, Euphil had a secret weapon that I liked even more.

“Nap time.”

“Yes!”

That’s right—it was nap time.

While Allenan was still trying to come up with ways to capture my attention, Euphil looked somewhat indifferent. His expression seemed to suggest he was deep in thought. I figured he just found the idea of putting me to sleep bothersome, but as I was still holding Allenan’s hand, Euphil looked displeased and tightened his grip on my other hand before letting go.

“It’s time for your nap. Come inside.”

It was a magical phrase that made me follow him without hesitation. Even without holding my hand, Euphil knew I would follow him to his palace.

“Myrthi, where are you going?”

“I’m going to nap at Euphil’s palace!”

“Do you really like napping?”

“I love it! Euphil reads to me.”

The books Euphil read to me fell into two categories: academic texts from the Academy or fairy tales. Obviously, I preferred the latter by a mile, but sometimes even the Academy books, which he read to match my level, were interesting and helped me fall asleep easily.

Most of all, today was a rare chance to sleep beside him after days apart. I couldn’t afford to miss it. I glanced down at my hand, which Euphil had let go, and finally released Allenan’s hand as well. But Allenan wasn’t letting me go.

“Don’t go, Myrthi.”

“Hmm, but it’s been so long since Euphil read to me...”

It seemed that Euphil was going through some kind of adolescence lately. Even though we still spent a lot of time together, he didn’t treat me with the same close intimacy as before. It was similar, yet different in a way. He had also started frowning more often. Even when I tried to smooth out the wrinkles on his forehead, saying he’d get lines, they would soon crease again.

As I tilted my head and smiled brightly, Allenan gave a helpless look. He quickly laughed and patted my head.

“You get along well with your brother.”

“Yep! Euphil is my favourite brother!”

“Alright, I’ll head off for today. It seems I’m not allowed in that palace. See you soon, Myrthi.”

“Hurry up and go.”

Allenan looked disappointed, but Euphil dismissed him as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Since we were already on our way to Euphil’s palace, Allenan stopped walking just before we reached it. My heart was racing as I headed toward the entrance of the palace. But first, I had to say goodbye to Allenan.

Just as I was about to wave goodbye, Allenan took my hand and kissed the back of it. Then, he smiled as brightly as the summer sun. Euphil scowled deeply.

“One day, I hope you like me the most.”

His words had a wistful tone. I smiled at him and replied, “I like you too, Allenan!”

“Is nonsense a signature style of speech in Alkaden?”

“Well, showing excessive interest in one’s sister doesn’t seem like a Crothasone custom either, does it?”

Sparks flew between their gazes. I had never seen Euphil truly regard someone with hostility, nor had I ever seen Allenan sound so sarcastic. I bit my tongue inwardly, thinking, ‘Why are they suddenly fighting?’

“What are you two doing?”

‘Whoa, whoa. Don’t fight.’

“Nothing.”

“Nothing at all, Myrthi.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Take care, Myrthi. See you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, see you tomorrow, Allenan!”

Then Euphil extended his hand toward me. I hurriedly took it and waved goodbye to Allenan. It felt like an awkward encounter, as if Euphil had transformed into some ultra-super overbearing mother-in-law.

⋆⋅☆⋅⋆

“Today, it’s a storybook.”

Once we entered the palace, Euphil gazed at me even more tenderly than usual. Though he occasionally looked annoyed, today he strangely listened to everything I said without complaint.

As he quietly looked at the book, he suddenly called my name.

“Myrthi.”

“Hm?”

“You said the dust from a butterfly doesn’t come off easily, right?”

Oh no. He must’ve heard about it from a maid. But were there any maids nearby at that time? The maid information network was truly something else. I fidgeted with my fingers before looking up at him with a sheepish grin.

“Myrthi isn’t a butterfly that dies so easily.”

“That’s right. You’re not a butterfly. You’re nothing but Myrthi.”

So perceptive. He muttered to himself, and I just pretended not to understand, tilting my head in confusion.