[IHTTMBW] Chapter 25

“You were told not to come anymore. It’s not good for you.”

I rubbed my sleepy eyes in the soft, fluffy blanket. Euphil’s room had the comforting scent of books, which meant it was a place where sleep came easily. 

I giggled and clung tightly to the collar of Euphil’s clothes, nuzzling my cheek against his arm. To my surprise, he lifted my drowsy self and placed me on his bed. It was just as cosy as mine, and after bouncing on it a few times, I had to glance at Euphil to gauge his reaction. 

He didn’t say anything, though. 

Today was different. He spent more time looking at me than speaking. And he smiled at me just a little more. Just a tiny bit more. 

“I thought you’d completely forgotten about the engagement with the prince from the neighbouring kingdom.” 

I was so comfortable in my current position that I looked up at Euphil with bright eyes. He had lain down beside me on the bed, propping his head on one hand as he looked down at me, resting near his chest. Though I was only ten years old, he was still much taller than me, and I tightly gripped the fabric of his robe at his waist. 

“Valgul saved me.” 

“Euphil oppa.” 

“Yes, oppa!” 

I laughed again as I called him oppa. It seemed that even during his time of seclusion, news of me had reached his ears. 

‘I thought you’d completely forgotten… but that was just my assumption.’ 

“Valgul told me to go, but then he came and helped me. Valgul doesn’t tell Myrthi to leave.” 

“He does.” 

“But it’s all lies.” 

I smiled shyly and gently bumped my forehead against his chest. I didn’t dare look up to see what he might say, but he didn’t say anything. He just let out a faint snort. 

“Myrthi really, really missed Euphil oppa.” 

“...Are you serious?” 

“Yes! Really! That’s why I came.” 

“It wasn’t just something out of a storybook?” 

“No. I came to find Euphil.” 

Euphil glanced towards the door. He seemed to be waiting for the snacks he had ordered earlier. To be honest, it was surprising. After lifting me onto his bed, as if it were the most natural thing, he had ordered dessert, yawned, and stretched, as if it were routine. So naturally. “Can I come every day?” 

“You’ll just end up sleeping if you do.” 

“Yep! Myrthi wants to take a nap with Euvil oppa every day!” 

Euphil didn’t react to my sudden declaration that I would visit daily. He simply brushed my hair back and said softly, 

“Prince? The one from Alkaden. Your fiancé.” 

“Ah! I remember! But Myrthi likes oppa the most.” 

I nodded vigorously after speaking. I thought about it like a storybook in my head, but Euphil seemed to have a different plan. 

“I’ll teach you politics.” 

“Politics?” 

“But I’m only five!” 

Confused, I tilted my head at his ambitious plan to teach politics to a five-year-old. Then, I quickly pretended to be innocent. 

“What’s politics?” 

“It’s knowing how to protect yourself.” 

“How?” 

“If I teach you, you’ll be able to understand the world. You don’t seem like you’re entirely foolish.” 

If I really could learn politics now, wouldn’t that make me a genius? But I nodded along sleepily. Even though I appeared to be five, I was twenty-two and had spent five years in this young body. I was confident I could understand the world if it was taught to me. Most of all, this was the first time Euphil had taken the initiative to do something for me. 

“Am I being easily persuaded?” 

I couldn’t tell if everything was going according to his plan or if he was just trying to distance himself by teaching me, but for now, I decided to spend more time with him. 

“Come. I’ll teach you.” 

“Okay! Myrthi will come every day!” 

“Even when that prince comes, come here instead.” 

Euphil, who had briefly shown a grumpy expression, patted my head as he spoke. 

Prince? I tilted my head again, and he added, 

“The prince of Alkaden. Your fiancé.” 

“Ah! I get it! But Myrthi likes oppa the most.” 

“What?” 

“Never mind. Just wait. I’ll give you something soon.” 

“What? Are you going to give Myrthi a present?” 

“Yes. Not because of you, but because I can’t let someone else outdo me.” 

I blinked in surprise. It seemed he had been comparing his situation to Allenan’s. No matter how mature he seemed, he was still just a child about to turn ten. I chuckled softly.