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“Princess!”
As soon as Dorothea came out of treatment, the Duke of Bronte bowed deeply.
The Duke of Bronte, hearing the news of the accident, was unable to calm down and stuck his buttocks in the seat all the time.
Most of all, he was guilty of not recognizing the princess and the crown prince earlier.
“It is all my fault. I had to take good care of your safety
!”
The Duke of Bronte sighed as he looked at the cast on Dorothea’s arm.
It’s such an unfortunate thing that the princess’s arm was broken in a competition for the duke’s name!
‘It’s fortunate that Princess Dorothea was injured.’
If it weren’t for Dorothea, Crown Prince Ray would have been injured.
If so
The Duke of Bronte became dizzy just thinking about it.
In a way, Dorothea was like a benefactor to the Duke of Bronte. Because she was injured instead of the Crown Prince and made the work smaller.
“I have indeed sinned to death, my princess.”
I saw the Duke apologize again and again. Formally, Formally, he apologizes with the word “kill,” but it’s just a show.
“It’s okay. Thanks to the cooperation of the duke, I was able to receive treatment so quickly.”
I didn’t want to tell the imperial family about this. I didn’t even want to make a big deal out of fussing over my broken arm.
If I had to tell anyway, Carnan wouldn’t really care, and he would only hate me for whining about trivial things.
“We will take full responsibility for the treatment of the princess in Bronte. If there is any inconvenience, my family will do our best to help.”
“Thanks.”
I did not get angry at the accident and nodded my head calmly.
The Duke of Bronte must have thought it was a good thing I wasn’t fussy.
I would have been very embarrassed if I had been sarcastic for breaking my arm, or if I had been held accountable for being a princess.
“The carriage is ready.”
The Duke of Bronte was relieved and led me to the front door.
During the treatment, the sun was setting and it was dark outside. Two boys were standing in front of the entrance to the carriage.
One is Jonathan, followed by Ethan.
Jonathan was trembling as he looked into the Duke’s eyes, and Ethan looked at my arms and face, then closed his lips.
As soon as Jonathan made eye contact with me, he trembled and bowed his head coldly.
I smiled at Jonathan like that. He seems to know who I am.
A few days ago, Jonathan, who was joking around asking if I knew who he was, was nowhere to be seen.
Dorothea passed Jonathan with an arrogant step.
Ethan’s gaze followed Dorothea’s.
“I
”
Ethan reached out to grab Dorothea’s sleeve, but Dorothea passed him by and climbed into the wagon.
Ethan’s hand, which was outstretched in the air, stopped without holding anything.
‘My aches because you got hurt, I hope you get well, I hope you protect your body more than anyone else from next time, today’s game was really cool.’
He had prepared several options for what to say, but all of them were useless, and Ethan stood alone looking at Dorothea’s back.
Ray and Clara climbed behind Dorothea, and Stefan got on the horse.
The carriage started running, and there was no greeting. For Ethan who was left alone.
* * *
Inside the carriage heading to the detached palace. I looked out the window in a complicated thought.
Why did I save Ray?
That question never left my head.
Ray followed Dorothea and looked out the window.
There was nothing that seemed to be a dark evening, but he wondered what Dorothea was seeing in that dark darkness.
“Dorothea
”
Rey carefully opened his lips to Dorothea
Ray have cried a lot, his voice was blocked, and his eyes were red and swollen.
“Thank you for today.”
Ray said, pressing his knees with his gently gathered hands.
Dorothea didn’t respond to Ray’s thanks.
“I’m sorry you got hurt because of me.”
At Ray’s apology, Dorothea’s eyes turned slightly toward him, then back out of the window.
“No need to be sorry.”
Dorothea said without making eye contact.
“However
”
“It was just because I was in trouble If you died.”
Dorothea’s small murmur softened Rey’s expression, which was about to cry.
Dorothea wants him not to die. He thought she hated him.
Dorothea’s focus was on ‘because it’s difficult’ rather than ‘because it’s sad’ when he died, but Ray seemed to think that was it.
“But Dorothea you don’t have to do it next time.”
Ray said, leaning against the window just like Dorothea.
“I don’t want you to get hurt because of me. No, I just hate that you get hurt.”
Ray’s expression softened in an unusual way. Swallowing up his sorrow, he kept his mouth shut and held on to prevent his sorrow from rising up.
At that, my eyes flashed back to Ray, then to the darkness outside the window.
I didn’t like Ray that way. The ‘kindness’ that creeps in and likes me no matter how hard I push.
A letter he sends sincerely even without replying, someone, who is in the background because he is worried about my injury, and a sincerity who smiles softly even though I always ignore him and tries to act as an older brother.
His pure good intentions were a pain for me, who had lived a life defined by evil.
When I saw Ray, who knew how to genuinely like others, something like disgust came up from time to time.
Because I thought it was undesirable for someone like Ray to become emperor.
The emperor had to be stained.
He has to be calculating, able to use people, and make decisions so coldly that he can trample on beautiful emotions and sometimes feel cruel.
Wars must be waged with neighboring countries if necessary, people must be exiled for war, side with one of two conflicting groups, and those who fail to do so must be left tormented.
People should be hired out of necessity, not love, and those who are unnecessary should be boldly tightened.
A good man cannot be a good emperor.
So the thought of a good Ray becoming emperor made me annoyed.
“You have to fix that.”
“yes?”
Ray raised her eyes and looked at me with blue eyes.
Beautiful eyes that are so pure.
What am I going to say to you who doesn’t know anything?
I chewed on Ray’s question and shut my mouth.
Then Ray pinched His fingers and looked into my eyes, then opened his mouth abruptly.
“Dorothy. If you have any difficulties or inconveniences, please tell me. I will do it all.”
Ray said that it was all his fault that I was hurt, and that he would be my hand.
I looked at Ray with cold eyes.
It’s a good thing. I can’t believe the crown prince is going to take care of the princess.
Where did he sell his body as a crown prince?
“I can do it alone.”
“But it’s hard to live with just your left hand. It is difficult to write.”
“It’s none of your business.”
“Why is it none of my business when I make it like that?”
Ray did not hide his disappointment and pursed his lips.
Dorothy looked at Ray with thin eyes.
Why does he want to take care of me so much?
I really don’t understand him.
“Are you really going to do it all?”
“If it’s for you.”
“Okay.”
Just do what I tell you.
* * *
When I arrived at the villa, I stopped in the middle of the stairs while trying to go back to my room.
Because Theon was waiting in front of my room.
Theon, who had not yet found me, calmly lowered his eyes and was immersed in thought.
‘Why is Theon waiting for me?’
The heart, who does not listen to the words, sees Theon again and is pounding.
Candles were lit in the dark hallway where night fell, so his red eyes shone more charmingly.
The tip of his black hair was reflected in the light, forming a red border around him, and the tips of his eyelashes that fell quietly were troubled for no reason.
On the other hand, buttons were coming down side by side under the neatly folded white collar.
Ethan is beautiful, but Theon has my heart.
I was afraid that Theon had come to me to say something.
I’m sure it’s never meant to say I love you, so I can’t help but be afraid.
In front of Theon, I becomes fearful, thoughtful, and stupid.
What’s worse is that I can’t stop even though I know I’m stupid.
“Princess.”
While hesitating on the stairs, Theon raised his head to find me.
“What’s going on, Theon?”
I pretended to be okay and climbed the remaining stairs.
“your arm
 Are you okay?”
“It’s okay.”
For me, the injured arm was a symbol of weakness, immaturity and lack.
I wanted to show Theon only my strength, perfection, and splendor, not my weaknesses.
In my heart, I wanted to hide the arm with the cast, but it was impossible to hide the fixed arm.
So it was best to pretend to be nothing as much as possible.
“So, what do you want to say?”
‘Dorothea, you can’t talk like that.’
Do you mean to kick Theon out with an exaggerated and arrogant tone?
I scolded my lips with harsh words protruding inwardly.
“Today, you were great. There was an accident in the final, but if the match had been played to the end, the princess would have won.”
“Well
”
If Ray was sincere, I would have lost.
Theon spoke carefully, as if he had read my mind.
“I think attitude and concentration are also skills.”
“ah
”
“Besides, the princess even rescued the Crown Prince.”
Theon gave me a small smile and cheered me on. I felt my face heat up as if it had been turned on.
Theon’s praise, recognition. Even his words of consolation to me, who had injured my arm, were bittersweet.
“Thank you.”
I lowered my head to hide my blushing face.
“And I’m going back tomorrow morning. I came to greet you in advance because I thought I would be leaving early.”
“Ah
okay.”
Theon was going. It was originally planned. Because he had promised to go back to Fried only after seeing Ray’s match.
There is nothing to regret.
“your arm, I hope you get well soon.”
“yes. you too
 Be careful when you go back.”
I tried to say goodbye with a calm look.
Theon smiled softly at me.
“You must be very tired, so sleep well tonight.”
“You too.”
At my  words, Theon went back to his room.