“Patricia!”
A piercing shout rang out, making Patricia’s skin tingle.
It was Alex, walking toward her from ahead.
His eyes blazed intensely, and his perfectly shaped eyebrows were tightly furrowed.
Patricia recognized that expression.
It was the look he had when he was so angry he lost all reason.
With heavy footsteps thudding loudly, Alex approached and, without hesitation, grabbed Patricia’s arm tightly.
“—Alex-sama, it’s—”
“What did you say to Mia?”
“It hurts! Please let go!”
“Mia told me you hurt her. What did you do?”
“…Please calm down. I did not hurt her.”
Patricia’s arm twisted painfully where he held it, and she grimaced, but he seemed oblivious to her suffering, showing no sign of letting go.
The pain went beyond her skin and pierced to her bones.
Unable to bear it any longer, She slapped his hand away and said, “Please stop! What’s gotten into you all of a sudden?”
“…Mia was crying. She said it was her fault.”
“That’s right. I only scolded her for her mistake. There’s nothing for Alex-sama to reprimand me about.”
“Mistake? She just said she wanted to talk. What’s wrong with that?”
“She approached me. You understand, Alex-sama, that it’s against protocol for someone of lower status to initiate conversation, don’t you?”
Gently rubbing her arm, she saw it had turned red.
The imprint of his hand wasn’t going to fade in a day or two.
Patricia worried that if her father saw the bruise, it would cause trouble.
Just then, Alex raised his voice again.
“Lower status? Are you saying you see her as a slave, a lowly being!?”
“…I don’t understand what you mean. She’s a servant, nothing more.”
“It’s because you think she’s lowly that such words come out. Why can’t you see her as a fellow human being? You could have just talked to her.”
Patricia stared blankly, forgetting even the pain in her arm.
Of all people, for him—the Crown Prince and future Emperor—to say something like that…
“Are you saying I’m wrong?”
“What’s wrong with talking?”
“I’m not saying talking is wrong. The problem is that she was the one who spoke first.”
“What’s wrong with her approaching you? That’s proof you look down on her.”
“…Look down on her? She’s a maid, isn’t she? She doesn’t serve me directly.”
A maid speaking to a lady-in-waiting such a thing must never happen.
Patricia only pointed this out, yet why was he so openly angry?
“Why can’t you be kind? Did she do something to you? Can’t you at least talk to her?”
“I can’t. Our social positions are far too different.”
“…I see. So you won’t even acknowledge those beneath you. You’re cold.”
Patricia pressed her hand to her forehead, unable to understand why he wouldn’t listen.
“It’s not about being cold or not. This is the etiquette and common sense here. You yourself have always acted this way, Alex-sama.”
“But I realized, after meeting her, that this is wrong.”
‘Even so, that doesn’t mean you can force your beliefs on others. Even if your way of thinking is correct, it takes time for people to accept it. Breaking down what already exists to change it isn’t easy.’
Just like the slave system.
“Even so, Alex-sama, you’re the only one who thinks that way. You know how difficult it is to change public perception.”
“…When I talk to you, I feel no warmth. It’s as if I myself have become something lifeless.”
‘What is that supposed to mean? Why do I have to hear such words?’
“You should cool your head a little.”
Patricia wanted to say, “You’re the one who needs to cool down,” but she couldn’t bring herself to say it.
Watching Patricia fall silent, Alex placed a hand on her shoulder.
“If there’s a chance next time, won’t you speak to her? She looks up to you.”
Why must she be the one to approach her?
Alex still doesn’t realize how much his actions hurt her.
Slowly, Patricia felt the strength drain from her body.
It was as if her emotions were slipping away.
Dazed, Patricia understood it was useless to argue here.
“…If there’s a chance.”
“Yes, that’s enough.”
Apparently satisfied, Alex grabbed Patricia’s hand and headed toward the room to have some tea.
There was no way Patricia could drink tea with him under these circumstances.
But he was the Crown Prince.
Patricia knew refusing his invitation would be rude, so she silently followed.
She didn’t know what it was, but right now she felt no anger, no sadness, no joy.
It was as if she had become truly lifeless.
Patricia loves him so much that she wants to stay by his side forever.
‘Right now, being near you hurts a little.’