friend chapter 23

“He couldn’t concentrate on his magic lessons. He was too busy watching my every move, so I had to take drastic measures.”

“And that was reading him a story?”

Edward nodded, his midnight-blue hair swaying pleasantly in the breeze. “I thought it best to start by getting closer to the children.”

“It worked.”

“Better than expected.”

I giggled, remembering Edward from earlier. The children were completely captivated by the story he was telling them. Their earlier fear seemed to have vanished. Children’s minds, so pure, easily accept prejudice, but they are just as easily swayed from it. Edward, in person, wasn’t frightening at all, so the children naturally opened their hearts to him.

‘…I feel a little guilty.’ Had I misjudged Edward all this time? I never would have guessed he had a soft spot for children. ‘And that look in his eyes…’ His golden eyes, tinged with sadness, looked so forlorn. Edward had lived his life as if it were natural for everyone to fear him. I’d assumed he wouldn’t be hurt by a child’s apprehension.

“It’s not about rumors. It’s about my feelings for you, Your Highness. I’d be sad if you turned out to be a bad person after meeting you, but I wouldn’t know until I met you, right?”

Oh. I had definitely said that. Guilt gnawed at my chest. The subject of sinister rumors, the mad male lead in a novel – that was all I saw in Edward. I hadn’t even tried to see who he truly was.

“…I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“I think I misunderstood you, Edward.” I bit my lip. Edward looked at me, his gaze somber. But only for a moment. He softly smiled and traced his finger over my lip. “That hurts.” His voice was incredibly gentle. Edward didn’t press me further. Instead, he made a joke, trying to lighten the mood, so I wouldn’t feel awkward.

“By the way, isn’t ‘Edward’ a bit too formal? I’d like you to call me by a nickname.”

“A nickname?”

“Ed.”

“Edward?”

“Ed.”

“…Are you telling me to drop the honorifics?”

“Is that a problem?”

“Well…” Edward clicked his tongue, seemingly disappointed. Mary was already making strange comments; if I dropped the formalities, who knew what kind of fantasies she’d concoct?

“Ah, where did you get that book, anyway?”

“It’s mine. I brought it along, anticipating this.”

What? Yours? Come to think of it, it was strange that Edward knew the story of Boradori. If he had read the book, it must have been when he was a child. Children don’t usually buy and read storybooks themselves. So, who gave him the book? Edward wasn’t loved, not even by his mother, the Empress. But I couldn’t ask him directly. If I pried any further, he’d probably look hurt. More than that, the Empress was no longer in this world. She had taken her own life not long after Edward ascended to the throne. I didn’t know why. In the novel, Edward hadn’t confided in Jade about the details. He simply wanted to possess her.

“It’s the only gift I received from my mother.” Edward chuckled, as if reading my thoughts. I didn’t know how to react, so I just stayed silent. A heavy silence fell between us.

“It must be precious to you.”

At my words, Edward looked slightly surprised. His mystical golden eyes flickered with a wave of emotion. What did the Empress mean to Edward? I couldn’t fathom it. But the fact that he still kept the storybook she gave him meant it must have held some significance, however small.

“…Yes.” Edward murmured in a low voice. Unable to decipher the emotions behind his faint smile, I simply took his hand. It wasn’t meant to be anything more than that. I was clumsy with comfort. There were times I had inadvertently hurt people by offering awkward words of solace.

“When someone is sad, just hold their hand without saying anything. Sometimes, that can be more comforting.” That was my mother’s teaching. Not my current mother, of course, but my mother from my past life, who had passed away early. I still held onto that lesson.

Edward’s eyes widened slightly, surprised by my gesture. Then, he began to stare intently at me. What? Why? What?

“Are you comforting me?”

“…What if I am?”