Iria was having a distracted yet awkward breakfast with Crown Prince Arin.

She sent Rion to Hudale Inn early in the morning to check on Klaus Ermias but the former reported that the Captain already left the inn last night. Why so soon? How about his wound? These questions were distracting her.

On the other hand, she couldn't forget what happened last night. That strange action of Arin Helev even made her lost her sleep! The Crown Prince was sitting opposite her, quietly eating his breakfast and she didn't know what to say either. The awkward silence was making her uncomfortable until...

"Did you sleep well last night?"

She quickly shifted her gaze to Arin Helev who was staring at her. It's her first time getting a clear look at his face for the day but... something wasn't right. There wasn't that calm aura that he always had in the past. Somehow, the Crown Prince appeared haggard which was very unlike him.

Was it because of last night? Did he lose his sleep too?

Then she nodded. Maybe it would be best not to add more to his worry. She created so many problems for him and yesterday was a big one. She shouldn't mess up things further.

Arin's mind went blank. It wasn't easy for him to speak up. He didn't have a single sleep last night as what happened in the pavilion keep him up all night. But still, he forced a little smile. "That's good."

He also never knew that it was possible to care about how someone would feel to this extent! How she might think of him troubled him too much to the point where he felt like he was going crazy!

He was afraid that she would be disappointed in him.

He was afraid that she would distance herself and raise her guard as she did before.

Iria stared at him quietly for a while and then withdrew her hands from the table. "I'm sorry about yesterday," she muttered.

"What are you sorry for?" Arin promptly asked her. The sneaking out incident or... what happened in the pavilion? He wanted to know that.

"Everything," said Iria Alewine. When she looked at his tired face, she can't help but wonder just how much did the incident affect him.

Arin Helev remained silent for a while and then withdrew his hands from the table too. "If it's about how you sneaked out alone, I want you to know that the palace was a mess yesterday. However, if it's about what happened in the pavilion... " He paused and continued by saying, "I'm the one who should apologize. I'm sorry."

Iria's mind went blank. What was she supposed to say after he apologized for... hugging her? She didn't know. She was never stuck in such a situation before.

"Do you know what is the most tormenting, Iria?" Arin Helev said. Though his voice was calm, his expression was quite serious. "I really want to keep you safe but at the same time, I don't want to restrict you from anything. Like yesterday.

"I was supposed to be angry after you exposed yourself to such a dangerous situation but... what I felt is fear and anguish. That's what tormenting."

"Your Highness -"

"I think I like you."

What was he saying... Iria was stunned by the words that escaped his lips. Arin Helev liked her? Did he just confessed?! She immediately struggled for words to say!

"Maybe you're mistaken. We live and spent much time together -"

"No," Arin firmly retorted. Though he didn't plan this at all, he didn't plan to back down like a coward now that he said those words. He lost control but... he didn't plan to go back on track. Much more like he didn't want to.

"I never felt this way before in my life, but... if liking someone means loving to see her happy, wishing for her safety, feeling happy just by seeing her and... feeling scared that she would leave my side someday; if experiencing these things means I like that person, I'm not mistaken. I like you."

Iria was now more stunned than ever! Never once did she thought there would come a day when Crown Prince Arin Helev would say such words to her! Her conscience instantly reminded her that this was wrong. It would be too unfair for him!

"But this is -"

She tried to say something but for the many times in the morning, Arin Helev interrupted her again.

"You don't know how even the little things that you say and did have an influence on me, Iria. So please, don't doubt my words. I'm not foolish enough not to even know my own feelings."

His last sentence. Why did Iria felt like he was talking about her? She knew that Arin Helev won't do that but... why did it make her look back at herself?! While she was busy thinking this, Arin Helev was already flashing a small smile again.

"Yesterday. Do you know that it's your first time calling me by my name?" the Crown Prince asked and Iria raised a brow. She did that? When?

Maybe he managed to read her again. He said, "When I saw you with Captain Klaus."

Iria thought of it and she finally realized that she indeed called him by the name! Was it because she was too flustered when Arin suddenly spotted them?!

"That wasn't my -"

"I like it when you call me by my name," Arin promptly said before she could finish talking. Then he continued by saying, "In this kingdom, apart from my family and Hanson, no one had ever called me by the name. Others don't dare and it's not appropriate because I'm the Crown Prince who will inherit the throne. It's great to hear you call me that. I really mean it."

Iria wondered how unique Arin Helev was. Despite being the Crown Prince, he was simple and always speak his mind. Such frankness was a gem among the royals. He's truly one of a kind.

"Sometimes," she muttered and glanced at the Crown Prince. "You always amazed me by your simple nature. That's a surprise coming from the successor of a throne, like you."

Arin narrowed his eyes and her remark echoed in his ears. "I said before that I might be crueler than you thought. Just like you, I also have many sides in me. You've seen some and... " He paused and hesitated to continue for a while. However, he finally continued by saying, "There are also some traits in me which I hope that you will never have to witness."

There he goes again. Making her wondered how worse it would be to have him see her as an enemy. The day would surely come but... she wasn't anticipating it at all!

Before Iria could say anything, Arin Helev slightly smiled and calmly said, "I mean every word I said to you but don't feel pressured by it. I have no intention to force you and if it bothers you, I won't cross the line again. I want you to know that."