"You're stirring it so fast."

I looked at him, not knowing what he meant. Blake smiled and pointed at the teacup.

"So did Ancia. She couldn't wait for the sugar cubes to melt. She had always acted like an adult, but it was at times like these that she really felt like a child."

But I really wasn't a kid...

In Korea, I was often told that I was laid back. But by the standards of this world, I was only impatient, and being impatient didn't mean that I was a child...

But I couldn't explain it because I couldn't speak.

'I'm not her...'

That was the only thing I could say.

Blake got up without saying anything. Then I hurriedly added lemon jam to my tea.

"Eat it if you want to. You don't need to act like this."

'It's not like that...'

"You always say that. Did I misunderstand you again?"

'No...'

Blake smiled and held my hand as he stirred using the spoon.

"Hurry up and stir it. It'll melt quickly."

I slapped him on the arm. He always teased me whenever he had the time. When we were young, I was the one who teased him.

Blake only laughed.

"Let's have you learn how to write. I want to hear more about you."

I nodded. I also wanted to learn how to write quickly. I would at least like to write a good-bye letter before I leave him.

***

The next day, a woman visited the crown prince's palace.

Her name was Kendall, and she was an influential professor at the academy. I wanted to take her class 7 years ago but I didn't have the time.

She was said to have retired and lived in the capital city.

Will I be able to write again if I take her class? Ser took my language ability. So even if I study, I might not be able to speak or write again.

I waited for Professor Kendall with excitement and anxiety bubbling through me. But the moment I met her, my expectations were shattered.

"Mrs. Reed, are you telling me to teach this girl?"

As soon as Kendall saw me, she complained to Melissa, expressing her reluctance.

"Professor Kendall, Miss Rose is an important guest of the Crown Prince. Please be polite."

"Is she an important guest? Mrs. Reed, you're not her nanny, but the head maid of the Crown Prince's palace. You must take responsibility and help the Crown Prince as much as you can. How long do you intend to keep her around?"

Kendall rebuked Melissa as if she was her student. Melissa also seemed as if she was uncomfortable.

"You're being too much."

"I'm not. Is His Highness an ordinary person? How long has it been since he was freed from the curse of the goddess, and now he has such a girl next to him? Can you take responsibility for the recurrence of the curse if he gets too close to such a monster and makes the goddess angry? What have you been doing? This can't be overlooked!"

"What will happen then?"

I heard a voice from behind. When I turned around in surprise, I saw Blake standing there.

He trudged in and stood beside me.

"You may be smart but you're not polite."

His voice was calm, yet, I could detect a hint of anger in his voice. Kendall only shuddered as if she could understand what he meant.

"Th-that's not it. I'm telling her the truth. If they let you keep that girl by your side, what would happen to your reputation?"

"Your soul is very ugly."

"Your Highness, how can you say that..."

Professor Kendall was shocked.

"Get the hell out of here. I hope we don't run into each other again."

"Yo-your Highness, wait a minute! That's not what I am trying to say...!"

She rushed to make excuses, but before she could say anything Melissa and Chelsea showed her out. Then, only Blake and I were left in the study room.

"Sorry. I should've paid more attention."

I shook my head.

'It's alright.'

Kendall is a reputable scholar. Blake only tried to give me the best teacher.

"I'll teach you myself."

'Your Highness will?'

"Yes."

Blake smiled and nodded.

'It's alright. You're busy.'

Blake was now the Crown Prince of a respectable empire. He had a lot of work to do, such as helping the emperor. He had returned to the palace after three months, so how could he have time to help me study?

"Don't worry, I've got time for you."

He pulled some books out of the bookshelf and put them on my desk.

"Try to learn this for today. Starting from tomorrow, we'll use a proper textbook."

When he sat down on the chair, I sat opposite him. And the class began.

***

"Here, this is how to spell 'Rose'. Can you try to write it?"

I nodded, and tried to write my name on the paper.

My right hand didn't have any burn scars, but it still trembled when I held the pen.

— Rose.

It was a bit messy, but the spelling was correct.

My handwriting was just like an elementary school student, but I was satisfied that I wrote the name myself.

Although I lost my language ability, fortunately, I had no problem learning it. Moreover, the Imperial Language had a phonetic alphabet which made it easier for me. I had forgotten the letters, but I was able to speak, so I learned quickly.

Blake couldn't take his eyes off of my writing. Was he disappointed because unlike Ancia, I had a sloppy handwriting? I needed to take this opportunity to completely dispel his suspicion that I was Ancia.

"Good job. Let's write greetings next."

He continued with a light smile. I couldn't tell what Blake was up to these days.

Did he still suspect that I was Ancia?

"Hello is written like this. Try it."

What was clear was, every time this happened, it felt strange. I was the one teaching him seven years ago, but now I was being taught by him.

— Hello.

"That's right."

He stroked my head. I felt dissatisfied about being praised easily for something like this.

***

I had a lot of fun learning how to write. At first, I felt a little unfair because I was learning what I already knew, but now I genuinely enjoyed it.

Thanks to my vague memories about what I had learned before, I learnt very fast, and now I could read simple books.

I'd go to the study alone even when Blake wasn't around. It was then when I heard the voices of the maids.

"I haven't picked a dress yet."

"Yes, there's too many choices."

"But it's a historic day that marks the millennium! Maybe I'll be escorted by His Highness, Blake!"

At Charlotte's words, the other maids ridiculed her.

"No way. He always comes alone."

"Even if he came in with someone, it wouldn't be us. He still has Diana."

"Be careful of what you say. We're the crown prince's maids. Don't say anything reckless."

Camilla said to the other maids.

"I think it's true. His Highness the Crown Prince is an adult now. I'm sure he'll get remarried. He didn't blame Diana for coming to the Crown Prince's palace without an appointment the other day."

"That's right. She actually walked into his room."

As the maids spoke, Camilla's expression hardened.

"How did the rumours start? It was you guys who did it!"

"We did?"

"Isn't Diana much more likely to be a candidate than us whose name the Crown Prince didn't remember?"

"Don't jinx it."

So the story of Blake marrying Diana was a rumour?

As the atmosphere became more uncomfortable, Chelsea, who had remained silent throughout the conversation, said, "Everyone calm down. What's the point of fighting about this kind of thing between us?"

"The false rumor should be corrected."

"If it's a false rumor, it will disappear anyway. Huh, Ms. Rose!"

Chelsea, who was trying to soothe Camilla, saw me and ran towards me.

"What's the matter?"

I wrote in my notebook.

— I'm looking for a book.

To get to the study room, I had to go through this hallway, but the maids were there, so I couldn't make it.

"What book is it? I can help you."

While we were talking, the maids left the place. Everyone avoided me except for Chelsea. I was already used to such reactions by now.

I didn't care about those judgemental people. I only had to cherish those who liked me.

Chelsea and I went to the study together.

"Originally, the founding festival is supposed to be celebrated for five days, but this time it will be held for over ten days since it's the thousandth year after the empire was founded. Will Ms.Rose go?"

I shook my head. Crowded places were burdensome. Besides, I've been feeling dizzy and coughing these days. It would be a big problem if I went to a crowded place and fainted.

I promised Blake I'd go to the festival with him, but it seemed that it wouldn't come true.

"It'll be fun."

When I shook my head again, she didn't persuade me anymore.

"But if Ms. Rose came, His Highness might come together with you."

Blake? I looked at Chelsea because I didn't know what she meant. Chelsea added,

"His Highness only stays at Amoria Palace during the festival."

"......"

"Oh, Amoria Palace is a small palace in the south. He spent his childhood there."

"......"