Two weeks had passed since the last time I saw Tavik.
After that day, he simply disappeared.
At first, I told myself he was just busy. He did say he was studying, after all. But still… I couldn't stop myself from passing by the same spot where we first met, hoping. Just hoping I might run into him again.
But there was nothing.
Not even a trace of him.
And every time the thought crossed my mind—that I hadn't seen him again—I felt this quiet sadness settle in my chest. Not anything dramatic… just the kind that lingers.
I missed having someone to talk to.
I really do…
Sobs.
I was in the middle of folding dried clothes, carefully stacking them one over the other, when I overheard a conversation nearby. My hands slowed as I listened.
They were talking about a banquet.
Apparently, it would be held ten days from now. Preparations were already underway, and from the way they spoke, it sounded like a grand event. Guests from different cities would be arriving.
I absentmindedly folded another piece of cloth, my mind wandering—
"Good afternoon!"
The sudden voice snapped me back. I turned toward the doorway and saw a man standing there, posture straight, expression formal.
"Is Rahina here? Someone wishes to see her."
I blinked, slightly caught off guard, then raised a hand. "That would be me… What is it?"
Seriously… I'm not even done with my chores yet.
"The prince is requesting your presence."
I froze for a second.
The prince?
"Why would he need me?"
The man simply gestured politely, already turning to lead the way.
With no real choice, I set the clothes aside and followed him.
As we walked through the halls, my thoughts raced.
Did I do something wrong?
Why would the prince call for me out of nowhere?
We stopped in front of a large door.
"Come in." a voice came from inside.
At the sound of it, I pushed the door open and stepped in.
The room was spacious, elegant, lined with gold accents that gleamed under the light. The prince sat on an ornate chair, relaxed yet composed, as if he belonged exactly where he was.
He gestured toward a seat across from him.
"Sit."
I obeyed, lowering myself carefully into the chair, keeping my posture straight.
There was about two meters between us.
I clasped my hands together on my lap. "May I ask what you need from me, Your Highness? Why did you call for me?"
The prince rested his elbow on the arm of his chair, fingers lightly touching his chin as he observed me.
"Hmmm…" he murmured. "You were mentioned to me by Tavik. He asked if I was familiar with you."
My brows lifted slightly.
He asked about me?
"May I ask," he continued, tilting his head just a bit, "what you are to Tavik?"
I shifted slightly in my seat, surprised but trying to remain composed.
"What exactly did he say about me?"
"Nothing much," the prince replied calmly. "He simply asked if I knew you."
A small laugh slipped from me before I could stop it. I brought a hand lightly to my lips.
"Well… I must be quite special then, for you to ask me about that personally," I said, smiling faintly.
The prince's expression remained unreadable.
"Are you lovers?" he asked.
I blinked.
"I'm sorry?"
He paused, then demonstrated, interlocking his fingers from both hands and lightly pressing them together, mimicking closeness.
"I am asking if you are romantically involved."
Realization hit me.
"Oh no, no! Not at all," I said quickly, waving my hand slightly. "I don't even see him that often. But… why would he ask about me through you? There are so many other people he could've asked."
The prince leaned back slightly, eyes drifting for a moment as if recalling something.
"I seem to have forgotten the reason," he said after a pause.
Huh? That's it?
"But starting tonight," he continued, straightening, his tone firm, "you will be the one to deliver my dinner."
My eyes widened.
WHAT kind of plot twist is that?!
Your room is so far from the entrance! I'm already thin, and now you want me walking all that distance every night? I'm going to lose even more weight from this job!
Inside, my heart was practically crying.
But on the outside, I simply nodded.
Because… what choice did I have?
An order from the prince is still an order.
Kaysan's POV
Every time I stepped out of my chambers to wander nearby, I would notice Rahina.
She always seemed… distracted.
For several days now, I had observed her unusual behavior. Her gaze would constantly drift into the distance, as if she were waiting for someone.
She would look around, scanning the surroundings, hoping to catch sight of whoever she was searching for.
There were moments when I saw her kneel down and write something into the sand. Once she left, I would approach out of curiosity and read what she had written.
But I could never understand it.
There was also one night.
She arrived earlier than I did at the place I usually went to after dinner. Seeing her there, deep in thought, I chose not to approach.
Even though I had already told her before that workers should not be outside at such late hours, that they should be resting in their rooms.
Rahina seemed far too restless.
As if sleep was the last thing on her mind.
"Bro, do you see Rahina in there?"
The voice pulled my attention.
It was Tavik.
I stayed silent, standing just out of sight, listening.
"I haven't seen her," the other man replied. "Why do you ask?"
"Nothing, thanks. If you see her, let me know, alright? I don't know what time she comes out or where she's assigned. Here, I brought something, just share it with others."
I heard the rustle of a bag being handed over.
Tavik then turned—and noticed me.
He gave my shoulder a light pat as he passed by, a casual gesture, before continuing on his way.
Tavik…
He spoke in a way that was unfamiliar to most here, informal, light, almost foreign. Some had grown used to it, others had even picked up a few of his words.
But no one knew where he had learned them.
Not even himself, apparently.
Back to Rahina's POV
"May I ask, Your Highness…" I said carefully, standing once more before him, "what happened to the one who used to serve your dinner?"
The prince fell silent.
For a moment, he didn't look at me. His gaze remained fixed on the table, as if weighing his thoughts.
"I cannot tell you the reason," he said at last. "All you need to know is that from now on, you will take over that duty."
He really won't say it…
Curiosity itched at the back of my mind.
Why me? Out of all the people here… why me?
"You may leave."
He stood, already turning toward a nearby bookshelf, reaching for a book as if our conversation had already ended in his mind.
I hesitated for a second… then turned and walked out.
Well… I guess I just have to do it.
That night, I couldn't sleep.
I turned on my side, then the other, staring at the ceiling before finally sitting up.
Unable to resist my curiosity, I approached one of my co-workers.
"Do you know what happened to the one who used to serve the prince's dinner?" I asked.
She shook her head. "I have no idea."
It seemed she didn't know that I was the one who replaced them.
So I kept quiet.
They'll find out tomorrow night anyway.