Chapter 4: The Things Left Unsaid
The more time passed…
The more careful I became.
Surviving in this world wasn't simple.
It wasn't enough to just stay close to her.
It wasn't enough to hope the future would change.
Hope… was unreliable.
So I prepared.
---
During the day—
I was the same Fourth Prince everyone knew.
Quiet.
Unambitious.
Unimportant.
Someone not worth paying attention to.
And that was perfect.
Because no one noticed what I was doing behind the scenes.
---
My businesses had grown.
Far beyond what they once were.
What started as small shops had turned into networks.
Trade routes.
Supply chains.
Hidden influence.
All built under false names.
Layer after layer.
So deep that even if someone tried to investigate—
They would find nothing.
No connection.
No proof.
No trace leading back to me.
---
"…This should be enough."
I looked over the reports in my hand.
Profits.
Growth.
Expansion.
Everything was going well.
More than well.
If needed—
I could disappear.
Live comfortably.
Far away from the capital.
Far away from the story.
Far away from her.
---
But…
"…Not yet."
I folded the papers slowly.
Because I still wasn't safe.
Not until everything was over.
Not until the future I feared either changed—
Or came to pass.
---
There was one rule I never broke.
No one could know.
No one.
Not the servants.
Not the nobles.
Not even—
Her.
---
Because one thought always lingered in my mind.
What if she finds out?
What if someone tells her?
What if…
She decides she wants it?
Power.
Wealth.
Control.
She was someone who could take all of it without effort.
And if that happened—
Everything I built would disappear in an instant.
"…I can't let that happen."
This was my safety.
My escape.
My life.
---
And yet…
Despite all that—
I still went to see her.
Every single day.
---
"…You came."
She was already there.
Waiting.
Like always.
"…Of course."
I smiled and sat beside her.
Close.
Too close.
But I didn't move away.
I had gotten used to it.
---
Her presence had changed.
Not just stronger—
Heavier.
More intense.
Like something invisible was always wrapping around me.
Watching.
Holding.
---
"…You're busy lately," she said quietly.
I froze for a split second.
"…Just palace stuff."
Not a lie.
But not the truth either.
Her eyes stayed on me.
Longer than usual.
As if searching for something.
"…Don't lie."
My heart skipped.
"…I'm not."
Silence.
A long, quiet silence.
Then—
"…Okay."
She accepted it.
Just like that.
But for some reason…
That made me more uneasy.
---
"…Are you hiding something from me?"
The question came suddenly.
Soft.
Calm.
But heavy.
I forced a small laugh.
"…What would I even hide?"
She didn't answer immediately.
She just kept looking at me.
Those red eyes—
Deep.
Unreadable.
"…Nothing."
She finally said.
But her voice…
Didn't sound convinced.
---
I changed the topic quickly.
"…How's the army?"
"…Boring."
I blinked. "Boring?"
"…They're weak."
Of course they were.
Compared to her, almost everyone was.
"…Then don't scare them too much," I joked.
"…I don't care about them."
A pause.
Then—
"…I only care about you."
I laughed it off.
"…That's a bit extreme."
"…It's not."
Her answer came instantly.
Without hesitation.
Without doubt.
---
For a moment—
I didn't know how to respond.
So I just smiled.
Like always.
"…I'm honored."
She stared at me again.
Quiet.
Intense.
Then slowly—
She leaned a little closer.
"…You don't need anything else."
"…What?"
"…Nothing."
---
I didn't think much of it.
I didn't understand what she meant.
I didn't see what was right in front of me.
---
While I was building a way to leave…
While I was preparing for a future without her…
While I was hiding everything from her—
She was watching.
Not everything.
Not yet.
But enough.
Enough to feel something was changing.
Enough to feel…
That I might slip away.
---
And that—
Was something she would never allow.
---
That night, far from the palace—
She stood alone once again.
"…He's hiding something."
Her voice was calm.
But colder than before.
"…It doesn't matter."
Her fingers tightened slightly.
"…Even if he tries to run…"
Her eyes gleamed faintly.
"…I'll find him."
A small smile formed on her lips.
"…He belongs to me."
---
The next day, I met her again.
Just like always.
Smiling.
Carefree.
Unaware.
---
I was preparing for freedom.
She was preparing to make sure I never had it.