Chapter 18

“You’re doing well. But wait a moment.”

“Did I do well?”

“Yes. But I think you’re going to get tired pretty quickly if you keep sweeping that hard at once.”

“Tired, huh?”

The prince looked puzzled, not understanding the meaning of the word. I approached him, brushing off the cobwebs in the corner on the opposite side.

“Just stay still.”

The prince listened well. He tilted his head to one side, resembling a statue, and didn’t move any further.

His purple eyes moved around, following my every move. I ran my hand through the ends of the prince’s hair and brought them together, then muttered in confusion.

“Your movements are so intense that your head keeps touching the ground… But I don’t have anything to tie your hair with. Do you intentionally grow out your hair?”

“Oh, no. Not really intentionally… I find it bothersome when I wash it too.”

“Should I cut it then? But it’s so beautiful, it seems like a waste.”

“Well, it’s beautiful. But I’m a man…”

It was truly beautiful. Any young lady would envy his flowing silver hair. It seemed like a hairstyle that would be fun to style.

I pondered whether I should try braiding his long hair. Then, the prince, who had been sulking, spoke, “Daphne, go ahead and cut it. I want to become more manly like Sir Janiche.”

“Just cutting your hair doesn’t automatically make you more manly. You’re a crybaby, Prince.”

“I’m not a crybaby.”

“Then what did I see this morning?”

“Oh, forget it!”

The prince seemed thrilled by the teasing. He confidently tousled his hair.

“I’ll-I’ll cut it. Right now.”

“But I’m in the middle of cleaning.”

“You can do the cleaning later.”

“Oh…”

It was the first time the prince had ever taken the initiative. I applauded, and he, with a thud, placed the broom against the wall and briskly walked out, stomping his feet loudly.

He glanced back at me, and when he saw me following him, he raised an eyebrow as if mocking me. It seemed as if he thought I was laughing at him. However, he quickly crawled closer and asked in a low voice.

“But, where should I cut it…?”

“The scissors are in the kitchen.”

“Oh, the kitchen.”

Was repeating someone else’s words his habit? Having received the answer from me, he walked confidently again. After a while, we sat on the kitchen floor, spreading a large cloth.

“Your Highness, I’m sorry to say this now, but I’ve never cut hair before.”

“Ah…”

“But I’ll do my best. Since you’re a beauty, you’ll look pretty no matter how I cut it.”

“I… I don’t want pretty. Cut it stylishly.”

“What does that mean?”

“I don’t know. If it turns out bad, it’s your fault.”

“Oh…”

Once again, I was amazed. The prince’s eloquence was improving rapidly. It seemed like he wasn’t stupid. Well, he was the older brother of the female lead, after all.
I silently thought about something I couldn’t say out loud and picked up the kitchen scissors, ready to trim his lengthy hair.

“How much should I cut? Like this? Or like this?”

“Shorter…”

“More than a bob? Aren’t you concerned about it?”

“No, I’m not concerned. I want it cut short.”

The prince was satisfied as my hand with the scissors approached the upper part of his neck.

Come to think of it, Sir Janiche’s hair was this short. I was cautious enough not to say a word to him, but I was clearly conscious of him internally.

I glanced wistfully at his hair, which was shiny and glossy despite the lack of care. I wondered if I should have had a proper haircut and felt a tinge of regret, but the prince didn’t seem to mind.

“I’ll cut it.”

“Okay.”

“I’m really going to cut it.”

“Cut it for real.”

Look at this. He’s not even hesitating. Eventually, I gathered his long hair and cut it all off. I never knew kitchen scissors could be so sharp. I looked at the fallen strands of hair on the floor.

“I’ve cut it. Wow, it’s like a thread.”

“My back feels cool… I should have cut it earlier.”

“Just a moment. Don’t touch it yet. I need to tidy up the stray hairs and see how it looks in the front.”

“Uh-huh.”

The prince obediently folded his hands. I trimmed the stray hairs that stuck out and stood in front of him, examining how it looked. Despite his relatively short stature, the prince’s overall physique was large, so I had to bend my knees and straighten my upper body to match his eye level.

The back of his head was somehow fine, but the problem lay in the front. I started cutting the prince’s bangs as I pleased. During that time, he stared at me intently and furrowed his brow.

“You should close your eyes. Short hairs might get in.”

“They’re already in.”

“Where?”

The prince rubbed his left eye, which had a teardrop mark. But even then, pulling the tiny hair out was no easy task. I held his hand and brought my face close to his.

When he tried to lean back, I didn’t hesitate to prop up his chin. The prince seemed flustered and took a deep breath. His plump lips trembled. He quickly lowered his eyes.

“Look at me. Stop showing off your lashes.”

“I’m not showing off!”

He raised his head as if feeling wronged. I didn’t miss that moment, and I blew my breath into the corners of his eyes. Then, the prince became even more flustered, stiffening his body. His large, purple irises trembled as if there were an earthquake.

“How is it? Does it feel better? Or should I do it again?”

“I-I feel better… I feel better!”

“Do you need to say it so intensely…?”

“It really feels better…”

The prince blinked his eyes, seemingly fine. Finally, I could concentrate on the remaining work. He looked like a real sculpture.

He didn’t flinch as I tidied up the sideburns or made little adjustments with my fingers. I lightly brushed off the shortened hair and stepped away from him.

“It’s all done. You were handsome to begin with, but now you’re so handsome that words can’t describe it.”

“Do you mean… does it look good?”

“That’s what I meant. But now, could you please stand up?”

I couldn’t ignore the kitchen floor turning into a silver-haired carpet. The prince gently stroked his exposed backside and slowly stood up, his body swaying.

Conveniently, there was a glass cabinet where I had stored the dishes, and he stared intently at his reflection in the glass.

While he was lost in his own reflection, I carefully folded the cloth I had spread on the floor.

“It’s a bit tiring to go cleaning again. How about we just rest and relax today?”

“…Do as you please, Daphne.”

The prince couldn’t tear his attention away from the glass window. I was proud to see him enjoy the result so much.

When I finished tidying up all the remaining hair on the floor, I approached him from behind, and he looked down at me with a smile.

“It seems like only good things happen when I’m with Daphne.”

“It’s too early to say that. There will be even better things to come.”

“T-Thank you.”

“If you’re grateful, would you mind transforming into a puppy tonight?”

“….”

He fell silent for a moment. Apparently, it wasn’t a very pleasing suggestion. But if it wasn’t the puppy version, we couldn’t sleep together.

“Or you can sleep with Sir Janiche. He would welcome you with open hands, you know?”

“I-I don’t really know how to transform.”

“You don’t have to force yourself. Sir Janiche’s bed is spacious.”

“I-I don’t want to know… really.”

I grabbed the prince’s wrist as he grumbled. He flinched in surprise, but he didn’t show any more resistance. He obediently followed me as I led the way.

“Shall we study writing or something until dinner?”

“S-Sure, that’s fine.”

“You’re not going to say yes to anything, are you?”

He needs to have a desire to learn. I checked the prince’s expression, thinking that I might be forcing him.

However, he was genuinely willing. The rosy, red hue of his cheeks and his round, wide-opened eyes proved it.

I felt like there would never be a dull moment in the future with him.

The prince opened his mouth slightly, as if he suddenly remembered something.

“Um, I-I forgot about this…”

“What? What is it?”

“That, that treasure…?”

He rummaged through his pants pocket and extended his clenched hand toward me. I let go of his wrist without correcting him and focused on his palm.

In his palm was a gold coin with an unfamiliar pattern.

“Oh my.”

“I-I found it while wandering around the castle. I heard you liked it, so…”

“It must be very old. It looks different from the coins in use now… Oh, no. Before that, guest… Isn’t this payment for cutting hair too generous?”

“G-Guest? Why are you calling me suddenly?”

I can’t even joke with a prince. I stomped my feet and stared at the gold coins intently. Then he stretched out his hand in my direction, as if to say, ‘Go ahead and take it.’

“It’s yours.”

“I don’t need it… I can’t even bite it.”

“Prince… please refrain from making such dog-like remarks.”

For the price of a haircut, he was overly generous. Perhaps I should make him a stuffed animal he could bite and play with as a puppy.

I was never one to make a fuss, but I couldn’t keep my cool now.

“Thank you; I’ll be loyal till death!”

“W-what are you…. Ugh, Daphne?”

It was not like anyone was watching anyway. I walked over to the prince and hugged him around the neck with all my might.

I had to tiptoe because of the height difference, but I couldn’t care less. Neither did he, because the hug lasted for a few seconds. Just as I was about to thank him again, he transformed into a tiny puppy with a loud sound.