Chapter 2

The rabbit-shaped pouch had made me a laughingstock at the Forrest residence, and for days, I refused to leave my room.

Only after everyone finally let it go did I come up with all kinds of creative tricks to win Alexander over.

But sadly, every one still ended up failing.

I let out a dramatic sigh and stared hopelessly at the sky.

Alexander's heart was even harder to crack than a fortress.

At that point, I was really running out of tricks up my sleeve.

Our married life had become a total drag. Alexander was always off at court, buried in paperwork.

Me? I was stuck at home, zoning out and trying to figure out how to manage the household.

Sometimes I'd mess around in the study, making some noise just to catch his eye, but he'd act like I was invisible and ignore me completely.

Basically, if I didn't speak, Alexander wouldn't say a word, either. His mouth might as well have been glued shut.

Life got so boring that I actually found myself missing my friends back in the Royal Palace.

I missed Harold especially, who was the study companion of my elder brother Joseph and the heir to the Jackson family.

Harold was so interesting. Every spring, he'd either haul me up the city walls or sneak me over to steal fish from my father's little pond.

Not only did he tag along for all my mischief, but he also fussed over my health and seemed to remember every single thing I liked.

Honestly, for a while there, I suspected Harold was up to something more than just being nice.

But then, one day, he came up blushing and squirming, handing me a pink note. "Your Highness, could you please pass this love letter to Prince Joseph?" he said.

That was when I finally figured it out—Harold was only being sweet to me because he wanted to get closer to Joseph.

It had been three months since I last saw Harold.

As I was grinding ink, I couldn't help but sigh.

Alexander, who was usually glued to his books and completely tuned me out, actually glanced up for once, looking surprised. "What's wrong, Your Highness?"

I stared out at the moon and muttered, "Oh, it's nothing. I just kind of miss my friends from the palace."

Alexander offered, "Is it one of your maids or guards? If you want, I can arrange for them to visit and keep you company tomorrow."

I shook my head. "No, it's not them. I really miss Harold."

Just in case Alexander couldn't place him, I added, "You know Harold, right? The only heir to the Jackson family? He looks great and is insanely talented—music, chess, calligraphy, painting."

Alexander paused for a long moment before finally saying, "Oh, really?"

I couldn't shake the feeling that his face looked a bit stormy.

But maybe I was just imagining it. After all, Alexander's face was never exactly sunny to begin with.

"How about I bring you to the Jackson residence tomorrow? That way, you can hang out with Mr. Jackson," Alexander said.

I didn't pick up on the odd tone in his voice at all, and brightened instantly. "That'd be awesome. Thanks, Alexander. You're the best."

Then I blinked at him, putting on my best puppy-dog eyes. "You really mean it, right? You're not lying to me? And you won't change your mind?"

Alexander forced a smile that looked painfully awkward. "Of course not. I keep my word."

Early the next morning, Alexander and I headed out together.

I was totally pumped and had packed a whole stash of gifts for Harold.

They included a limited-edition cap hand-embroidered with gold thread by the capital's top designer, a yard of custom silk that took half a year to weave, and my homemade dark-chocolate cake.

"Alexander, what do you think of all these gifts?" I asked while patting the open wooden box beside me.

Alexander gave them a quick, uninterested glance. "The cap's nice, but summer heat plus metallic thread equals a sweaty forehead.

"The silk's beautiful, but that pattern is considered bad luck this year.

"The cake's delicious, though too much will wreck his stomach."

I was left completely speechless.

I thought I should've just kept my mouth shut.

With summer in full swing, locust trees blooming all around, and the sky bright and clear, we finally reached the Jackson residence after an hour.

As soon as we hopped out of the carriage, the gate guards rushed off to let everyone inside know we'd arrived.

Before long, Harold came out, stretching and rubbing his back, grinning as he walked up to greet me.

My heart leapt with excitement as I spotted him. "Harold, finally!"

Harold dashed over, calling out, "Pippa!"

We hadn't seen each other in ages. I wrapped him in a huge hug, tears of joy absolutely pouring down my cheeks.

I waved back at Alexander, who was standing behind me, looking all sulky. "Alexander, you can go on back home. I'll just stay at Harold's for a couple of days before I come home."

After that, Harold and I hugged it out for a good fifteen minutes—neither of us willing to be the first to let go.

But the moment I let go, I realized Alexander was just standing there like a statue, not making any move to leave.

I paused for a second and asked, "Alexander, do you want something?"

Alexander glanced at my arm still linked through Harold's, took a deep breath, and then strode right into the Jackson residence.

He told me, "Nothing. I just noticed how green and handsome the willow trees here are. I'd like to ride your coattails and crash here for a couple of days."

For a moment, I didn't know what to say.

Just because he wanted to look at some willow trees, Alexander decided to crash there, too.

Seriously, I'd never understand Alexander's taste.

And as for what was going on in his head? Total mystery.

I didn't want to dwell on it, though. I came to the Jackson residence to have fun.