The Toy in the Summer Palace - Chapter 30

He radiated an aura as if he were a source of light himself.

Though the room was illuminated differently in the afternoon sun, Senita still felt a sense of enchantment.

“Hello, Senita.”

Iskandar, seated on the sofa, greeted her softly. Senita quickly bowed her head in response, her heart nearly bursting from nervousness. Her heart had been racing since she received the summons, threatening to leap out of her chest.

The emperor’s servant had appeared just as lunchtime ended and Senita’s afternoon shift began. Senita was left in disbelief when she was told the emperor wished to see her.

At first, it felt like a dream, almost too vivid to be real. However, with each step she took down the hall, where passage was restricted except during cleaning hours, the sense of reality grew stronger. Each footfall drew her closer to Iskandar, and with each step, her heart raced faster.

Unaware of her internal turmoil, Iskandar motioned for her to sit casually. Even his smallest movements exuded elegance, and Senita couldn’t help but admire him.

“How have you been?”

“Good!”

“Is that so?”

Iskandar tilted his head slightly from side to side and smiled.

“It’s been a long time, and I’m glad to see you again.”

“I’m also very happy to see you again.”

Stupid, stupid.

Senita mentally chastised herself for her parrot-like response. She had regretted it as soon as she uttered the last syllable, but it had been that way from the moment she opened her mouth.

Nevertheless, she hadn’t stammered or faltered. Senita pressed her lips together firmly. During their last encounter, she had been too busy avoiding his gaze, and she knew he disliked that.

“Please, sit comfortably. I’d like to chat for a while.”

Iskandar winked, and a servant guided her to her seat. Senita glanced around the room before carefully taking a seat on the diagonal from where he sat.

“That’s quite something.”

Iskandar remarked as he looked at the quietly seated Senita.

“When did you become such an adult?”

You, too, Senita thought, as she observed him with a faint smile.

Iskandar, who had always appeared taller than Senita, even in their youth, had matured into a man. His straight shoulders, broad chest, and strong legs made it evident that he had become a full-fledged adult.

“Well, I’ve grown quite a bit. I thought you might not even recognize me.”

“I did.”

“What? Oh, I mean, I’ve changed so much…”

When he inquired further, the words tumbled out, sounding like an excuse. She had simply wanted to inform him that she had grown up into an adult. Senita stole a quick glance at Iskandar. She had feared her casual words might have offended him.

“I know.”

Iskandar replied, his gaze scanning Senita from head to toe. Senita felt herself tense up under the scrutinizing look, unsure of how she appeared in those eyes. She didn’t have to wonder for long; Iskandar soon provided an answer.

“You’ve grown up, but I can’t say you’ve grown that much.”

“Me!”

“You’re still petite.”

“Ah.”

Well, it’s true. She wasn’t tall. If she had to argue, she was on the shorter side. Moreover, compared to someone as tall as the emperor, she seemed even smaller. Senita offered a slightly awkward smile.

“But I recognized you instantly.”

Senita’s eyes widened at his words. When he affirmed that he remembered her, warmth seemed to spill into her heart. Her heart fluttered as though she had fallen into a pool of warm water. She tried to ask as calmly as possible, hoping her voice wouldn’t betray her feelings.

“Really? You recognized me?”

“Yes.”

“Actually, I didn’t think Your Majesty would remember me.”

“Why did you think that?”

“It’s just… I thought that since you didn’t look for me…”

“Because I didn’t find you?”

Senita nodded slightly. She had been a bit apprehensive about his response, but the emperor signaled to a servant standing by the door, who promptly brought in some tea.

A teacup adorned with colorful patterns and a three-tiered plate filled with snacks were placed on the table. It was customary for the emperor, but it was lavish treatment for a maid.

“Please, have some tea. It’s for you.”

“Thank you!”

Upon receiving permission, Senita reached out with a steady hand and lifted the teacup. The tea she took a careful sip of tasted delicious, and she wondered if she was allowed to enjoy something this exquisite.

Even the act of placing the teacup back on the table seemed stiff. Iskandar, who had been observing her, couldn’t help but laugh.

“Why are you so nervous? You weren’t like this when you were young.”

“Oh, well, actually, I was quite nervous at first, but after seeing you so often… Yes.”

“Because you’ve seen me often, you’re nervous?”

Senita rolled her eyes and gave a sheepish smile. Iskandar was still observing her, and her gaze, which had been wandering around the emperor’s drawing-room, returned to him.

“Really?”

He crossed his legs on the sofa.

“Then I should make a point to see you often this time as well.”

Senita’s heart fluttered at Iskandar’s gentle smile, and she found herself lost in his eyes, which sparkled like yellow jewels, their waves and curls captivating her.

She couldn’t have imagined just how nervous she would be if she knew she would see him again.

It felt like she was on a ship, and with every passing moment, she sensed it might be sinking. The waves were approaching, lapping against her feet, and the ship swayed.

No, she couldn’t think like that. Seeing him again was a good thing, but it was audacious of her to entertain such misplaced hopes.

Suddenly, her throat felt dry. Senita’s gaze shifted to the teacup. Even as she intentionally focused on it, she could still feel Iskandar’s eyes on her. His gaze, like the sun, sent a tingling sensation throughout her body.

Perhaps it was because it was midday, the air had warmed, and a subtle heat seemed to intensify the atmosphere. Senita reached up to adjust her hair, which should have been neatly tied up and secured to avoid hindering her while cleaning but was not. She thought it would look better this way.

She hoped it would look better in Iskandar’s eyes.

“How have you been?”

Her thoughts may have been complicated, but she had to answer the emperor. He asked in a casual manner, and Senita slowly moved her eyes from the emperor’s teacup, which remained untouched, to his face.

“I have been well, thanks to Your Grace.”

“Now you’re saying all the polite things.”

That’s a compliment, right?

Senita chose to interpret that as a compliment.

“What about your reading and writing? Do you still remember?”

“Yes!”

Senita’s answer came out louder than she had intended, and she quickly covered her mouth in surprise. Iskandar gestured lightly, as if signaling her to uncover her mouth and continue.

She obeyed, her hand falling away, and he seemed to imply that she should continue speaking.

“As you taught me… I read well and write well.”

“That’s a relief. You must have read quite a few books.”

“Yes.”

“What books?”

“Cookbooks, books about animals and plants. They help me learn about other countries’ cuisines and understand what I come across in the forest – whether it’s edible.”

“Have you ever eaten things from the forest?”

Iskandar’s questioning continued. Senita felt a hint of shyness.

“And?”

“And, well, I read newspapers…”

“Newspapers. And?”

The questions seemed unending, and Senita worried that she might run out of answers.

“And… novels, or something.”

“What kind of novels?”

“…Love stories.”

Iskandar burst into laughter for a moment. His laughter resonated through the room, ringing against the walls. His hand covered his mouth, and his eyes sparkled beautifully. It was a genuine, hearty laugh.

Senita found it beautiful, but it also made her heart flutter. At the same time, she wished she could disappear into a mouse hole. She felt like she had said something incredibly amusing.

However, she gathered her courage and continued.

“Well, thank you very much. Back then, when the crown prince… If Your Majesty hadn’t taught me, I probably wouldn’t even be able to write.”

“I enjoyed it, too,” Iskandar said, still with a trace of laughter on his lips. His golden eyes shone brilliantly, as if real gold were hidden within them.

“Teaching you.”

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