Chapter 28

Miu’s POV

“Hmm…”

Warm sunlight brushed against my face, gentle and quiet, like it was testing whether I was finally ready to wake up. I blinked slowly, staring at the ceiling before turning my head toward the window. The sky was clear. No gray clouds. No endless sheets of rain.

It looks like it’s not going to rain anymore today.

I stretched my arms above my head, wincing a little—but not because of fever this time. My body still felt sore, but lighter. Stronger. Like I finally belonged inside it again.

The storm might be over, but Tungsten’s problems aren’t.

Lena’s been busy nonstop since that day. Reinforcing the riverbanks while the skies are clear. Organizing supplies. Coordinating guards. The rainy season before winter can last three weeks or more. We can’t afford to breathe easy just yet.

And because of that…

I haven’t really seen her.

Not properly.

I sit up, hugging my knees as I stare outside. I want to go. I want to see the progress with my own eyes. I want to stand beside her again instead of hearing about everything secondhand.

But then—

“If you leave again, I will punish Daliah.”

I groan and flop back onto my pillow.

Her voice echoes in my head so clearly I can almost see the look she gave me when she said it.

I can’t help but laugh under my breath when I remember Daliah’s reaction. The poor woman looked like she’d just been sentenced to execution.

“Your Highness, I swear I’ll chain her to the bed if I must—”

I press a hand over my mouth, trying not to laugh too loudly.

Of course Lena wouldn’t actually punish her. Probably.

But Daliah doesn’t seem willing to test that theory. And unfortunately, she knows exactly how stubborn I can be.

I roll onto my side and stare at the sunlight spilling across the floor.

I really want to go.

Not just because I’m restless. Not just because I hate sitting still.

I want to go because she’s there.

And for some reason… it feels wrong to let her carry everything alone.

“My lady, are you awake now?”

A soft knock followed, and right on cue, Daliah’s voice drifted through the door.

“I’m awake,” I called back, pushing myself up against the pillows. “Good morning, Daliah.”

She stepped in with her usual calm smile. Sunlight slipped in behind her, making the room feel warmer than it had in days.

“Good morning, my lady. How are you feeling?” she asked as she came closer to the bed.

“I feel fine now,” I said honestly. I reached up and lightly touched the bandage on my neck. “Thank you for changing this for me.”

Daliah blinked. “Oh… it wasn’t me.”

I looked at her. “What?”

“It was Queen Lena,” she replied, folding her hands neatly in front of her. “She’s been visiting your room late at night whenever she returns from Tungsten. She changes your bandage herself.”

For a second, I thought I misheard her.

“She does?”

Daliah nodded. “You must have been in a deep sleep because of the medicine. You never stirred.”

My fingers stayed pressed against the bandage as if it suddenly meant something else entirely.

“She doesn’t stay long,” Daliah added gently. “Just enough to check your temperature and make sure the wound is clean.”

I stared at the blanket over my lap, my thoughts tangling over each other.

Why would she…

No. That’s a stupid question.

Because she’s responsible. Because I’m under her care. Because that’s what a Queen does.

Right?

But…

A Queen doesn’t have to change bandages for her guests herself.

My chest feels strangely tight. Not painful. Just… full. Like there’s something swelling there that I don’t know how to name yet.

“Oh,” I spoke softly, unsure what else to say.

Daliah watched me for a moment, and I could feel the hint of a knowing smile forming on her face.

I quickly looked away.

“She must be busy,” I muttered, suddenly very interested in the sunlight on the floor.

“Yes,” Daliah said lightly. “Very busy.”

For some reason, that only makes the warmth in my chest spread wider.

“Ah! But first—” Daliah suddenly turned toward the door and gave a small signal.

Before I could even ask what she meant, another staff member entered, carefully pushing in a rolling rack.

A rack. Full. Of. Dresses.

There were layers of soft fabrics in every shade I could imagine—deep blues, pale creams, muted greens, even a faint blush pink. Some were embroidered. Some shimmered when the sunlight hit them. All of them looked… expensive.

“Your dresses are all ready now,” Daliah announced proudly. “Since you’re quite tall, the Queen requested specific adjustments so they would fit you properly.”

I stared at the rack.

All of these… for me?

Is she expecting me to stay that long?

It didn’t look like a temporary arrangement. It looked like someone had prepared for… permanence.

“T-thank you,” I managed, forcing a polite smile. “But this is really not necessary…”

Daliah waved my concern away as if I’d just said something silly. “The Queen was not satisfied with the initial sets the palace provided. She said they didn’t compliment your beauty at all.”

My brain stalled.

“…Beauty?” I repeated faintly.

Daliah tilted her head at me, as if I had just questioned the color of the sky. “Of course! You’re the most beautiful among all the ladies I have ever served.”

I choked on air.

But she was already scanning through the dresses with serious concentration, pulling one out, then another, holding them up against the light like a jeweler inspecting diamonds.

“Although…” she muttered thoughtfully, “these are still a bit plain.”

Plain?!

If these are plain, what does she consider extravagant? A crown made of stars?

My ears feel warm. My face probably matches that pink dress hanging near the end of the rack.

“I’m sure you’d shine brighter than a jewel if you actually took your wardrobe seriously,” Daliah continued, stretching her arm to inspect a deep emerald gown. She frowned slightly and returned it to the rack. “If you’d like, I could show you how.”

Show me how? As if dressing well is some secret technique I’ve failed to unlock.

I glance at my reflection in the mirror across the room—hair still slightly messy from sleep, posture not exactly elegant.

Shine brighter than a jewel…?

My chest tightens again, that same unfamiliar warmth creeping in.

Why does everyone here say things so… easily?

I clasped my hands together and just… watched her.

Daliah was fully invested now—sliding hangers left and right, squinting at fabrics like the fate of the kingdom depended on the right shade of blue.

And I just stayed there. Quiet. Staring at all those dresses.

Somewhere along the way, I realized something.

I’ve never really cared about how I look.

Or maybe… I never allowed myself to.

Back when I was still Prince Matthew, the palace halls were always filled with visiting nobles. Ladies wrapped in silk and lace, dripping in jewels that caught the light with every step. They sparkled. They stood out. They were admired.

I used to think it was all so… superficial.

All that glitter. All that effort.

But if I’m being honest—

I wanted it.

Not the attention. Not the admiration.

Just… the dress.

The soft fabric. The way it would flow when I walked. A delicate pair of shoes instead of stiff leather boots.

Sometimes, when the corridors were quiet and the guards had changed shifts, I would sneak into Mother’s chambers.

My heart would pound so loudly I was sure someone would hear it.

I’d open her wardrobe carefully—slowly—breathing in the faint scent of her perfume mixed with old silk. Then I’d pull out one of her dresses. Usually something simple. Something I could fold back neatly without wrinkling.

My fingers used to tremble when I touched them.

I would put it on. Clumsily.

The sleeves are always a little too long. The waist is not quite right.

Then I’d stand in front of the mirror.

And for just a few minutes…

I wasn’t Prince Matthew.

I was Miu.

I would tilt my head. Turn slightly. Watch the fabric move.

I never smiled too widely. I was always afraid someone would barge in and see me.

But in those stolen moments, I felt… lighter.

Like I could breathe.

And then I’d take it off.

Fold it carefully. Put it back exactly how it was.

And step out of that room as Prince Matthew again.

Like Miu had never existed.

“…My lady?” Daliah’s voice pulled me back.

I blinked and realized I’d been staring at the dresses for far too long.

For the first time, looking at them didn’t feel silly.

It didn’t feel superficial.

It felt like something I had once reached for… and quietly let go.