Tuk forced her hands to stay still in her lap, even as her fingers trembled under the weight of his words. It took every ounce of self-control to keep her voice steady while her mind screamed at her to run. But there was no escape—not from a man like Michaelli.
"No, of course not, Your Highness! I would never dare. My intention was only to understand how much you know about it. I'm curious about your perception of love because teaching someone how to love is a complex and delicate task. Love is deeply personal, shaped by individual experiences, emotions, and understanding."
Of course, he had to stand so close. Did no one in this world understand personal space? Prince Charming, he was not.
Michaelli watched her closely, a flicker of amusement crossing his face at the sudden shift in her tone. Tuk remained still, keeping her posture steady even as her mind raced. The prince took a step back, as if granting her a moment of reprieve, yet his golden eyes never left her, measuring her words.
"How thoughtful of you, Tuk," he said softly, though there was an unmistakable edge to his voice. "You're right—love is personal, complex, and delicate, as you put it. But it's also dangerous, unpredictable."
He folded his arms across his chest, his eyes darkening. "You think love, pure and unmanipulated, has a place in this world?" His lips curled into a cold smile. "Love makes people irrational, blinds them to reality. It pushes them to sacrifice everything—kingdoms, empires, lives without a second thought. Why would I surrender myself to such a force when I can wield it against others? It's not love that destroys, it's those who don't know how to harness it."
A long pause followed before Michaelli leaned in slightly, his gaze intensifying. "You see, I don't need to feel love to control it. Understanding how others perceive it, how they're driven by it—is enough. And that's why I'm curious about you." He studied her reaction for a moment before adding, "You say it's delicate, shaped by experiences… But tell me, what experience do you have with love?" His voice turned almost teasing, but the challenge was clear.
A pang struck her chest. She had never experienced love herself, and the prince's ideals about it mirrored her own. They shared the same vision of love, having watched those around them ruin themselves with it. But she would not let him dig deeper into her past.
"I understand your curiosity, Your Highness, but I don't believe my experience with love is particularly relevant here. After all, I'm not the one seeking to understand the heart or desiring the dragon's power." She spoke humbly, maintaining a dignified expression. "My role is different, so it's not necessary for me to have that experience. Now that you know the power love holds, what will you do when you need to learn how to love? Of course, I'm talking about love without a hint of deception or manipulation."
Michaelli's eyes flashed with a mix of intrigue and challenge. He remained silent for a moment, contemplating her response, before letting out a low chuckle, though there was no warmth in it.
"Ah, Tuk, ever so clever." His tone was smooth, almost playful, but there was a coldness beneath the surface. "You dance around the question, avoiding the heart of it, while suggesting that I'm somehow incomplete without experiencing love in its purest form—untainted by manipulation or deception."
He stepped closer, his gaze never leaving her, and his voice dropped to a whisper, though the intensity remained. "Do you think that makes love more powerful, more true? I wonder… Why would I ever need to surrender myself to such a force, stripped of my defenses, leaving myself vulnerable like a fool?"
Straightening, his eyes narrowed as if weighing her words. "To answer your question—if I needed to learn how to love without deception, without manipulation, I would treat it as I would any weapon: with precision, strategy, and control. But…" he paused, his smirk returning, "love without those things is like stepping onto a battlefield without armor. Do you truly think I would do that?"
He watched her carefully before continuing, "Or perhaps you believe you can teach me this 'pure' version of love. I wonder, Tuk—what's your real goal in this? Are you so curious, or do you wish to manipulate me using this so-called...love?"
Every word he spoke was a reminder that he was playing a game far more dangerous than she had imagined. But it was the way his golden eyes seemed to linger on her, as if he already knew… As if he had known all along. Tuk swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry.
"My only goal is to help Your Highness achieve what you seek. That's why we historians continue transcribing the scroll as swiftly as possible. I'll never forget how you saved my life from the Emperor. But now that I understand your views on love… I can't help but wonder what specific value you saw in me for this appointment, Your Highness, especially when it's clear you already possess so much knowledge on the matter." She met his gaze. "You already seem to know a great deal—even studying it despite the ban."
Michaelli's expression softened ever so slightly, though the calculating gleam in his eyes remained. He clasped his hands behind his back, stepping closer, as if sharing a secret meant only for her ears.
"Ah, Tuk, you misunderstand," he began, his voice low but laced with certainty. "I didn't appoint you as my love advisor because I needed your knowledge. I did it because I needed you." He watched her carefully, each word deliberate. "You've proven yourself resourceful, cunning, and unpredictable—qualities I value far more than any understanding of love."
He turned away for a moment, pacing slowly as if gathering his thoughts. "The historians continue to serve a purpose in this grand game of ours, transcribing the scrolls, unraveling secrets. But you, Tuk, are more than that. You think differently—you think like me." His golden eyes flickered back to her, sharp as ever.
Was that an insult? She wasn't sure.
"Your appointment wasn't about teaching me love, no. It was about positioning you close enough to see what others miss. You're a strategist in your own right, and I suspect that's what makes you uncomfortable—knowing that this role I've given you isn't about love at all, but about power."
He stopped in front of her, the smirk returning. "You say you wish to help me achieve what I seek? Then continue to play your part, Tuk. There's much more to this game than love—and you're far too valuable to waste on simple matters of the heart."
Tuk blinked, barely breathing. Her thoughts spiraled. She could see the invisible chain trapping her, but she could do nothing to avoid it. She was trapped.
To be isekai'd into another world? Sure, she could accept that. Go to war? Okay, she had barely survived that. But to be in this kind of situation with this kind of prince? Couldn't she at least have gotten a prince from one of those romance-fantasy novels?
Sure, he looked like those hot princes, but he was too terrifying! At this rate, he was bound to discover her true identity sooner or later. It felt like he was igniting her candle of life, and the more time she spent with him, the faster the wax melted away. She might end up dead in this story without anyone knowing her tale.
Please, could someone just hit a truck already and possess her body? She'd be happy to trade souls rather than wither away in this man's hands.