The next morning, Sai had just finished his usual morning training. He was about to return to bed for a well-earned nap when he remembered he had a guest staying at the mansion.
More specifically, his fiancée.
A fiancée he most certainly had never asked for.
Something about Katarina unsettled him. He couldn't quite put his finger on what it was, but until he figured it out, he intended to keep his distance and interact with her only when absolutely necessary.
Unfortunately, different people had very different definitions of necessary.
"Young Master, the princess has requested your presence," Ars announced from beyond the door.
Sai let out a long groan before dragging himself off the bed.
"Tell her I'll be there shortly."
No verbal reply came, but through his sensory magic, Sai could tell Ars had silently nodded before leaving.
Ever since revealing to his parents that he was a reincarnated individual, they had granted him a surprising amount of freedom.
The first thing he had done was dismiss the servants assigned to his room. Having attendants around while he was still an infant had been understandable, but once he decided to begin training in earnest, they would have only gotten in his way.
As a result, he now bathed by himself and had even requested that a small shower room be constructed beside his bedroom. Though, every now and then, he still used the mansion's communal bath.
Being born the son of a noble really is amazing, he mused.
Lost in idle thoughts, Sai finished getting dressed and stood before the full-length mirror.
Staring back at him was an undeniably handsome young boy.
Hair as white as freshly fallen snow, interrupted only by a single lock of pink that somehow complemented the otherwise strange color combination. Ruby-red eyes filled with a hint of mischief. Delicate facial features that could easily pass for a girl's if he wore the right clothes.
Yep. Definitely handsome.
"Let's not keep her waiting."
With newfound confidence, Sai opened the door and headed toward the garden.
...
"Look, Sai! They're attacking me!"
Sai looked toward the black-haired girl currently running through the flower garden while butterflies fluttered around her. Her bright laughter and innocent smile made her seem like nothing more than an ordinary child.
For a fleeting moment, he wondered if everything that had happened yesterday had merely been an illusion.
No.
He quickly shook the thought away.
Don't fall for it. This could all be an act.
He had no idea what Katarina's true intentions were, but considering the absurd value of his healing magic, perhaps she intended to recruit him into the inevitable struggle over the throne.
Stories like that happened all the time in novels.
If she's trying to manipulate me... it'd most likely be through some kind of magic or artifact.
Artifacts were miraculous tools imbued with magical powers. Some legends even claimed they possessed personalities of their own and chose their wielders.
"Sai! Come over here!"
His train of thought was abruptly interrupted as Katarina grabbed his hand and enthusiastically pulled him toward the butterflies.
Sai sighed inwardly.
Well... trap or not... I might as well enjoy playing around with a pretty girl for once.
And no... that absolutely does not make me a lolicon.
...
"That was quite enjoyable."
Katarina happily washed her hands and face at a small stone fountain within the garden.
Meanwhile, Sai calmly arranged cups and plates across the outdoor table in preparation for lunch.
For a princess, Katarina behaved surprisingly casually.
Only moments ago, she had been running around the garden like any ordinary girl, and now she was splashing water onto her face without the slightest concern for royal etiquette.
"For a princess, you really don't act like one," Sai remarked as he took his seat.
Normally, sitting before royalty without permission would have been considered disrespectful, but Katarina herself had insisted he treat her normally.
"I am Katarina before I am a princess," she replied matter-of-factly while drying her face with a towel. "I refuse to live in a way that goes against my own wishes."
She sat opposite him before continuing.
"Besides, every member of the royal family is expected to travel the world before their coming-of-age ceremony at eighteen. I won't always have the luxury of living as a princess, so there's no point obsessing over appearances."
Sai couldn't help but feel a small spark of admiration.
There was an unwavering conviction in her voice.
One point for her.
"Speaking of that..." Katarina said.
Sai unconsciously leaned forward.
"...Would you be interested in going on an adventure with me?"
The words almost made him nod instinctively.
Almost.
He caught himself just in time by grabbing his own jaw.
"You almost nodded."
Naturally, she hadn't missed it.
Her eyes sparkled with amusement.
Based on experience...
That was never a good sign.
"No."
Sai shook his head.
"Non."
Another shake.
"Nonononono."
"Aww."
Katarina leaned over the table, resting her chin on her folded arms as she stared directly into his eyes.
"Why are you refusing so desperately? Is there some reason you can't?"
His heartbeat skipped.
Outwardly, however, he maintained a calm expression.
"What are you talking about? I just don't like putting myself in danger. I'm just a weak little healer."
The atmosphere around Katarina subtly shifted.
Her gaze slowly traveled from his face down to his abdomen before returning to meet his eyes.
"Please don't look at me like that."
Sai instinctively hugged himself.
Katarina giggled.
"You aren't fooling me."
Her expression turned serious.
"I can tell."
She pointed toward his chest.
"The muscles hidden beneath your clothes."
Sai immediately straightened.
This wasn't merely an intelligent child.
She was negotiating.
"Fine. I have muscles. That proves absolutely nothing."
"A scar on your left shoulder."
Sai froze.
"A bite mark on your left heel."
His expression stiffened.
"A claw mark across the middle of your back."
His pupils shrank.
Every location she listed...
She had gotten every single one right.
"You received those injuries fighting monsters," Katarina continued calmly. "Not ordinary ones either. You're recognized as the greatest healer born in the thousand years since the Demon King's defeat. Ordinary wounds wouldn't leave scars on someone like you."
She folded her hands together.
"So the monsters that injured you must have possessed unique curses or special abilities capable of bypassing your healing."
Sai unconsciously held his breath.
Every word...
Every deduction...
Was correct.
How...
"Wondering how I know?" Katarina smiled.
"Most of it was educated guesswork."
She shrugged.
"But judging from your reaction... I was right."
Sai narrowed his eyes.
Is she reading my mind?
"A little," she admitted with a playful smile. "Mostly profiling, intuition, and predicting how you'll react."
"...And what exactly do you intend to do with all that information?"
His voice remained composed, though only barely.
Katarina's lips curled into a smug smile.
For some reason...
It irritated him immensely.
"From the fact that you asked me that question," she said, "I'm guessing your parents don't know about any of this."
She paused deliberately.
"I wonder what they'd think if they found out."
Sai slowly inhaled.
Then exhaled.
He silently counted numbers in his head.
As the older soul between them, he reminded himself it was his responsibility to remain mature.
To teach children that blackmail was wrong.
...
"You really piss me off."
The polite speech vanished.
He glared openly at her.
Katarina's grin only widened.
"Thank you."
She smiled brightly.
"I've been told I'm talented at that."
Sai sighed in defeat.
This round belonged to her.
"So..."
He rubbed his forehead.
"Why do you want to go on an adventure?"
He looked directly into her eyes.
"And why now?"