Chapter 41: Prince Yanad
"Your Royal Highness?"
There was no mistaking it. Aideen’s keen hearing and remarkable memory would never allow her to be wrong when recognizing someone else’s voice, even after an extended period.
The man standing before her, addressing her by name, was Prince Yanad Ruan.
Yanad, or Yan as everyone else in the Royal Family preferred to call him, was among the few individuals whom Aideen truly "knew."
He bore a striking resemblance to his father, King Euris Ruan—tall and well-built, possessing the physique of a robust soldier. His black hair, perpetually tousled, retained a consistently soft texture, a sensation the princess could not forget from her past encounters.
He once shared with her that his eyes were a captivating shade of green, matching the hue of the fresh spring grass. His skin, he claimed, mirrored the same color as hers. Additionally, he had a fondness for the royal uniform, appreciating the blend of black and blue, which happened to be his favorite colors.
In Aideen’s memory, Prince Yanad was always quiet and reserved—a young man who disliked speaking, but when he did, he filled the room with a low, somewhat cold, and distant voice. This tone stood in stark contrast to the sonorous voices that resonated among other members of his family.
Despite her expectations, Aideen found herself once again hearing that distinctive voice. Almost instinctively, she hurried towards him, offering a reserved bow in greeting. In response, the prince simply smiled and shook his head, remarking,
"You still refuse to call me by my name, huh?"
"How could I, Your Highness? You are the Crown Prince, after all. It is only natural that I address you by your title."
Yanad released a soft chuckle while the princess inquired further,