18

Honestly, she was pretty disappointed when Devan didn't respond to her feelings. But it didn't really make her sad or heartbroken. From the start, she knew that someone like Devan, an adult, would probably be interested in someone much more sophisticated, especially since she's just a high school student. Even so, that doesn't mean she's ready to give up.

Having come this far, she won't let herself settle for a lesser title just because Devan managed to get it. Even though it's really what she wants, everything she does is part of a plan to achieve her goal. And that goal is simply to have Devan as her partner. She doesn't care if people think her feelings are an obsession. What matters to her is that Devan becomes her companion in the future.

"Dad, I like Devan. May I?" Salvia needed her father's blessing because, after all, he would be the one giving her away at the wedding, handing her hand to Devan to exchange sacred vows in his name.

Ah, it's just Salvia's imagination, but who knows—thanks to her imagination, anything might become reality. Right?

"In what context do you like him?"

She let out a small snort and rolled her eyes, even though she knew her father couldn't see it.

"Dad, you don't have to pretend to understand," Salvia said without hesitation. Luckily, her parents were thousands of kilometers away, because if they were nearby, she was sure her father would give her a stern flick for that remark.

Her father chuckled from across the phone, causing Salvia to snort again. Then she told him she was serious, which prompted Darian to clear his throat and switch the call to a video call, allowing Salvia to clearly see her father's face.

"Do you seriously like Devan?" he asked.

Got it! Here's the updated version:

---

His tone and expression were serious, and Salvia matched his seriousness with a firm nod.

"What makes you like Uncle Devan?" her father asked.

"Uncle Devan is handsome," Salvia answered without hesitation.

"That's it?" Her father's brow furrowed, clearly not convinced by her reason. Darian, though, had to admit that his brother-in-law was indeed handsome. But was that really the only reason? It seemed too general—many women would find Devan attractive.

Salvia shook her head, looking at her father with a sweet smile.

"To be honest, I don't really know why I like Uncle Devan," Salvia admitted. "He's scary," she continued, recalling their first meeting. Devan had come across as cold, with sharp eyes and a demeanor that made it clear he wasn't someone who easily showed affection. Salvia had thought he wasn't a gentle or loving person. But that perception changed with their recent interactions.

"So why do you say you like Uncle Devan?" Darian asked seriously.

"He's kind," Salvia replied.

"There are a lot of better guys out there," Darian said quickly.

"Uncle Devan is an adult," Salvia pointed out.

"There are plenty of grown men, even more mature ones," Darian replied. Salvia nodded, agreeing with her father's point. After all, it's true that there are always better options out there.

"But I like Uncle Devan," Salvia insisted. "I love Uncle Devan," she declared without hesitation, leaving Darian taken aback. He growled softly, truly surprised to hear such a declaration from his daughter, who was usually so outspoken. Darian was genuinely astonished.

Darian never stopped Salvia from liking anyone, nor did he forbid her from dating. Having been young himself, he understood the emotional turmoil that teenagers like Salvia experience.

Long before today, Darian had imagined a story where the princess fell in love, but he never thought that day would come so soon. He certainly didn't expect the person she would fall for to be someone like Devan.

"Why?" he asked, his eyes filled with seriousness. "Salvia, what exactly happened while you were together?" Darian believed there must be a reason behind the feelings that had grown in Salvia's heart. He was especially aware that Devan wasn't a teenager like his son; Devan was a grown man capable of many things.

"Especially to attract women," Darian added. He remembered all too well how that used to be. Now, Darian worried about what he had done to his son.

"Lots," Salvia responded, which only made Darian more anxious.

"Anything specific?" Darian asked, clearly curious. "I remember you used to complain about Uncle Devan being no fun, stiff, and old-fashioned."

"Then why, all of a sudden, do you say you like Uncle Devan?"

Salvia laughed, clearly remembering her father's words and how she had never said any of that. She wondered if he had forgotten the real reason. What she told her father was the truth—Devan was indeed that kind of man. Despite their relationship having improved over the past month, she remained honest about her feelings.

First of all, it doesn't change the fact that Devan is still an unpleasantly stiff man. Compared to younger people, Devan prefers to stay at home with a mountain of work. Although he's been reducing his workload a bit lately, he still rarely invites Salvia to go out. It's definitely not fun. However, despite all that, Salvia still likes him.

"Uncle Devan is indeed unpleasant, stiff, and annoying, but from the very first time he came here, I liked him. I don't know why, but it's like there's a magnet pulling me toward him. The more time goes by, the more I like him. Especially now that Uncle isn't so indifferent—he's accompanied me a few times to watch movies, travel, and eat out," Salvia said, a visible twinkle in her eye. "Though, to be honest, I was the one who actually pushed for those outings."

She added with a grin, making Devan, who had been listening, smile.

"I was thinking, Dad, that it must be you who's causing all this fuss," he teased. But Salvia wasn't offended at all; in fact, she laughed and nodded in agreement.

"Since Uncle Devan is too passive, I'm the one who takes the initiative," Salvia admitted without any embarrassment. After all, her father already knew how she was.

"But you're not acting weird, are you?" Darian asked, squinting his eyes.

"That's what I want, but Uncle Devan refuses. There's nothing wrong with asking and making requests—just don't do it too often," Salvia complained wearily.

"What are you asking Uncle Devan for?"

"I'm asking to get married," Salvia replied, still looking tired.

"Doesn't Papa want Uncle Devan as a son-in-law?" he asked again, revisiting his initial request for a blessing.

"Uncle Devan is Papa's brother-in-law, Sal."

"Yes, but is it really impossible for him to be a son-in-law? Uncle Devan isn't my biological uncle."