I CAN GIVE TALENTS

He strode to the window, throwing it open to take in the crisp morning air. "Ahh… perfect. Even the air tastes like luxury!"

Turning back, his eyes landed on Tantan lounging lazily on the bed. "Oh? Tantan, you're awake as well? Are you hungry? Shall your master fetch you a coconut for breakfast?"

Tantan's tail flicked. "Master, you have been sleeping for three days straight," she replied.
Dastan froze, blinking. "What? Three whole days? Impossible! How—"

"Tantan doesn't know," she said with a shrug. "Maybe master was too tired after all those dangerous journeys with Leyvi."

"Well… you may have a point. This prince hasn't enjoyed such comfort for so long. Ever since Leyvi began dragging me from one deadly place to another, proper sleep has been nothing but a dream. Perhaps my body simply demanded its dues."

Knock, knock.

A sudden knock at the door broke his thoughts.

"Hm? Who dares disturb this prince's tranquil morning? This prince hasn't even eaten breakfast yet!" he bellowed.

No answer.

Knock, knock.

Again, the sound echoed.

"Oi! Who is it? Speak up, or this prince shall—"

Silence. Then, knock, knock.

"Hmph. This must be Leyvi's doing. Trying to troll this prince again so early in the day? Fine! This prince shall not be fooled so easily!"

Marching to the door, Dastan flung it open with a flourish. "Leyvi! This prince shall not play your childish—"

His words caught in his throat. His eyes went wide as he froze in place.

It wasn't Leyvi standing there.

It was someone else—someone he knew far too well.

"Your Highness Dastan, it really is you." Tamina's voice held a soft laugh as her amber eyes met his. "I had my suspicions earlier when I heard the way Tantan speaks, but I could not be certain. It could have been one of the other princes. Then I heard that laugh of yours, and I knew for sure."

"T-Ta… Tamina?!" Dastan's jaw dropped and his eyes went wide. "How… how are you here?!"

On the bed, Tantan blinked in surprise. Master and Tamina knew each other?

Tamina's smile deepened, and she clasped her hands in front of her modestly. "How am I here? I have been traveling with Anda all this time. She saved my life a year ago when I was on the brink of death."

"WHAT?!" Dastan's voice boomed as he sprang forward. "You almost DIED? Who did this? Who dared to harm my fiancée? Point me in their direction and this prince will personally exterminate them and their entire clan for such insolence!"

What? Tamina is master's fiancée?? Tantan was shocked.

Before Tamina could respond, Dastan had already grabbed her hands and was turning her gently to inspect her arms, shoulders, and back. His sharp eyes searched as though he expected to find hidden wounds or scars. "Are you hurt anywhere? Do you still have pain? Scars? Tell me everything!"

Tamina chuckled softly, her laughter warm and genuine. "Your Highness, that all happened a year ago. Why would I still be injured now? Anda already took care of that demonic beast herself. I am perfectly fine."

Dastan froze, still holding her hands as her words sank in. His eyes locked on her smiling face, and for a moment, he felt as though the years of cold distance between them had melted away. The reserved, polite Tamina who had once kept him at arm's length, always making excuses to avoid meeting him, seemed completely gone.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Standing before him now was the warm and gentle Tamina he remembered from their younger days, the one who had always made him feel at ease.

His chest tightened, and his heart began to race with unfamiliar hope.

Could it be? Am I not hateable anymore?

But what happened? Dastan's thoughts spiraled with confusion. Sure, I've changed a bit lately, tried to be better with people, just like Leyvi suggested... but Tamina couldn't have noticed that yet, right? We just met again. Then why... why does she seem so warm toward me now?

His plan had been to gradually show her that he had matured, that he was no longer the same arrogant prince she once avoided. He was going to make her see him in a better light, little by little. But now, that plan felt unnecessary. She was already smiling, already speaking with him as if she held no hate at all.

"Your Highness Dastan," Tamina said with an amused tilt of her head. "Why are you standing there stunned like that? Aren't you going to invite me into your room?"

"Eh?" Dastan blinked, caught off guard. His eyes darted to the bed and then back to her. Wait. She wants to enter my room? Is she going to…? No no no, what am I thinking? Tamina isn't a woman like that! He shook his head slightly.

And yet, in that moment of weakness, a familiar voice echoed inside his mind. "Virgin." Leyvi's voice, insufferably smug, played loud and clear. Dastan could almost see his irritating face grinning, eyes sparkling with mischief.

Tch! Damn you, Leyvi! Mock me all you want, but this prince will prove you wrong! Dastan's pride surged like a tidal wave. Tamina is my fiancée. If she doesn't mind, then why should I, a crown prince, be the hesitant one? All the other princes flirt and fool around freely. If they can be that shameless, then this prince can certainly be intimate with his own future queen!

Meanwhile, Tamina's smile flickered slightly as she tilted her head again. What is he doing? Why is he struggling so much? Could it be... he already guessed what I'm thinking?

Dastan straightened his back and took a breath. His princely aura returned in full force as he adjusted his posture and put on a composed expression. "Ahem. Please come in, Tamina. It's not exactly the Royal Palace, so the place is a bit shabby. This prince has barely managed to sleep here." He moved aside to let her enter.

Tamina chuckled softly as she stepped in. "Didn't you sleep for three days straight?"

Dastan's cheek twitched. He couldn't rebut that.

"Little Tantan, hello~" Tamina greeted Tantan warmly as her eyes settled on the squirrel girl on the bed. "Do you want to go excavating again today? Yesterday was quite fun, wasn't it?"

"Huh?" Dastan's brow rose. "Wait, Tamina, you already met Tantan?"

"Hehe. You slept for so long that Tantan got bored," Tamina said playfully as she walked over to the bed. "So we met. We're already friends now. Right, Little Tantan?" She sat down beside the squirrel, who was still curled up comfortably.

Tantan tilted her head, then stared intently at Tamina. "So you're Master's fiancée." Her small body moved in a slow circle around Tamina, scrutinizing her from head to toe with narrowed eyes, as if trying to judge whether she was worthy or not. But deep down, as a squirrel, Tantan had no solid criteria to determine what made a good partner for her master. She supposed she would need to observe more humans before coming to any real conclusion.

Tamina giggled softly at the inspection but didn't seem to mind. "I didn't expect His Highness Dastan would take you as his spirit beast, Little Tantan. How did that happen? From what I remember, he wasn't fond of demonic beasts. He only cared about vehicle-type spirit artifacts back then."

"Well, that must be because this princess is special," Tantan said with great pride, lifting her chin high. "Master is the crown prince of a prestigious kingdom, the future ruler. Of course he has sharp eyes, capable of recognizing greatness. It's only natural that he noticed the immense talent and potential hidden within this princess."

"Oh? Is that so?" Tamina smiled warmly. "Then Little Tantan must truly be outstanding. Please continue to take good care of him."

Tantan huffed, turning her head slightly. "Tamina, your flattery won't work on this princess."

Despite her words, her twitching ears and glowing eyes betrayed her true feelings. Her tail swayed a little faster than usual, clearly pleased with the compliment.

Meanwhile, Dastan was silently panicking. He paced a little, trying to figure out how to make the first move.

Why am I like this? I'm the crown prince. Why am I so nervous? What should I do first? Should I try undressing her? What if she gets angry? Maybe I should ask her first? Wait, Tantan is still here. I should send her into the spirit beast bag before anything happens.

Just as he was about to speak, Tamina turned to him and said softly, "Your Highness Dastan, what are you doing? Come sit here with me. We may have just reunited, but there is something important I need to discuss with you. Something about our future." Her tone was calm, but there was a clear determination in her eyes.

"Huh?" Dastan froze. The atmosphere felt different from what he had imagined.

Wait, could it be... she didn't come here to take my virginity? Then what is this all about? Her expression's too serious. Could she be here to break off the engagement? Is that why she was acting so kind earlier, just to soften the blow?

With a stiff nod, he walked over and sat beside her, unsure of what to say. His thoughts were racing, and his heart beat a little faster. He wasn't ready to handle a breakup.

The room fell into silence for a moment.

Then Tamina spoke.

"If you want me to be your queen, you must build a large harem, and let me be the one who selects them," she said, her voice clear and unwavering.

Dastan blinked. "Eh?"