Chapter 3

Having ambitiously entered Vicentium, the capital of the Empire, Roabellin found herself walking with her mouth agape from the moment she passed through the gates.

“Whoa…”

As a child, she had rarely stepped foot outside the Duke’s estate, and after the massacre, she had lived hidden in the outskirts of a tiny kingdom. This was her first time in a city of this magnitude. Vicentium was a bustling hive of activity, filled with diverse crowds and glamorous shops. It was loud, vibrant, and full of life. Seeing a few other people with platinum blonde hair in the crowd made her feel relieved; it seemed she wouldn’t stand out too much even if she released her disguise.

‘In Aventador, platinum hair was so rare it was practically the symbol of the Hertenes family. Fortunately, it doesn’t seem to be the case here. Though, I haven’t seen anyone else with violet eyes yet…’

After exploring the streets, Roabellin found a modest restaurant with a spectacular view overlooking the Imperial Palace. While waiting for her food, she sank into thought.

‘First… I need to find a way into the Palace.’

Since childhood, she had been taught the inner workings of the Aventador Royal Palace—standard education for a future mistress of a Great House. While systems varied by country, the administrative structures were usually similar.

‘When I was learning this from Aunt Estina after our family fell, I honestly wondered if I’d ever use this knowledge. I guess that day has finally come. Let’s see… if I assume Prahenfelt’s organization is like Aventador’s…’

‘A lady-in-waiting working in the Emperor’s personal residence would have the highest chance of meeting him… but those positions are likely occupied by daughters of mid-to-high-ranking nobility. Since the Emperor is unmarried, there’s no Empress, no princes, and no princesses. His eldest brother is imprisoned, and his second brother is a Grand Duke living outside the palace. That means the Emperor is the only royal resident. Becoming a maid specifically for the royalty will be… even harder.’

She sighed softly, ticking off the members of the imperial family.

‘Next are the Palace Attendants. These are commoners working as civil servants. Those who work in the main palace are often whispered to be the “Emperor’s potential women.” If they aren’t married, they can’t exactly refuse the Emperor’s favor…’

Of course, most who applied for those roles did so with that possibility in mind. No woman would reject the favor of the young ruler of a great empire.

‘Attendants outside the main palace are just professionals. I should aim for the Laundry or Cleaning departments. They are the most grueling, which means they are the easiest to get into. Even if the chance of seeing the Emperor is low, I can’t afford to be picky right now.’

After finishing her meal, she followed directions to a job placement agency.

“Um… hello. I’d like to work at the Imperial Palace.”

Roabellin handed over her fake ID to the agent. It identified her as “Yulli,” a commoner from the Kingdom of Aventador. Fortunately, Aventador was a vassal state of the Prahenfelt Empire, meaning its citizens could work freely within the Empire.

The agent squinted at the ID. Roabellin’s heart raced, but she maintained a calm facade.

“Hmm… a foreigner?”

Luckily, he didn’t seem to realize it was a forgery.

“Yes. Is it impossible for a foreigner to work at the Palace?”

“No, not at all. A vassal citizen is fine. But, miss, don’t expect a refined job like the ones you might be imagining.”

“I know. I’m prepared for that.”

“If you aren’t a noble and have no connections, the easiest way is to join the Laundry department as a maid. Actually, for a foreigner, that’s likely the only option.”

‘As I thought. The Laundry department.’

“It’s hard work, so people quit constantly. They’re always hiring. If you fill out an application and there are no issues, you can enter the palace within ten days.”

‘That fast?!’

Roabellin’s face lit up. “Yes, I’ll apply!”

“Fine. You’ll hear back within a week. Honestly, I’ve never seen anyone get rejected. They’re desperate for hands.”

Roabellin filled out the form on the spot.

‘Finally! A smooth first step!’

The agent looked at her excited face and spoke flatly.

“Miss, you don’t actually think you’ll get to see His Imperial Majesty just because you’re in the Palace, do you?”

Roabellin flinched.

‘Is it that obvious?’

Of course, her goal was a bit different from the other girls.

‘Wait, is it? We both want to have his child.’

“The Palace is a stable job, and once in a blue moon, someone catches a high-ranking official’s eye and moves up. That’s why competition is fierce. But why do you think Laundry is so easy to get into? There’s zero chance of being noticed by the elite, and the work is backbreaking. I shouldn’t say this as an agent, but the atmosphere there is harsh—lots of hazing and strict discipline.”

Roabellin put on a worried face for show. “Well… I might get to wash his clothes. I suppose that’s an honor in itself, haha.”

The agent laughed heartily. He wasn’t mocking her; he was giving advice to a young girl who might be wasting her youth on an impossible fantasy. But Roabellin knew she had no other choice.

‘I can’t help it. I’m only a “Lady” at my own house. I’ve been living as a commoner for eight years now.’

She smiled brightly like an innocent girl. “It provides room and board, so I’ll work hard and save up some money!”

“With that small frame, I don’t know how long you’ll last,” he muttered.

“I’ll be fine. By the way… I know there’s no Empress yet, but what about other concubines…?”

“Why are you curious about that while going into the laundry room?”

“Just… I want to know everything about where I’ll be working! More people means more laundry, right?”

It was a weak excuse, but the agent didn’t press her.

“Curious youth, I suppose. As far as I know, the Emperor has no concubines. Whether there are other women in the shadows, who knows? But with the positions all empty, the first woman to spend a night with him would probably secure a title instantly. And… there are no officially announced children.”

‘This is good news. It matches the info I gathered. Now for the most important part.’

“Um, by the way… is it true that the Emperor is a… you know… unable to have children?”

The agent burst out laughing. “What? You have to watch your tongue when talking about the royals. But that rumor is hilarious, pffft!” He wiped a tear from his eye. “Well, he’s been an adult for five years and has no women or kids… maybe you can ask the palace doctor when you get in! Hahaha!”

Encouraged, she asked one more. “Is he… into men?”

The agent blinked, then shook his head. “I’ve never heard of him having a male favorite. Anyone who was a confirmed lover would have been given a palace to live in, but those are all empty. They aren’t even hiring cleaning staff for the concubine quarters since he took the throne.”

‘So he really might be impotent…’

It wasn’t definitive, but it was a great haul of information. Roabellin thanked him and stepped out.

‘I’m entering the Palace next week!’

Feeling celebratory, she headed toward the market.

‘I should treat myself!’

She found a juice stall selling exotic fruits she had never seen in Aventador or Aventador.

“Welcome! What can I get you?”

“What’s this? The red one with the white inside.”

“An accent! You’re from abroad! That’s a *Bola*. Common in these parts. Very tart.”

“I’ll try that! One please.”

As she chatted happily, a young man watched her from about fifty paces away.

‘An Aventador accent… here?’

He was a handsome man with platinum hair and blue eyes. He stopped and stared at her profile.

‘I shouldn’t know her, but she feels oddly familiar.’

“Terick, what are you doing?”

At the call of an older man walking ahead, the young man quickly looked away and joined him. Roabellin didn’t even notice.

***

A few days later, the festival began. It was the *Vicentium Festival*, celebrating the day the two moons in the sky perfectly overlapped. Legend said that lovers who kissed at that moment would live a long, fertile life together. It was a festival for lovers.

Vicentium was the only place on the continent where the moons overlapped perfectly. The streets were filled with lanterns, food, and handmade crafts. Roabellin explored alone during the day, as the nights were crowded with couples.

Around noon, the Emperor gave a speech at the central plaza. Roabellin tried to see his face, but with tens of thousands of people, it was impossible.

‘He looks like an ant. Is his hair… black? I can’t tell because of the crown. He’s definitely tall, though.’

She couldn’t see his face, but she heard his voice through amplification magic. It was deep, clear, and commanding.

‘He’s only twenty-three, but he definitely sounds like an Emperor.’

Since she couldn’t see him properly but knew he at least had a decent silhouette, she decided to relax for the day.

‘I’ll be suffering in the Palace soon. Let’s enjoy today.’

The festive atmosphere made her heart flutter. She felt like something special might happen.

‘Just for today, I’ll use my real face. It’s a festival. No one in this huge capital will recognize me. I’ll be in disguise from tomorrow anyway.’

She stepped into a quiet alley and carefully released her magic. Soft, wavy platinum hair and pale violet eyes were revealed. Her face was breathtakingly beautiful, an unforgettable mix of innocence and allure. It had been so long since she had walked the streets as herself. It felt refreshing. She pulled up her robe to partially hide her striking features, but she felt wonderful.

Watching the couples, she felt a sudden pang of loneliness. She had no friends her age, only her aunt and the servants.

“Whoa, look at that woman.”

“I’m looking! I thought she was a doll!”

“Why is a beauty like that alone?”

The whispers followed her. Some men tried to approach, but the city was crawling with extra guards for the festival. Security was tight, preventing any real trouble.

‘I thought he was just a young ruler, but he’s quite capable. He didn’t just take the throne with mana alone.’

As she walked, she noticed a young blind child sitting in the corner of an alley. A small brazier was in front of the child with a sign: Make a wish. A small tin for coins sat nearby.

CLANG!

“Ow, damn it! What is this?”

A passing man accidentally kicked the brazier. It rolled away, but the man didn’t even look back.

“Uh…”

The child reached out, fumbling on the ground, but the brazier was out of reach. In this grand capital, no one cared about the blind child.

Roabellin couldn’t walk past. She picked up the brazier and placed it in the child’s hands.

“Hi there. I’m Roabellin. I’m not a stranger, I just want to help. Here’s your brazier… wait here a moment.”

She introduced herself to calm the child. Even though she was hiding her identity, she felt safe giving her real name to this harmless child. She bought some food and gave it to the child, then applied some of her magical healing salve to the small scrapes on the child’s body.

The child blushed and whispered, “Th… thank you, My Lady. Pl-please, make a wish.”

“How?”

“Write three wishes on paper… put them in the fire… and they will come true.”

Roabellin didn’t believe in it, but she wanted the child to feel like they had earned the help.

“Okay, I’ll do it.”

Since the child couldn’t see, she wrote her secret wishes:

1. Let me succeed in having the Emperor’s child.

2. Let me rebuild my family.

3. Let me experience a love that makes my heart explode—just once.

She put the paper in the fire. For a split second, she thought she saw a flash of blue in the red-black coals.

‘Blue? Did I see that right?’

She rubbed her eyes, but the paper was already gone. The child sniffed the smoke.

“It is done. Your wishes will come true.”

Roabellin smiled. “Thank you, little one. Now, take the money I gave you and go home to eat something good, okay?”

The next day, the child was gone. Roabellin felt proud, thinking she had given the child a day of rest.

***

Kaisertern, having finished his official imperial duties for the festival, changed into modest clothes and hit the streets. He tried to be inconspicuous, but his height, broad shoulders, and stunning looks drew eyes everywhere.

Black hair was common, but golden eyes were not. His deep, golden gaze combined with his sharp, masculine features and elegant jawline made him look like a predatory beast and a high-born noble all at once.

“Wow, he’s perfect. He’s elegant but… sexy,” girls whispered.

“Go talk to him!”

“No way, he’s too intimidating. Just looking at him makes me feel like I’ve taken a health tonic!”

Kaisertern’s sharp ears caught it all, but he ignored it, focusing on inspecting the city.

‘The festival is more successful than last year. Security is good…’

He peeked into alleys to ensure there was no trouble. Then, he saw something strange. A person in a black robe was crouching in a corner, touching a stray dog. Suddenly, a faint golden dust enveloped the dog’s wounds.

‘A mage?’

To someone with his massive mana, the power felt small. But as he turned to leave, an old memory struck him like a physical blow.

He rushed toward the robed figure and grabbed their wrist. The person spun around, and their eyes widened in unison.

***

Roabellin had been unable to ignore the limping stray dog. Using her limited healing power, she mended its wounds.

“There, all better.”

As she stood up, a hand clamped onto her wrist. She gasped and looked up, only to see the handsome man from the magic shop.

‘Is he following me? No, he shouldn’t recognize me with this face.’

But his eyes were trembling. He was staring at her, but it felt like he was looking at someone else through her.

“You’re… hurting me. Who are you?”

He let go immediately but kept his gaze fixed on her.

“Ouch… that’s going to bruise.”

“Does it hurt? I apologize.” He spoke with the natural command of someone who never had to use honorifics.

“The dog got scared and ran away. I didn’t even get to say goodbye,” she grumbled.

“What was that just now?” he asked bluntly.

“What? The dog?”

“The golden light. Coming from your hand. What was it?”

Roabellin panicked but kept a straight face. “Light? What are you talking about? I was just petting it. You must have seen a sunbeam or something.”

Kaisertern watched her for a moment. Then, his expression shifted, becoming strangely friendly.

“Ah, a sunbeam. My mistake. You have an accent—you’re a foreigner? As an apology for my rudeness, may I show you around the festival?”

Normally, she would be suspicious of such a sudden change. But…

‘Honestly, I want to look at this handsome face a bit longer. Just for today?’

“Fine. But I don’t have any money. Don’t expect a reward for the tour.” She had given her last coins to the blind child.

“Of course. It’s my apology. I’ll pay for everything. Just enjoy the festival.”

His tone was stiff and commanding, but the offer was too good to pass up. And when he gave a small, rare smile, he was breathtaking.

“Okay! Let’s go!”

Roabellin smiled brightly and turned around, unaware that Kaisertern’s heart had just skipped a heavy beat.

***

The two walked together through the bustling, crowded streets.

Since it was a festival for lovers, the market was filled with couple-themed items like accessories and clothing. Shops displayed romantic art books, and stages were set up for events designed to bring young people together. The city was saturated in a romantic atmosphere of pinks and reds; every inn was booked solid with tourists and local couples alike. Even a casual observer could feel their heart flutter, sensing that something romantic was bound to happen on a night like this.

Roabellin, her eyes wide as she took in the vibrant scenery, finally spoke.

“Whoa… there are so many people.”

Kaisertern asked casually, “Is this your first Vicentium Festival?”

“Ah, yes.”

“You mentioned you’re a foreigner. Which country are you from?”

“…Aventador.”

Worried he might dig deeper into her background, Roabellin quickly redirected the conversation.

“A-Are you from Vicentium, My Lord?”

“I am.”

“By the way, what is your name?”

His answer came a beat late.

“…Kai.”

“Aha, Kai…”

She practiced the name under her breath. In truth, among the memories Roabellin had lost during the fever following her family’s fall was the memory of a single night spent in a cabin with Kaisertern.

Kaisertern watched her reaction in silence before asking, “And yours?”

Roabellin already had her alias, “Yulli,” but that was the name tied to her magically altered face.

‘If I use that name with my real face, it might cause trouble later.’

After a brief moment of hesitation, she used a shortened version of her middle name, ‘Carthenna.’

“It’s Henna.”

“Hmm. Henna.”

Kaisertern didn’t miss that tiny hesitation.

‘Not her real name. Add one more suspicious point to the list.’

Suddenly, a street hawker grabbed Roabellin’s arm to stop her. She let out a small shriek.

“Kya!”

“Pretty lady, take a look at this!”

“Ugh, no thank you. Please let go.”

This was the fourth or fifth time it had happened. Because they were walking with a slight gap between them, vendors assumed Roabellin was alone and kept grabbing her wrist or arm. Kaisertern had swatted them away a few times already.

As the crowd grew denser, people coming from the opposite direction began to jostle her. A man distracted by the sights bumped hard into her shoulder, nearly knocking her over.

“Whoops…!”

Kaisertern reached out and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. Her slender frame fit perfectly under his large hand and solid arm.

“It will be easier to walk this way.”

“Ah, thank… thank you.”

Roabellin was surprised by the sudden physical contact, but she didn’t pull away. In fact, her heart began to race.

‘Why don’t I hate this…? Ah, I really do love handsome men.’

Kaisertern was busy rationalizing the move to himself.

‘It’s just to protect Henna from the crowd. No other intention.’

However, he chose to ignore the fact that he had never initiated such physical contact with a woman before.

The “Kai Effect” was immediate. People who had been carelessly bumping into the small, fragile-looking woman suddenly gave them a wide berth when they saw the tall, imposing man shielding her.

‘Wow, this is actually very comfortable.’

After her initial surprise, Roabellin found she liked the ease of movement.

‘Well, since we’re already like this… why not…?’

She pretended to be pushed by the crowd and leaned her head slightly against his broad chest. She told herself she was just curious what a muscular body felt like.

‘Wow…’

Leaning into his firm, warm embrace made her feel strangely safe, and a ticklish sensation rose in her chest.

She couldn’t see that Kaisertern’s face had gone stiff, nor could she hear his heart thumping loudly over the roar of the festival. He quickly regained his composure, ignoring his heart’s honest reaction, and tightened his grip on her shoulder.

“There are too many people. Stay close,” he said, using the crowd as an excuse.

As they walked, Kaisertern explained the history and traditions of the Vicentium Festival. Roabellin listened intently, but when she saw the “No Vacancy” signs on every inn, she remarked innocently, “There must be so many tourists. I’m lucky I found a room last week…”

Kaisertern replied matter-of-factly, “True, but they’d be full even without the tourists. There are lovers everywhere.”

Roabellin blinked. “You mean it’s not just tourists staying in the inns?”

“It’s a festival for lovers, isn’t it?”

“But if they live in Vicentium, why would lovers stay in an inn?”

Roabellin was high-born by birth. Even after her family’s downfall, she had been sheltered by her aunt and servants. No one had taught her about certain… folk customs. For someone who had set out to “have the Emperor’s child,” her knowledge of physical intimacy was purely academic.

Kaisertern looked at her with an incredulous expression. “Henna, are you an adult?”

“What? Yes! I turned twenty recently. Why?”

“Hmm…” Kaisertern hesitated.

“I am an adult. You can tell me.”

“…Lovers stay in inns together to share their love. Do I need to explain what that means?”

He thought he was being quite direct. He watched her face, waiting for the realization to dawn. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was “off” about her—whether it was her lack of common knowledge or the innate elegance that seemed to radiate from her entire being.

“Ah…!”

After staring at him with innocent eyes for a moment, Roabellin’s face began to flush a deep crimson.

‘You idiot! You should have caught on! You made him say it!!’

Watching her expression change in real-time, Kaisertern found her reaction so adorable that he felt a sudden urge to tease her further.

“You seem confused. Is the expression ‘sharing love’ too abstract?”

“P-pardon?”

“Hmm… is it easier if I say ‘a man and a woman engaging in a sexual relationship’?”

As he spoke, he leaned his handsome, alluring face down close to hers. The sudden proximity took her breath away. She couldn’t think. He gazed at her for a few seconds—his look somewhere between indifferent and seductive—before pulling back with a soft, rare smile.

‘He’s even more handsome when he smiles…’ she thought, dazed. Then, it clicked.

“You! You’re teasing me on purpose…!!”

“Hahahaha!”

Kaisertern let out a hearty laugh, then paused.

‘When was the last time I laughed like this…?’

He couldn’t even remember. It felt like years. That realization made him want to know this mysterious woman even more. He felt a powerful attraction to her and didn’t even care to deny it.

***

From a distance, a pair of eyes watched them. He was a priest from Aventador, in Vicentium on business at the local temple.

‘The crowds are immense because of the festival.’

As he walked, he spotted a young woman with platinum blonde hair walking with a tall man.

‘Platinum hair is rare in Aventador, but I see it occasionally here in Prahenfelt.’

He couldn’t see her face, but her silhouette suggested she was a beauty. As she moved further away, he was reminded of someone.

‘She couldn’t be alive. I didn’t see it myself, but… everything was over by the time we arrived that night…’

The middle-aged priest’s mind drifted back to a memory from years ago. In his mind’s eye, the image of a great castle engulfed in flames flickered.

***

The fact that “Henna” only gave a first name suggested she was a commoner. However, after observing her all day, Kaisertern concluded she was full of contradictions. Her speech and movements were far too elegant. Commoners usually spoke informally upon meeting, yet she remained polite even though he had used informal speech from the start.

And then there was her skin. Unlike commoners, her skin was porcelain-white and flawless. He especially noticed her hands.

‘Those are hands that have never done a day of hard labor.’

Though he was the Emperor, he often moved among the people and knew how to spot the difference. The appearance and behavior of commoners were distinct from the nobility.

He decided to test her. “Henna, aren’t you hungry? I know a good restaurant. Shall we go?”

“If you’re buying, I’m happy to go anywhere!” she replied, biting the bait instantly.

“Then this way.”

Kaisertern took her to one of the most exclusive restaurants in Vicentium, where a single meal cost as much as two weeks’ wages for an average worker. The staff took their coats and pulled out their chairs. Roabellin accepted the service with the natural ease of someone who had been waited on her entire life.

“I’ll have the first course menu,” Kaisertern ordered, deliberately not explaining what would be served.

“Why? I’m curious. What did you order?”

“The surprise is part of the fun.”

As the dishes arrived, Kaisertern watched her out of the corner of his eye. She naturally unfolded her napkin and selected the correct forks, knives, and spoons for each course without a second thought.

“How does it taste?” he asked.

“It’s delicious!”

“Try this as well.”

He pointed to a dish on the side. Her face lit up at the scent.

“Oh, this has a strong truffle aroma. I love this scent.”

Truffles were an incredibly expensive ingredient that most commoners had never even heard of. Roabellin had spoken without thinking, remembering the food she used to enjoy at the Duke’s castle.

‘It’s been so long… I miss those days.’

As she reminisced about her happy childhood, Kaisertern reached his final conclusion.

‘It’s certain. She’s no commoner.’

In Prahenfelt, commoners had a very free culture regarding dating and intimacy before marriage. It wasn’t uncommon for couples to live together or marry after a pregnancy. Since paternity could be verified at a temple and commoners had no “great houses” to pass down, bloodlines weren’t strictly guarded. Divorce and remarriage were not stigmas.

But the nobility was different. Unlike commoners, noblewomen were not afforded such freedoms. He had heard stories of noble ladies occasionally sneaking out to enjoy a bit of rebellion before marriage.

‘She’s a noble lady playing commoner for the festival. I wonder which house she belongs to?’

They finished their dinner and spent the rest of the evening exploring the night market. The city was a sea of yellow and red lanterns, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. Kaisertern found himself having more fun than he had had in years.

‘I don’t want this to end.’

But he had to return to the Palace. He had only planned to stay until the afternoon; he had slipped out alone without notifying anyone. If he didn’t return, the palace would be in an uproar.

“I should probably head back. I’ll walk you to your inn.”

Roabellin was disappointed, but she couldn’t ask a man she just met to stay out all night. “Ah… of course. Yes, thank you.”

He didn’t remove his arm from her shoulder until they reached her inn. Roabellin leaned her head against him as they walked.

‘I walked slowly because I didn’t want to say goodbye… why does it feel like we arrived so fast?’

At the entrance, Kaisertern finally let her go. He looked at her, his expression seemingly indifferent but his eyes warm. “Could you… come out again tomorrow?”

He felt awkward asking, but he meant it. For a moment, he had even considered using his imperial power to force her to see him if she said no—perhaps by closing the inn or issuing an emergency decree that women weren’t allowed to walk alone during the festival.

Luckily, before his thoughts got too extreme, Roabellin laughed. “You aren’t asking me to pay you back for dinner, are you? I’m still broke tomorrow! But I have plenty of time.”

She wanted to see him again, too. Her heart fluttered at the thought of seeing this handsome man once more.

‘Good, I won’t have to harass the civil servants after all.’

Kaisertern smiled. “Forget today’s debt. I’ll create a new one for you tomorrow. I’ll come pick you up in the afternoon.”

Roabellin didn’t realize how rare that smile was. She was simply mesmerized.

‘With a face like that, just once…’

Impulsively, she called out to him. “Hey,”

“Kai,” he corrected.

“Right, Kai. Lean down for a second.”

“Why?”

“Just do it! I have something to say.”

Confused, the tall man leaned his ear down to her level. His shoulders seemed even broader up close. She gripped his shoulder and stood on her tiptoes.

Chu!

She pressed a quick kiss to his cheek and immediately dashed toward the inn door.

Kaisertern’s face turned bright red.

“It’s a goodnight kiss! Have sweet dreams! See you tomorrow!”

Roabellin was blushing just as hard. She didn’t dare look back as she vanished inside the inn.

Kaisertern stood frozen, touching the spot on his cheek where her lips had been. The sensation was soft and lingering. It was the first time he had ever felt a woman’s lips.

‘I wondered what it would feel like when I read about it in books…’

It felt much better than he had imagined.

‘Is it always this good, or is it just because it’s her?’

A wave of regret washed over him.

‘Why was it only the cheek?’

He was surprised by his own desire for more. As he walked back to the Palace, a smile wouldn’t leave his face. He quickly found an “Imperial” excuse for his feelings.

‘As Emperor, if a subject gives me something, I must return it tenfold. Tomorrow… I will.’

When he arrived at the Palace, the staff was terrified to see their usually cold Emperor grinning like a man possessed. He didn’t even notice. His mind was filled with “Henna”—smiling Henna, blushing Henna, elegant Henna, and the Henna who had shyly kissed him.

‘It won’t end with a cheek tomorrow, Henna. You’re the one who started this fire.’

His eyes glowed a dark, predatory gold.

***

Back in her inn room, Roabellin lay on her bed, her heart racing too fast to let her sleep.

‘Wow… whew… what have I done?’

When she first met Kai and agreed to go with him, she felt nothing more than, ‘Great, I’ve got a handsome festival guide.’ Plus, considering their first meeting at the magic shop, she had intended to exact a tiny bit of revenge by making him pay for expensive meals. But after spending a day with him, she felt herself being pulled into his orbit. Honestly, she was losing her heart to him

‘What’s wrong with you, Roa? You said you’d get revenge, so why is your heart thumping, and why did you kiss his cheek?!’

She lightly tapped her cheeks to snap out of it, but that handsome face—the one that had leaned in so close—refused to leave her mind.

‘Just one more day. I’ll see him once more, eat some good food, and then leave without looking back. I’m entering the Palace soon anyway. We’ll never see each other again…’

As she desperately tried to rationalize, she suddenly remembered something.

‘That’s right! The night before I entered Vicentium, I prayed to Dominador. I asked to see that handsome face just one more time. My god, the prayer was answered!’

Sleep fled from her entirely.

‘And the wishes I made with that child in the street… it feels like the last one is coming true right now.’

Her heart hammered against her ribs.

‘Yes, I met this man because I made those wishes. This was a fated encounter. So, with a heart full of gratitude toward Dominador, I’ll just “date” him for one day and then go to the Palace. Wait… then does that mean the first and second wishes will come true, too?!’

Consumed by this elaborate self-justification, Roabellin barely slept a wink.

‘One more day. Just one more day, I’ll stay as myself. Then, I’ll become “Yulli” without any regrets and enter the Imperial Palace.’

This was her first and last chance at a normal life. Roabellin spent the night tossing and turning, lost in bittersweet fantasies.

***

The next day, Kaisertern arrived at the promised hour. Roabellin, her chest tight with nerves, stopped halfway down the inn’s stairs when she spotted him.

‘Whoa…!’

Leaning against the entrance, he looked like a masterpiece meticulously sculpted by a god. Unlike the simple clothes of yesterday, he was dressed exquisitely today. His clothes were tailored perfectly to his long, athletic frame, and even a glance told her they were of the highest quality.

‘Look at those clothes. He’s definitely a noble. He’s not even trying to hide it anymore.’

In contrast to his splendor, Roabellin looked down at her own attire. It was a simple, grey cotton dress typically worn by commoner girls. It was loose enough to hide her curves and buttoned all the way to the neck—a stoic design that allowed for no skin to show. It was a far cry from the trendy styles in Vicentium that emphasized and exposed the body.

But she had no choice. Her striking face drew enough attention; if she revealed her alluring figure, she would attract far more trouble than she could handle. For eight years, she and Estina had lived like nuns, draped in fabric to stay invisible.

‘I don’t have any other dresses, so it can’t be helped… but I’m honestly a bit sad. Who knew I’d meet a man like this here?’

She had worn trousers for the journey, so this dress was the best she had for the festival.

‘Phew… I look so plain next to him. People will think a noble young master is on a date with his housemaid.’

She startled herself with the word that popped into her head.

‘A date?!’

It felt embarrassing to say, but no other word could describe what they had been doing since yesterday. Just then, her eyes met Kaisertern’s. Aware of her plain clothes, she felt a sudden wave of self-consciousness.

‘It’s a… date. Will he be disappointed that I dressed so poorly?’

But there was no trace of disappointment on his face. On the contrary, he looked genuinely overjoyed to see her. Roabellin froze, watching him stride toward her with a blinding smile.

‘A man who glows just by standing there… when he smiles, it’s like the whole world brightens up. Wow…’

“You’re out,” he said. His tone was still clipped and stiff, but he extended his hand gracefully—the classic gesture of a gentleman offering an escort.

“You’re early.”

She placed her hand in his.

“…I wanted to be. Let’s go.”

The two walked together, hands naturally entwined. Roabellin couldn’t understand why just holding hands made her heart thrum so violently. As they navigated the festive streets, they came upon a loud, cheering crowd.

“Something’s happening over there.”

Kaisertern, being much taller, looked over the heads of the crowd for her.

“…Hmm. Do you want to participate?”

“What is it? Can you see?”

“It’s a physical contact event for couples.”

“Pardon? Like what?”

“Standing on a single small piece of paper together on one leg, the man lifting the woman and doing squats… things like that.”

Kaisertern looked back at her, mischief dancing in his eyes.

“Shall we try it, too?”

“Are you crazy?!”

Startled, Roabellin playfully smacked his firm forearm. But because he flexed his muscles at that exact moment, it was Roabellin’s hand that ended up hurting.

“Ow… that’s not fair!”

“Hahaha.”

‘You’re likely the first person in the history of the Empire to ask the Emperor if he’s crazy and then hit him,’ Kaisertern thought. Even as Roabellin glared at him, he felt incredibly light—as if he were floating on a cloud.

Meanwhile, a dark shadow watched them from a distance. The observer quickly slipped away to report to his master.

“She was with the Emperor.”

The master’s eyes went wide.

“Ha. Incredible… that thing called destiny. It really is something. We have to spirit her away before he realizes who she is. Keep watching them.”

The subordinate bowed, accepting the command.

***

As evening fell, Roabellin and Kaisertern headed to a bar. Thanks to a reservation made in advance through his aide, they were escorted to a private terrace seat at the finest establishment in Vicentium. Roabellin, of course, remained blissfully unaware that such a process had even occurred.

The building itself was perched on a hill, and since the bar was on the top floor, it offered a perfect view of the night streets alive with the festival atmosphere. She marveled as she looked back and forth between the interior and the exterior.

“Wow, the lower floor felt like a rowdy tavern, but up here it’s like a different world. The interior is stunning, but the view is even better.”

Kaisertern offered a subtle smile at her satisfied reaction.

“I take it this is your first time in a place like this.”

“It is. I’ve been an adult for less than a week. Haha.”

The two talked as they sipped cocktails. Between the festival atmosphere and the alcohol, Roabellin began to relax. While Kaisertern remained perfectly sober, Roabellin—drinking for the first time—quickly became a little tipsy.

Watching her giggle with a lighthearted spirit, Kaisertern asked casually: “What brings a young lady like you to Vicentium all alone? It’s a rough world out there.”

Since Kaisertern firmly believed she was a noble lady, he was testing the waters to see if she might finally reveal her true identity. However, an entirely different answer came out.

“Hmm… Kai, are you good at keeping secrets?”

“Of course.”

At his immediate reply, Roabellin hesitated for a moment before letting the answer slip.

“Hehe, actually… I’m going to enter the Imperial Palace.”

Her tongue was already a bit tied. And yet…

‘The Imperial Palace?’

Kaisertern struggled to hide his bewilderment at the unexpected word.

“Hmm? Why the Imperial Palace?”

Even in her drunken state, Roabellin couldn’t answer right away and chose her words carefully. But since her guard against Kaisertern had dropped, she ended up giving an answer that was remarkably close to the truth.

“Mmm… it’s a real secret… Mmm… I’m going to… seduce the Emperor.”

Kaisertern felt like his head had been struck.

“Seduce me—no, the Emperor? …What on earth does that mean?”

“Uuum… I can’t tell you the details… Hehe. Next week—ah, there are only a few days left now. Anyway, I’m entering the Palace soon.”

The thought that she was coming to the very Palace where he lived left him reeling.

‘Wasn’t she a noble young lady? How does she plan to get into the Palace? I have no plans to select concubines right now.’*

Dazed, Kaisertern pressed her.

“W-why the Palace? How exactly are you going to… seduce the Emperor?”

“Hehe, just… with this beauty…?”

Just a moment ago, he had found the slightly tipsy Roabellin adorable. But now, he felt incredibly frustrated that he couldn’t get a proper answer from her regarding such a critical matter. Kaisertern let out an involuntary sigh.

“Sigh… Seduce the Emperor for what? Do you intend to become a concubine?”

“Uuung… The Emperor’s favor is a good thing, isn’t it? It’s what every woman desires.”

At Roabellin’s answer, Kaisertern—whose heart was already completely inclined toward her—felt a pang of hurt.

‘How can she say such a thing right in front of me? Is just ‘Kai,’ who is not the Emperor… not enough for your heart?’

He furrowed his brow and let out another deep sigh.

“Phew… Do you even know what kind of man the Emperor is before you throw yourself at him?”

“No, of course not… Ah, Kai, do you know much about His Majesty? Since you’re a Vicentium local?”

At Roabellin’s languid question, Kaisertern thought for a moment before answering nonchalantly.

“Well, I know him a bit. I frequent the Palace. For work.”

“Gasp, really? Kai, what kind of work do you do? No, more importantly—why didn’t you tell me sooner? Tell me, what kind of person is His Majesty?”

He debated whether he should speak well of himself since it was him, or if he should say the Emperor was no good and tell her to look at the man ‘Kai’ instead.

“Well… they say he rules the country well. And he currently has no Empress or concubines…”

“Oh, even a foreigner like me knows that! Not stuff like that, I’m curious about something else. Is it possible…?”

Roabellin pressed her lips close to Kaisertern’s ear. Kaisertern, curious as well, leaned in while bringing his glass to his lips.

“Um… I heard a rumor. Is His Majesty, by any chance… impotent?”

“Pfft!”

Kaisertern ended up spraying the drink he was about to swallow. Roabellin was also startled by the unexpectedly intense reaction.

“Oh my! Why? Is it forbidden to say such things about His Majesty?”

Wiping his mouth with a nearby napkin, Kaisertern struggled to regain his composure.

“Why… why did you think that?”

Since she couldn’t say it was a thought that arose while calculating the chances of conceiving the Emperor’s child, Roabellin made a vague excuse.

“Uhh… It’s not my own thought, it’s a rumor. I heard such a rumor exists.”

At her answer, Kaisertern arched an eyebrow.

“Is that what the citizens of Vicentium are saying?”

His stiffened expression was a bit scary, so Roabellin rolled her eyes away to avoid his intense gaze. To escape the situation, she apologetically threw the innocent citizens of Vicentium under the bus.

“Y-yes, it seems so. Everyone says that… it’s been five years since the Emperor became an adult, but there isn’t even a woman, let alone an heir…”

Her voice, unaccustomed to lying, lost its strength toward the end. It was jarring to see the face of Kaisertern, which had been smiling like a spring breeze, suddenly turn cold.

In fact, Kaisertern’s face only became expressionless when he was deep in thought, but because of his sharp and distinct features, it looked cold to others. Seeing that face, Roabellin naturally shrank her shoulders a little, while a question mark popped up in her head.

‘It’s not even about him, so why does he look angry?’

Actually, Kaisertern had received a similar question before from his aide and friend, Count Raymond. At that time, he had been so flabbergasted that he just let it pass without a proper answer. It seemed everyone was thinking the same thing but just couldn’t ask.

‘It’s my fault for not clarifying properly.’

He swept his hair back with his hand and let out a long sigh.

“The Emperor is a very healthy man. He has no such… problems.”

He put extra emphasis on the word ‘very.’

“Oh, well that’s a relief then… But Kai, how are you so sure about that?”

‘Oops.’

In the face of such a ridiculous story, he had momentarily forgotten he was hiding his identity. Panicking for a second, he gathered his wits and chose the most plausible answer.

“I—I heard that someone asked the Emperor this question before, and the Emperor answered directly.”

Roabellin took a sip of her cocktail with a disinterested look.

“It’s all just hearsay then; no one has experienced it personally. Unless someone who has spent a night with His Majesty appears, it can’t be proven, can it? Is there really… no one who has done it with him?”

“I… suppose so.”

Kaisertern pretended to drink from his cocktail glass to hide his embarrassed face.

“Then what should I do…? If the Emperor really is a eunuch.”

Kaisertern felt slighted that Roabellin was thinking about another man right in front of him. Even if she eventually succeeded in entering the Palace and meeting the Emperor, that person would be him. Still, he wanted her to fall into his arms because she loved the person in front of her, not because he was the Emperor.

“I’m not impotent. And neither is the Emperor.”

Kaisertern took another sip of his cocktail and spoke with a slightly darkened face. Roabellin looked at him as if he were saying the strangest thing and said:

“Not you, Kai. I mean the Emperor.”

“I’m just saying I’m not. Forget the Emperor—what about me?”

Though still a bit tipsy, Roabellin could realize he was confessing to her.

‘With you… today is the last. I can only be a one-day lover to you.’

She couldn’t bring herself to say that, so she kept her eyes down and then spoke cheerfully as if she had misunderstood him on purpose.

“Haha, so Kai, unlike the Emperor, is… not a eunuch! I suppose someone has proven that for you?”

Noticing she was deliberately avoiding the answer, Kaisertern silently swallowed a mouthful of cocktail.

‘Proof, is it…? Fine. I’ll make sure you prove it yourself.’

As Roabellin continued to sip the cocktail, her intoxication rose again. Because of its sweet taste, she had been sipping it continuously without realizing how drunk she was getting.

“Uhh…”

When Roabellin wobbled slightly while sitting, Kaisertern quickly reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist. In an instant, she was tucked into his firm arms. Even in her daze, she loved his large and cozy embrace, so she leaned her dizzy head against his chest. She could hear the thump-thump*= of his heart.

‘I thought he was only teasing me… but Kai’s heart is beating so loudly.’

Somehow, that heartbeat felt like it was telling his true feelings.

Roabellin felt happy, yet at the same time, sad. She felt for her situation—that she couldn’t speak her truth and approach this wonderful person proudly.

As they left the bar and walked the streets, they found people gathered for another event.

“To the 1st place couple! We give couple rings made of platinum and moonstone! To the 2nd place couple, a moonstone necklace!”

Moonstone was a gem that symbolized the moon and lovers.

‘The meaning of the Vicent Festival and the prizes are well-connected.’

While Kaisertern was thinking about the gem’s meaning, Roabellin, still giddy from the alcohol, said:

“Wow, let’s try that! I want that moonstone!”

“…Even though it’s not a diamond?”

Thinking she wanted the strangest things, Kaisertern looked over the heads of the crowd at the event. But once he saw what kind of event it was, he showed an unusual amount of motivation.

“Fine, let’s participate.”

Only after being pulled onto the stage by the wrist did Roabellin freeze in horror. It was a game where a couple had to pass a single candy back and forth between their mouths until it dissolved.

The host shouted excitedly:

“Speed is important, but how intensely you kiss will also be part of a qualitative evaluation for bonus points!”

‘Gasp, what? So this is basically asking us to deep-kiss here?!’

Roabellin looked at Kaisertern with wide eyes. But he looked perfectly relaxed as if it were nothing. Only Roabellin was stomping her feet in panic.

“In front of all these people? Something this scandalous? I can’t do it!”

Snapping back to her senses, she tried to get off the stage, but Kaisertern stood his ground, holding her wrist firmly with one hand. He wasn’t gripping her painfully, but his strength was such that Roabellin couldn’t break free.

“So it’s okay if it’s not in front of people?”

One corner of Kaisertern’s mouth curled up as he spoke to her.

“N-no, that’s not it…”

“Think of it as practice for what you’ll do with the Emperor.”

The moment she thought his voice sounded somewhat sulky, Kaisertern kept his grip on her wrist while using his other hand to pull her slender waist toward him, pressing her body against his.

“Hah…”

While Roabellin was flustered by the sudden closeness, he put the candy he received from the host into her mouth. She reflexively caught the candy. Then, Kaisertern moved his hand from her wrist to the back of her neck and leaned down.

As his large, strong hand wrapped around her, Roabellin became tense despite herself. But it was strange. Somehow, though she was afraid, she didn’t hate his approach. To be honest, her body trembled slightly with half-fear and half-anticipation.

‘Why is my body trembling like this… what, am I actually looking forward to this?!’

Faced with the sudden chance of her life’s first kiss, her mind was a whirlwind of confusion. Her body felt stiff with tension. Feeling the tremor in her body, Kaisertern whispered low in her ear:

“Don’t worry; just relax. Just follow my lead.”

As his pleasant baritone voice echoed in her ear, Roabellin shivered at the ticklish and strangely erotic sensation.

‘Was having a low voice whispered in your ear such a sensual thing?’

Just as she was about to act up because the new feeling was so strange:

“What is this, have you done this a lot…? Mmph.”

Kaisertern blocked her lips with his own.

‘This is my first kiss…!’

Roabellin wanted to say, “Is it okay to do this for a first kiss?” but Kaisertern gave her lips no room to speak. Since his hand was firmly wrapped around her waist, she couldn’t move.

Kaisertern explored her lips calmly. Soon, their lips were softly intertwined. At his gentle and skillful movements, Roabellin’s tension gradually melted away. With her eyes closed, she could even forget she was on a stage. However, since the first kiss was still awkward, she remained huddled in his embrace with both hands on his firm arms.

After exploring her lips for a while, Kaisertern’s lips parted, opening hers. His tongue entered to find the candy he had left in her mouth.

At the sudden deep contact, Roabellin felt dizzy. Her whole body tingled, and strangely, her lower abdomen felt a pull. But the strange feeling soon turned into a sensual and good sensation.

“Mmph… Mmm…”

Roabellin’s breath grew ragged. Her mind became hazy, and she involuntarily raised both hands to wrap them around his neck. At that, Kaisertern pulled her tight into his arms as if he had been waiting.

He felt like he would go crazy with love for her soft body that fit perfectly into his wide embrace. His breathing began to grow heavy as well.

The two became completely focused on each other. Now, only the two of them existed in the whole world. They saw nothing but each other.

Perhaps their kiss was quite intense, as Roabellin eventually won the necklace she wanted. But now, neither of them cared about such things. They knew. They knew they wanted each other, and they knew their hearts were the same.

The two walked for a while in silence. Naturally, their hands were tightly interlaced. Kaisertern wanted to end this special day in the most special way.

‘A special place for me…’

After thinking for a moment in silence, Kaisertern spoke nonchalantly while looking ahead.

“Shall we go see the moon?”

At the sudden suggestion, Roabellin blinked and asked: “Huh? What moon?”

“Isn’t this Vicent Festival a celebration of the two moons overlapping? Soon, it will be time for the two moons to meet.”

At his explanation that it was the highlight of the festival, Roabellin’s expression immediately turned excited.

“Aha! I have to see that! Where should we watch it from?”

When the anticipated question came, Kaisertern immediately gave the prepared answer.

“A place where the view isn’t blocked by buildings and bright lights don’t distract the eyes is best. I know a place.”

“Great! Let’s go.”

Kaisertern took Roabellin’s hand firmly and headed toward a hill path in Vicentium. They were almost at the top when suddenly a few raindrops fell, and in an instant, a heavy rain began to pour.

“Ah…!”

Kaisertern quickly took her hand and ran. They arrived soon, but both were already soaking wet.

“I don’t think we’ll see the moon like this. For now, come inside.”

The place they arrived at was one of Kaisertern’s villas in the city. This house originally belonged to his mother since her maiden days. For a high-ranking noble’s villa, it was small and modest, but being at the very top of the hill, it was quiet and atmospheric. It was still regularly maintained by Palace servants, so both the garden and the interior were clean and orderly.

Red roses were in full bloom in the garden. At the end of a small garden path sat the front door of a pretty two-story house that looked like it belonged in a fairy tale. The two ran to the front door in one breath.

“Huff, puff… ah, I’m out of breath. Wow, what a pretty and cozy house. Whew… Is this your house, Kai?”

To her, who was out of breath from running up the hill, Kaisertern opened the door and replied: “It was my late mother’s villa. I drop by occasionally when I want to rest quietly.”

“Aha…”

Roabellin was reminded of her own late mother. Naturally, the memory of the day her mother died came back, making her body shiver. Kaisertern wrapped his arm around her shoulders and led her inside.

“You’re shivering. Are you cold?”

“Ah, no. I’m fine.”

“I see. This way.”

The interior he led her into had a cozy atmosphere. Finished with high-quality wood, it gave the feel of a mountain log villa, yet it was subtly luxurious and elegant.

“There’s a fireplace, soft sofas… the atmosphere is warm and nice.”

However, at the same time, Kaisertern was thinking about something else.

‘A cabin with a fireplace, two people wet from the rain… It’s a strange thought, but it feels like deja vu of that day.’

“Kai?”

Finding him strangely quiet, Roabellin called him softly. At her call, Kaisertern brought back his wandering thoughts.

“Ah, sorry. Let’s check out the second floor too.”

The two went up the stairs to the second floor.

“On the second floor, here is the bedroom… and if you go out to the terrace connected to the bedroom,”

They stepped out onto the terrace. There were no obstructions in front of the wide terrace, providing an open view.

“Here, you can sit on the outdoor sofa and watch the night sky.”

Roabellin marveled at the city nightscape spread out beneath the hill.

“Wow… this is great! I can see the city down there! The view is truly magnificent!!”

The entire cityscape, glowing with countless lanterns, could be seen at a glance.

“Indeed. But when the two moons overlap, everyone is supposed to turn off those lights. Then, only the white moonlight shines in the sky. The lights are turned off to see the moon better, but lovers take advantage of the dark streets to engage in physical contact. There’s a legend that lovers who kiss the moment the two moons overlap will love each other forever. I’m not sure if you know, but there’s even a festival song called ‘Two Moons Overlap, Our Lips Overlap.’”

“Haha, what kind of song title is th—”

Roabellin tried to laugh it off, but the moment she remembered the kiss they shared earlier, her face flushed deep red.

‘It was my first kiss!’

But she didn’t feel wronged or like it was a waste.

‘I have no intention of getting married anyway, and I said I wanted to date a heart-flutteringly handsome man. If it’s this person… I want to try it, love.’

While Roabellin made her own secret resolution while stealing glances at his profile, Kaisertern, who had stood up to quietly observe the night sky, spoke: “At this rate, the moon will be hidden by clouds and won’t be visible. We’ll have to wait here for the rain to stop.”

“Yes… that’s a shame.”

“But you never know. It must be cold; why don’t you wash up while we wait?”

He said this looking at the rain-soaked Roabellin.

“Ah, I’d like to, but… I don’t have a change of clothes.”

Roabellin looked around the large and elegant bedroom.

“There should be an extra robe. Wear that for now, and dry your wet clothes in front of the fireplace; I’ll light it for you.”

Kaisertern took a nightgown out of the wardrobe and handed it to her. It wasn’t a fluffy material like a bathrobe, so it seemed like it might be a bit cold, but she had no choice.

“T-thank you.”

Roabellin took the gown and went into the bathroom. Washing up in a luxurious bathroom for the first time in a long while felt so good that she took her time.

After washing with warm water and putting on the gown, the size—likely Kaisertern’s—was far too large for her.

‘Yikes, I better tie the waist tight. If I’m not careful, the front will open and the shoulders will slip… it’ll be a disaster.’

Roabellin pulled the gown tight and tied the belt firmly before leaving the bathroom. While Roabellin was washing, Kaisertern had lit fires in the fireplaces of the living room and bedroom.

“Are you done?”

Sensing her presence, he turned around, looked at Roabellin for a moment, and arched an eyebrow.

“The size is quite big for you. Now, give it here. So I can use it.”

“Wh-what?! I’m only wearing this right now…”

Watching her face as she panicked, Kaisertern let out a small laugh.

“You really are fun to tease. Haha, there’s another one, so don’t worry.”

He held up another gown he had been hiding behind his back and went in to wash.

“HEY!!!”

Ignoring the fuming Roabellin, Kaisertern lightly closed the bathroom door. Roabellin could only stare at the closed door with her mouth wide open.

‘He looks so serious all the time, yet he has this side to him. Honestly…’

Muttering to herself, Roabellin curled up on the sofa in front of the fireplace.

‘Ah… I’m exhausted… so sleepy…’

After being in the cold rain, washing in warm water and sitting in a warm place made her drowsy. Without realizing it, her eyes drifted shut.

Meanwhile, Kaisertern repeatedly washed his hair under the pouring water. Amidst the white steam, the hot water flowed ceaselessly down his firm muscles.

The image of Roabellin coming out earlier kept flickering before his eyes. Her damp hair and lips, her porcelain skin flawless even without makeup, with little water droplets clinging to it. When his gaze involuntarily drifted down past her white neck toward her chest, he felt like blood was rushing to his nose. Because the large gown had slipped from her small shoulders, her cleavage had been completely exposed.

Having a slender yet femininely voluminous figure was a family trait born into the daughters of the Huga family. Knowing that such a body easily drew attention, Roabellin and Estina usually wore modest clothes that didn’t reveal their figures. In their situation where they had to change faces and live in hiding, they had to hide everything that would make them stand out. Because of those modest clothes, Kaisertern had only thought she had a delicate frame…

Kaisertern washed his face roughly as if trying to erase the afterimage of her from his mind. In fact, he had made a joke and fled to the bathroom just to avoid showing that his mind had gone blank in front of her.

It took him longer than usual to finish his shower as he tried to shake off the image of Roabellin. He knew she would be there, yet the whole house was quiet.

“Henna?”

Looking around as he stepped out, he found Roabellin lying on her side on the sofa, sleeping peacefully. Seeing her sleeping so calmly, in contrast to his own racing heart, made him feel strangely limp.

‘Phew… You make my heart tremble like this, yet you sleep so defenselessly. What kind of lady are you?’

Kaisertern walked over cautiously, deadening his footsteps so as not to wake her.

After looking down at Roabellin for a moment in front of the sofa, he knelt on one knee on the floor. Her sleeping face was right there. A small, white face. Kaisertern cautiously stroked her soft cheek with his finger.

As he watched Roabellin’s face in silence, Kaisertern involuntarily pressed his lips lightly against hers.

He couldn’t understand himself, being drawn to her like a magnet. This was so different from his usual self.

Roabellin, who had been dozing off unaware, woke up a moment later at a rattling sound.

“Kai…?”

At her voice, Kaisertern—who was in the kitchen—turned back to look at Roabellin as she rubbed her eyes.

“You’re awake. I’m preparing some wine and snacks to have on the terrace.”

At the welcome news, her face immediately brightened.

“Wow, I’d love that.”

Outside, the rain was still pouring.

Once ready, the two sat side-by-side on the second-floor terrace sofa. A glass roof covered half of the terrace, shielding them from the rain.

The sound of raindrops hitting the glass roof added to the coziness. Thanks to the yellow lanterns lighting various parts of the garden from the first floor, the terrace was appropriately bright yet dim.

The atmosphere was nice, but it was a rainy night. Wearing only a thin gown, Roabellin began to shiver slightly from the cold.

‘Come to think of it, I’m alone with a man wearing nothing but a gown…’

Thinking about it, the same was true for Kaisertern. Roabellin felt a strange sensation.

Whether he knew her heart or not, Kaisertern spoke as he watched the pouring rain.

“Usually the rainy season begins after the two moons overlap, but this year it started even before they met.”

Kaisertern poured wine into a glass and handed it to Roabellin. The two took sips of the deep-scented wine while listening to the sound of the rain.

After staring into the distance in silence for a moment, Kaisertern spoke in a low, grounded voice.

“Henna.”

At the unfamiliar alias, Roabellin answered a beat late.

“…Yes?”

“Are you really… going to seduce the Emperor?”

Roabellin couldn’t answer immediately. Not because it was an unexpected question, but because he was the one asking. She couldn’t have been entirely unaware of what was contained in the gaze he directed at her.

“That is…”

“You don’t even know what kind of man he is. Why don’t you just… stay with me instead of going to the Palace?”

‘Ah…’

Roabellin couldn’t flatly refuse. She was surprised that he, who looked so full of pride at a glance, was desperately holding onto her. She felt like she knew the heart with which he was saying this. After a moment of hesitation, she answered playfully on purpose.

“…I’ll see how Kai behaves.”

Roabellin gave a bright smile, but Kaisertern’s expression became complex.

Roabellin, who had just become an adult, was drinking for the first time today. As the intoxication rose, her vision blurred slightly, and a sense of grievance mixed with an unknown courage began to bubble up.

‘Yes. I wanted to date a handsome man. Once I enter the Palace, I won’t be able to meet this man again. If I succeed in returning with the Emperor’s child, I’ll have to live my life raising that child. Just as Kai says, I don’t even know what kind of man the Emperor is—it would be too unfair if a man I don’t even love is the only man in my life.’

While having those thoughts, she suddenly looked at Kaisertern and saw him watching her quietly. With a persistent gaze, as if trying to read her thoughts.

“What are you thinking about?”

Whether it was because of the alcohol or the romantic atmosphere created by the rain, his face—which exuded sensuality even when he did nothing—felt dangerously alluring.

Since she had been thinking exactly about that, Roabellin felt a pang of guilt. Unable to answer, she just met his gaze with a blushing face. Perhaps because of the wine, the previous cold had vanished, replaced by a rising heat.

“…”

Kaisertern silently reached out and cupped Roabellin’s waist and cheek.

She certainly wasn’t so drunk that she couldn’t tell right from wrong, but somehow she didn’t want to push his hand away. No, to be honest, she liked him approaching her.

In Roabellin’s wavering vision, Kaisertern’s face drew closer and closer. Unable to endure the intensity of his gaze at such proximity, Roabellin slowly closed her eyes.

And in the next moment, their lips softly touched.

***

The lips of Kaisertern tasted of bittersweet wine. As Roabellin felt him hungrily exploring her lips, her mind became a hazy blur.

Perhaps it was the intoxication, but tonight, she felt as if anything would be okay.

Before she knew it, Roabellin had wrapped one hand around Kaisertern’s neck while the other rested against his chest. Beneath the thin fabric of his robe, she could feel the definition of his firm chest muscles.

Their kiss deepened, growing more intense by the second. In the brief moment their lips parted, Roabellin let out a ragged breath she had been holding.

“Haa…”

Kaisertern gazed at her with trembling, unfocused eyes before rising from the sofa and lifting her effortlessly into his arms.

His eyes shimmered with a deep, undulating gold. Sensing exactly what he intended to do—and honestly anticipating it—Roabellin could only flush crimson and avert her gaze.

Looking down at her reddened face, Kaisertern leaned in and whispered in a voice that had dropped to a low, husky vibration.

“A moment ago, you said you’d see ‘how I behave today,’ didn’t you? Well, I intend to give my absolute best tonight.”

Though that wasn’t exactly what Roabellin had meant, she didn’t deny him. She simply looked up at him with a dazed, dreamy expression.

Still carrying her, Kaisertern stepped into the bedroom. He laid her gently onto the wide bed and covered her body with his large frame.

Before she even had a chance to feel awkward about the unfamiliar weight of a man on top of her for the first time in her life, his lips descended upon hers once more.

Kaisertern gave her no room to hesitate or retreat. His tongue, which had been teasing her lips, soon parted them and entered. Their soft, moist lips became entwined in a feverish heat.

“Mmm…”

Soon, a sweet moan escaped Roabellin’s throat. With her mind already clouded, the waves of ecstatic sensation crashing over her left no room for any other thoughts. The feeling that started at her lips quickly surged through her entire body.

The sound of the rain muffled the sounds the two made throughout the night. And so, the rainy night deepened into an unforgettable memory.