[Chamuka, how is Leticia doing?

Unless your fingers are broken, I would appreciate more detailed reports about how Leticia is doing.

I assume Tan is being delivered properly. I’ve dispatched Sir Gaien to ensure he can’t escape midway, so don’t fill your report’s volume by pretending to describe that matter.

Remember that I allowed you to stay by Leticia’s side on the condition that you report on her daily routine and health status.

I’m quite worried as Leticia’s letters have decreased lately. Even though Leticia loves acting, please make sure she doesn’t reduce her rest time by becoming too immersed in work.

And since your last report, I’ve been receiving only one of Leticia’s posters at a time. What’s going on with that?

I understand there are at least three types of leading role posters, so sending just one is a bad habit you’ve picked up from somewhere. This mother didn’t raise you that way.

Even if it’s the same poster, you should send at least three copies: one for collection, one for appreciation, and one for safekeeping. And considering the long-distance shipping, you should include plenty of extras.

Oh, and pack the stage costume Leticia wore that came up for auction in the box I sent, and mail it. If you think about keeping it for yourself, your physical body will be the one getting diverted.

P.S.) I’m planning to visit Leticia for Kalia’s birthday celebration. Don’t try to sneak Leticia away. If you do, your soul will be the one getting diverted.]

The man reading the letter, which resembled a threat more than correspondence, calmly suppressed his urge to tear up the paper he was holding.

The sound of light footsteps approaching just then helped with his patience.

Soon after, there was a gentle knock, knock.

“Come in.”

The man quickly crumpled the paper in his hand and threw it away before looking up.

The door opened, and a beautiful blonde woman peeked her face through the gap.

Purple eyes, shining like jewels, moved fluidly to meet his gaze through her disheveled golden hair.

“Chamuka?”

“You can come closer, Leti.”

At his words, Leticia smiled, her eyes crinkling.

Chamuka was momentarily entranced by her face before finally regaining his senses when Leticia approached.

“What were you doing?”

Chamuka, seated in his chair, reached out his hand toward the approaching Leticia.

Soon, their hands intertwined.

He pulled Leticia closer.

Even though they were now close enough that he could embrace her without issue, Leticia, instead of stepping back, gently brushed Chamuka’s hair and met his eyes.

“You usually don’t come to the study on my days off, Chamuka. Is there something urgent happening in the domain?”

There was nothing urgent, just many annoying matters.

And he had absolutely no desire to discuss those unimportant stories with Leticia.

Chamuka changed the subject while bringing Leticia’s palm to rest against his cheek. He wanted to have a more romantic conversation.

“Say it with more familiarity, not so formally.”

Leticia hesitated a bit before murmuring softly.

“Chamuka.”

She smiled, wrinkling her nose in embarrassment, and gently pulled her hand free from his grasp. She added an excuse.

“It still feels a bit unfamiliar. And somewhat embarrassing.”

It was Leticia’s consideration, knowing that Chamuka would fall into a spiral of a thousand different conjectures and anguish just because she withdrew her hand.

Although they hadn’t been lovers for long, based on her experience during that short time, Leticia could easily anticipate Chamuka’s overthinking.

Of course, Chamuka exercised caution, following Astrid’s teaching to test even a stone bridge before crossing.

“You didn’t dislike me holding your hand, did you?”

“Of course not. Can’t you see my ears turning red?”

Leticia reassured Chamuka.

Chamuka carefully observed Leticia’s reddened ears before speaking.

“But shouldn’t you practice more to get used to something unfamiliar?”

“That’s… true.”

“Can I hold it again?”

At Chamuka’s question, Leticia let out an awkward laugh before finally muttering while avoiding his eyes.

“Holding hands is fine, but Chamuka, you…”

“Say it more warmly.”

“Chamuka, can’t you blink your eyes?”

“Eyes?”

“No, it’s just that you keep staring without blinking, and it makes me self-conscious.”

Had he not blinked while with Leticia? Chamuka rubbed his eyes.

He hadn’t thought about whether he was blinking or not.

“Don’t your eyes feel dry? Can eyes be trained, too? Why don’t you blink?”

“I didn’t realize I was doing that…”

Anyway, if his eyes were bothering her, the solution was simple. Chamuka closed his eyes.

“Then I’ll keep them closed, so can I hold your hand again?”

Instead of answering, Leticia took Chamuka’s hand.

He instinctively pulled her hand closer and suddenly thought he wanted to embrace her like this.

Perhaps it was because he could smell her scent better now that they were closer.

With his eyes still closed, Chamuka impulsively spoke.

“Can I hug you?”

He immediately wanted to check Leticia’s reaction, but because of her comment about his staring making her uncomfortable, he couldn’t open his eyes.

When there was no response, Chamuka hurriedly spoke to retract his words.

“I just…”

However, as soon as Chamuka opened his mouth, Leticia grabbed his shoulders and sat on his lap.

The leather of the chair made a sound when pressed. A warm body temperature could be felt in Chamuka’s arms.

Chamuka briefly doubted his senses. Everything felt surreal.

He hadn’t expected this much.

He had only imagined hugging a still Leticia, not Leticia entering his embrace first.

But it felt good. Really…

He could feel Leticia burying her head in the crook of his neck. Her hair tickled his chin.

Eventually, Chamuka couldn’t resist and opened his eyes.

It wasn’t an illusion; Leticia was really sitting on his lap, nestled in his arms.

Because she had buried her face in his neck, he couldn’t see her face, but her ears, visible through her golden hai,r were bright red.

Strangely, saliva pooled in his mouth, but he swallowed it.

The room had already grown quiet, and when only the sound of swallowing was heard, Leticia’s shoulders flinched.

How long had they stayed like that, just embracing? When Leticia’s bright red ears had turned pink, she spoke in a small voice.

“…Oh, it’s Kalia’s birthday soon, isn’t it?”

Leticia’s effort to appear calm by bringing up an everyday topic was commendable.

However, Chamuka, who should have appreciated that effort, was entranced by her reddened ears and nape, which seemed to be acutely aware of him with her entire body.

Chamuka answered in a daze.

“That’s right.”

But with Leticia’s subsequent words, Chamuka’s mind gradually returned to its place.

“Shall we go to the domain to see the family after so long?”

“What about the performances?”

“We can just not schedule any performances for a while. What does it matter? I’ve worked hard for a year, so it’s time for a break.”

Leticia said.

“Shall we go together?”

Chamuka briefly thought about Astrid’s threatening letter.

About what his future would be like if Astrid, who came here with Kalia, realized that Leticia wasn’t here.

Should they wait for the family here, or should they go to the domain, where the family wouldn’t be, just the two of them without telling anyone?

The former was certainly the most sensible choice.

If he sneaked Leticia away like this, Chamuka’s body and soul would likely be separated by Astrid’s hands.

However, dealing with those consequences was a matter for the future, not the present.

In the end, Chamuka chose.

The aftermath would sort itself out somehow.

“Let’s go together, just the two of us, Leti.”

Chamuka whispered in Leticia’s ear, thinking about the upcoming journey with just the two of them.

Just thinking about it felt so good that he couldn’t even consider the consequences.

Side Stories End

T/N: Am I the only one who found Leticia’s big reveal utterly underwhelming? Where were Tan and Ferrik’s reactions when we needed them most? Speaking of Ferrik—did he fall into a plot hole for the last several chapters? Was he on vacation? Did the author forget he existed?
Poor Prince Sion! Was he bound and gagged in a closet for the rest of the story? The royal family may be trash (no debate needed there), but he seemed relatively innocent. All we ever learned about him was “he was sickly.” And what happened to the rest of the royal family? Did they all just… evaporate?
Chapter 138 and Leticia JUST discovered her feelings? Can we even call this slow burn anymore, or do we need to invent a new term?
The finale was about as exciting as watching paint dry. I get that bloody revenge wouldn’t suit Leticia’s character, but couldn’t we have gotten… something? Everyone’s supposedly working hard behind the scenes, but doing what exactly? The emperor barely suffered! Did he suffer at all? Losing power hardly seems like adequate punishment after everything he did.
The side stories finally got Leti and Chamuka together, but all we got was hand-holding and hugging? That quick peck in the first side story doesn’t count. I was promised romance, not a “How to Interact with Your First Crush” guidebook!

How did the other Basilintes react to them dating? Do they even know? And what about Tan? Can he move on from Leti when clearly no one else in that family can get over their crushes? Is he doomed to pine forever like the rest of them?

What was the deal with Aina and Nathan? Were they actually not blood-related siblings? Questions upon questions that will haunt me forever.

Conclusion: Despite all these shortcomings (and my endless complaints), I genuinely enjoyed this story and had a blast translating it. Hope you all enjoyed it as well.