When he grumbled unlike his usual self, I became even more amused, thinking I wanted to play such tricks several more times.

“I think it would be fair if there were more hints.”

“I hear fortune is close by.”

After I gave that small hint, he started focusing his search on his bedroom and office.

So I deliberately went to have tea in Rashid’s room. I wanted to watch him search and ponder here and there.

「Rashid paid attention to Alisa’s gaze watching him. He was trying not to miss even a moment when she might glance somewhere.」

I lowered my eyes with an ambiguous smile at his thoughts that rose like clouds.

Even without more hints, it wouldn’t take long now. Since he had narrowed the area to his own space, finding the four-leaf clover was just a matter of time.

It was waiting for Rashid’s touch, quietly tucked inside a book placed neatly on one of the study’s bookshelves. Waiting for him to find it soon and bring it into the light.

‘I hope he won’t be angry after finding it?’

On the other hand, that anxiety also crept up. I worried he might be disappointed, saying “was it just this?” after searching so hard.

And so we had arrived at today.

When we sat down, Macy brought tea. We made small talk while waiting for dinner to be prepared.

Rashid questioned me about what happened at the imperial palace, and I answered willingly.

I also asked if there was any problem with Castor. But Rashid vaguely dismissed it as nothing special. My complaint about the unfairness was also ignored.

I grumbled while changing the subject.

“By the way, I’m thinking of learning how to ride a horse.”

“Suddenly?”

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while, and I think it would be good to learn before it gets colder.”

“No.”

Rashid cut me off immediately. At his firm expression that left no room for discussion, I pushed out my lips in dissatisfaction.

“Why not?”

“Because it’s dangerous.”

“I can ride carefully.”

“I’m still worried.”

My goodness, what did I just hear? He’s worried about me, did I hear that right? To think such a day would come as we lived together.

My mood improved a bit at these unexpected words. But not wanting to show that, I tried to hide my expression.

“You can teach me.”

“That would work too.”

“If you’re not too busy.”

“We’ll need to prepare a horse first.”

“Just a small horse would be enough.”

Rashid insisted we needed to buy a new horse, while I tried to dissuade him saying that wasn’t necessary.

The following dinner was peaceful as always. After dinner, Rashid once again set off on his journey to find the four-leaf clover. While he took out and checked the books in the study one by one, I sat beside him reading or making conversation.

Such tender moments continued, and so…… I was happy.

I came to wish these times would never end.

And if possible, I hoped Rashid felt the same happiness. Could I hope…… that the time we spend together makes him happy too?

As I took in Rashid’s appearance, Castor’s question kept circling in my mind. I wanted to ask Rashid that same question, but I couldn’t muster the courage.

Afraid he might say no.

……And afraid I might get hurt by that answer.

* * *

That night, I opened my eyes in the pitch-black darkness.

The first sensation I felt was touch. Following Rashid’s arm holding me and his body heat against my nose, his characteristic deep and rich scent awakened my sense of smell.

As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I could see his neck. Next was his bare chest visible through his open robe. The skin with its finely woven muscles seemed newly fascinating.

Rashid had always dressed like this since we started sharing a bed, but today my face felt unusually hot.

‘It’s because of Castor.’

Because he asked unnecessary things, that question bred thoughts and those thoughts led to other thoughts. So it’s all his fault. I resented Castor for giving me needless worries.

“Rashid.”

I quietly called his name. Rashid didn’t move.

“Are you asleep?”

Even when I called again, there was no answer. He seemed to be in a deep sleep.

After hesitating for a moment, I carefully pressed his chest area lightly with my index finger. Though he was always close by, I had only looked until now, and suddenly became curious how it would feel to touch. The tightly woven muscles bounced back against my finger, boasting their firm elasticity.

‘Softer than I expected.’

Finding it somehow fun, I continued pressing various places. My finger that had been circling around Rashid’s chest area moved past his collarbone to reach his Adam’s apple. His protruding Adam’s apple stood out clearly.

As I tapped it lightly, I thought of his voice. His low but soft voice, and the way it felt strong from his firm tone, rang vivid in my ears.

“Alisa.”

Yes, just like that……

“Huh?”

Startled, I pulled my gaze upward to find Rashid with his eyes slightly open.

“When, when did you wake up?”

“Who knows.”

“Were you awake the whole time?”

“Maybe.”

“What am I supposed to do, I asked if you were sleeping! I trusted that……”

I keep rambling in my panic. I felt like a pervert. No, actually I had no excuse even if Rashid thought so right now.

While I was floundering trying to find words, suddenly my vision spun. He had turned over while holding me. As a result, I ended up lying on top of Rashid’s body.

“Wait, just a moment……”

When I hurriedly tried to get up, Rashid grabbed my waist. I placed my hands on his chest and remained frozen in an awkward position with just my upper body raised, unable to move either way.

My long hair cascaded down like a waterfall onto his body. As I pressed down with my weight, his chest pushed back against my hands with firm bones beneath the soft flesh. My body felt burning hot from the contact of our temperatures where our bodies were pressed together and our legs were tangled.

It would have been better if I couldn’t see anything, but my eyes had adjusted to the deep blue darkness and could make out the surroundings dimly. I finally caught my wandering eyes and fixed them on him. Rashid’s golden eyes were waiting for me.

“Alisa.”

“Yes……”

“Here.”

He pointed to his lips.

Laughter leaked out naturally as the tension drained away. What an adorable gesture.

‘Is this how he’s been seducing other women all this time?’

Is this this man’s instinct?

I could understand why women were enchanted by him. Not just because he was strong and beautiful, but because he knew exactly how to make one’s heart flutter with each little action.

I too had become someone whose heart surged with waves in response to his every move.

‘Should have divorced quickly.’

Or at least lived separately. I should have done that. Then I wouldn’t have grown so attached. It would have been easier to leave, and I wouldn’t have to worry about getting hurt.

I gently gathered my fingers that were carelessly resting on his chest. Rashid, stimulated by this, shifted slightly, startling me into removing my hand.

“Come on.”

As I hesitated, Rashid urged again.

Though it wasn’t our first kiss, though we must have pressed our lips together dozens or hundreds of times, I still felt shy.

‘Should I wait until he just does it first?’

Like he had until now, then I could pretend to accept it reluctantly.

But Rashid didn’t do that, instead he faithfully waited for me to approach first. Yet his arm around my waist remained firmly fixed, not allowing my escape.

I shifted my body slightly in an awkward position. My pink hair, unable to hide its saturation even in darkness, scattered near his face.

I looked at Rashid in the middle of the night. And as if confirming his existence, I traced his face. My hand moved from his straight forehead, past his high straight nose bridge and lean cheeks, to touch his lips.

Rashid, as if he had been waiting, slightly pursed his lips to push up my finger. Like he’s showing me where……

“Ah.”

An exclamation escaped without my knowing. Hearing that sound, Rashid smiled. Even in the darkness, the curve he drew was clearly visible.

At that moment, the area below my cervical vertebrae tingled. It felt like my insides were being tickled with fine feathers.

Finding that small action unbearably lovable, I slowly lowered myself to kiss him.

The time until our lips met felt incredibly long. Even after lowering my head to just in front of his nose, thousands of thoughts whirled through my mind. It felt like crossing some line, to kiss him like this.

But that obstacle couldn’t stop me. My feelings of finding him lovable overflowed, having already swept away the dam holding back the water.

The sensation of his lips waiting for me was familiar.

The first touch was fresh, lips meeting lightly then parting. Soft and moist. The next time I pressed a little longer, a little harder.

Rashid remained still, letting me do as I pleased. Usually he would have grabbed my nape like catching prey and clung persistently. Now he was like a wolf pretending to be a docile sheep.

Thinking that, I found him somehow so adorable that giggles burst out between our lips meeting and parting.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Just, you seem like a child.”

“You’re the only one who thinks that.”

“That’s good, that only I can see it.”

It was a joy to me that only I thought that way, that he showed such sides only to me.

Ah, well, there’s also Castor but… his perspective must be completely different from mine.

“You seem more childlike to me.”

“How so?”