Meeting Kyle taught me many things and changed so much. Watching my world gradually expand because of this, I slowly realized something.

‘This is why God gave me Kyle.’

Without Kyle, I never would have taken a single step out of the temple.

When Richard proposed to me, I asked him whether he could bear the criticism he’d receive for stealing the Holy Maiden from so many people.

‘But Kyle would just laugh off that kind of criticism.’

That’s why it had to be Kyle.

‘And I want to be helpful to Kyle too.’

So I’ll do what I can, step by step. First, I’ll establish a school……

‘And then.’

I was resting my chin in my hand, lost in thought, when Noel, who had heard me say I learned from Kyle, shuddered and said.

“Ah, then please don’t change. There’s no way His Majesty the Emperor could teach you anything good.”

“Oh.”

What he was thinking flashed clearly across his face.

Skipping work, disappearing after handing over the approval stamp, causing trouble with uncoordinated statements, calling in Lucas when things got unfavorable, and so on.

‘Noel has suffered a lot.’

I could understand why he said that. While I was feeling sorry for Noel inwardly, Lady Eleanor adjusted her glasses and spoke to Noel in a sharp tone.

“You should have some respect for His Majesty the Emperor, Marquis Ferol. That’s going too far.”

“Then, does dear Lady Eleanor think it’s good that Lady Cioranne is becoming more like His Majesty the Emperor?”

“……That’s not what I meant, but.”

Lady Eleanor was thinking the same thing. Since I knew how hard Lady Eleanor was working, I couldn’t blame her either.

After that, we discussed the school site and temple that Lady Eleanor and I had visited in the morning. Since everyone were such elites, even when I spoke vaguely about abstract ideas, they understood perfectly and organized everything for me. I nodded.

“It seems like we’re getting a rough outline. Everyone did well.”

But nobody seemed ready to get up. Noel wore a dazed expression like Kyle enchanted by catnip and muttered.

“Holy power is amazing. Even after doing so much work, my mind feels clear. It’s like being in a forest.”

“That’s right. I feel like energy is flowing through my whole body. It’s like being eighteen again.”

I smiled gently.

“The foundation of holy power is recovery, after all.”

And though they didn’t know it, I had secretly worked hard to restore their bodies with holy power. They’d probably be startled when they went outside and saw their disappeared dark circles in the mirror.

Noel, who had been spacing out for a moment, suddenly brightened his eyes and eagerly pulled himself closer to the desk.

“I feel like I could work ten more hours like this! In that spirit, about the upcoming royal wedding……”

“Stop.”

The one who cut off Noel’s words was none other than Kyle. We were startled since we hadn’t noticed Kyle coming in and turned toward where his voice came from.

‘No, Kyle. Why are you coming in through the window?’

Wasn’t that only for when you were a panther?

Kyle, who had casually leaped over the high railing and entered, walked over and placed his hand on my shoulder. Then he spoke to those staring at him with wide eyes.

“Work hours are over for today. Anything more would violate labor standards. Everyone leave.”

“Your Majesty!”

Of course, this country did have labor standards laws. But those were strictly for special occupations and didn’t apply to high-level office workers like Noel.

‘The person who used to work me like I had no human rights is saying what now.’

Noel’s deeply furrowed expression seemed to say exactly that. Kyle didn’t care about Noel’s protest and just twitched his eyebrow.

“Got a problem?”

Noel was weak against external pressure. The moment Kyle put force behind his gaze, Noel’s expression softened and his voice became gentler. He spoke in a servile tone.

“……It’s nothing else but the royal wedding, so please listen.”

Kyle answered immediately.

“Proceed however you think best.”

“……You haven’t heard a single word yet.”

Right, Kyle. It’s too much to answer without listening at all.

When I tugged at Kyle’s sleeve to suggest he should at least listen to the story, Kyle irritably ran his fingers through his hair and answered.

“Why do you bring things to Ran instead of me in the first place? It’s because Ran approves things well, right?”

“That’s not it! No matter how sincerely I write reports, Your Majesty consistently has this attitude!”

“Really? Then I’ll assign you a caring and attentive person who’ll listen to Noel’s words. Someone named Lucas……”

“Have a pleasant evening!”

The person who had been exploding with frustration disappeared instantly like a crab hiding in a hole.

The advisors who had been staring blankly at where Noel had run off bowed their heads and followed him out. Lady Eleanor belatedly looked at her watch, startled, and bowed to Kyle.

“I apologize, Your Majesty. For some reason I didn’t feel hungry, so I didn’t realize how much time had passed.”

At her words about not feeling hungry, my shoulders flinched. If a perfectly healthy person didn’t feel hungry, the reason was me.

Kyle also seemed to notice that I had used holy power, as he pressed his hand on my shoulder and clicked his tongue.

“This is what makes this woman dangerous. If I hadn’t come, you were planning to carelessly skip dinner too, weren’t you?”

Because work was fun……

‘But if I answer like that, he’ll get angry again, won’t he?’

I rolled my eyes around. Then a lifeline appeared before me.

[The ‘Dragon Trampler’ informs you that there was already an evening appointment scheduled.]

Ah, that’s right. Tonight I was supposed to eat with Kyle. I smiled brightly and answered.

“N-no way. I thought Kyle would come get me when it was time. We agreed to have dinner together today.”

“……You’re hopeless.”

Kyle seemed to realize that I had forgotten about our appointment, but he just glanced at me lightly and let it slide.

When I got up from my seat, Kyle naturally pulled me into his arms. Suddenly finding myself held like a child in his embrace, I blinked with a bewildered expression.

Lady Eleanor spoke up in a disapproving, elevated tone.

“You’re going to carry her again? Don’t you think of Her Majesty the Empress as a princess rather than an empress?”

It did seem like this kind of cuddly carrying around suited a child more than an adult woman like me.

Even at the sharp criticism, Kyle didn’t bat an eye and answered calmly.

“She says she doesn’t have the strength to walk because she skipped meals and worked so hard.”

‘When did I say that?’

I don’t really notice hunger or fatigue to begin with.

Before I could say anything, Lady Eleanor sighed deeply and spoke first.

“I understand that you find her utterly adorable, but please show some restraint. At this rate, we’ll have the unprecedented situation of the groom carrying the bride into the royal wedding.”

“That’s a good idea. Should I also issue an order that no one else should look at Ran’s face?”

“……Enjoy your meal.”

Lady Eleanor, judging that saying more would only make the situation worse, quickly turned and left. I frowned slightly and said.

“Lady Eleanor will misunderstand.”

Kyle tilted his head and asked back.

“Why would that be a misunderstanding? I was serious.”

Startled, I turned around, and lips like melted chocolate pressed firmly against mine. Being held in his arms, I couldn’t avoid the kiss.

‘It’s like being devoured.’

Kyle’s kisses were always persistent and sticky. He seemed determined to steal all my breath, changing angles several times to layer our lips together before finally releasing me after a long while.

But even after letting me go, seemingly savoring the afterglow, his lips touched various parts of my face. Finally, he buried his face in my shoulder. His soft hair tickled my nape, making me scrunch my shoulders.

“I wish people other than me couldn’t see Ran. I don’t want to show you to them.”

“That won’t work.”

I stroked Kyle’s head like soothing a misbehaving cat. Kyle made a pitiful expression. It was that face that always made me weak.

“But Ran……”