He smiled bitterly.

Dade was the one who broke the dizzy silence flowing between them.

“We have no schedule today. The welcome party will be tomorrow.”

It seemed the Kingdom of Rund had arranged the schedule this way for their travel-weary guests.

“They’ll bring meals to us, so let’s rest well.”

Dade said in a gentle voice. Nian nodded at his words.

After she finished drying his hair, he raised his head. For a brief moment, their eyes met, and then they both turned away at the same time. Dade hurriedly got up from the bed and turned around, while Nian dashed into the bathroom.

Inside the bathroom, Nian slumped down against the door, and Dade’s fingers trembled as he picked up his discarded shirt.

When Nian emerged after washing, breakfast was already prepared.

A simple but adequate morning meal of plain soup, golden toasted bread, bacon, and fresh salad was laid out on a small table.

Dade had apparently waited for her before eating.

“Sit down quickly. I’m hungry.”

Nian sat at the table with a slightly dazed feeling. Only after she sat did he begin to sip his soup. As she stared blankly at him, something welled up inside her, and she quickly picked up her spoon and swallowed it with the soup.

She realized this was their first time eating together.

Well, eating together wasn’t the only first. Holding hands. His embrace at night was so warm it kept her awake. Freely touching his soft hair that tangled in her fingers like a spider’s web.

Looking back, everything was a first.

As memories of their time together flashed through her mind like a kaleidoscope, Nian smiled faintly.

The meal passed quietly except for the occasional small clattering sounds. As they finished eating, Dade wiped his mouth and asked her,

“Do you have anything planned for today?”

“No.”

“Get ready. Let’s go out.”

“What?”

“Surely you’re not planning to sleep in that outfit again tonight?”

“Ah……”

“Hurry. I don’t know the area well, so we need to move quickly.”

Dade urged her. Originally, the Kingdom of Rund had offered to provide guides for sightseeing, but Dade had declined. He wanted to buy clothes and move around freely. At his urging, Nian hurriedly prepared herself.

* * *

All the outfits Azel had packed for going out were excessively glamorous, even provocative. She chose the most modest one among them, but even that sparkled with every step. Perhaps Azel had worried that her mistress might be disrespected in a foreign country.

Dade clicked his tongue lightly at the embarrassed Nian.

“We need to buy more than just nightwear.”

“I didn’t pack casual clothes because I didn’t expect we’d be going out on our own.”

Nian didn’t blame Azel. Seeing this, he smiled wryly.

“I wonder if those impertinent nightgowns really are your taste after all.”

When he habitually teased her, Nian felt mischievous for some reason and approached him, lightly holding her skirt. She placed her hand on his chest and said in a languid tone.

“My, I thought you would like them.”

Dade looked at her with considerably deepened eyes and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer.

“If liking them means wanting to tear those thin scraps of fabric the moment I see them, then yes.”

Though Nian flinched visibly at his response, she seemed determined not to back down and raised her hand from his chest to his cheek.

“Then, I’ll leave it to you next time, Your Majesty.”

She smiled seductively. Seeing this uncharacteristic behavior, Dade’s face reddened before he quickly turned away.

Only then did Nian smile victoriously, gently pushing him away as she turned around.

‘Ha, so fearless.’

From Nian’s perspective, it was an awkward provocation, but had she known his state, she wouldn’t have done it.

She would obviously run two steps back if he took one step forward.

Dade shook his head as he watched her scurrying away, unaware of what she had done.

The bustling area in front of the Rund royal palace was larger than expected. Not only the main streets but even the narrow alleys were packed with cozy shops.

He entered the first clothing store they saw. After choosing a dress made of thin fabric material, Dade watched Nian as she finally moved around lightly and said.

“Dressed like that, you look like ‘Ilena.'”

Nian fell into thought for a moment. Then she looked him directly in the eyes and said assertively.

“Not like Ilena—I am Ilena, Your Majesty.”

“Yes.”

Perhaps that was what they both wanted most.

Not Emperor and Empress, but Ilena and Dade. A woman and a man.

Both Dade and Nian fell silent. After walking wordlessly for a while, Dade spoke.

“Do you have any herb tea leaves left?”

“They’re at the cottage. Would you like some?”

“No. I’ll come by to drink it soon.”

At his words, Nian smiled more gently.

“Alright.”

Perhaps for quite some time, the cottage had been not just her space but their space.

As they looked around various places, they were drawn into a small restaurant with pretty flower pots in a narrow alley. He ordered coffee, and she ordered lemon tea.

They sat facing each other by a small window.

“Your Majesty.”

She called him softly. He glanced around briefly before answering.

“Ilena.”

“?”

“Everyone’s staring. Just call me by my name.”

“……”

“Go ahead, say it.”

“Lord…… Dade.”

“Without the ‘Lord.'”

“Dade.”

He smiled with satisfaction.

“Yes. What is it?”

“Don’t you like herb tea?”

She seemed curious why he had ordered coffee when herb tea was on the menu. He picked up his cup with a faint smile.

Did he like herb tea?

“Not really.”

He used to enjoy the herb scent enough to atone for her sins with herb tea, but he didn’t like it?

At this unexpected answer, she stared at him curiously.

“I’ve told you many times.”

“?”

“That what I want isn’t herb tea.”

At his words, Nian lowered her head deeply to hide her reddening cheeks.

Something must be broken somewhere in her body. Otherwise, how could a single casually thrown comment in such a blunt tone make her feel so elated?

What was this feeling? Her heart felt fluffy and warm. Her heart, which had always been frozen in a solid lump, melted in the gentle flame and became soft and smooth.

Lost in thought for a moment, Nian spoke again.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

Nian hesitated a bit before continuing. Her tone was measured but tinged with a hint of sadness.

“Even if I leave the palace someday, thanks to these recent months, I won’t be as sad as before.”

“What?”

He asked somewhat sharply, reverting to his cold tone.

“You’re talking nonsense. As if it’s something you can choose.”

Indeed. Neither becoming Empress nor meeting him again had anything to do with Nian’s choices.

The end of this relationship would probably be the same.

Despite his cold words, Nian simply smiled warmly, as if accustomed to them. Faced with her smile that defensively dismantled his combative stance, he finally sighed and changed the subject.

“When we return to the palace, take some time to rest.”

Though the Empress Dowager was standing in, it was only temporary, and there would undoubtedly be a pile of unfinished work. And knowing Nian’s personality, she would overwork herself to complete it all.

“If I postpone it, preparing for the upcoming party will surely make me more tired.”

“Come with me.”

“What?”

“It’s annoying when my mother chases after me to nag at the end of every party you don’t attend.”

As he grumbled, Nian stared at him for a moment before nodding.

How strange. How did we become close enough to have conversations like this? It felt unfamiliar but not unpleasant.

“Let’s go back. If we’re late, the King of Rund will come looking for us.”

He stood up first. She quickly finished her remaining lemon tea and followed him out.

* * *

Night fell. As Nian hesitated awkwardly, Dade beckoned from the bedroom.

“What are you doing? Let’s sleep.”

She approached slowly and lay down on the bed. He turned toward her naturally and pulled her into his arms.

“Your Majesty.”

“What now.”

“May I ask why you’re doing this?”

“What?”

“That day, at the cliff too. And since then, to me……”

It was something she had wanted to ask all along. He had changed. He had been so cold before. Yet this same man had nearly died for her, and after arriving in Rund, had given her a gentle kiss like real lovers would share. Since then, he had been incredibly tender.

His change bewildered her.

He hesitated for a moment before answering with what sounded like a sigh.

“I don’t know either.”

He too had been thinking about it all along. Why he had acted that way then, and why he was acting like this now.

“……”

“I’ve thought about it until my head hurts, but I have no answer. Every answer I come up with is completely wrong. So, I’ve decided to stop thinking about it.”

She felt somehow sorrowful.

“……”

“It doesn’t matter. We have plenty of time anyway.”

Yes, there will be plenty of time to hate each other in the future. So, for just this moment, let’s stay like this.

He swallowed the rest of his words and held her more tightly. Then he began to pat her shoulder gently.