When he mentioned breaking off the engagement, he initially thought her innocent-faced question was just an expression of regret. So he answered thoughtlessly that they would have. How foolish.

And by the time he understood the true meaning of those words, Rachel was already dead.

As the past days came to mind, Dade hardened his expression and looked at Nian. Nian was biting her lip and maintaining silence.

“Well, since the misunderstanding seems to be cleared up, I’ll take my leave now.”

Cain sighed, bowed his head in a silent salute, and left the cottage. He was quite composed for someone who had nearly died. Dade didn’t stop Cain as he left the cottage, seemingly accepting the excuse that had suddenly occurred to him.

When the story of her mother came up, Nian’s heart ached with memories of her missed mother. But what hurt even more was his eyes looking at her with guilt.

Seeing those eyes, even the well-intentioned lie that had saved Cain’s life felt cruel.

‘Mother. It’s alright if you scold me for being so unfilial.’

Nian looked warmly at Dade and approached him as he hung his head like a dejected puppy. Then she took his hand and called softly.

“Your Majesty.”

“Speak.”

“I don’t blame Your Majesty anymore.”

“Why?”

“Because I want things to always be like ‘now.'”

He raised his head.

In fact, putting aside his guilty feelings, he had been ready to snap back at her as usual if she dared to resent him.

Apologies were unfamiliar to him who had lived nobly since childhood, and in a way, it was justified. Although somehow one corner of his heart ached, he pretended not to notice.

However, contrary to expectations, Nian offered words of comfort rather than resentment.

When Dade looked at her with eyes mixed with various emotions, she immediately approached closer and embraced him. From his cold treatment in the past to his infinitely affectionate recent behavior, all were aspects of Dade.

How could she have forgotten all the wounds she received from him in the past? Nian had come to love not just the sweet parts of him that were kind to her, but all of him completely.

Despite this, it wasn’t that she loved him, but rather, she came to love him because of this.

Her warm love like this melted even his frozen heart.

Just as the ground finally appears in spring after the long winter snow melts, his ice-cold heart thawed. And then the guilt hidden beneath was completely revealed.

After maintaining silence for a while, Dade finally opened his mouth with a sigh.

“As soon as the urgent matters are finished, I’ll make time and we’ll visit your family home for a few days.”

Feeling his heart, Nian smiled brightly.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And.”

“?”

“I’ll say it once more, don’t meet that count. He bothers me. This is the last warning.”

“……”

“Answer me.”

“Yes. I understand.”

Nian answered as if conceding. Only then did Dade embrace her in return. As Nian had once said, he wanted her to be lonely if she wasn’t with him.

He hated the thought of anyone else comforting her, especially if it was a man. When he realized her tears were because of him and not that guy, he felt relieved in a way.

‘Yes, Ilena. I have no intention of giving up anything that’s yours. Be it resentment or tears.’

A terrible possessiveness consumed Dade.

* * *

Dade’s drive was truly remarkable. After ordering Nian to complete all her pending work within two days, Dade himself practically lived in his study for two days and finished all the work that had accumulated for several days.

For the first time in a while, both of their desks were completely cleared. And from there, Dade departed with Nian for her family home.

Sitting in the Emperor’s enormous carriage, which she was riding for the first time in her life, Nian smiled awkwardly at Dade who had packed an excessive amount of gifts.

“That’s too much, Your Majesty.”

Dade, with his eyes closed, perhaps tired from two days of overwork, replied with slightly bloodshot eyes.

“It’s a lot because I’m packing five years’ worth at once.”

“And ten days is too long, Your Majesty.”

“We’ll only stay at your family home for a short while.”

He had clearly told the Empress Dowager that he would be away for ten days.

Nian looked at him somewhat curiously.

“I thought we might just travel around nearby for the rest. It gets stuffy being in the imperial palace all the time.”

“……”

“Don’t you like it?”

How could she not?

Nian smiled brightly.

“No. I like it, Your Majesty. I like it very much.”

“Then stop chattering and come here.”

Dade pulled Nian’s wrist. As they lay down on the soft, long sofa, Nian also felt fatigue washing over her. Although the carriage shook occasionally, neither of them woke up until they arrived at her family home.

* * *

Upon arriving, all the household members, including Nian’s father, Duke Roben, were waiting to greet them. After deeply bowing to welcome the Emperor, the group soon guided them to their rooms.

Refusing the spacious room offered by the Duke, Dade chose the room Nian had used in her childhood.

It was a cozy room with a small single bed and high-quality but well-used furniture, which made Nian very embarrassed.

Dade soon lay down on her bed. The bed was filled when his sturdy frame lay on it. Lying on the bed, he naturally stretched his arm toward Nian.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you tired?”

Nian felt a strange feeling seeing him lying on her old bed.

“We slept in the carriage. If you’re tired, get some rest.”

Dade soon got up and insisted on embracing her before lying down on the bed.

“When will you ever become obedient?”

Having heard those words before, Nian blushed slightly.

“What do you mean?”

“I slept in the carriage too.”

“……”

“I’m not saying let’s sleep, I’m saying let me hold you.”

“Isn’t it too narrow?”

“That’s even better.”

Dade soon buried his face in Nian’s neck.

“I’m hungry.”

“?”

“But I’ll restrain myself this time.”

Nian was surprised at herself for feeling both relieved and somewhat disappointed by his words. After holding her silently for a while, Dade released Nian and got up.

Then he approached the bookshelf on one side of the room. It held novels and humanities books that revealed Nian’s tastes. Beside the desk stood a sword, which seemed out of place.

Seeing the rather crude appearance, Dade asked her with surprise:

“What’s this?”

“Oh, this is still here?”

Nian received the sword with apparent delight.

“Is it yours?”

“Yes. Brother Cain gave it to me.”

Nian smiled faintly as if recalling old memories.

“Must be quite precious.”

“I once got scolded by Father for following Brother Cain around during his sword training, and that’s when he gave it to me. He said I could practice alone and when my skills improved, he’d spar with me.”

The blade was completely dulled — Cain must have deadened the edge to prevent Nian from getting hurt.

Dade was not pleased.

“Ah. So it’s a memento from someone precious?”

“What?”

“I have something like that too. I keep it very preciously. I look at it every day and remember.”

Nian erased the smile that had been on her lips at Dade’s words. Catching a glimpse of her face, Dade raised one corner of his mouth in a smile.

“Why? You don’t seem too happy either?”

“It’s nothing.”

“So, don’t smile over things given by other men.”

“Your Majesty. He was just like a childhood playmate.”

“Ha. So you want me to understand? And if I can’t, it’s because I’m narrow-minded?”

“Your Majesty. That’s not what I meant……”

“I’m already furious enough that you call a man who isn’t even your blood relative ‘brother.’ Does he really think of you just as a sister? Don’t try to make me understand by blaming me.”

Seeing Dade bare his teeth whenever Cain was mentioned, Nian immediately surrendered. She had been careless. In her excitement, she hadn’t considered his feelings.

“I won’t do it again, Your Majesty. I’m just saying that’s how it is. Don’t misunderstand.”

As Dade still couldn’t calm his anger, Nian soothed him quite skillfully. Setting down the sword, she approached Dade and stroked his hair.

“Will you keep being angry when I’m being so obedient?”

She lowered her hand to stroke his firmly set lips, then stood on tiptoe to give him a light kiss.

“Please calm down, Your Majesty. I’m sorry.”

Dade finally looked down at her with a somewhat softened expression, then touched her plump lips that had just brushed against his. Nian’s lips curled up slightly as if ticklish, and she looked straight up into his eyes.

Perhaps it was because of the few days apart, but somehow just touching him made her feel hot below. Nian wrapped her arms around his neck, and Dade supported her waist and embraced her.

“Close your eyes, Your Majesty.”

He finally burst into laughter at her daring to command him.

“What are you planning?”

“Well? Since you’ve been so sulky, I think I should punish you.”

Nian gave an alluring smile. Looking at his blue eyes that still hadn’t closed, she stood on tiptoe.

When she pulled on his neck that she was embracing, he bent his waist and came closer, and their sweet breaths intertwined right in front of each other. As he eagerly approached to steal her lips, she turned her head and skillfully avoided him.

He groaned in frustration. She whispered softly to him as he whined like a child.

“How about it? Will you accept it meekly?”

Only then did he close his eyes obediently, as if conceding. After looking at him for a moment, she raised her head and kissed him. He hungrily sucked in her lips that lightly touched his, and both of their breathing became rougher.

Before long, his hands began caressing her soft body and untying the knots of her clothes. As her collarbone was slightly exposed through the loosened clothes, he licked it and whispered in a voice immersed in excitement.

“Can you hold back your voice?”

“If you’re gentle with me.”

At her answer, he pulled off her clothes in one breath.

As if even the time to get to the bed was precious, he pushed her against the bookshelf. Nian responded passionately to his somewhat rough kisses and clung to him. He urgently undid his belt and tore open his shirt.

He lifted one of her legs, raising the skirt of her dress that hadn’t been completely removed.