A merchant, who had been observing Kasallin and Parnes for a while, approached them warmly.

Parnes naturally pulled his hood down, and Kasallin stared at the merchant with wide eyes.

“How did you—”

“How did I know? You’re both so polite, hesitating and barely making eye contact. Yet, holding hands like new lovers…”

The merchant smirked, glancing at their tightly clasped hands.

“You’re in an arranged marriage, but now that you’re wed, you’re so smitten you don’t know what to do. Am I right?”

At that moment, Kasallin’s face flushed uncontrollably.

Even Parnes, who rarely showed emotion, had a slight tremor in his gaze.

“What—what kind of embarrassing talk is that?”

“You both seem new to the festival, so let me share a special tip. Look over there.”

They turned their heads where the merchant pointed. A few people were stacking logs to build a massive bonfire.

“As you can see, there’s a campfire soon, and it’s a highlight of our festival.”

“A highlight?”

“When the campfire’s flames burn highest and brightest, legend says that if lovers kiss with their hearts aligned, they’ll share a passionate love and live happily ever after.”

As soon as the merchant finished, both their hands trembled simultaneously.

Parnes fell into an odd silence, then turned away as if it wasn’t worth considering.

“…Childish nonsense.”

“You should try it! Who knows, it might change your fate!”

The merchant’s teasing, laughter-filled voice faded as he moved away.

Parnes walked on silently, never speaking, but never letting go of her hand.

‘Perhaps His Majesty wants to return to the palace soon…’

He didn’t seem to be enjoying himself. He appeared uninterested in everything around them.

Kasallin didn’t know how to make him happy.

In that awkward atmosphere, after walking a few minutes, the air grew warmer. The campfire had just been lit.

Women wearing flower crowns emerged from all directions. They formed a large circle and began to dance.

People clapped, whistled, and offered prayers to the full moon.

Everyone looked happy. The faces of the crowd were filled with bright smiles.

For some reason, Kasallin couldn’t take her eyes off the scene.

“…Your Majesty. It’s time to return to the palace.”

At that moment, a guard dressed in black approached like a shadow and whispered softly in Parnes’s ear.

Parnes gave a slight nod, and the guard vanished silently.

Kasallin, engrossed in watching the growing flames, hadn’t noticed the guard’s approach.

Parnes gazed at his wife tenderly.

Then, he leaned in, bringing his lips close to her ear.

“My lady, it’s getting late. Shall we return to the palace…”

“What? What did you say?”

It’s too noisy to hear. Kasallin raised her voice to ask again.

The lively lute music grew louder. As Parnes leaned closer to speak again,

A few children, holding snacks and running, were pushed by the crowd and bumped into Kasallin’s legs.

Kasallin stumbled slightly, and their lips nearly brushed.

“…!”

Parnes’s golden eyes, wide with surprise, were right before hers.

Feeling the cool, soft sensation near her lips, a flustered Kasallin stepped back.

At that moment, a strong arm wrapped firmly around her waist.

Parnes pulled her close without hesitation, closed his eyes, and pressed his lips deeply to hers.

At the same time, a massive blaze from the campfire roared as if to swallow the night sky.

The deafening cheers of the crowd filled the square.

“I won’t say it twice, so listen well, Kasallin.”

Their lips parted as he exhaled heavily.

Parnes, still with a faint heat lingering, whispered clearly but softly.

“Thank you. For giving me a day not as Emperor Parnes, but as your husband.”

“…”

“Today was the best birthday gift I’ve ever received.”

Parnes said this, then cupped Kasallin’s cheeks with both hands and kissed her again.

The starlight embroidered the night sky, ready to pour down. The flames burned fiercely.

Yet, all that beauty paled before one woman. At that moment, only his wife’s face filled Parnes’s eyes.

The events of the festival still felt as vivid as if they’d just happened.

The sultry heat of the bonfire warming her skin. His breath, far hotter, slipping between her lips.

His arms, tightly holding her waist as if never wanting to let go, trembled slightly.

In that moment, nothing else existed. She couldn’t recall how long they kissed.

‘Why did he kiss me at that moment?’

He’d dismissed the merchant’s words as ‘childish nonsense.’ Was he swept up in the moment?

“Your Majesty, the Empress. Princess Rilen’s delegation has just passed the capital gates.”

“Oh, I see.”

Nigel’s voice pulled Kasallin from her memories back to reality.

She tried to calm her faintly flushed face and focused on the task at hand.

It was the day the Kan Kingdom’s delegation was to arrive. Her role was to welcome them and ensure their comfort.

“Your Majesty, the Empress. His Majesty, the Emperor, has arrived.”

A maid spoke from outside. Soon, Parnes entered, impeccably dressed from head to toe.

No words were exchanged, but her face grew hot. She couldn’t meet his gaze.

As Kasallin lowered her eyes, she felt his gaze tracing every part of her face.

As if he were carefully gauging her mood.

After such a kiss, she didn’t know how to start a conversation.

But soon, she realized she didn’t need to worry.

“The delegation will arrive soon. Let’s head to the entrance.”

It seemed only she was still unsettled by the festival’s memory.

Parnes remained calm, as if he’d completely forgotten the moment.

Kasallin quietly followed him to the first palace entrance.

As they walked, she occasionally felt his gaze linger on her face.

With an unreadable emotion in his eyes, he slowly spoke.

“You’ve looked pale lately. Are you sure you don’t need rest?”

Kasallin touched her face as she descended the stairs.

It was true that her growing pregnancy brought fatigue, but she could manage.

Surprised he’d noticed such a small change, she nodded calmly.

“I’m fine.”

“As I’ve said before, I can handle the events alone. You shouldn’t push yourself…”

Before he finished, Kasallin smiled reassuringly.

“Today is an important day with foreign guests. I don’t want to stay cooped up in the Empress’s Palace. Welcoming them is my role, so don’t worry.”

He gave a slightly disapproving look but didn’t press further.

The Kan Kingdom’s delegation stayed at Renel Palace for a few weeks.

Representatives from both nations held luncheons, tea gatherings, and meetings on a set schedule.

They discussed practical matters—resuming diplomatic ties, the transfer of the Danver region, and disputes at borders and neutral zones—gradually aligning their views.

But Kasallin could hardly attend the events midway through.

In late pregnancy, she suffered severe headaches, dizziness, and increasing difficulty breathing.

“My lady, are you feeling alright?”

After finishing his day, Parnes rushed to the Empress’s Palace and knelt by her bedside. His worried gaze scanned her.

“I’m fine. I should be overseeing the events as Empress…”

“I’ve told you not to apologize for that. I’ll handle everything, so you should rest without worry.”

“Everyone’s busy working, so how can I just sit idle? Please, if there’s anything I can do, tell me.”

A faint sigh escaped his lips.

He gazed at her, as if weighing something, then spoke cautiously.

“My lady, how about leaving the palace for a while to focus on rest?”

“Rest?”

“Of course, you can refuse if you don’t want to. But you must have felt it lately—your strength waning, your ailments growing, yet you’re driven by an obsession to keep handling state affairs.”

“That’s…”

“As your husband, it’s hard to watch.”

Kasallin pursed her lips, thinking how to counter his words.

But knowing he wasn’t entirely wrong, she could only bow her head sheepishly.

“I know. Being in the palace makes me feel I must do something. But still…”

Kasallin trailed off, lost in thought.

Sensing her resolve wavering, Parnes quietly took her hand.

“Just a couple of hours by carriage, there’s a place called ‘Hissbury.’ Many empresses have gone there to recuperate and give birth. I’m sure you’ll like it.”