Recalling Logia’s casual suggestion, Kasalyn was frustrated at herself for actually coming here.

What was she even hoping to achieve by meeting him here?

Preparing to leave before being seen by others, that’s when she heard it.

“The late Emperor was also a handsome man in his youth, just like His Majesty. It must run in the family.”

“Look at his sleek and elegant stature. Isn’t he like the reincarnation of the god of beauty?”

Young ladies, freshly debuted into adulthood, gathered in a corner of the training ground, secretly watching Parnes.

Seeing the blush on their faces, Kasalyn hesitated and approached the railing.

Clang!

Amid the dusty haze, two sharply honed swords clashed, creating a piercing sound.

Parnes, with his majestic upper body vividly exposed under the sun, was clashing swords with the Captain of the Guard.

As the ladies said, his appearance was indescribably beautiful.

But more than that, what caught Kasalyn’s attention were the beads of sweat on Parnes’s forehead, the fruits of his efforts.

Despite being at the pinnacle of power, he diligently trained his body and mind daily.

That sight strangely stirred Kasalyn’s heart.

“Sorry, but you can’t do this here.”

That’s when it happened.

A guard on watch nearby hurried over and warned the ladies.

“We’ll just watch quietly. Can’t we stay?”

“No, you can’t. This is His Majesty the Emperor’s personal training area. Please leave.”

“Aw…”

The ladies couldn’t hide their disappointment.

Somehow, Kasalyn found herself being grouped with them and being shooed away.
Embarrassed at being caught sneaking a peek, Kasalyn’s face flushed belatedly.

Thinking she should leave before Parnes noticed her, at that moment…

“……Kasalyn?”

Startled by the familiar voice behind her, Kasalyn closed her eyes tightly.

Shame crawled over her skin like bugs, from her toes to her head.

In the brief moment she turned towards him, she pondered desperately what to say.

Parnes, rendering her inner turmoil pointless, said:

“……What’s with that face? Looks like you haven’t eaten well for days.”

“What?”

“Did something happen?”

Parnes gently grasped her chin with his thick hand, examining her face carefully from every angle, then frowned, demanding a quick answer.

“I asked if something happened.”

No one else had noticed.

Even Rose and Challen, whom she saw daily, had been indifferent, yet he had discerned it immediately.

His penetrating gaze held an unidentifiable mix of concern and worry, beyond mere astuteness.

“How did you know?”

Stunned, Kasalyn asked, prompting Parnes to flick her forehead in exasperation, albeit gently.

“Ouch!”

“It’s obvious, isn’t it? You, already thin and frail, have become even more gaunt in just a few days. It’s hard not to notice. Really.”

“Why are you getting angry? And when have I ever slinked around? Do you think I’m some kind of squid?”

“You’re challenging the Emperor now?”

As Kasalyn stood her ground with wide eyes, Parnes couldn’t help but let out a snicker.

Onlookers, including Duke Ludwick and the guards, were nearly pale, not because Kasalyn was talking back to the Emperor, but because Parnes seemed almost delighted, struggling to contain his smile.

“What a grumpy little acorn of a face.”

“You keep comparing me to small, insignificant things. For your information, I’m tall for a woman.”

“I never said you were short, you’re just getting defensive on your own.”

“……!”

As Kasalyn’s eyes widened and her face reddened, Parnes burst into laughter, the first time he’d laughed so heartily, leaving the surrounding courtiers in shock.

Especially Duke Ludwick and the Captain of the Guard, who had served him for years, looked as if they had seen a ghost.

‘Why are they reacting like this……?’

Kasalyn, still not over her embarrassment, gazed up at him.

Their eyes met, and he playfully tousled her hair.

Just then, sunlight broke through the clouds overhead, shining brilliantly on his handsome smile.

She couldn’t tear her eyes away from him.

“How on earth did someone like you end up in my palace?”

“What?”

“Just talking to myself. Never mind.”

There was something dubious about it, definitely not a compliment.

Kasalyn absentmindedly touched the top of her head, where his large hand had lingered.

It would’ve been nice if he had stroked it a bit more.

That subconscious thought dissipated into the warm, slightly muggy spring breeze.