Gentle waves broke with white foam,and the soft west wind carried the briny scent of salt.

Rising early in the morning and arriving at the imperial private harbor,Kasallin could not hide her astonishment at the sight before her.

A grand ship, larger than she had imagined,stood proudly anchored, exuding a majestic presence.

Judging by the double-headed lion emblem prominently drawn on the sails,it seemed certain that the ship belonged to Parnes.

“I’ve never seen a ship this large before.”

Kasallin, her eyes sparkling, murmured as she struggled to tear her gaze from the grand hull.

“It was used as a warship until a few years ago.It won’t falter even in storms or tidal waves. Come, this way.”

Kasallin took Parnes’s outstretched handand carefully ascended the temporary staircase.

Stepping onto the polished deck,the vast blue sea stretching beyond the horizon came into view.

Overwhelmed by the breathtaking scenery,Kasallin let out an involuntary gasp, then cleared her throat in embarrassment.

She was setting sail for an important mission,yet felt ashamed for being as excited as someone on a pleasure trip.

As if sensing her thoughts,Parnes, leaning casually against the railing, gazed down at her.

“I’m sorry. I was too excited, wasn’t I?It’s my first time leaving land.”

“Why apologize? I’ve sailed many times,and yet I still get excited each time.”

His silver hair fluttered lightly in the cool sea breeze,unlike his usual demeanor.

Kasallin easily noticed that he, who rarely showed emotional fluctuations,was telling a kind lie.

Even as an empress, it was his way of saying she could laugh freelywithout feeling burdened.

Listening to him, Kasallin realizedshe wasn’t simply thrilled about going to sea.

A confined space like a ship.

Seeing his face upon waking, meeting several times a day,sharing meals, and gazing at the same sea—she was looking forward to the days ahead.

“Your Majesty, Your Imperial Highness.The cabin is ready. Would you like to see it now?”

“Let’s go.”

“I’ll guide you. This way, please.”

Kasallin followed Ludwig, along with Parnes,to the lower deck.

The bedroom he showed them was so serene and cozythat it was hard to believe they were on a ship.

A carpeted wooden floor, a desk for handling simple tasks,and a bed with a view of the sea.

Inside, there was a bathtub,and Kasallin’s favorite books were neatly arranged in a drawer.

It seemed carefully prepared for a month-long life at sea.

“I really like it, Ludwig. Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. If you need anything else,please call for me anytime. I’ll take my leave now…”

“Wait.”

It was Parnes who stopped Ludwigas he quietly tried to close the door and leave the cabin.

Frowning deeply as he looked around the room,he spoke.

“Why are my belongings in this room as well?”

“Naturally, because this room is meant for both of you.Is there any other reason?”

“With His Majesty?”

Before Parnes could respond,Kasallin asked in surprise.

Ludwig nodded leisurely,as if questioning what the issue was.

“With such a large ship,there must be plenty of cabins. Why…”

“The other cabins haven’t been used in a long timeand need tidying, and this one is the most spacious and comfortable.It’s been perfectly prepared, so you won’t find it inconvenient.”

Ludwig paused briefly,exchanging a meaningful glance with Loren Logia nearby.

Kasallin instinctively felt it.

That Loren Logia had definitely schemed something with Ludwig.

“Rest until dinner is ready.The bed for both of you is over there.There’s a spacious bathtub inside, so please relax.We’ll take our leave now.”

As Ludwig and the attendants left the room,Kasallin and Parnes stood frozen in silence.

Kasallin looked around the bedroom again.

Why were there such unnecessarily ornate curtains on the bed,and why was the light from the lamp so soft and dim?

The thought of staying here with Parnes for weeks felt overwhelming,but it wasn’t unpleasant or uncomfortable.

Beyond not being unpleasant,it even felt a little thrilling.

“…Honestly, what a pointless arrangement.”

But Parnes didn’t seem to feel the same.

He ran a hand roughly through his hair, looking troubled,and sighed softly as he looked down at Kasallin.

“My lady, don’t worry.I’ll have another bedroom prepared.”

As he turned to give the order,Kasallin gently grabbed the hem of his clothing.

He froze, hand on the doorknob,and Kasallin, too, remained still and silent.

Even as the bell signaling departure rang loudlyand the sound of the massive ship cutting through the waves echoed,

the cabin, with just the two of them, was so quietit felt as if time had stopped in that space alone.

“Couldn’t we… just stay like this?”

Was she the only one thinking this way?

Wanting to see him when he wasn’t there,wanting to talk more, even if it was just light banter,and thinking of him even more late at night.

Was she truly the only one whose longing grew day by day?

“Your Majesty, how do you feel?Would sharing a room with me be uncomfortable for you?”

As Kasallin cautiously spoke,Parnes’s eyes flickered slightly.

A long, unreadable silence followed,and Parnes clenched his fists tightly, veins prominent, before slowly relaxing them.

He took a small, deep breath, as if desperately holding something back,then shook his head, returning to his usual rational expression.

“If it’s what you wish, I’ll comply.Sharing a room is no trouble at all.”

No trouble at all.

Sharing a room.

To his concise answer, needing no further explanation,Kasallin nodded quietly, unsure of what expression to make.

Days on the ship passed slowly but peacefully.

Kasallin and Parnes occasionally dined together,but with such different daily routines, they mostly spent time on their own tasks.

Kasallin read books in the room, wrote in her diary,or embroidered to keep her idle hands busy.

Parnes, on the other hand, went to the deck whenever he had time,training in swordsmanship with Sir Antonio, as if trying to shake off stray thoughts.

At night, they lay side by side to sleep,but there was no intimate contact as one might expect between a married couple.

He returned to the room late at night,Kasallin always fell asleep first, and by morning, his side of the bed was empty.

On the third day of the voyage, somewhat accustomed to seasickness,Kasallin was reading a book while having dinner with Loren Logia, as usual.

Loren Logia, working on something nearby,muttered with puffed cheeks.

“His Majesty seems a bit strange.Or is it just me who feels that way?”

“You’ll be in trouble if you speak so carelessly, Loren Logia.”

“I know, I know. It’s rude to say, but…since the voyage began, it feels like he’s subtly avoiding Your Imperial Highness.Sorry, it must be my imagination, right?”

Kasallin flipped a page, pretending to ignore her words,but in truth, the text hadn’t registered in her mind for a while.

It was true that Parnes was skillfully avoiding being alone with her.

But that didn’t mean he was neglectful or indifferent.

He checked on her every morning,personally ensured she had three meals and snacks,and casually discussed state affairs with her.

In a way, she was already receiving more attention than she deserved.

Their relationship wasn’t bad, nor was there a lack of conversation,yet day by day, she felt increasingly anxious and parched.

“Your Imperial Highness, I have a great idea.”

Loren Logia approached on her knees,her eyes narrowing suspiciously into crescent shapes.

Whenever she made that expression,Kasallin couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

“Don’t fall asleep first tonight.Wait until His Majesty comes back.”

“Wait? Why?”

“Just trust me this once.”

Loren Logia combed Kasallin’s hairand dressed her in a new, flowing chemise dress that clung softly to her body.

She insisted that Kasallin absolutely must not fall asleep firstand then left the room.

Sitting alone in the room past midnight,Kasallin looked up at the sound of the door opening.

Parnes entered, his hair slightly damp, perhaps from a bath,and widened his eyes upon seeing Kasallin still awake.

He immediately tossed a towel onto the sofa,approached, and knelt on one knee at her feet.

“Why are you still awake at this late hour?Did you have a bad dream?”

“No. I was waiting for Your Majesty.I thought we could talk and fall asleep together tonight.”

“…”

He lowered his golden eyes under long lashesand remained silent for a while.

In that moment, Kasallin felt the small spark of anticipationshe had been nurturing deep within slowly cool and fade.

She slowly clasped her hands,which had been resting neatly on her knees.

“If it’s burdensome, I won’t do this again…”

“Kasallin.”

Hearing her name after so long,Kasallin looked up at him.

Parnes gazed at her with a slightly flushed expression,tinged with a hint of self-reproach,then gently took her hands.

“Have I been making you feel lonely?”

“No, it’s not that.”

“I’m sorry. That wasn’t my intention.”

Parnes started to say more but closed his mouth.

He rubbed his face briefly, sat cautiously beside her,and gently lifted Kasallin onto his lap.

Her slippers fell to the floor with a soft thud,leaving her pale ankles dangling in the air.

Flustered, Kasallin tightly gripped his sleeve.

“Your Majesty?”

“Do you dislike it?”

“No, it’s not that.”

Perhaps due to his recent training,his muscular arms wrapped firmly around her waist.

With Kasallin on his lap, he leaned against the headboard,extinguishing the candle with his free hand.

A small flame flickered out between his fingers,leaving a faint trail of smoke.

“If that’s the case, shall we sleep like this tonight?”