Noah always used to enter the office without waiting for an answer, but now he quickly shook his head and stepped back. At the same time, he tried to close the door in a hurry, but due to the papers scattered on the floor, the door didn’t close properly. He panicked, hastily picked up the documents, and then closed the door.

However, the intense warmth between the two had already cooled off, making no sound.

Ines, as if she had completely melted like a butterfly that had frozen, spread her body widely to distance herself from him.

“I, I’ll leave now. It’s already the time Master told me to come.”

Carson neatly stepped back from Ines and nodded.

While it would be fine if he succumbed to temptation, it wasn’t something he entirely fancied. He had to endure for several more months, and the fact that it would only be possible after the sun had set bothered him, but it wasn’t something he couldn’t wait for when it was right in front of him.

However, it was right to give a warning.

“Ines, don’t test my patience.”

“Yes?”

Ines stopped her steps as she was leaving and asked, but there was no answer when she turned around. She hurriedly left the office, afraid to ask again.

But she couldn’t take a few steps and stopped right there. It was fortunate that her legs didn’t give way, and her heart, which hadn’t collapsed, was also fortunate.

Carson mercilessly pressed around the area where her heart was beating uncontrollably by lifting the hand he had caught. His still-warm heat lingered.

As he claimed not to be a god and confronted her with his eyes, Ines staggered like she was caught in a trap.

‘I shouldn’t be agitated anymore.’

Although she had gathered her resolve, the hope and doubt continued to lead Ines to higher places.

“Don’t be greedy.”

But even the resolution voiced aloud was in vain.

Beliefs she had kept, pain she had endured for a long time. What use were such things?

Ines bit her lower lip and pondered the times in Romfield. There was no memory of suppressing emotions that didn’t even know the subject and went on a rampage.

Looking into her own absurd situation, which could be considered ridiculous to say it was miserable.

But her efforts quickly reverted to a puddle with Carson’s smiling face and its lingering image.

That night, Ines sat up in bed, breathing heavily. She knew she had to endure. Especially on days like today, she shouldn’t go looking for Carson.

Just a few hours ago, Ines unexpectedly confronted the truth in the emperor’s study.

‘I can’t bear it anymore.’

But desperation never knew its end.

In the deep night, when even the spirits seemed to be asleep, Ines got up from the bed wearing a white muslin nightgown and walked into the silent corridors of the imperial palace.
She gasped heavily, clutching the corridor walls and taking slow steps. The persistent difficulty in breathing and pain that oppressed her body didn’t seem to stop at all. Ines tried to reassure herself that she was okay, but no matter how hard she tried, it was worse than any other day today.

In the empty space between walls, Ines, excluding her body, slowly found her way to the Emperor’s room. Carson had allowed Ines to enter his room at any time.

Approaching, the guard protecting the front knocked on the Emperor’s door. Although it was very late at dawn, the answer came immediately.

“Let her in.”

With a frightening speed, Ines poured into the room as soon as the words were spoken. Carson rushed to her with long strides. The figure of the man, clad entirely in white light, looked like the door to heaven to her.

His long hand would soon grab her arm. His broad chest would soon embrace her shoulders. His beautiful lips would soon assure her that everything was fine.

Just with that expectation, Ines’ breath gradually calmed down.

“It’s okay, Ines.”

As he stood in front of her, he reassuringly pinched her nose with his fingers. Ines, facing him with widened pupils, breathed heavily through her mouth. Although her pupils dilated, her body, which had been shaking spasmodically, gradually stabilized.

As even the slight trembling subsided, Carson took her to his bed. As she sat down, he embraced her and patted her back.

How much time had passed? Ines, who had breathed in a deep breath like the last person breathing, slowly separated from him.

There were no ritualistic words asking if it was okay now. After carefully examining Ines’s eyes, Carson, judging that she was fine, walked to the table with a water bottle.

The sound of pouring water filled the silent room.

Ines stared at his broad back, recalling what had happened in the emperor’s study.

The Emperor handed Ines some documents. Although he showed a different expression than usual, Ines, who had just experienced a tremendous event in Carson’s office a few minutes ago, didn’t easily notice it.

〈The names of the candidates to become Empress, Your Majesty. We need to arrange various schedules, so you’ll be a bit busier in the future.〉