Carson found it more challenging than anyone else to endure the moment of feeling powerless. However, even so, he couldn’t give up on Ines.

“If my inability to prevent such a situation in advance made me feel so pathetic that I got angry, would it be somewhat forgivable?”

“…”

“Just now, I wished I could genuinely become your god.”

Ines slipped her arm between his back and the sofa, embracing him tightly. Carson’s heartbeat echoed in her ear like a confession.

“So, every time something like this happens, are you going to get angry and apologize?”

Ines slowly rose from his side. She then faced him, looking into his eyes.

“You’re not a god.”

At her words, Carson squinted one eye and tilted his head. However, he was still smiling.

“Even if you make a face like you’ve fallen into a trap, it won’t work.”

In the end, he couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“So, just accept it now. You’re not perfect.”

“Little by little.”

The woman who repeated his words back to him was so lovable that Carson reached out again and embraced her.

“Yeah, I’m not perfect. Almost perfect.”

Ines found comfort in his usual jokes and smiled.

“I’m not weak.”

“…I know.”

He knew. With the woman in his arms, shaking her delicate shoulders while laughing, he knew better than anyone else in the world how strong and beautiful she was.

“I told you I would go to His Majesty myself. So, please let me handle this matter.”

Hugging the woman who breathed evenly in his arms, Carson expanded his body and mind, feeling as satisfied as a full-fledged leopard.

Rumors were already circulating in the palace. The young emperor was said to grant anything desired if a maid wrapped herself in the hem of her skirt.

Upon hearing this rumor, Carson let out a sardonic laugh.

Suddenly, he thought that such rumors were nothing more than overly sanitized versions.

With his current feelings, he wanted to lay down everything in this world that this woman didn’t want under her feet.

Perhaps the person he revered like a god wasn’t Ines but himself. The only difference was that he felt an uncontrollable desire for the object of his awe.

” I won’t become your concubine.”

As if sensing the inappropriate thoughts of a deity, the goddess gave a stern warning. Carson’s forehead wrinkled deeply.

“…Alright.”

If he had to say such a thing, it would be better if it didn’t sound so pretty. However, Carson’s thoughts were not so different from hers. From the beginning, there was only one place for him, and that was solely reserved for this woman. From the moment he first met her.

“I never thought of labeling you with such a title.”

At his words, Ines pulled away from him, narrowing her eyes slightly. Considering what was said in the bedroom last night, it seemed too sincere.
As if knowing Carson’s inner thoughts, Ines brightened her eyes, prompting Carson to raise his voice a bit.

“What exactly did you talk about with Angeliana? Why did you raise your hand?”

It was a threatening remark, as if he wouldn’t let the duchess off easily. However, to Ines, only the familiar name “Angeliana” coming from his lips was clear.

Ines bit her lower lip slightly. At this point, any words she spoke seemed like bewitching words that would provoke him. However, unintentionally, a mixture of stubbornness and words that conveyed her thoughts overcame her.

“Were you… close?”

“Huh?”

“Lady-in-waiting and Her Majesty. Calling each other by name…”

“We were close.”

Unexpectedly, Carson stumbled over his words. It was a strange emotion he was feeling for the first time. An itchiness in his heart, along with a somewhat embarrassing feeling.

“I haven’t seen her since leaving the palace.”

Quick-witted as a man, Carson thought he had given the most appropriate answer. However, Ines, who nodded her head, suddenly looked directly into his eyes.

“Weren’t you around 21 years old then?”

“Of course, but even when I was in the palace, I didn’t see her face many times.”

Ines momentarily recalled that Carson was in the palace when Angeliana was 14 years old.

“By any chance, did you attend the debutante ball of the manor lady-in-waiting?”

Most nobles debut at the age of 16, but the Duke’s family is the only one that debuts in society at the age of 14.

Carson hesitated for a moment. Instinctively, he realized that stumbling or stammering here would be dangerous.

“Princes attended, so I wasn’t the only one who went.”

“Yes…”

Carson felt relieved as he watched Ines answer so obediently.

“However… did you, by any chance, dance the first dance with Yeongae?”

“What?”

“The first dance at the debutante ball has deep meaning.”

“Why are you asking about that…?”

“Alright… you did.”

“Who?”

“The lady-in-waiting.”

“You probably… misheard.”

“So, did you dance with her?”