“Want to try kissing?”

“…Yes?”

Even Elysia, who had been silently expressionless, seemed surprised at those words.

“Like forgetting something in the past and remembering it again. Maybe something will come to mind if we try.”

Ileone felt ridiculous making excuses.

But he had to do something.

Since Elysia mentioned going back to Hadumsha, his mind felt strangely empty.

Vaguely leaving his side was different from ‘leaving.’ Hadumsha was a clear destination, different from just moving away or not staying by his side.

Their directions for the future were different.

In the overlapping everyday life, it meant they might not meet again.

On the other hand, he felt pathetic.

He restrained himself from reaching out to Elysia.

He wanted to hold her close and make her look only at him.

And Elysia’s pretty lips.

He wanted to confirm how enchanting it could be.

‘Perhaps to fill a personal desire.’

It might be better than what he was doing.

Various fleeting thoughts crossed his mind.

“Sure.”

Surprised by the prompt response, Ileone looked at Elysia.

“Give it a try.”

She said, gently closing her eyes.

Thump.

Ileone felt pain in his heart.

Was it the pain felt out of anxiety, or was it the impatience of a butterfly perched delicately on his fingertips, about to fly away?

One thing was certain: the pounding excitement he felt was quite different.

Ileone covered Elysia’s cheek with his hand.

Then, he slowly lowered his head toward her.

The moment of reaching Elysia felt like an endless time.

Crack!

A dazzling spark flashed between Ileone and Elysia.

He missed Elysia and stared at her in disappointment.

A small spark, like a lightning bolt, rose above Elysia’s head as she continued to keep her eyes closed.

“What’s going on? That thing above your head…”

Perplexed, he stammered and asked, and Elysia opened her eyes.

“The gods and Oder prohibit you from touching me, as I am a servant of the gods.”

“Oder…?”

“The priestess is a divine being who dedicates herself to him.”

“We’ve never had anything like this before.”

“…”

Ileone’s gaze became fierce.

Like before.

He tried to embrace Elysia tightly with both arms and share breath.

However, the more forcefully he squeezed, an unknown resistance pushed him away even more.

“Nonsense.”

Elysia, who had stood defenseless to let him test himself as he pleased, pursed her lips.

“I am not the person you are looking for.”

“Stop.”

“My brother has a chosen companion blessed by the will of the gods. If you follow the flow of fate…”

“Shut up.”

Ileone breathed heavily.

“Get rid of those stories. I’ll destroy everything, whether it’s god or fate.”

The words coming out of his mouth were all trivial and immature.
Ileone found it difficult to endure this situation, and it was challenging for him as well. Muttering as if chewing on the situation of Elysia, who seemed to have become an inanimate object like a doll, Ileone said, “I won’t give up on you. Never.” The violet eyes looking at such Ileone were merely calm.

Late into the night, the Sujeong Palace was entirely ablaze with lights. The Crown Prince, who suffered a mysterious attack, was restless and sensitive due to anxiety. “Wine! Bring more wine!” Sabiel exclaimed, clutching a cup. Even on ordinary days, his hands often trembled due to excessive drinking, but today, the symptoms were worse; if he poured the wine, half of it would splash outside the cup.

Soon, a servant brought new wine and snacks, placing them in front of him, then hurriedly disappeared, seemingly afraid of what impending calamity might strike. “Ugh. Uhh.” Sabiel, reaching for the wine bottle, made a grimace. The huge bruise spread diagonally from his arm to his entire back, as if he had been crushed by the tentacle of a giant sea monster, the Kraken, during that moment. Although he hadn’t been hit on the head, the pain he felt at that moment made him faint.

“Damn it.” Filled with wounded pride and the shattered dignity of the Crown Prince, he didn’t know what to do with his anger. When his trembling hand failed to pour the wine into the cup, Sabiel threw it to the floor, trying to take the wine bottle and bring it to his mouth.

At that moment, without any warning, Inyeong approached and grabbed the bottle fiercely. “Stop drinking.” “Who dares to…?” Sabiel’s threatening expression softened as he glared at Inyeong. “Sonatek! What happened all of a sudden?” The man in a black hood with a white mask answered, “Hasn’t it been a long time since you saw the Crown Prince, Your Highness? I came to offer my greetings, but it seems there was an unexpected event.”

“It’s Ileone’s doing.”

‘Rona’? Nonsense. A contemptible man who dared to hide the Prince’s woman under another name and tried to seize her.

“Elysia is my woman.”