Late at night. Latil was checking over the events that had occurred while she was away, one by one, before setting down her pen and rubbing her eyes.

Had she not slept peacefully for a long time, or was it because her tension suddenly relaxed? A feeling of tightness gripped her shoulder muscles and her eyelids felt heavy.

‘I’ll do it later.’

Latil rose from her seat and walked towards the bed. However, she pulled back the curtain and entered, but soon exited.

Remembering Carlein, who had asked if their shared time would decrease like this if she returned to the palace.

Although she was very tired and wanted to rest, Carlein had been by her side when she was in danger.

Even if he truly loved another woman, should she not reciprocate the help he had given her over that time?

“Tell Carlein not to be surprised because I will go there in about 30 minutes. He must be tired, so don’t get freshened up or dress up. Just stay comfortable.”

Eventually, Latil sent a knight to Carlein and came out to the reception room and sat on the sofa.

However, as soon as she leaned her neck against the low sofa backrest and looked at the ceiling, her mood became downcast at the thought of her mother and brother.

‘Let’s not think about it at all.’

But would this be easy? Latil grunted and raised her neck. Then she spotted a maid reading in the distance.

Aerendel. The maid who had harshly rejected Latil, who had come here believing a fake to be real.

Was it because of that? The maid, pretending to read, kept glancing at Latil, and when her eyes met with Latil’s, she flinched for a moment.

However, she soon smiled as if nothing was wrong and asked.

“Do you need something, Your Majesty?”

A gentle and polite voice. She was different from when she had driven Latil away as a fake.

Latil felt odd. Aerendel had always been like that. She had always been kind to Latil. Even when she sided with the fake, it was because she thought the fake was Latil.

But…… Latil cracked a smile and shook her head.

“No. Continue with what you were doing.”

The maid bowed in acknowledgement. However, her movements were stiff, and she didn’t turn a single page in her book. She just stayed in the same place. It was clear that she, too, was recalling the time when Latil was mistaken as a fake by the maid and the guards.

‘I know it wasn’t their fault…….’

Even so, why did she feel so resentful about trying to get along as if nothing had happened with the person who had falsely accused her? Latil leaned her body onto the armrest and thought.

This awkward feeling would be the same with the other maids and guards. How about sending all these people out and bringing in new ones?

They had done nothing wrong. Latil knew that very well. But it was uncomfortable to see each other’s faces…… But before she could make a decision, the guard who had gone to the harem returned first.

‘I’ll think about this issue later.’

Latil walked towards the door.

“Master.”

As she entered the room, Carlein, who had been standing at the door, instantly reached out and embraced Latil.

Latil, trying to locate Carlein, stiffened like a broken doll with its arm stuck in an awkward position, as his chest pushed right in front of her nose.

“That startled me.”

As Latil muttered, Carlein inhaled deeply with his forehead against hers. It was fortunate she had washed her hair not long ago.

Latil stiffly stayed there and finally managed to move her hand to pat Carlein’s back like patting a wolf. That’s enough. The greetings stop here.

However, whether he misinterpreted the signal or not, Carlein fully embraced Latil and swiftly carried her to the bed.

In the blink of an eye, Latil, who was laid on the bed, saw Carlein staring intently at her and blinked in a ‘what is this?’ kind of way.

“You… really move fast, don’t you?”

Latil muttered in disbelief. She had come to express her gratitude and share a sense of camaraderie for having suffered together for a long time and for receiving his help. But why was the atmosphere like this all of a sudden?

“Do you not like it?”

Carlein muttered, looking at Latil’s nape. Latil, pushing his forehead away with her hand, sat up.

“Regardless of whether I like it or not. This isn’t why I came here.”

Carlein helped Latil up by grabbing her arm. Even after Latil sat up, his hand didn’t leave her arm.

A large hand that didn’t seem to want to let go as if reluctant. Instead of asking him to let go, Latil turned her gaze away, looking at his hand.

However, when Carlein strangely kneaded the arm where his hand touched, considering her acceptance as permission, Latil felt a shiver run down her spine.

He was already cold to the touch, Carlein was. When he rubbed his skin with his large, cold hand, she felt a strange sensation that was neither hot nor cold.

It was an indescribable sensation, and Latil wiggled her toes. Suddenly she had an embarrassing thought. Carlein had cold hands and a cold face, but could other parts also be cold?

“Master.”