“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Latil spent about 15 more minutes pacing around the room before heading out into the hallway. Despite it being night, the hallway was pleasantly lit at regular intervals thanks to the hanging lanterns.

The night air was cool, but there was a refreshing breeze, and the sound of insects could be heard from all around. As she passed the artificial lake, the sound of gently flowing water could be heard.

Without any particular thought, Latil paused in the hallway and looked out at the artificial lake. That artificial lake. She had been scolded by the court chief for frolicking in it with Hyacinth, making a splash.

“……”

His gray eyes, exposed between his soaked brown hair, were beautiful like the breaking dawn. He knocked on Latil’s heart with a bright smile.

Her heart ached. But that was only for a moment. Soon, Latil, feeling selfdoubt, ‘what am I doing’, took a deep breath. He’s a man who’s gone. A married man, after all. She decided to forget.

Latil clenched her cheeks with both hands and forced a smirk. The knight, who had been watching her all this time, thought the empress was acting strangely, but didn’t voice it.

With that, Latil sorted out her feelings and entered the harem.

Carlein was between the doors, that is, in the hallway between the bedroom and the outer door. Unlike when she met Ranamun, he seemed to have been notified in advance and was waiting outside.

Seeing him, Latil wanted to say ‘You’ve been waiting out here?’, but instead she gave an awkward smile. After all, the words she was saying now were the first ones exchanged. Isn’t it awkward to just say anything?

After staring blankly for a moment, Carlein opened the door with one hand. When she entered, he closed the door himself. Then he stood by the door, watching Latil with intense eyes.

His eyes weren’t strained. Definitely not. But they were surprisingly intense. His green eyes seemed more ominous than warm.

Latil stared blankly at him, then swallowed dryly. She had admired him in the portrait, but it seemed that portrait hadn’t even captured 10% of this man’s sexiness.

Really…… it was a really sexy atmosphere.

‘But what should I say now? Something cool and fitting for an empress…’

Then it happened.

“I’ve been waiting for you, my master.”

Carlein approached and whispered into Latil’s neck.

“For a very long time……”

To the neck out of nowhere? As he breathed into her neck, a very strange feeling came over her. Latil got goosebumps even on her fine hair and turned her eyes sideways. It felt strange. He was acting as if he wanted to smell her.

“Uh… hello.”

As a result, all her thoughts on what to say first flew out of the window. Any words came out on their own.

But even when Latil awkwardly greeted him, Carlein remained still, his nose against her neck. When his cold breath hit her skin, Latil’s back tingled strangely.

No, more than that, what’s with him? Why is his breath cold? Latil felt a bit creeped out and subtly moved her body back. Only then did Carlein lift his head, with an extremely disappointed look on his face.

Latil stared blankly at him for a moment before laughing awkwardly.

“You say you’ve been waiting for a long time, but it’s only been two days.”

It was a game of catching his words, facing someone who was spreading pheromones as soon as they met. It had no meaning. However, hearing the ‘two days’ story, the corners of Carlein’s mouth slightly went up.

“Didn’t you wait for two days?”

When Latil, who thought his expression was right, asked, the corners of Carlein’s mouth rose a little more.

“I’ve waited much longer than that.”

“Since the time you submitted your harem application……?”

‘Well, if we look at it that way, it is true that he waited since then.’

“I’ve been waiting even longer than that.”

Latil blinked her eyes. He waited even longer than that?

“Did you know me from a long time ago?”

Latil racked her brain. Have I seen Carlein before? No, I haven’t. I would remember a face like that even if it passed me by. It was definitely a face I hadn’t seen before.

Then did I meet the king of mercenaries? Was his face hidden or something like that? The answer to this question was also ‘no’. Latil had never met the king of mercenaries separately.

“I knew you from the moment you were born.”

Unable to find the answer, Carlein eventually gave her the correct answer.

“Ah, really?”

‘Well, my existence is known, of course, to both our citizens and foreigners.’

Latil interpreted Carlein’s answer on her own and was convinced.

‘So you must’ve wanted to marry me from an early age.’

There were plenty of children who wanted to become the lover of a prince or princess.

Latil interpreted and laughed at the idea that Carlein, now an attractive man with decadent charms, was once a boy who had such cute and innocent dreams.

However, as soon as the conversation ended, Carlein approached again and buried his nose in Latil’s neck, startling her into a jump.

No, why does he keep launching at me like this?

“Hold on.”