Klaus stared at the closed door where Muzel disappeared, looking bewildered.

“Ah…”

A sigh, unable to form into words, escaped as if lamenting.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. I didn’t wait for him to become like this.

Klaus felt a pitiful desire to slap himself.

Why did he always lose his composure in front of Muzel? This time, he vowed not to let it happen until he found Muzel and came down to the servants’ quarters.

But what was the use of all that? When facing him, emotions surged uncontrollably, and everything became hazy.

Klaus wanted to sit down right there, but he barely restrained himself and left the place.

A few days ago, when Muzel appeared in an ambitious attire at an unexpected time, Klaus’s head momentarily spun, and he felt breathless.

Even though she covered her face with a veil, her beauty wasn’t completely concealed. She might be even more beautiful than the statue of the goddess in the temple.

If Muzel had hesitated for a moment, Klaus would have led her straight to the bed.

However, even in that tempting moment, his captivating assistant remained composed.

At Muzel’s words that she didn’t want to appear as a woman, Klaus almost burst into laughter.

Muzel was no longer just a subordinate to Klaus; she was the first woman he had ever loved.

Setting clear boundaries made him feel frustrated, but Klaus intentionally turned away and lay down, not showing any signs of his dissatisfaction.

After Muzel left, Klaus could hardly sleep.

His heart pounded violently, and he finally made a big decision.

And the next day.

“Be in an official relationship with me, Muzel.”

Klaus had his own confidence. Although nervous about confessing for the first time, he didn’t think he would be rejected.

Even if Muzel’s feelings didn’t completely match his own, it was clear that she didn’t dislike him.

Although they drew a line, Klaus hadn’t explicitly confessed his feelings yet, so he thought it was natural.

However, Muzel rejected him.

“I want to be your assistant, not a hidden lover.”

Why wouldn’t she stay by his side if she was willing to sacrifice her life for him?

Klaus couldn’t understand Muzel.

He became furious at how she could so easily ignore his feelings.

He had spent the night imagining their marriage and the number of children they would have.

But for Muzel, the option of marrying Klaus didn’t seem to exist at all.

“I’ve only served you to satisfy your desires. Please consider it as a form of entertainment.”

In that moment, Klaus was infuriated.

How could she dismiss his feelings so lightly?

Was everything they believed and respected in each other a lie?

Klaus’s love for Muzel was not something so trivial.
It was a confession that had been yearned for and suffered over for quite a long time.

However, Muzel rejected him in the end.

After throwing blatant lies, he avoided making eye contact with her all day.

Klaus experienced for the first time what it felt like for his heart to be completely burnt by someone.

Breathing was difficult, and his chest felt as if it had been pounded red.

A lump of fire seemed to settle in his chest, making it hard even to breathe.

For the first time, he felt fear.

Fear that Muzel would turn away from him forever, that she would never look him in the eye again.

He wished he hadn’t confessed. If he hadn’t, they could have comfortably sat face to face, sharing tea and laughter, just like before.

But it was already spilled water. Klaus regretted his arrogance to the bone.

Moreover, on that afternoon, he had to meet Elfriede, the elf lady who had come without any consideration.

“Your Highness Klaus. I rushed here like this because the response to the banquet was delayed.”

Klaus stared at Elfriede expressionlessly.

Elfriede had subtly conveyed her intentions through the empress’s palace.

By contacting the crown prince directly, she prevented Klaus from rejecting the meeting or postponing it to a later date.

The empress marked Elfriede with a subtle hint of disdain.

He understood Elfriede’s intentions but willingly played along.

No matter how Klaus was, he couldn’t refuse the empress’s command outright.

He had no choice but to reluctantly sit face to face with Elfriede.

“I ordered this on the day we decided to hold the banquet, but it’s finally completed now. I hope you like it.”

Elfriede, with a bright smile, offered Klaus a finely crafted jewelry that looked like it was made by a skilled artisan.

An eagle with spread wings was engraved on it, and tiny diamond eggs were attached to its tail.

“It would look great on the jacket you’re wearing now. Would you like to try it on?”

“No, maybe next time.”

Klaus replied coldly, and Elfriede was momentarily taken aback.

“Um, if you don’t mind, maybe next time…”

The greenhouse was warm, but the air around the table was chilly.

Elfriede desperately tried to carry on the conversation.

“It was my first time speaking in front of so many people. But thanks to Your Highness, I was able to finish it safely.”

“I see.”

Klaus’s violet eyes emitted a chilly light.