Benjamin Visennov reached out to Charlotte.

(This is a time separator.)

It was a white horse with wellmatching white mane. When she stroked the fur on its neck, the horse shook its head and neighed.

“She’s a female with a rare pedigree. Here’s the rein.”

It was sleek, as if it had been brushed. The stable keeper gave a carrot, and she put it in its mouth and it chewed away.

“Relax your body.”

Benjamin took the reins and held them.

“It’s hard to believe it’s your first time riding. It means you are skilled.”

The horse trotted a few steps. She entrusted herself to its rhythm.

Charlotte stood up straight.

She had her hair tightly tied and let it hang down, dressed in white riding attire.

The riding attire consisted of a leather jacket and pants. The royal emblem embroidered on the back was clear.

“Try turning your head this time.”

When she pulled the reins to the side, the horse changed direction.

“The view is high. It feels like falling, yet not falling.”

“Want to bet who reaches there first?”

Charlotte pulled the reins. The path led to a plateau.

The inner intersection was devoid of buildings and filled with grass.

The hill was left vacant intentionally. So that the view would not be obstructed.

Charlotte was firmly holding the reins.

“Don’t wait if I’m late.”

The black horse ran down that path. The completely black figure in black riding attire, why did it suit her so well?

The view was unobstructed. Nothing like trees blocked it. She quickly passed between them. The wind scraped her cheeks.

“Riding is good in spring or autumn, but winter is also fine. I don’t know what you can fit in that narrow head, but if you can’t empty it, let it cool down.”

The view opened wide. The head was cooled. The chill made her cheeks numb.

“Ah……. Definitely.”

The view that was blocked opened up. From below, she could see all the way to the palace walls.

Much more expansive and majestic than when seen through a narrow window.

Grass rustled, and the cold touched her skin.

The wind scraped her cheeks quickly. When she looked up at the sky with wideopen eyes, Benjamin smiled slightly.

“I brought sandwiches too. They’re filled with ham and vegetables, do you like it?”

“What about eggs?”

“I put in a lot of scrambled eggs.”

Charlotte spread a shawl on the ground and sat down.

She was told over and over that the adults of the imperial family should not sit directly on the ground in the royal law…

‘So noisy.’

Charlotte pushed away the rushing thoughts. She wanted to enjoy this free air now.

(This is a time separator.)

The ladyinwaiting diligently dried her hair.

The Empress, who had just finished her bath, sat still.

“Your Majesty, why are you like this?”

Charlotte looked askance at Benjamin and asked.

Benjamin was leaning petulantly against the threshold.

He was standing still with his arms crossed. Drops of water were dripping from his still damp hair.

“Are you done washing?”

“Yes. Your Majesty.”

“Then put down the towel, and everyone else, go out.”

Benjamin uncrossed his arms and sent out the maids first.

“You are too harsh.”

The ladyinwaiting put down the towel and left.
“Let’s bathe together, it’s too much.”

“Doesn’t it violate the palace etiquette?”

“That law is too old. Why is it considered a disgrace to bathe in the same tub? Because of that damned law, the palace has maintained its wornout state. It’s old and tedious.”

“People from the past.”

“If it’s an old law, it’s time to change it according to the times.”

Charlotte twisted her wet hair. She had just finished bathing and her body was still tired.

“Did you sleep a bit during the bath?”

“Yes. So it took a little longer.”

Benjamin Visennov brought a towel and dried Charlotte’s hair.

He pressed her scalp with his hand.

The rough gesture was awkward. Like someone who had never done this before, unfamiliar with it.

His hand brushed her ear.

As Charlotte shrugged her shoulders, he slowly caressed her earlobe.

“Uncomfortable?”

“No. It’s just a bit awkward.”

As Charlotte scratched her earlobe, his finger touched her neck.

The callus on the fingertip was unusually clear.

Rough but firm.

From the chin to the ear, his fingertips continued to touch, and Charlotte slowly inhaled.

“It’s done.”

Benjamin Visennov put the towel down.

She brushed her long hair. The hair that reached below her hips bent inward.

Curly, so when twisted with a finger, the mark remained.

Benjamin Visennov touched her shoulder.

And he twisted the flowing hair with his finger.

“Is it too long?”

“It’s fine. Thanks to that, I can easily find you wherever you are.”

He bent down to meet his lips with her shoulder.

“Huh.”

His lips touched her shoulder, and he lightly bit the skin.

“Does it hurt?”

“A little.”

“Do you dislike it?”

Charlotte slowly exhaled.

Ah, how can I refuse?

It’s you. You reach out, how can I let go of it?

To refuse you doesn’t make sense.

“Sometimes I want to bite here.”

He buried his head in her neck and took a deep breath.

Her body scent deeply pervaded. He bit the skin again with his teeth.

“Next to you, I seem to become a wicked person. Biting here, swallowing the breath, desiring. Although I know it’s not yet time.”

“Am I now… uh, hunted by you?”

Charlotte had put her head into the snake’s mouth.

“Sometimes.”

Benjamin Visennov whispered in a soft tone.

“I’m confused whether I swallowed you… or you swallowed me, Charl.”

Benjamin Visennov slowly recited his inner thoughts.

“You were the one who reached out to me, Charl. You brought up the engagement. Don’t forget. You were the one who came to me first, Charl.”