Right before her eyes was a body carved as delicately as a sculpture. Muscles shining pale white glistened refreshingly under the sunlight.

He, possessing a body as enchanting and sensual as a rose, had the skill to enchant both men and women at any time if he wished.

Watching Asha’s reaction, Karaf slightly lifted the corner of his mouth.

Asha quickly lowered her gaze to his bathrobe. As befitting an emperor who loved luxury, even his bathrobe was as flashy as a rose.

Suddenly, Asha felt the strong pheromone scent coming from the robe and spoke sharply.

“The one called the flower of the empire, is it alright to just throw your clothes anywhere?”

Duran, who had been standing nearby, looked in surprise at her words.

Karaf twisted his lips and said,

“I’ve felt it since the first time I saw you, you are truly fearless. Enough to make me want to see you trembling in front of me.”

“Please maintain your dignity, Your Majesty.”

“What dignity is there to keep in front of a butterfly? You’ll be seeing this body constantly from now on.”

As he responded playfully, Asha closed her eyes in embarrassment.

Karaf looked at her with deep red eyes, as if drawing her in, and asked,

“How did you know that I can’t sleep every night?”

Asha was slightly taken aback, but Karaf kept his gaze fixed and said,

“Answer me. Did the servants tell you?”

“No. I just… knew it at a glance.”

Karaf’s eyes filled with curiosity.

“How?”

Asha replied demurely,

“Just a butterfly’s intuition. And I was sure when I was arranging the books. People who can’t sleep usually read history books at night.”

At this, Karaf burst into laughter.

“Interesting logic.”

He stroked his chin and said,

“Indeed, there is no better way to fall asleep than to drink heavily and pass out reading a book.”

“That’s bad for your health. Have a warm cup of tea before bed instead.”

Karaf’s expression slightly changed at Asha’s careless words.

“Are you worrying about my health now…?”

A question ‘why?’ appeared on his face.

“Isn’t it natural for a butterfly to care about the health of a flower?”

Asha said so, glanced at him, and her eyes widened. Karaf looked slightly shocked.

“…It’s a bit refreshing, as I’ve only heard curses wishing death from minorities. But it’s not bad for a butterfly to worry about my body…”

He looked at Asha with a slightly complicated face.

She looked entirely different from the minorities he had seen before.

Asha added demurely,

“A sick and withering flower is unattractive.”

At this, Karaf relaxed his expression as if amused and said,

“I will reward you every time you satisfy me.”

He seemed to have successfully piqued his curiosity, but Asha’s eyes widened and her mouth dropped open at the word ‘satisfy.’

As she unwittingly alternated her gaze between the robe in her hand and his naked body, Karaf burst into innocent laughter and said,

“Wash my clothes clean. I want to wear only the clothes washed by a butterfly from now on.”

He spoke teasingly, winking and looking for a reaction.

Asha, afraid that he might order her to bathe him or satisfy his body in some shocking way, asked with some relief,

“Do you mean… satisfying you with the laundry?”

“What else were you thinking?”

As Karaf asked teasingly, Asha’s face turned bright red.

He chuckled and went into the bath, stretching his arms behind him and enjoying the bath leisurely.

Unlike Jackal, who had tanned brown skin and muscles like a horse, his body was so pale that it was sculpted with fine muscles.

The bath used by the emperor was as luxurious as his bedroom.

In the vast bath made of white marble, all kinds of petals were scattered, and various fragrant oils were prepared for him.

The servants carefully wiped every corner of his body with towels as if handling a treasure trove, fanned diligently in case heat escaped from his body, and constantly served various types of beverages.

Karaf picked up a glass on a silver tray and leisurely took a sip of wine.

He glanced at Asha, who was still there, and said,

“Are you still there? You may go now. Or, you may come in and enjoy the bath with me.”

Unable to hide her disgusted expression at his vulgar words, Karaf laughed again. He looked just like a mischievous boy.

But it was truly embarrassing that he always uttered lascivious words.

Asha bowed her head and quickly tried to leave the uncomfortable place.

But then a calm voice was heard again.

“If you become my butterfly, you can quit such chores right away. You too can become a noble being by my side.”

At those words, Asha stood still.

Karaf was not looking at her, but his face looking forward was somewhat serious.

Asha, also looking forward with her back to him, answered seriously,

“A butterfly is not bound to a single flower. And its value is determined not by others but by itself.”

Repeating the words Jackal once told her, Asha walked away confidently.

Nearby was the Knight Commander Duran, guarding the spot.

His bright yellow hair shone like gold in the sunlight.