“That doesn’t look like much, but it seems the wound is deep……. You should rest for a while without doing anything…….”

“……Alright. While preparing the meal, get mine ready too. Today, we will dine together in Vanessa’s room.”

At Karaf’s words, Sonya’s eyes widened even more.

“Yes! I’ll get it ready right away!”

As Sonya scurried off, Karaf now stood at the doorway, glancing inside the room.

But he was soon surprised.

On the edge of the bed, Asha sat, looking somehow tired and sad.

A few strands of her disheveled golden hair had fallen onto her forehead, and her eyes were dark, lips pale, possibly from losing too much blood.

It was a 180degree different look from when she danced gorgeously, dressed in a gown at the ballroom.

But even this appearance seemed beautiful to his eyes.

He brought a hand to his chest.

‘Clearly, I’ve been hit hard…….’

He had prided himself on having an exceedingly high standard for women.

Even the most renowned beauties of the empire had never caught his heart, and he, who enjoyed dressing up, had a preference for glamorous women.

No, he thought he liked them.

Until he met the woman before his eyes who captivated his heart, no matter how she looked…….

At that moment, Asha glanced at the doorway and her eyes widened.

Caught off guard by his sudden visit, she was at a loss for words, but Karaf seemed determined as he stepped inside.

However, Asha immediately turned her head to the other side.

Karaf looked at her, dumbfounded.

The Emperor had entered, and instead of showing respect, she was now completely ignoring him.

But this situation seemed more amusing than angering, and he slightly lifted the corner of his mouth and asked,

“How did you know I was standing at the doorway? I’m skilled at concealing my presence.”

“……Then the whole room is filled with the scent of roses. How could I not know?”

A slight glimmer crossed Karaf’s red eyes.

“My body smells of roses?”

“Yes. I remember it was pervasive in the banquet hall. Wasn’t that to show everyone there that you are the empire’s rose? The overpowering scent of roses almost suffocated me.”

Taken aback by her blunt words, Karaf’s expression changed, but he soon laughed heartily.

His laughing face, even when insulted, surprised Asha, who looked at him in astonishment.

Still smiling, he said,

“That’s right. Ordinary women don’t know what it is and come to me saying they like it. But though they can respond to pheromones, only a butterfly can smell my true scent.”

At that, Asha was again taken aback.

This was a fact she hadn’t known until now.

Since the first time she met him, he had always smelled of roses, so she naturally thought that everyone could smell it.

No wonder, as his body indeed emitted a strong masculine rose fragrance that was impossible to ignore.

But that no one else could smell that fragrance…….

Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as if she had discovered something special.

Feeling his intense gaze, Asha involuntarily turned her head away, as if she had spoken out of turn.

But Karaf’s reaction only made him smile more, watching her as if amused.

Anyone who saw him would mistake him for a foolish man in love.

A thought suddenly occurred to Karaf.

According to the servant who had changed her clothes, a golden butterfly mark was engraved near her chest.

He smirked.

Near the chest, of all places.

He thought that, at that time, the bandit deserved the slap in the face.

But at the same time, a desire arose in his heart to see that mesmerizing golden butterfly mark with his own eyes.

He wanted to seize that enchanting golden butterfly all for himself.
Karaf suddenly felt a surging passion within him and was taken aback. Asha was the first woman to evoke such passion in him.

He now sat beside Asha, folding his hands modestly and politely. When Asha tried to get up from the bed, he stopped her.

“Just stay seated. You’re not well.”

Asha, despite him approaching, kept her eyes averted, fixated on the bed sheet. Her stare was so intense that one would think something was stained on the sheet.

Then, all of a sudden, Karaf snatched away her wounded hand.

Asha was slightly startled, but he, without fuss, gently stroked the bandaged hand and asked,

“Is the wound alright?”

“……Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I will make sure that not a single drop of water will stain this hand from now on.”

He seemed to think that he had said something embarrassing, coughing awkwardly, but he couldn’t bring himself to say ‘So please forgive me.’

Asha found his change surprising, but she unconsciously spoke coldly.

“You don’t have to do that. I will die soon anyway.”

“……Die? Why would you say such a grotesque thing!”

He suddenly shouted, and Asha was taken aback, her speech halted.

His face was slightly twisted in pain.

Asha had unconsciously thought that being with him would lead to a similar ending as in her past life.

The sight of her coexisting harmoniously with him in the palace was unimaginable to her, having already experienced it once before.