Asha was taken aback and quickly made an excuse.

“Shepy is rather shy around strangers.”

“Shy around strangers… for a horse?”

When he looked at the servant who managed the horse, the servant immediately bowed his head and replied.

“…It’s true, Your Majesty. The servants can’t even touch it.”

Sweat had formed on his face, as if it was difficult to restrain the stubborn horse that would run wild.

Karaf was about to say something but instead glared sharply at the horse.

As if having a staring contest, Jackal too glared at his bright red eyes with his strikingly blue eyes.

Karaf snorted and scoffed, seeing the proud look in the eyes of what seemed to know it was a fine horse.

He had planned to please Asha by taking her on a date alone, but the horse had uttered a rude word without knowing the grace.

Normally, he would have drawn his sword right there and cut the horse’s neck for such a rude behavior, but this time, for Asha, he decided to contain his temper.

“You’ve tamed such a wild horse.”

“Your praise is too much, Your Majesty.”

As Asha held the end of her dress and bowed politely, Karaf’s expression wavered slightly at the emphasis on the ‘wild horse.’

‘It’s not a compliment…’

When it came to Shepy, Asha accepted everything positively…

Anyway, it seemed certain that he had unintentionally scored a point.

Karaf, with newfound confidence, walked briskly, excited about his date with Asha.

Jackal, who was carrying Asha, who could not walk well, followed with a slightly displeased look.

(This is a time separator.)

They enjoyed a peaceful tea time at the heart of a secluded rose garden.

In the rose garden filled with floral fragrances, only the sounds of insects crying, little birds chirping, and the fountain’s water were softly heard.

A little away from the table, Jackal lay on the grass, staring intently at the two people.

Karaf had prepared the finest hay, carrots, corn, apples, and even sugar cubes as desserts for the horse.

Jackal flung the hay aside and replenished his strength with fruit.

Because he hadn’t eaten much while taking the form of a horse, he had to replenish enough nutrients before the transformation ceremony.

While eating fruit and crunching on sugar cubes, Jackal could not take his eyes off them for a moment.

If the emperor ever did anything awful to her, he was ready to jump up and break his body.

He kept glancing at Asha to see if she was comfortable, but whenever he did, he strangely caught the eyes of not her but the horse behind her.

The horse was staring at him with a very fierce look.

It felt like a warning that said, ‘Don’t overlook my master.’

Karaf, in disbelief, thought to himself, ‘How to kill that horse…’

Asha, to calm her startled heart, silently gulped down her tea.

Seeing her, Karaf raised his hand and called a servant.

“Have a parasol raised above Vanessa’s head so the brightness doesn’t hurt her eyes.”

“Yes.”

As the servant politely withdrew, Asha asked.

“Do you not need it, Your Majesty?”

“I need regular sunbathing.”

Karaf leaned back lazily in his chair and folded his arms, finishing his sentence.

Even though he was the Black Rose, the sunlit figure looked lively and beautiful.

Although cursed, he was still a flower, and unlike humans, his pale skin became healthier and glossier with sunlight.

Karaf closed his eyes for a moment to enjoy the sunlight and suddenly opened them, catching her staring at him.

With an inquisitive look, he wore a mischievous smile and said.

“…It seems a bit warm.”

He raised a hand to loosen the cravat around his neck, exposing the skin inside his neck.

Asha, startled, only then realized she had been staring at him and looked away.
Whether he was enjoying the attention or trying to seduce me, he was simply standing in front of me, smiling cheekily.

With his bare skin slightly exposed, his roselike fragrance became even stronger.

But then it happened.

“……Neigh.”

The horse made a sound as if it were irritated by something.

‘Has that kid gone mad? Or does he have an exhibitionism issue?’

As Jackal glared at him with a displeased face, Asha quickly turned and asked,

“Shepi, are you feeling unwell somewhere? Or should I give you more to eat?”

When the horse shook its head, Asha smiled softly.

“Rest well there. While out in the grass, enjoy your freedom to the fullest, okay?”

“Neigh.”

Shepi gently laid its head on the ground and glanced up at Asha, swaying its long tail gently.

At this, Karaf furrowed his eyebrows again.

‘That brat is showing off in front of its master….’

Though neither of them was conscious of it, the two men were each doing their best to radiate their charm in front of her….

Karaf made an effort to ignore the horse and spoke to Asha.

“I always wanted to have a conversation here when the butterflies come.”

Asha was reminded of the past.

When she first came to the palace, he had taken her here as well….

Of course, back then she was too scared to look at him properly, and she hardly responded to his questions, so he quickly lost interest.