Not only their lips but also kisses were scattered all over their bodies. It was as if welcoming back a master who had returned from a long journey, like a large dog.

Of course, the one who had returned from a distant place was not Reneve but Icar.

In the end, Reneve had to get on the carriage returning to the palace without even confirming who the winner of the hunting competition was.

“But why did Your Majesty come back alone?”

Was there something so important that he had to return to the palace alone in such a hurry?

“The war is over.”

Icar said as if it didn’t matter, holding Reneve’s hand with precious rings on his fingers.

“The war has already ended?”

Reneve was surprised, her eyes widened, and she asked. Icar, with a slightly mocking expression, asked her as if he didn’t care.

“Why? Did you want the war with Salty to drag on longer, my dear?”

Reneve quickly shook her head.

Just like before the regression, there had never been a moment when she doubted that Icar would win in the war against Salty.

It was challenging to pinpoint the exact date, but it was evident that this period had been brought forward much earlier than before the regression.

“Then? Is it displeasing that I returned quickly?”

In an instant, Icar’s expression cooled, and he spoke as if Reneve’s response was insignificant.

Reneve quickly added, “I am genuinely delighted that Your Majesty has returned safely.”

Icar, looking at Reneve as if to confirm her sincerity, stared intently. Without yielding to the worry, there was no intention to bite and suck on Reneve even in the carriage.

There had been times before when Icar and Reneve rode in a carriage alone. But today, the silence inside the carriage felt nerve-wracking.

As soon as Reneve opened her mouth to break the awkward atmosphere, Icar also spoke.

“Your Majesty…”

“My dear…”

Unfortunately, Icar also opened his mouth simultaneously.

“…”
Reneve sent a meaningful glance to Icar, keeping her lips tightly closed.

‘You go first.’

Then Icar spoke.

“You first, my dear.”

“…I heard about the injury.”

One of Icar’s eyebrows raised.

“Injury?”

“Yes. I heard that Your Majesty was seriously injured during the battle.”

Reneve lowered her voice.

Before the regression and in this life, news of Icar’s injuries never leaked to the outside world.

It was a matter important enough to be kept a secret, a precautionary measure.

If, by any chance, Icar intended to conceal the news of his injury, asking might be considered impolite.

But she had to know.

Now, he was not just an emperor of the enemy country but also Reneve’s husband.

“…Are you fully recovered now?”

Icar didn’t answer immediately, turning his gaze away. As his silence prolonged, Reneve became a bit anxious.

‘I should have never asked.’

Just like Lucius, who considered the wounds he received during the hunting competition as disgraceful, Icar might also want to keep the news of his injury hidden.

As Reneve was about to speak, Icar spoke first this time.

“Come to think of it, I almost forgot.”

Was it such a terrible memory that Icar wanted to forget?

It was when Reneve naturally decided to change the subject.

“It was just a little scratch, so the term ‘injury’ felt quite exaggerated.”

“A little scratch? I heard you were seriously injured…”

“Did Dran or Vane tell you that?”

Reneve nodded slowly. Icar burst into laughter at Reneve’s response.

“Unbelievable.”

With a trembling head, Icar explained the situation at that time. It turned out it wasn’t really an injury.

After hearing the whole explanation, Reneve unknowingly grabbed Icar’s hand.

Quietly fuming, she looked at Icar. Licking his dry lips, Icar spoke seriously.

“Perhaps Dran and Vane distorted the truth when passing on the information to you. It was my subordinates’ mistake, and I apologize on their behalf.”

With Icar’s sincere apology, Reneve’s anger seemed to dissipate.

‘How easy.’

Reneve chided herself silently.

She had realized through her ex-husband Lucius that she tended to be greatly influenced by one word from someone she had given her heart to.

And it seemed her character hadn’t changed. She could see Icar’s mood fluctuating wildly with just one word.

“Has your mood eased a bit?”

Icar cautiously asked, examining Reneve’s complexion.

The Emperor, who could live without caring about anyone’s opinion, carefully observing her mood, made Reneve feel a bit better.

“Yes, I’m all eased now. Considering that I lived worrying about Your Majesty, it’s a bit unfair, but…”

Icar’s expression turned somewhat bewildered at Reneve’s words. Soon, his eyes softened gracefully.

“Did you lose sleep worrying about me?”

“Yes.”

As Reneve nodded naturally, Icar’s smile deepened a little.

“It’s the second thing I’ve heard from you that I like, after what you said to Ezekiel.”