Icar moved briskly to meet Reneb at the time they had agreed upon.

As Icar reached the garden entrance, someone emerged.

A pale blue dress adorned with just the right amount of lace, her long silver hair sparkled as it caught the sunlight.

A soft smile finally appeared on Icar’s face, which had until now been as expressionless as a blank canvas.

“Good afternoon, Your Highness.”

With a small smile, Reneb greeted him graciously, bowing slightly.

For some reason, Reneb felt uncomfortable under Icar’s intense gaze, which silently examined her.

“Shall we go, Your Highness?”

“Don’t rush.”

Icar, who had momentarily seemed to be lost in thought, finally wore his expressionless face again and proceeded to walk.

To keep up with Icar, who was walking half a step ahead, Reneb hurriedly moved her legs.

Not yet fully accustomed to the complex geography of the palace, she could easily get lost if she were to lose sight of Icar.

Even when she had moved into the Paradium Palace as a pre-ascension empress, it took her several months to get around without an escort.

The palace was vast, and its corridors intricate.

In comparison to the Bashuker Palace, she realized Paradium Palace was rather simple.

If Paradium Palace was a maze, then Bashuker Palace was a labyrinth.

Despite frequently exploring the palace to get familiar with its geography, there were still many roads she did not know.

She was certain she would become lost instantly if she lost sight of Icar.

After a lengthy walk through expansive corridors, they reached a dead end.

‘Even the emperor wouldn’t know every nook and cranny of the palace.’

She almost laughed at the thought of losing her way.

So as not to embarrass Icar, who had been lost in his own palace, Reneb quietly followed him.

The emperor primarily used different routes from those used by servants for errands, and it was possible to get lost on unfamiliar paths.

“Your Highness…”

Carefully choosing her words to spare Icar any embarrassment, he suddenly stopped walking.

Swoosh.

“….?”

As his hand touched the wall, a heavy stone shifted and a narrow passage appeared to the left of the dead-end.

Cough cough.

Embarrassed at her silly misjudgment, Reneb cleared her throat.

Icar, who had been walking ahead, turned his head towards Reneb.

His gaze seemed to ask if she had something to say, and Reneb hurriedly opened her mouth.

“Is this a secret passage used by the royal family in times of emergency?”

“Correct. You’re well-informed.”

Nodding briefly, Icar turned his head back forward.

Relieved that Icar hadn’t caught onto her thoughts, Reneb also proceeded.

After walking for a while longer, she suddenly had a thought.

What exactly is a royal secret passage?

It was a pathway for quick actions in emergencies like invasions or assassinations.

Was it alright to show such a path to her, an outsider?

Carrying these thoughts, Reneb followed Icar.

The path was narrow and somewhat dark inside.

For a moment, Reneb’s thoughts overlapped with her brief imprisonment in an underground dungeon before her execution.

Damp, and emitting a musty, foul smell…

She knew that couldn’t be the case here.

Even so, she couldn’t help but imagine a furious crowd and Patrick, tied and kneeling on a platform at the end of this path.

Her heartbeat quickened.

Cold sweat ran down her spine, her chest felt constricted, and her breath became short.
Reneb was gasping for breath, clutching the wall.

“Your Highness?”

Had Icar noticed the footsteps behind him had ceased?

Icar turned his body towards Reneb.

Deciding that Reneb’s reaction was unusual, his brows furrowed.

Finally, as Reneb collapsed to the floor, Icar hurriedly approached and examined her complexion.

“What’s the matter? Are you in pain?”

“Just a moment, please… Your Highness. Wait just a little… I’ll be alright soon.”

As Reneb managed to lift the corners of her mouth, Icar’s brows wrinkled further.

“Ah, really.”

Seemingly annoyed, Icar sighed, then held her and patted her back.

‘Again.’

Why did she feel relief whenever these large hands stroked her back?

Reneb stayed in Icar’s arms until she had calmed down.

Gradually, Reneb’s breathing returned to normal.

“Your Highness, are you patting or hitting my back?”

“You seem to be feeling better. Even making jokes.”

Icar smirked as he confirmed that Reneb’s breathing had stabilized.

However, contrary to his words, his patting became a bit softer.

“Your Highness, I’m alright now. Thank you.”

Last time and this time, she had found comfort in his arms.

Icar slightly distanced his upper body and stared intently at Reneb’s face.

Naturally, Reneb’s gaze locked onto Icar’s red eyes.

“…”

It was only then that Reneb realized she was being held in Icar’s arms in this quiet, confined space.

Her face flushed as soon as she realized the situation.

Contrary to Reneb, whose face and neck had turned red, Icar’s face remained calm.

Aloof from worldly affairs, elegant yet arrogant.

However, the desire reflected in his red eyes was unmistakable.