The extreme tension that had filled the banquet hall was gently dispersed by my kind words.

I quietly lifted Meruem’s chin. He stood up straight without resistance.

‘He’s like a colored painting pretending to be monochrome.’

The innate nature of a born predator, forcibly suppressed, casting a shadow like darkness in his bright golden eyes.

I looked at him intently, probing his inner depths.

Ah, he was a being of desire.

Longing for a sanctuary. A place to return to. A warm place.

And a home.

I was fully willing to give Meruem what he needed in exchange for keeping me alive.

“Yes. From now on, do not bow to anyone else. I won’t allow it.”

My gentle words caused Meruem’s pupils to waver aimlessly.

It was a sight I found endearing, enough to make my chest ache.

A wounded animal, precariously standing on the edge of a cliff.

I wanted to treat his wounds, wrap them in bandages, comb his fur, feed him only the best, and shower him with all the affection he could want.

‘My sisters know me too well, that’s the problem.’

I grumbled internally and extended my hand to Meruem. If he knew he would be offered to me, he must have learned about the customs of Nyx.

Meruem cautiously took my hand and kissed the back of it.

He pulled away almost instantly, but even that brief contact made his ears turn red.

“!!!”

The Empress has accepted the offering!

At this shocking scene, the nobles were thrown into turmoil.

Of course, the Desert Emperor had only said he would ‘offer’ his brother, not specifying how he should be used. But it was obvious.

This man would eventually become the Empress’s official consort.

He lacked nothing in appearance or status.

In essence, the Desert Emperor had gifted a consort to the Empress right in front of the Nyx Emperor!

Those watching were plunged into a frenzied state of excitement.

No one had dreamed such an interesting event would unfold.

“I’ve heard you have a concubine, so I don’t think you’ll mind this. Hahaha!”

Calic laughed heartily, as if very pleased. At that, Helene, who had been approaching, stopped in shock.

It seemed to be because she was specifically referred to as a ‘concubine.’

“…Helene is not a concubine but a holy woman. I expect her to be treated accordingly.”

Enrique is not a man of many words. Nor is he one to speak at length.

I knew that, but still.

There were many things he should be saying now, but he chose to defend Helene’s status.

I thought I couldn’t be more disappointed, yet here we are.

I didn’t hide my emotions this time.

I didn’t say anything, just chuckled.

“Ah, I seem to recall there is a position called ‘holy woman’ in this country.”

Calic finished his statement ambiguously.

‘Remembering’ and ‘seeming to remember’ meant he had no intention of treating her as such.

Cassandra also chuckled.

“In the desert, a priestess holds a very sacred position. It’s believed that she must stay far from politics to maintain her holiness and purity.”

Her red lips, still smiling, whispered slyly.

It was music to my ears.

The implication that Helene, referred to as the Emperor’s consort, was not holy.

‘Seeing her continually take my side and undermine Helene, she must really want to forge a friendly relationship with me.’

Helene’s eyes were now brimming with tears.

She had always considered the royal palace her playground. Being favored by Enrique, she had never faced such humiliation among the Nyx nobility.

But for Cassandra, whatever Helene was didn’t matter.
‘Joining hands because of mutual dislike for someone. This too is very devilish.’

I approached Cassandra elegantly and took her hands in mine.

“It just occurred to me that I haven’t shown you the garden yet. The night garden is quite a sight. How about a walk with me?”

“Oh my, I’m excited. Time for just us women!”

Cassandra responded warmly and gestured to Calic, seemingly indicating for him not to follow.

“It’s hard to bear when your husband shows interest in another woman.”

Stepping out of the heated interior into the cool air felt refreshing, as if my chest had opened up.

Earlier, I deliberately touched the tip of Meruem’s chin to absorb his energy. That gave me the strength to endure the rest of the banquet.

And also the strength to have a one-on-one conversation with Cassandra.

“I’ve tolerated it because I’m his formal wife. Calic may not be a good husband, but he’s not a man who looks to women other than his wives. The problem is he has too many wives.”

Cassandra initiated the conversation.

She was furious about Helene.

“That woman is so shameless! Attending such an event when she’s not even his wife. Only a wife has the right to stand by her husband’s side. It’s absurd for such a woman to step into the banquet hall.”

Since Cassandra had said everything I wanted to say, I had no real response. I just shrugged.

Walking a few steps slower, I suddenly asked.

Today’s topic.

The one word wandering through my mind.

About love.

“You’re in love, aren’t you.”