Is that how they kiss?

Such a bold display could be called a rediscovery of Charlotte.

I, who had been watching the romance between a demon and a human with great interest, noticed that Mereum was staring intently at me.

More precisely, at my lips.

Then he turned his head away as if nothing had happened.

‘A kiss……’

On the cruise, I was too busy being pushed by the rushing Mereum to think about such things.

‘Could I kiss Mereum?’

As I gently brushed my lips, I tilted my head.

‘I think I could.’

If asked whether it was possible or impossible, it was definitely the former. If asked whether it would be good or not… that was also the former.

So I was a bit flustered.

Thinking about specific romantic acts made me understand more clearly the feelings Mereum had for me.

“Your Majesty, a member of the Astaroth Knights has returned.”

Just then, a voice came to rescue me as I was nervously flicking my fingers for some reason.

It was the return of the knights, including Derek.

To honor the hard-working knights, I decided to host a banquet this evening.

It was an occasion where not only the elite of the Astaroth Knights, but also new knights, squires, and even servants doing menial work could gather to eat, drink, and chat.

The dining hall in the Astaroth Knights’ quarters in a part of the Empress’s Palace was suitable for such a grand feast, and from the beginning, I had instructed to set up a separate high table.

To maintain closeness with the knights, it was essential to dine together.

But if I sat among the knights, they might choke on their food.

‘It’s better for a high-ranking person to stay quietly at the high table.’

Isn’t the absolute rule of company dinners that the boss doesn’t attend?

But if they insist on attending?

The best boss keeps their mouth shut and brings out a hefty bonus.

Knowing this well, I had already placed a purse full of gold coins conspicuously on the table from the start of the banquet.

This was the share for the knights who had rushed out to provide support this time.

But it would be disappointing if it ended there.

I planned to call out knights who had shown outstanding performance in training, those who trained diligently every day even if their skills didn’t improve much, and squires with good reputations among the members, to give them special bonuses.

‘Speaking of which.’

It was Charlotte who was serving my meal at this occasion today.

I looked at Charlotte, who was even humming a tune, and blurted out a question.

“Charlotte, is Faivel treating you well?”

“Yes, that’s… Huh! How did you know?!”

Charlotte shook her whole body, trembling as if she might faint from shock. As a result, the water she was just pouring into a cup scattered everywhere.

Wow, this is the first time she’s shown such a reaction.

So they’re really dating?

“Oh my! I’m, I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I was just so surprised.”

“I happened to see you grabbing Faivel’s collar. Actually, I was teaching Mereum to dance in the hall that day.”

“Oh no, I thought no one would catch us near the hall since it’s not used…!”

Charlotte, who hurriedly wiped the table, blushed and didn’t know what to do.

“Is it a serious relationship?”

“No, it’s not. The assistant has been, ahem, sending signals for a while… I just thought I’d try going on a date.”

How cute.

It’s early autumn, but there’s a spring atmosphere around Charlotte.

I smiled at Charlotte as I picked up my water glass.

“If Faivel makes you cry, I’ll bury him in some mountain.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. That’s very reassuring!”

Loyalty should always be rewarded. And I wasn’t a stingy master who would ignore a loyal subject’s joyous occasion.

Glancing at the bonus purse, I opened my mouth to Charlotte.

“If you get married, I intend to do a lot for you. Whenever you find someone you want, tell me.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. But for now, I like serving you. I’m planning to think about marriage later!”

“How admirable. But do you know that many knights are watching you?”

Before the Empress’s Palace stabilized, there was no chance for relationships between people to develop.

Everyone was too busy adapting.

But now it’s different.

Looking around at the gathered knights, I could see peculiar currents flowing here and there.

‘That maid bringing the wine, wasn’t she the one who divorced her husband and brought her child?’

I couldn’t remember her name, but her face was familiar.

And Sir Giovanni was staring at that maid fiercely, his neck flushed red.

And Sir Chedef was looking at Charlotte, and so was Sir Shofen.

‘Hmm. Our Charlotte is quite popular.’

Even if things don’t work out with Faivel, Charlotte won’t have to cry.

I silently wished for Charlotte’s happiness.

As I was doing so, Mereum softly spoke beside me.

“Who are you staring at so intently?”

“Huh?”

“In terms of looks, I’m the best. Look at me and cleanse your eyes.”

His tone was calm, but there was a hint of jealousy.

Noticing this, I turned to Mereum, giggling.

“You didn’t get jealous of my concubines?”

“You look at their bodies too. Those bodies can’t satisfy you.”

Oh my, look at this.

I wondered why he didn’t even consider them as rivals, but there was a reason for it.

“Well, your body is good, isn’t it?”

I brought to my tongue a thought I would normally keep to myself. I was curious how he would react this time.

Mereum stared at me with those beautiful golden pupils, then twisted one corner of his mouth upwards.

“Why don’t you touch and see?”

“Wow… Are you really Mereum? Where did the shy boy who blushed even when I just patted his head go?”

“I can still be shy for you. If you touch me.”

“Oh my goodness.”

Feeling dizzy, I closed my eyes instead.

Suddenly feeling thirsty, I turned my head thinking I should drink something, and Charlotte, noticing, offered me wine instead of water.

“Thank you, Charlotte.”

“It’s nothing. But Your Majesty….”

“Yes?”

As I was gulping down the sweet wine, Charlotte hesitated then whispered in my ear.

“I don’t see Sir Noert. It seems he’s not coming out of his room, should I go check on him?”

While everyone was enjoying the wine and warm food with smiles, Derek was nowhere to be seen.

He should have been sitting next to Mereum.

“He seems to want to be alone, so leave him be. I’ll go check on him in a bit.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Dealing with people is truly difficult.

Everyone wants and desires different things, and you can’t fulfill them all.

Derek wants to offer me agape love and blindly sacrifice himself, but in doing so, he has ‘possessed’ ‘Leonarda’ in his own way.

He’s probably alone, immersed in memories of that time.

‘Should I cut him off soon?’

A few years ago, Derek was valuable. It’s true that he became the core of the Astaroth Knights.

But look at him now. He’s so detached he won’t even come to the grand banquet.

I can’t keep using a man who wants to constrain me using his devotion as leverage.

‘He said with his own mouth to use him as bedroom furniture. Men indeed.’

Tsk.

Clicking my tongue briefly, I stayed at the table for about thirty more minutes. By then, the knights were starting to dive headfirst into the alcohol.

It means they were desperate to get drunk.

I quickly distributed the bonus purses before everyone got too drunk, and decided to slip away from the heated atmosphere.

Isn’t the back view of a boss who knows when to leave beautiful? If I stay any longer, I’ll become a nuisance.

I stood up and picked up an apple.

“I should go see Derek.”

“I’ll go with you. I’ll wait in the hallway.”

“Alright, let’s do that.”

I had no intention of being reckless enough to move alone at this point when assassination threats were abundant.

Mereum was also one of the ‘higher-ups’ who needed to slip away.

‘It’s quiet.’

The torches hanging in the hallway of the knights’ quarters flickered gently. Mereum naturally guided me to Derek’s bedroom, and only then did I realize that I didn’t know the way.

If Mereum hadn’t come along, I would have gotten lost.

Expressing gratitude with a glance, I knocked on the door.

“Sir Derek. Are you there?”

As I asked quietly, I felt a hesitant presence inside.

But before long, Derek appeared in the doorway with a gloomy face.

“Your Majesty. Why have you come all the way here?”

“You didn’t come to the banquet. I was worried you might be ill.”

As I said this, holding out the red apple, Derek’s expression twisted around his eyes as if he had been caught off guard.

“Thank you for your concern.”

“Shouldn’t you eat dinner? May I come in for a moment?”

“It’s humble, Your Majesty.”

“I thought you might want a private audience. Don’t you have something you want to say to me? I have enough magnanimity to listen to a knight who has offered his loyalty.”

I could spare some time for him to pour out his heart as a reward for his loyalty and devotion.

It was giving him a chance to be honest.

Click.

As I closed the door, I noticed that Derek’s jaw had become rough. His cheeks seemed to have lost flesh, revealing his cheekbones, leaving only muscle and skin.

“You should eat well.”

Saying this again, I looked around.

‘This is the first time I’ve entered Derek’s private space.’