In the tranquil afternoon with the sunlight slanting, Aaron’s footsteps echoed through the quiet and grand corridor of the palace.

The shadows of columns lining the corridor quickly passed by Aaron.

Exiting the queen’s reception room, Aaron was on his way to the conference room.

The palace corridors, traversed throughout the week, had become familiar, serving as a meaningless backdrop.

Descending the stairs leading to the first floor, Aaron’s consciousness was more focused on his thoughts than the surrounding environment.

Daring to think of abducting my princess.

Last night, while investigating the secret passage of the palace, Aaron discovered a messenger carrying a letter from the queen.

The elegantly written letter asked about Boswell’s situation and even requested information on how Delia could escape from Ioventi.

The moment he found the letter, Aaron felt his blood evaporate throughout his body.

Attempting to take what was his within his domain.

However…

Did the princess know about this?

Did the princess agree to the plan to escape from Ioventi?

In that moment of madness.

Aaron’s gaze flashed sharply.

A cold aura was felt from behind.

The sound of chilly metal cutting through the air rang in his ears.

An assassin.

And a very lovely one at that.

Dodging the knife flying towards him, Aaron turned his body backward.

There stood Delia, his princess, wielding a knife and attempting another attack.

“Commander. Hello!”

When the first attack failed, Delia quickly retracted the knife and tried to strike again.

Although there were no real injuries, it was a nimble and swift attack.

Aaron’s lovely assassin was indeed merciless, even in greetings.

Smiling calmly, Aaron caught Delia’s hand holding the knife.

He pulled her into his embrace, trapping her slender waist, and hid their bodies in the shadow created by the stairs.

In an instant, there was nothing left on the stairs.

Only the lingering fragrance of the bright sunlight and the swaying dress remained.

“You call yourself a perfect lady. But isn’t your greeting a bit too rough?”

Aaron enveloped Delia’s back, pushing her deeper into the darkness.

In the covert space he created, Delia burst into a small laugh.

Her blue eyes were filled with mischievous playfulness.

“I went through the trouble of sitting quietly to hear your explanation. So, I wanted to play with Commander.”

Delia placed the hand not holding the knife on Aaron’s broad chest.

Her slender fingers slowly ascended along the uniform, following the smooth movement felt on the fabric.

All of Aaron’s attention converged on the subtle movements over the clothing.

“If you’re going to play, at least play properly.”

Muttering, Aaron buried his face in Delia’s neck.

The suppressed breath, filled with anxiety, surged as it penetrated Delia’s collarbone, reaching the space between their chests.

“Hey, Commander. What are you doing? We have a council meeting today.”
“What does it matter? After all, the conclusion is that I exist.”

Whispering, Aaron released Delia’s wrist, which held the knife.

Then, along the curved waistline, he moved up, finding what he desired and grasping it.

Under Aaron’s subtle touch, Delia took a desperate breath.

“Commander.”

“Why? Princess.”

Delia tightly gripped the knife, still unorganized.

She held it tightly, as making a loud noise might bring someone running.

With the other hand, she firmly held Aaron’s broad shoulders, whispering softly.

“We can’t do this here right now. Mother will find out soon.”

“If not now, then when? I can’t keep staying away from the queen.”

“That’s to reassure her. She’s worried you might treat me recklessly.”

“It’s you who’s treating me recklessly. Promising to have me but then neglecting me indifferently.”

“Just endure a bit more. Commander. I’ll also try to persuade Mother. She’ll realize that there’s no other choice.”

Aaron, who was caressing Delia, paused for a moment.

No other choice.

It was a statement devoid of voluntariness.

If it wasn’t a situation where there was no other choice, what choice would she have made?

Power involuntarily surged into the hand touching Delia.

“Besides… Mother is anxious because she hasn’t heard from her brother.”

Aaron, who had his face buried in Delia’s neck, breathing, flashed his eyes.

“Right. I’ll stay by your side until she feels reassured.”

Surprisingly, when Delia accepted Aaron’s words without resistance, her eyes widened.

“Our Commander. There’s something suspicious. You’re coming out so obediently; it feels like there’s another hidden agenda.”

“There’s no hidden agenda. We’re currently searching Ioventi extensively. I’ll keep you reassured until we find it.”

Delia, for some reason, in Aaron’s calm and submissive response, tilted her head.

“Our Commander. There’s something strange. Seeing you come out so easily, it feels like there’s another trick.”

“No tricks. I’ll keep you reassured until we finish searching all of Ioventi. Just endure a bit more.”

Delia seemed to sense a hint of vulnerability in Aaron’s usually confident and imposing voice.