“What… what are you going to do?”

Liz looked up at Hershis, who had conquered her with a shaking gaze.

Smoothly lifting her chin, he said, “Something you’ve never tried before.”

Liz’s gaze shook so much that it fluttered like a candle in the wind. Depending on how he proceeded, the candle could go out.

“Something I’ve never tried before?”

They had kissed. It wasn’t a light kiss; it was a deep kiss where they entwined each other’s beings and enjoyed a lingering play.

So, what comes next…

…!

Suddenly, Liz’s mind went blank.

Her heart pounded, and her lips became dry.

Unconsciously, her gaze passed Hershis’s neck, lingered on the inside of the loose shirt, moved to the gentle chest, and below it, intricate abs that were meticulously defined like a quilt.

A distinct valley formed, and beads of sweat trickled down in between…

“No!”

Liz crossed her arms in front of her chest.

Her voice carried a desperate tone, as if trying to chase away the wicked thoughts in her mind.

“That… after we formally get married, I’ll allow that.”

“…”

She thought he would look displeased. However…

In his gaze, which was quietly looking down at her, there was no trace of rejection or any feelings of hurt or resentment.

Suddenly, he raised his large hand and swept it through Liz’s curly hair.

As if taming freshly sheared wool, he meticulously combed through it for a while, revealing her earlobe. Then, slowly, he lowered his face.

Subsequently, Liz felt the tingling sensation in her ears.

“This… what is this…”

Before she could ask, Hershis, who had risen, smiled cheerfully and answered.

“I said we haven’t tried it before, right? We still have many things like this, don’t we?”

That was the end of it…

Feeling both relieved and oddly regretful at herself for feeling so, Liz grabbed Hershis’s head as he lay next to her, covering her head while his gaze was lifted.

She felt him supporting her side and looking down at her. It seemed like he wanted to say something. Liz turned her head and asked.

“Do you have something to say to me?”

In response, Hershis asked back.

“Don’t you have anything to say to me?”

“….No.”

Actually, it was true. Even if there were things she shouldn’t say, there was nothing to say.

Originally, it wasn’t supposed to be him…

“He said that. The priest and the prince of the Kalton Kingdom.”

Remembering his words, Liz felt a chilling sensation down her spine. However, smiling as if to show that he didn’t notice, Hershis continued.

“Why him?”

“Doesn’t he resemble Cain a bit?”

“…”

Startled by the fact she had blacked out, Liz’s eyes widened.

It had been something she had completely forgotten, as she hadn’t had the leisure to pay attention to the man’s face since their first encounter.

“He looks alike.”
Liz spoke honestly. And she added honestly.

“But, that was only at first. After a while, I didn’t think he looked alike anymore.”

“…”

“Someone said that there are predetermined types of people in the world. So, even people who haven’t shared the same genes can look similar from opposite ends of the earth. How about making him look a bit like Cain? Even though he isn’t Cain.”

Hershis’s straight-lined mouth slowly curved.

It wasn’t the perfect response she wanted to hear, but… Even if he looked exactly like Cain, she wouldn’t feel anything anymore. However, the agony from last night felt like it was lifting a layer from her mind.

While Hershis gradually regained some peace of mind, Liz stared at him quietly.

She observed the refined features under the softened light. Thinking back, what she said earlier seemed to be correct.

“Someone said that there are predetermined types of people.”

There seemed to be exceptions. This type, this delicate sculpted type, there might be only one in the whole world… him.

…!

How much time had she spent gazing at that unique creation?

Liz realized belatedly that Hershis was also looking at her, just as she had been looking at him. Liz, surprised by the discreet current that had unwittingly formed, quickly tried to turn her face away.

Hershis was quicker.

He used his thumb and forefinger to fix Liz’s face.

His gaze was intense. It seemed like the desire he had deliberately restrained had ignited at her words.

Her lips were engulfed in an instant, and Liz’s eyes widened like violet jelly floating in milk. The kiss from last night meant nothing.

Feeling as if her breath was being cut off, Liz pushed her chest forcefully, but his firm body didn’t flinch.

Meanwhile, the touching tip of their noses and the flirtatiously lowered ends of his eyelashes tickled her face, providing a strangely delightful sensation.

Then, the feeling of breathlessness passed, and in a moment she wasn’t aware of, a drowsy moment arrived.

Liz closed her eyes. From then on, she couldn’t recall the memories clearly.

Waking up to the faint aroma of coffee, Ishar muttered to himself.

“Why is Your Majesty so late?”

He had been waiting for Hershis since early morning to handle some tasks, including the royal wedding.