The whisper in her ear was sweet, but so are the whispers of demons.

As Liz considered that his care might be a last act of mercy towards a condemned person, she felt as if all the blood drained from her head.

Is this man really a beast? How can he go down so well when it’s so dark that I can’t see a thing?

Despite her unease, Liz was amazed.

If she had to compare it to her previous life, it was as if he had infrared cameras mounted on his eyes; his steps were flawless.

The two reached the exit in an instant, and Liz’s feet touched the ground. Then they avoided the eyes of the night guards and moved to the main gate. Once at the main gate, they dodged the gatekeeper’s eyes and stepped outside.

Physical contact continued throughout.

There wasn’t a moment when some part of their bodies wasn’t touching—whether it was hands, shoulders, or waists.

They separated only once.

When he left her alone for a moment to fetch the horse he had tied up in a corner in advance.

“Are we going by horse?”

Liz asked, looking confusedly at the dark brown horse equipped with luxury tack.

“It would be too conspicuous if we took a carriage,” Kain answered.

Where on earth could they be going on a horse? Perhaps… Had he already picked out a nice burial spot?

Nervously biting her lip, Liz suddenly realized she was being lifted into the air.

After placing her on the horse saddle, Kain stepped onto the stirrup and climbed up behind her.

The saddle was made for two and wasn’t too cramped, but feeling his warmth from behind made Liz keep leaning forward. However, that soon proved useless.

When Kain took the reins, Liz found herself fully leaning against him.

The horse, carrying both of them, galloped effortlessly through the night streets.

Clack-clack[Dash], clack-clack[Dash].

The sound of the horse’s hooves rhythmically striking the ground was pleasing to the ear.

The moonlit, color-faded red brick buildings also had a certain charm.

Even the winter wind blowing in from the opposite side wasn’t too cold. It even felt refreshing, as if they had stepped into an open-air hot spring.

For a while, Liz’s anxiety was forgotten.

After riding for about half an hour, Kain slowly pulled the reins. The horse transitioned from a canter to a trot, then from a trot to a walk, and finally stopped.

With agile movements, Kain jumped down first and then wrapped both arms around Liz’s waist to lower her to the ground. It was the same when he had lifted her.
“I can do it alone.”

Liz spoke with a sullen face, uncomfortable with the excessive consideration.

Then Kain chuckled in response.

“I know. I just wanted to give you a ride.”

Though the meaning of his words was unclear, one could tell that he was becoming increasingly terse.

Liz found the formal language rather uncomfortable, so she felt it was better this way.

A gust of wind blew from the front, wetting Liz’s hood.

Her tightly bound hair had loosened, revealing some stray strands. Liz muttered softly as she fixed them.

Most of the unease had faded from her face.

Because she was confident that this was not the place where she would die.

While riding on the horse, she caught a glimpse of where they were.

However, Liz asked as if she had seen nothing at all.

“Where are we?”

Kain softly grasped her shoulder and turned her around. Then Liz’s eyes fully registered the sight she had glimpsed moments before.

A bare Maronia tree-lined road. At its end, a tall iron gate.

Beyond it, a distant, grand, and ivory-colored building came into view. A place flanked by enigmatic and majestic golden domes and intimidating spires. It was the imperial palace.

Kain pointed at the palace and said,

“That used to be my home.”

“…….”

“And….”

Another whisper flew into Liz’s ears, who was staring dumbfoundedly at the magnificent palace.

“You knew that, didn’t you?”

Liz felt her mind grow cold.

She had to muster all her strength to conceal her trembling fingertips.

“What are you… talking about? What do I know?”

Despite her will, a faint tremor crept into her voice.

Kain slowly stepped forward to face Liz. His eyes shone as if not wanting to miss even a hint of her expression.

“Don’t you remember? The day I jumped out of your room, you said this to me.”

‘Your Highness will solve everything.’

Liz’s eyes widened.

It was a forgotten memory. No, it was a thoughtless comment she had uttered, one that she hadn’t even retained in her memory.

Liz tried to feign ignorance once more, but it was too late. Too much had been revealed in her expression.

“Aren’t you going to tell me? How did you know that I was the crown prince who disappeared ten years ago?”

Naturally, she could only hesitate to answer.
Reading a book and claiming to know…… Saying such a thing is truly madness.

So what should I say? What can I say to persuade this man even a little?

Liz quickly thought. A plausible excuse came to her mind just as her eyes were narrowing dangerously.

“A portrait.”

“…….”