Unable to make out her skin in the dim candlelight, Kael had convinced himself that he could handle this matter skillfully, like when he ruled on state affairs. But this was different. His situation was not good. There was no bodily contact between them, but his body was already reacting. Kael worried that his decision to carelessly go along with her would end up pushing her in a serious way.

“Um. Hmm, about the clothes…” he continued absentmindedly.

“Oh, do you have to personally remove it from me, Your Majesty? I made a mistake.”

Irene’s passionless response helped slightly temper Kael’s growing lust, and he bent down to scoop up the robe in his hand. He wondered how his simple desire to see Irene had led them into this situation. ‘Wellen! I’ll grab you by the neck,’ he inwardly cursed.

Meanwhile, unaware of Kael’s deliberations, Irene looked down at her loosened buttons and the garments that had already fallen to the floor. ‘Should I pick it up and dress again? Or should I just leave it alone? I’ve never had orders like this before.’ As her mind was preoccupied with such nonsense, she felt heat near her waist. She instantly wondered, ‘Does he like doing it behind?’

If Kael had been privy to her thoughts, he would’ve jumped out of the window. However, fortunately, unaware of her feelings, he’d managed to endure his raging lust. Lifting his gown to drape over her shoulders, he said. “You can’t ignore the fun of taking it off, as you said. As the gown covered Irene, Kael noticed a faint scar that appeared to have been left by an arrow wound. Looking at the scar that he wouldn’t ordinarily be found on a woman, he almost reached out to touch it.

“Sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize. And wouldn’t the bed be a better option for you if it’s your first time?”

“I… see.”

Kael quickly removed his outstretched hand and walked over to the bed. He sat down and watched Irene, who followed two steps behind, move to stand in front of him. She was covered in a long gown, but its sheer fabric made her skin faintly visible. The sight of her made him recall the time when a nobleman had taken a month-long vacation a few years back to enjoy his sweet honeymoon after his marriage. At the time, Kael had logically understood the reason for the nobleman’s request, though he hadn’t really understood it. Now, it seemed to all click for him. ‘A month is not enough. Even one year would not be enough,’ he thought. ‘How could it be enough?’

Propelled by instinct, Kael suddenly grabbed Irene by the wrist and laid her on the bed. A yelp escaped from Irene’s mouth from the sudden movement. It wasn’t until he heard her startled voice that he realized what he’d done. However, he kept an impassive expression as he stared down at her. Something other than her beautiful body barely hidden under the thin slip caught his eyes, and he murmured, “You have beautiful eyes. Terrifyingly beautiful.”

‘Dangerous,’ he thought. In the moonlight, her silver hair splayed out over a pillow and her slightly dimmed amethyst eyes looked insanely beautiful. Although Kael suppressed his thirst for her—the woman he missed even in his dreams—he didn’t hide away his sincerity. He feared the growing desire he held for her, but he made no attempt to mask the heartfelt feelings he held towards her.

“I know. Everyone says so.”

“What did you just say?” Kael asked, as his eyes widened in surprise from her unexpected answer.

“If you didn’t hear me, I’ll say it again. I know. Everyone says so…”