CHAPTER 035
At that moment, in the annex palace.
With each step through the deserted forest, anticipation was palpable. Her cheeks tinged a light pink, lifted with her smile, causing her round eyes to form crescent shapes. Even though no one was watching, she felt an inexplicable shyness and tried to suppress the smile tugging at her lips, but it was no use.
As happy laughter slipped from her lips despite herself, Arabelle, feeling embarrassed, hurried out for a walk even before finishing her breakfast. She still vividly remembered the sensation of black hair slipping between her fingers, and she clasped her hands together gently, recalling the night before, wondering if it had all been a dream. Just thinking about it made her heart flutter.
“The banquet seems to have ended,” said the Emperor, who had been working at his desk in the bedroom. Arabelle, who had been sitting on the sofa looking at a book of royal portraits, lifted her head.
Fireworks signaling the end of the banquet were bursting in the night sky outside the glass balcony that took up one wall.
After handing Arabelle the box of chocolates, the Emperor kept his eyes on his documents, and Arabelle, while eating the chocolates, continued to look at the books on the table.
Though it could have been awkward for the two of them to be alone in one space, even without speaking to each other, and even while doing different things, the atmosphere in the bedroom was just comfortable and cozy.
It was not at all special, yet it was a special moment, feeling like a natural part of their daily lives. Though quite a lot of time had passed, it felt all too short, making it seem all the more precious.
As Arabelle quietly stood to leave for her carriage, the Emperor, using his long legs, was beside her in an instant. Placing his hands on her shoulders and applying a slight pressure, he gently sat her back on the sofa.
Her wide eyes, filled with surprise, looked up at the Emperor as he sat beside her and spoke nonchalantly.
“Looking into your eyes, it seems like you have something on your mind.”
His playful red eyes captured her gentle brown ones. His gaze, lingering on her sweetly breathing lips mingled with the scent of chocolate, sent a shiver through her shoulders.
The Emperor, who had been exploring her tender lips with his gaze, slowly began to speak again.
“You seem very grateful for my teaching you to dance, but you appear unsure of how to repay me.”
Realizing the Emperor's meaning, Arabelle's face flushed with embarrassment.
Honestly, she had been thankful to the Emperor for teaching her to dance, but amidst everything that had happened today, she hadn't had the time to properly consider it. Reflecting on it, she realized she hadn’t even thanked him properly.
As Arabelle looked flustered, unsure of what to do, the Emperor sighed softly.
“So kind….”
Despite feeling a bit guilty towards her for being so kind, the Emperor wasn’t one to let a good opportunity slip by.
“I have an idea,” he said, causing Arabelle’s expression to brighten with determination.
As the look of firm resolve to do whatever it took was evident on her face, the Emperor's red eyes briefly glanced at his bed.
Imagining her transparent form sprawled and entangled on the crimson sheets, his jaw clenched as his lower body began to ache.
However, the Emperor quickly banished the dark thoughts, his voice turning noticeably weary.
“I haven't slept for days since returning to the palace. I think I could fall asleep if I could borrow your lap again like that night.”
Normally, she would have hesitated, but feeling guilty towards the Emperor, she nodded without hesitation.
“I will send the maid back in the carriage since it would seem strange if it stayed here. Instead, I will take you back myself at dawn.”
While speaking to Arabelle, the Emperor's hands busied themselves, placing a large cushion behind her back. Not giving her a chance to feel awkward, he quickly rested his head on her lap and closed his eyes.
Unlike the relaxed Emperor, who stretched out comfortably on the sofa, Arabelle’s body tensed up. Noticing her tension, the Emperor murmured softly without opening his eyes.
“You stroked my hair last time, and it helped me sleep. Will you only do it when the little bear is around?”
A faint smile appeared on Arabelle's lips, and she gently placed her hand on his head. As her slender fingers softly combed through his black hair, a contented smile also graced the Emperor's lips.
Arabelle was startled by the sudden desire to touch his glossy red lips and paused her movement. At that moment, the Emperor's hand reached up and gently grasped her nape, pulling her face closer to his, revealing his intense red eyes.
As their gazes locked, the world around them seemed to fade away. The palpable warmth from his hand spread from her nape, sending ripples down her fingers.
Struggling to maintain control over his desires, the Emperor asked softly, “Are you still afraid?”
He had always been concerned.
He could not forget the pitiful sight of her trembling uncontrollably in the carriage on the way back to the palace, unable to even cry properly. Nor could he forget her fear-stricken state while crossing the river, barely able to breathe in his arms.
Was she still afraid of being with him? Even at this moment, was he somehow frightening her?
The Emperor waited patiently for her answer, her eyes reflecting his unfamiliar anxious expression. It was the first time he had shown such vulnerability.
“No. I'm not afraid.”
Her sincere, glistening eyes sparkled as she responded without hesitation.
“When I'm with you… nothing is frightening.”
Seeing her lips, reddened with courage, made him want to devour them in one bite, and his grip tightened.
At that moment, he felt an unfamiliar possessiveness surge within him, a desire to leave an indelible mark on her delicate nape.
With tremendous effort, the Emperor clenched his jaw, fighting back the burgeoning desire, determined not to act recklessly.
‘Not afraid of the Emperor, hmm, that's a problem. You might be the only one in the empire who isn't afraid of me.’
The hand that had been on the nape of Arabelle’s neck slid down to cover her eyes as the Emperor complained, making Arabelle’s eyes curve into crescents once more.
***
Arabelle made a soft whining sound, comforted by the gentle touch caressing her face. As she nuzzled closer, the comforting movement suddenly stopped, and her lips, still half-asleep, pouted in disappointment.
Something firm brushed against her lower lip, soothing it with a gentle touch that felt so real, causing Arabelle’s eyes to flutter open.
Gasp!
Arabelle’s eyes widened in shock as she quickly covered her mouth with both hands, stifling the surprised gasp. She hastily pulled her head away from the Emperor’s hand and sat up straight.
She distinctly remembered sitting on the sofa, putting the Emperor to sleep... But now she was occupying the bed as if it were hers, and the Emperor was sitting at the edge, smiling at her.
With the thumb that had just been on her lips, the Emperor slowly traced his own lips, speaking with a hint of amusement.
‘To think you could make such an adorable sound, how surprising.’
As the Emperor teased her, Arabelle’s face flushed a deep red, spreading up to her forehead. The Emperor’s red eyes twinkled with satisfaction.
‘I would let you sleep longer, but the dawn is breaking, and it’s time to take you back.’
Taking the Emperor’s outstretched hand, Arabelle stood up from the bed and followed him, not towards the bedroom door, but to the bookshelf beside the fireplace.
‘Today, you have become the only one in the empire in several ways. The only one not afraid of the Emperor, the only one to wake up in the Emperor’s bed, and the only one to pass through the Emperor’s secret door.’
***
Last night felt like a dream.
Still feeling her heart fluttering, Arabelle placed a hand over her chest and spun around on her toes when,
“...Miss Arabelle...!”
“Miss Arabelle...!”
The urgent voices of Vera and Dina came from the entrance to the forest.
“Miss, it’s terrible... sob, Rosa has been accused of being a thief and was arrested by the royal guards. Sob, sob.”
Dina, who had rushed out of the forest, cried as she spoke to Arabelle.
“Princess Lilibet accused Rosa of stealing while she was trying to return the golden egg.”
Upon hearing Vera's explanation, Arabelle’s face turned pale, and she began running towards the detached palace.
Upon reaching the pond surrounded by the twelve annexes, she saw the other candidates, their maids, and a dozen soldiers stationed around the palace.
And there, surrounded by people, Rosa knelt with her hands bound, looking resigned.
When she was first caught in Princess Lilibet’s annex, she wept and protested her innocence... But now, Rosa seemed to have accepted her fate, silently enduring the accusations and pointing fingers, knowing there was nothing she could do against Empress Dowager’s niece.
Rosa felt she deserved this punishment for betraying her kind lady due to Lilibet’s snake-like manipulation. She only hoped that her lady would not suffer any consequences.
As Rosa hung her head, unable to face Arabelle, she awaited the harsh fate that lay ahead.
“Then, we’ll take her away.”
As the guard captain spoke and lifted Rosa to her feet,
“Wait a moment!”
“Wait!”
Two voices called out simultaneously, drawing everyone’s attention. Arabelle and Lilibet’s gazes met in the air, locking in a tense confrontation.
And then,
“Why is it so noisy in the otherwise peaceful annex?”
The deep, cool voice resonated from the main gate of the annex, instantly silencing the commotion.
Everyone turned to look, and there stood Emperor Maxwell, who had never once set foot inside the annex before, standing arrogantly with his sharp chin raised.
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