Chapter 150

Clatter—

The rat, scampering restlessly around the connecting room, finally knocked against a broom propped against the wall. Axion caught it swiftly before it could fall, but not before the sound had already slipped through the door to those outside.

— What was that sound?

The Crown Prince’s sharp question cut through the air, and Serpene’s administrator replied in a low, measured tone.

— Hmm. Perhaps a rat has snuck in somewhere.

A heavy silence settled over the room. Their gazes must have simultaneously turned toward the connecting room.

W-What do we do? Are we going to be caught like this?

Evelyn’s veins and nerves felt as if they were surging all at once, the tension coursing through her entire body. At any moment, the door could be thrown open.

Axion, sensing it too, quietly gathered magic in his hand.

The administrator suddenly rose and strode toward the very place where they hid. His hand closed around the latch, ready to turn it—

Squeak, squeak—

Just then, the rat slipped through the crack of the door and scurried into the office. The administrator froze, then let out a sheepish chuckle as he spoke.

— It seems there truly was a rat after all.

At that moment, the Crown Prince’s attendant entered the office with a hurried bow.

— Your Highness, there’s an urgent matter I must inform you about.

— What’s going on?

— His Majesty the Emperor…

The attendant leaned close, whispering words too low for Evelyn to catch. Erden’s dissatisfied murmur followed soon after.

— It seems His Majesty still hasn’t been able to forget.

A faint grimace crossed his features before he rose to his feet.

— I shall take my leave for now.

— Allow me the honor of escorting you to the front.

The administrator, who had also risen to follow the Crown Prince, soon accompanied him out, closing the office door behind them.

Click—

As silence settled over the office once more, Evelyn exhaled a long, shaky sigh of relief.

“Whew. we’re safe.”

Just as her guard began to ease, a low, velvety voice stirred against her ear.

“Are you planning to stay like this?”

“Huh?”

“I don’t mind, but…”

Only then did she realize she was still pressed close against her fiancé. Moreover, she had thrown herself into his arms when the rat appeared. Her lashes fluttered, and her cheeks bloomed crimson as she found herself unable to move either closer or away.

In a fluster, she opened the connecting room’s door and slipped out, mumbling an apology as she tried to put distance between them.

“Sorry… Huup!”

But it was too soon to be relieved.

Under the bright light of the office, Axion’s white shirt told a damning tale. Stained across his broad chest was a mark the very color of the rouge she had worn on her lips.

Evelyn raised a dazed hand to her mouth, the memory of what had just happened flashing back with startling clarity.

‘Did I really kiss his chest?’

The realization struck her like lightning, and her face flamed scarlet, as red as a ripe tomato. As she fumbled helplessly for composure, Axion finally let out the laughter he had been holding back all along.

She frowned, grumbling under her breath as she asked.

“Why are you laughing?”

I’m dying of mortification here!

The man tilted his head ever so slightly, his tone unhurried and smooth as he replied.

“What do you think?”

“If I knew the reason, do you think I’d be asking you?”

Her temples throbbed as frustration mounted, and she pressed her fingertips against them. His lips soon curved again, and one deep dimple appeared, stark against his composed face.

“Truth is, I’m curious myself.”

“….?”

What is he curious about?

The man, who had been quietly gazing into her questioning eyes, took a step closer to her.

As the space between them shrank once more, Evelyn’s wary eyes followed his every move. Then his large, calloused hand brushed languidly across her lips. Lowering his head by degrees, he stopped just shy of her mouth, his breath grazing her skin as he whispered.

“Why it has to be you.”