Sorry, I got distracted by your looks

Then, Emperor Harlan let out a low chuckle.

“But you see, Marquis Uzcal, how should I console my deep sense of loss for not obtaining my beloved Empress?”

At the Emperor’s unsettling tone, Marquis Derek Uzcal unconsciously swallowed hard.

“You have another dearly cherished daughter, don’t you? Her name was… Hailey, was it?”

“Y-yes, that is correct, Your Majesty.”

“If Hailey were to enter my palace as my Empress next month, then perhaps your grief of losing a daughter and my profound loss of an Empress might somewhat balance out. We shall address what you desire after that.”

With those words, Emperor Harlan rose from his seat, as if the conversation had reached its conclusion, and left the room.

Until then, Marquis Uzcal had been unable to move a single step from where he stood.

***

Outside King Mikrok’s bedchamber, Millie anxiously paced back and forth.

A tray full of food from the royal kitchen had arrived quite some time ago, but she had stopped the kitchen servants from bringing it inside.

“I will personally take the meal in shortly.”

“But it tastes best when eaten right away…”

“His Majesty Mikrok gave special instructions regarding this matter.”

The kitchen servants, though visibly displeased, had no choice but to comply. After all, it was the King’s command.

They cast curious glances toward the chamber doors before reluctantly departing.

By now, both Their Majesties should be quite hungry, yet something about the atmosphere inside the room felt… unusual.

Occasionally, Millie heard faint murmurs exchanged between them, and at one point, King Mikrok’s hearty laughter echoed beyond the doors.

But then, at some point, complete silence fell.

No matter how much Millie held her breath and strained to listen, she could hear absolutely nothing from within.

Yet, the silence was not ordinary—it carried an inexplicable tension that made even Millie uneasy.

Half the designated time for King Mikrok to remain in the bridal chamber had already passed. If she delayed bringing in the food any longer, he might leave for his campaign without having a proper meal.

Somehow, Millie felt that even Leah wouldn’t want that. Summoning her courage, she lightly knocked on the door.

Unsurprisingly, there was no response.

She briefly considered sneaking in to leave the food and quietly retreating, but in the end, she simply sat beside the food tray.

After all, she could not possibly dare to disturb the King and Queen on their wedding night.

****

After the storm of unbelievable sensations had passed, Mikrok held me close from behind, pressing his face into the nape of my neck as he steadied his breath.

As our breathing gradually calmed and our heartbeats returned to normal, he began nuzzling the back of my neck and the area behind my ear with his lips.

“Leah, how are you feeling? Does it hurt?”

“It still feels like I was struck by lightning, but… Ah!”

Every time his lips touched and withdrew from my skin, a tingling current ran down my spine and sides, making me flinch involuntarily.

Judging by his quiet chuckle, Mikrok found my reactions quite amusing. He gently turned my body to face him.

His lips gradually trailed down my neck to my shoulder. I reached out and ran my fingers through his hair. His thick black hair softly twined between my fingers.

Mmm… Without realizing it, a small moan escaped my lips.

Only after sharing our first night did I truly realize it—not just his face, but also his hair, arms, legs, chest, and fingers were all to my liking. Of course, his face was still the best of all.

I tried to lift his face nestled against me, but he grumbled in protest and resisted.

Sighing, I gently stroked his hair as I spoke.

“Mik, it’s been quite a while. You need to get up, wash, and prepare for your departure.”

Mikrok let out a dramatic groan and pulled me even closer.

“Mik… You should at least eat something first.”

He sighed deeply before finally lifting his head.

Despite having thoroughly devoured me just moments ago, his gaze still held the fierce intensity of a predator eyeing its prey.

“Leah, are you hungry?”

“Me? Well, yes, but… You are the one who needs to eat before you leave.”

Before I could finish my sentence, his lips silenced me once more. His hands, which had trailed down my spine, burned hot against my skin again.

As his touch slid from my back to my shoulders and arms, his heat seeped into me like an uncontainable wildfire.

“Leah, if you don’t mind, just one more time…”

“Ah!”

He suddenly bit down on my shoulder.

“One last time, please?”

Though his words carried the tone of a plea, he had already burrowed back into my embrace.

Like a tiger devouring its prey, he swallowed me whole once more.

***

While Millie sat beside the food tray outside the bridal chamber, waiting for an opportunity to enter, William came rushing toward her.

“Where is His Majesty?”

Millie slowly shook her head. William sighed, rubbing his forehead in exasperation.

“Less than twenty minutes remain before departure…”

“He may not leave today. It is their wedding night, after all.”

William exhaled another small sigh.

“If Her Majesty comes out to send him off later, be sure to have a scarf prepared for her.”

“A scarf? Why?”

“A departing knight ties a scarf gifted by a lady to the tip of his lance. It is a tradition in Pritan.”

Millie nodded in understanding.

“Pritan has such an interesting custom.”

“Some use scarves from their mother or sister, but nothing fuels a warrior’s determination to return alive more than a scarf from a lover or wife.”

“That makes sense.”

As Millie nodded, curiosity sparked in her eyes.

“Sir William, have you ever received a scarf?”

“What?”

Caught off guard by the sudden question, William hesitated for a moment before regaining his composure.

“A knight as flawless as I am has no need for such things.”

“Oh? Then does that mean His Majesty is less than perfect, since he needs Her Majesty’s scarf?”

“Ridiculous!”

William flared up at Millie’s teasing, but then seemed to realize his own contradiction. Avoiding her gaze, he quickly checked his watch.

“Damn, only ten minutes left. Millie, move aside.”

Lifting Millie effortlessly, he set her down to the side and knocked firmly on the door.

“Your Majesty, it’s William. May I enter?”

He hadn’t expected a response, yet a composed voice came from within.

“Come in.”

William and Millie exchanged startled glances before he cautiously pushed the door open and stepped inside, with Millie following, carrying the food tray.

As she waited in the adjacent sitting room, William walked past the arched doorway into the bedchamber.

There, Mikrok stood clad in his full suit of black armor, facing Leah, who looked at him with longing eyes. In one hand, he held his helmet, while the other tenderly cupped Leah’s cheek.

William hesitated, then discreetly stepped back beyond the arched doorway.

Leah, looking sorrowful, gazed up at Mikrok, who, despite his composed expression, clearly wished he didn’t have to leave.

“Four months, you said?”

“Yes. I will return as soon as possible. If you need anything, consult Duke Zenon.”

“I will. And please, keep your promise.”

Mikrok looked into her eyes and smiled.

“Of course. You must keep yours as well.”

“You have to come back quickly. If it takes longer than four months, the promise is broken.”

At her insistence, Mikrok reached out, wrapped an arm around Leah’s shoulder, and pulled her closer.

As her delicate body fit snugly against his, he placed a light kiss on her temple. Even this brief contact made his lower abdomen tense again, and his heart pounded wildly.

“This is driving me crazy.”

His handsome face contorted with frustration as he rested his chin on top of Leah’s head and murmured.

“I thought three hours would be enough… Leah, you can call me an idiot.”

A faint smile bloomed on Leah’s face. Mik soon studied her with a concerned expression.

“If it’s too much for you, you don’t have to come see me off.”

“That’s not an option. I absolutely want to see you off.”

Mikrok’s red lips curled into a pleased smile at her response.

After hugging her tightly once more, he swiftly pulled away and turned around.

“Will, we’re leaving.”

“Huh? Oh! Yes, Your Majesty!”