[Our house! Me and Mom’s house!]
Haniel’s head, which was buried deep, also popped up with her. The low giggles of the mother-daughter duo reached his ears with both of their eyes sparkling.
“I think I heard about that animal somewhere before.”
“If you’re going to call it a meerkat, it’s better not to.”
Even though they kissed today, it was still fine! Even if there was no romance, even though she had let go of this man to some extent, she didn’t want to hear the sound of meerkats on the day of their first kiss. Haniel probably didn’t know what a meerkat was, but it seemed like she was already feeling upset just because his older brother laughed.
[Mom, older brother is teasing us!]
“Yeah.”
[Are you also mad at your older brother? Are you?]
“……”
Since she didn’t respond immediately, it seemed to make Haniel even more upset. After struggling for a moment, the figure that quickly ran off, as soon as Catherine had let go, was filled with a princess-like arrogance. With a tug of the string using its beak, it disappeared neatly through the makeshift entrance she had created. Rashid raised an eyebrow, looking intrigued.
“Hmm. It seems surprisingly clever.”
“Well, who do you think it resembles?”
‘Hey! It’s your younger sibling, Rashid. She completely inherited your knack for mischief.’
A sense of satisfaction lingered on her lips as her rare response resonated with them. However, they couldn’t linger in front of the entrance forever. As she raised her head, Rashid removed his hand from his chin and narrowed one eye.
“I know that I can’t enter here.”
“Your Highness.”
“I know everything, so don’t just make excuses because you’re a widow or something.”
“……”
She pursed her lips against Rashid’s firm resolve to draw a clear line. The heat that touched her before was still there, and it quickly heated up to her throat. “Then go in. Payton and Tenon are waiting.”
“Ah. Weren’t we talking about something earlier?”
“……” He caught her every time but it was the first time she caught him. Determined to not leave any traces of regret, Rashid slowly turned his head towards her. He also gestured to the princes following behind not to come any closer. “What about it?”
“Well, I was just looking at the lake where the sunset was setting, and suddenly I thought of it. Haha.” Just like a story that came to mind, it was important to bring it up so casually.
Unbeknownst to her, that she would be the one to bring up the story, his left eyebrow arched. “Alright. Go on.”
So he wanted her to continue?
As Rashid took a step up the stairs, his expression became serious. Although she felt slightly flustered by his significantly meaningful words, she managed to maintain a relatively casual demeanor until then. “I feel like I should make something clear, My Lady. I didn’t expect you to come out like that, but it was something I had been thinking about anyway.”
“You wanted to kiss me too?”
“……”
Oh my god, come on!
Fidgeting with the ribbon she missed, Catherine’s fingers became desperate. She had kissed an emperor before wiping her mouth, so he must have been more hesitant than he appeared. The reason she wanted to make it clear, instead of letting it pass, was also because of this. “I have a lot of issues with the princesses. Anyway, thanks to Your Majesty’s help, I was able to handle it well.”
“……”
‘Please, just answer me.’
His unresponsive gaze made her want to bury her head right now but the real important conversation should begin right away.
“Earlier, I couldn’t say it because I was flustered since it was my first time. When you did it a second time, I couldn’t help but think that you might have misunderstood, Your Majesty.”
“Misunderstood?”
“HAHA! Of course, I think neither you nor I are too concerned about such things as adults. I just mentioned it just in case, so you can listen and forget about it.” “Hmm.” Rashid, who remained silent, rested his chin more deeply. The red pupils she could glimpse through his pouring platinum hair showed no signs of change.
“Anyway, I think I was too hasty. I should have mentioned it in advance, but my impatience got the better of me. So, could we conclude today’s matter with a heartfelt apology from me?”
“……” Feeling even more rushed as the princes approached, Catherine heart pounded. Judging from the sound of footsteps, they had come to fetch him. Even if he left, Rashid should at least give her an answer. Unlike her, who was impatient and flustered, Rashid was lost in thought, sweeping his hand up to his chin. It would have been better if he had raged, accusing Catherine for taking advantage. This felt like being tortured by silence. “Your Majesty, please say something!”
“Tenon. Peyton.” Despite clearly knowing that she was waiting, Rashid turned his head to his younger siblings standing in front of the building.
Hesitating for a moment, the two princes who briefly glanced at Catherine soon lowered their bodies to Rashid. “You should go back now. The day is about to end, for the sake of both of your honors.”
“We should.” Accepting the sword, Rashid also inspected the loose button on his coat. As Rashid was about to descend the stairs, he suddenly looked up at his two younger siblings.
“By the way, as I was looking at the lake where the sunset was setting, I had a sudden thought.” That was exactly the gaze she had sought, as if it had just occurred to him. “According to Rohan’s Law, what happens to those who recklessly pursue someone of the opposite sex and fail to take responsibility?”
“What? Well…”
“Of course, they should take full responsibility!” Instead of Peyton, who was being hesitant, it was the clueless Tenon who boldly expressed himself. “Such frivolous and irresponsible behavior goes against the principles of the Empire’s knighthood. If one has laid a hand in any way, one must take full responsibility until the end! It was astonishing that there were still those who commit such reckless acts driven by momentary desire! If they still cannot bear the responsibility, according to the law, the judgment of honor should be opened, and His Royal Highness, our esteemed elder brother, should show what proper punishment is!”
“I see.” Rashid, who calmly listened without interrupting Tenon’s resolute words, finally lifted his foot. Descending one step on the marble staircase, he turned around and lightly kissed the back of her pale hand. “Does this count as an answer?”
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