Chapter 28

The emperor was accompanied by aides, but she’s burdening the emperor.

This mistake could easily get her family destroyed, so Annie straightened her back and lowered her head.

“I’m sorry.”

But then, Ejed stole the box from Doher’s hand.

It was a frightening speed indeed.

It happened in an instant. Annie didn’t notice at all since her head was bowed.

She could only see Ejed’s polished black shoes.

The smooth, smooth leather shoes seemed to shake slightly for some reason.

‘… Earthquake?’

No, not that. The floor was fine, but only the shoes and the straight legs above it seemed to shake a little.

It was a faint trembling that only Annie, whose eyes were better than others, noticed.

‘… Am I too nervous?’

While questioning herself, Ejed opened his mouth.

“Raise your head.”

Annie, who was so nervous, didn’t even know he had spoken formally to her. She carefully looked up.

She couldn’t even hear the performance in the breathtakingly tranquil hall. It has been a long time since the musicians who were invited by the emperor personally had already left on the excuse of having a stomachache.

In that moment, Ejed and Annie’s eyes stared straight into each other.

Ejed’s red lips were a dazzling wine color, and her face was burning.

In her dream, the sweet breath that emanated out of those lips was still vivid.

‘No, why am I imagining it like this?!’

She talked gibberish.

“Well, um. I apologize, but I think I have to go first.”

A shamelessly poor excuse flowed through her lips.

“Well, um. I-I forgot to give my dog food.”

*

Ejed’s soul, who had run away, returned only after she disappeared.

“Mouth.”

Everyone froze at the low voice that rang in the hall.

After that, words that Ejed had omitted automatically followed.

Like ‘if you speak, I will rip apart your mouth’ or ‘you will not be able to make fun with your mouth anymore.’

The few nobles who were left in the bazaar swore that they would even remain silent until they entered the tomb.

Only then did he look down at the box in his hand.

The shawl embroidered with sincerity and the handkerchief were fine. His heart hurt when he remembered Annie who would have struggled all night while making this.

Her little hand would be sore, her eyes would be tired and her hands must have been the same, and those delicate shoulders that curved like a butterfly’s and that small, narrow back…

She could have just brought one or two trinkets from their house and sold them or just bought them with money, but Annie has always made sincere attempts to create a meaningful item.

Annie’s generous heart made Ejed fall in love all over again.

Now, holding the box in his arms, Ejed felt that his cheeks were faintly flushed.

However, as he passed the hallway, Ejed’s expression became more and more serious.

‘What should I do now…?’

Two failures were enough, so he had to find a way. As it was seven years ago, he can’t give up the opportunity without confessing.

However, he couldn’t unilaterally demand Annie’s heart, who was uncomfortable with him.

It was also wrong to push her without considering her feelings.

Ejed never wanted to hurt Annie in any way.

It was dark under Ejed’s eyes, who stayed up all night in worry. He muttered, burying his face in the pillow.

“What should I do? She wouldn’t even come to the Imperial Palace anymore…”

‘Wait. There is no law that I have to meet her at the Imperial Palace!’

A cracking sound rang from Ejed’s neck and he raised his head.

“Ugh…”

The tyrant couldn’t escape from muscle pain. Now, holding the back of his neck with a hand, Ejed hurriedly raised himself.

After changing into his uniform, he swung open the door.

The two aides were waiting at the door, as always.

Ejed spoke to them urgently.

“Get ready! There is somewhere I want to see.”

“Yes? Where are you going?”

“It’s not just one location.”

Ejed’s face brightened like a man who realized that he’d returned from the brink of death. The atmosphere made Fiz rather embarrassed.

After what happened yesterday, he thought Ejed would definitely destroy the Dsev family or be depressed.

Now Ejed smiled bright enough to reveal his pearly-white and neat teeth.

“First stop, Porcaus Falls.”

A woman with brown hair floated in a huge waterfall.

Fiz, who imagined Annie as a water ghost, covered his mouth with both hands.

‘Hiik!’