CH 60

*Rainelle’s POV

"Uh, um... It's okay as long as you just hug me."

...Honestly, I can't help but permit him. The shine of his golden eyes is the same as usual, but his under-eyes are dark! How many load of work does he have?!

Besides, my heart was weakened by his brightening face when I said that it would be okay to just hug me. The way he behaved like a child was different from usual, so it made my heart pound.

Karmeut immediately opened his arms and hugged me. Of course I was just being hugged, but his action of burying his face in my shoulder as if he was clinging to me somehow make me feel sorry for him.

I awkwardly raised my hand and gently stroked Karmeut's back. When I patted his back, I could feel the tension in his body slowly go away.

"...let's sit over there."

"If you want."

I pointed to the pavilion on one side of the garden. It was a suggestion I made because I thought it would be better to sit than to stand like this since he looked tired. Karmeut obediently accepted my suggestion.

...the road to the pavilion was a little rough –but he continued hugging me from behind and didn't let me go- we got there anyway and were able to sit down.

"Rainelle..."

He leaned his head on my shoulder while appearing listless, which made me kind of sad. It was like he was an office worker who worked overtime and got tired but still had to get to work early the next day.

"...okay, let's do this."

Was that why? I boldly did something I would never have done normally: I gave Karmeut a lap pillow. As I watched his golden eyes getting wider and wider, I tried to turn my gaze away into the air.

I know it! This is so embarrassing! But I'm not letting a handsome guy look tired like he's tired from working overtime! And it's not a random handsome guy either. It's Karmeut!

"I, I’m doing this because you're tired! Okay? Okay?!"

"...Okay, I understand."

Karmeut lay down comfortably while letting out a chuckle. His disheveled golden hair fluttering on my black feather dress was very glamorous.

Karmeut smiled and closed his eyes. Then he grabbed my knees with one of his hands and gently snuggled his cheek as if he was trying to get a comfortable position.

My face heated up at his touch.

Something is weird! I just lay Karmeut down like I'm giving a child a lap pillow! But why is it that I feel something strange and bizarre?!!

Even without me checking, it was clear how my face looked now. It should be red like a ripe fruit, and it's about to burst.

...I'm glad Karmeut closed his eyes.

I stared at his eyes, and only then did I see Karmeut's face in detail. The undersides of his eyes were dark and his skin seemed to have gotten rough somehow. The fact that his lips were also slightly chapped seemed to show how much Karmeut was struggling.

I reached out my hand and gently wiped his cheek. Karmeut flinched and opened his eyes slightly, then he exhaled lightly and closed his eyes again.

It was like unspoken permission, so I could pluck up a little more courage. Therefore, I whispered as I slowly caress his cheek,

"---Are you having a hard time?"

"Hm... there’s a lot of work because my predecessor passed the throne to me after lying ill. And since it's the beginning of my ascendance, if I don't do it properly..."

Karmeut's voice had no power and he answered with a mumble. Perhaps he was really relaxing. He even seemed defenseless as he was drooping on my lap.

"Can’t you rest for a bit?"

"---No, I can't do that... I have to work hard, for Rainelle too..."

My heart warmed at the words. It was a voice full of sleepiness, and even though his pronunciation was mumbled and crushed, it felt as if it made me float.

I continued moving my hand to caress his cheek and stroked his golden hair. The hair that ran down between my fingers was smooth and soft, so I had the urge to touch it over and over again.

Karmeut's wolf form had amazing fur, but his hair somehow felt different. That's why I couldn't stop my hand.

Karmeut's breathing slowed.

Is he asleep?

I tried to poke him in the cheek, but he didn't respond.

"...are you really sleeping?"

There was no answer. I felt like he was really sleeping. I didn't know that he was going to sleep, so I was a bit troubled.

But I can't wake him up when he’s sleeping...

Yes, he should rest when he can, right? He worked hard every day. I can't believe he’s working until his handsome face turns so haggard...

---Suddenly, I remembered my days as a zookeeper. As a cheetah was about to give birth, I stayed up all night until the cheetah gave birth the next morning. And so, the desire to let Karmeut be like this grew stronger.

I softly stroked his hair and gently touched his earlobe. From the soft and slightly firm earlobe, I then slid my finger toward his sharp jawline.

"Hm..."

As expected, it was different from women. The lines are thicker. And it felt stronger and more solid.

I usually take a good look at Karmeut, but many things happened -mainly I ran away- so I didn't get to see him straight in the face.

Because of that, it was the first time in a while that I had looked at Karmeut's face so closely.

Was it because of that? Suddenly, my heart started beating fast. But it was different from usual. I usually ran away because I felt like I would be too embarrassed and overwhelmed, but ...

Somehow, my heart was now pounding as if I was secretly doing something naughty. It was just that I can't stop stroking his hair even though I thought this will wake Karmeut up.

Hehe, since it's like this, I have to do whatever I want! Normally I can't do it, so this is my chance!!

I smiled involuntarily as I stroked his hair with ease.

"You look like a child."

Karmeut's face as he slept defenselessly looked really young. Or was it like a big dog sleeping with his chin on my thigh?

“Ah, if he is a wolf, it might really be so.”

I patted him slowly on the shoulder thinking that it would have been nice if he sleep as a wolf. I yawned without realizing it as I patted him as if putting a child to sleep.

"Hoahm..."

Is it because I watch other people sleeping? Or is it because of the sun? Uu, I'm getting sleepy... ---Huh?

"...Galenos?"

"Ah, Raynell-nim. Why are you in human form...? No, rather, His Majesty is...?"

I hurriedly pressed my index finger over my lips. I gave a “Shh” signal, and Galenos paused. Then he approached while making his footsteps quieter.

"Karmeut is sleeping."

I lowered his voice and whispered to Galenos who was getting closer. Hearing that, Galenos looked at Karmeut for a moment, then a perplexed expression appeared on his face.

"...I see. Should I call a servant and give an order to bring a blanket?"

...I shook my head, thinking that it might wake him. Then I whispered, lowering my voice as much as possible,

"Just let Karmeut sleep tight, okay?"

"Yes, I understand."

Galenos bowed his head and then backed away.

He retreated so quietly that he didn't make a single footstep sound, like a cat.

Without looking at him to the end, I turned my gaze to Karmeut again. Luckily he didn't wake up. He looked comfortable while he slept and exhaled even breath.

"Good night."

I mustered up some courage and bowed my head. Then I pressed my lips lightly against his forehead and quickly retreated my head.

Whoa, whoa---!! Forehead kiss! I did the forehead kiss to Karmeut for the first time!!

...if Karmeut hadn't fallen asleep, I would never have done it! No, I wouldn't have been able to even if I wanted to! Because Karmeut is taller than me! Besides, before I can do anything, Karmeut approaches me first. What can I do?!

I tried to calm down by gently pressing my cheeks. Seeing the still sleeping Karmeut, I suddenly thought: ‘what am I doing?’, and felt like a fool.

Oh, let's calm down, calm down. What are you doing in front of a sleeping person? Okay, let's calm down. Stay calm.

I stretched out my hand and ruffled his hair. I think I smiled without realizing it, enjoying the illusion of touching  thin gold threads.

*Karmeut’s POV

With a sigh, the closed eyelids lifted, revealing golden eyes. The golden eyes that had been quietly looking around were now fixed on one point.

The girl in black was sleeping with an even breath. Her appearance of falling asleep with her hand that was on top of his golden hair even looked peaceful.

"---Really..."

Mumbling irresistibly, Karmeut slowly turned his head to look up at her.

Slowly, he grabbed her hand so as not to let her soft hand fall off suddenly. The soft hand was warm.

Karmeut remembered again the moment before he was sleeping.

She said that this was the only time she lent her lap because I was tired, but she did it without hesitation. Even when I grab her knees and snuggled, she only flinched, but she didn't go away.

"...you’re the one who’s more like a child."

The Emperor smiled as he mumbled and kissed her pale fingers. He felt elated when he remembered the soft texture he felt on his forehead just before he fell asleep.

"Innocent like a child, she doesn't know how to hide her emotions."

Does she know that she's more adorable because her way of thinking is different from humans?

No, she didn't know. She’s smart and clever for a crow, and that becomes more apparent since she ate Crobanlock, but...

Still, limitations existed. That limitation was why Karmeut worked so hard that he was close to overworking himself.

There was no opposing talk right now, but it was clear that in the future, Rainelle would be criticized over the 'Empress Qualification' and there would be opinions that a crow human could not be placed in the position of the Mother of the Empire.

It was not that Karmeut was ignorant of that. It was undeniable that it was more advantageous in many ways to have a partner with power on the outside rather than a woman with no background or strength.

But, even so… those are no reasons to abandon Rainelle. No, if there is anyone who argues about her qualifications using such a trivial matter...

The people who oppose are the one who needs to be removed from the world. If it is a country that is objecting, it should be removed from the map.

A wolf who rules an empire is not foolish. I will take it when it’s advantageous, but I knew better than anyone that my partner is an irreplaceable and important thing to protect.

Anyone who touches my mate, no matter who it is or what country it is, I will trample on it and bite it.

Karmeut revealed his wild and cruel thoughts.

"...Hm-mnn..."

Was she dreaming? Or was she uncomfortable sleeping while sitting? Rainelle tossed and turned her body as she groaned. Karmeut flinched when she started groaning, then he cautiously but hurriedly rose from his seat.

He slowly patted her on the back, holding her in his arms, as if she would wake up. Karmeut breathed out a sigh of relief as Rainelle relaxed her body and let out her even breathing again.

He then reached out and stroked her lustrous black hair. Her hair was shiny like a crow's feather, but the texture was different. Smiling at the smooth, flowing hair, he caressed her soft cheeks.

He suppressed his desire to continue touching the soft cheeks, but he didn’t know if she would run away in the form of a crow after seeing it.

I don’t like that.

"---Lovely Rainelle. I can't help but love you."

So I was anxious. I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable by just seeing men around her. It doesn’t even matter that she is in her crown form.

So, when he heard the news that she had left the Imperial Palace with Namuel, how surprised he was inside. And how relieved he was when she returned safely.

"How nice it would be if I could lock you up, that only I could see, touch, and hold you in my arms."

An uncontrollable desire for monopoly crept up in him. The monster-like emotion that whispered that this was the most justified thing, that only he could see that beautiful bird, was revealing its teeth.

However, that’s not how it is supposed to be.

Birds are most beautiful when flying. A bird locked in a cage with its freedom repressed would make even the viewer sad.

And I didn't want to destroy Rainelle. No, I couldn't break her.

The black bird of death was beautiful when it flew freely. And his beloved bird, in response to his voice, followed him.

Yeah, that's fine. At least for now.

He lowered his head and kissed her forehead as she had done. The golden wolf smiled as he embraced Rainelle, who was digging into his arms.

That smile was as if the wolf licked his snout in satisfaction after eating a lot of the most delicious delicacy.