Chapter 44…………….
As much as he liked taking walks, I wanted to avoid them whenever possible.
Whenever we were alone, Axion’s affection was like a plant that grew without sunlight—before I knew it, it was winding all around me.
By the time we stepped outside to the garden, wrapped up in all that affection, the only thing I wanted was to stay here with him for days on end.
Just the two of us.
The selfishness of that thought startled me, and I shivered.
Even after several kisses, Axion’s behavior remained as careful as ever.
I had expected that once we started kissing, he’d be relentless—but he completely defied my expectations.
Somehow, that bothered me, but I didn’t want to admit it aloud.
He gently cupped and stroked my cheek.
And just from that small touch, I was melting, like a cat relaxing and letting go of all its tension.
This is too much.
Inside me, two contradictory feelings tore me apart—the longing for him to kiss me right away, and the urge to run away because I knew how much I would love it.
At that moment, Axion smiled faintly.
“…Why are you smiling?”
Why laugh when I’m being this serious?
Even though it probably didn’t look like much, I was really struggling inside, so a sharp tone slipped out of me before I realized it. He immediately wiped the smile off his face.
His fingertip brushed the corner of my lips.
Half of me wanted to yank him close and kiss him already, and the other half wanted to mischievously see how far he would go.
“Your lips twitching like that… it’s cute.”
“…You’re saying nonsense.”
“Do you know you always make such a serious face before we kiss?”
Was that really true? Thinking back, I realized he might be right.
I’d been having these same conflicting thoughts again and again.
And the thought that Axion had just been silently watching me this whole time felt… infuriating.
“You don’t even know what I’m thinking.”
My voice came out like a sulky child’s, which embarrassed me—but I couldn’t take the words back.
“I do know it isn’t that you dislike me.”
Even though my face was faintly scowling, my hands were already shamelessly clutching at his waist.
Out of spite, I pulled him closer by the hips.
He used to be so bashful, and now he looked completely unashamed.
“Do you hate it when I kiss you?”
I was curious what expression he’d make if I said I loved it to death—but my pride wouldn’t allow me to say it.
Even realizing that I was unconsciously twitching my lips, I couldn’t stop.
All I could do was shake my head.
So just stop teasing me already.
Every finger I laid on him seemed to say exactly that.
Then, the playfulness in Axion’s face faded. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he cupped my cheeks fully in both hands and lowered his head.
Despite all the build-up, the kiss itself was light and refreshing.
But when his lips kept brushing past mine too lightly, I grew annoyed and grabbed his nape, dragging him closer.
I couldn’t stand being the only one so worked up.
Axion wasn’t flustered at all—he immediately deepened the kiss.
He’s definitely been teasing me on purpose.
Even while gasping for breath, that thought lingered. He kissed me like someone who had been waiting a very long time.
Though I had provoked him first, I was also the first to surrender.
With a small sound, our lips parted, leaving only hot breaths between us.
When I fluttered my eyelids open, Axion was right in front of me, staring quietly.
His eyes, flushed with heat, were far too stirring.
The instant our gazes met, my ears burned hot.
I couldn’t deny it anymore—I liked kissing him. I liked kissing Axion.
More than any kiss I’d ever had, his filled me with indescribable fulfillment.
Lately, compared to the past few days, I’d been in an excessively good mood. Even Miletta had asked me more than once if something especially happy had happened.
“No, maybe it’s just the weather?”
It was an early, sweltering summer, the heat setting in already.
Miletta gave me a look, then drifted away as if giving up on a reply.
Strangely, everything was falling into place.
Everything I wanted was proceeding exactly the way I wished—so smoothly it almost felt wrong.
Perhaps all I needed to do was simply accept it.
And so, several peaceful and leisurely weeks passed. As expected, the heat of midsummer descended on the capital.
Carriages left the city in droves, which was a sight in itself—but the real spectacle was the summer palace.
White-brick towers and a cozy palace capped with cobalt domes greeted us as we arrived.
At this rate, I had nothing to worry about.
The summer palace—Penetry Hall—was busier than ever, hosting guests for the first time in a year.
Rexin, since arriving, couldn’t contain his joy and ran about everywhere.
“…Your Highness! If you run like that, you’ll get hurt!”
“It’s fine, nanny. Auntie! Look! I’ve grown two whole finger-lengths taller since last year!”
Where Rexin pointed, there were markings from each year he’d measured his height here.
“Then we’ll have to make another mark before we leave this time.”
“Yes! I wonder if Duke Dierick has arrived yet? I want to show Lady Sheryl too.”
“I’m sure he has, but they’ll be busy unpacking—let’s call for them tomorrow instead.”
Agreeing, Rexin nodded quickly, then darted off again.
This summer palace was a special place even for the child.
“Deborah, make sure he doesn’t trip. Be extra careful.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Don’t worry.”
Deborah hurried after Rexin.
Meanwhile, Sir Ericksen was directing servants to unload luggage.
With nothing to do, I idly gazed outside the palace. Only moments after scolding Rexin like a proper adult, I found myself missing Axion again.
Get a hold of yourself!
The more I thought, the more I longed for him—and that scared me. I decided it was safer to forcibly push such thoughts away.
“…Haa.”
How did things end up like this?
The two weeks at Penetry Hall were nothing but rest. Idling and feasting every day made me feel guilty.
Meanwhile, Miletta was busier than she’d ever been in the imperial palace.
With banquets held nearly every day, there was endless work to oversee.
I’ll have to give her a vacation once we’re back in the palace.
Though she said she was used to this annual routine, she already looked exhausted.
Among the many events, the most important was my birthday celebration.
Even when I suggested changing things up, Miletta refused to compromise on this—so again, this year’s celebration was to be held aboard a ship.
A party on a ship… just the thought was daunting.
And it would be my first. In my previous life, my birthday had been celebrated here at Penetry Hall, but never as a shipboard party. I vaguely recalled Maxim Dolan pulling me aside instead—but even that memory wasn’t clear.
My recollections of that time at Penetry Hall were hazy.
Well, nothing will happen this time.
They did it every year—why should this year be any different?
Pushing away the baseless unease, I finally regained peace of mind.
The first banquet at Penetry Hall was held in the outdoor garden.
Lively dance music filled the air, and people were more boisterous than usual, thrilled by the change of setting.
Some already looked slightly tipsy.
Axion hadn’t appeared yet—perhaps still preparing.
My escort for the night was, amusingly enough, little Rexin. Technically, I was the one who had arranged it, but still.
Rexin kept glancing about, searching for someone.
“Sheryl must be running a bit late.”
“…I–I wasn’t looking for her.”
He muttered, cheeks flushed.
“Really? My mistake then.”
“…Ahem.”
Seeing him clear his throat awkwardly almost made me laugh out loud.
Then, from a crowd nearby, a burst of loud laughter rang out. Naturally, my gaze shifted there.
At the center stood Leonil Rockstein.
So frivolous.
His popularity had only soared higher since being appointed Knight Commander. It was expected, but it still made my teeth clench.
I regretted appointing him, but I couldn’t let personal feelings interfere with duty, so I held it in.
Our eyes suddenly met. Instinctively, I frowned.
Leonil smirked casually, then looked away.
I’d braced for a drawn-out standoff, but his anticlimactic retreat left me oddly deflated. As I turned my head, my gaze froze elsewhere.
…Isn’t that Lady Lily Dayana?
Off to the side, away from the crowd, she sipped fruit wine alone.
No one paid her any attention.
Leaving his own fiancée neglected while he basks in the crowd… he’s the kind who’d break his nose even falling backwards.
My opinion of Leonil dropped another notch. But when I glanced back again, Lily Dayana had vanished.
“Looking for someone?”
“Ah! You startled me.”
I flinched, probably with a foolish expression. Turning, I found Axion smiling beside Sheryl.
“It’s been a while, Regent Duke.”
“Lady Sheryl, you look beautiful tonight as always.”
“…Th-thank you.”
Surprisingly, Sheryl was very weak to compliments.
Considering she looked so much like her brother, I had expected her to be used to them by now.
The siblings both had their unexpected sides.
At that moment, Rexin stepped forward from beside me and linked arms with her. Though a little brazen, his face clearly showed joy.
“Why are you so late?”
“Late? I’m right on time. Did you wait for me that badly?”
“…Of course not.”
Flustered, Rexin pouted. Sheryl, seeming used to it, casually walked away with him.
She almost looks like she’s enjoying it herself…
“You haven’t had any fruit wine yet, have you?”
What, does he think I’m a drunkard? I snapped my head toward Axion.
“Isn’t it fine to drink on a night like this?”
“Of course.”
“Then I’ll bring some for both of us.”
I started walking off, but didn’t get far—Axion lightly caught my wrist and pulled me back.
“I’ll fetch it. Please stay here.”
The garden was so wide that servants couldn’t attend everyone easily. I nodded, and he brushed a kiss against my cheek before leaving.
If you’re going to kiss me, why not on the lips?
Even as the thought came, I couldn’t stop the little laugh that escaped between my lips.
