<Episode 110>

“What exactly are you trying to test?”

Eveline asked teasingly as Elkais wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her into his embrace. She instinctively circled her arms around his neck, laughing.

“We can be intimate, as long as we don’t go all the way.”

Now that he mentioned it, that made sense.

Things had been fine until the very end—when Elkais finished, that was when everything went wrong.

“But then we can’t have children.”

Eveline frowned at the thought, and Elkais’ expression stiffened slightly.

“The second method is this.”

Eveline watched his crimson eyes as she waited for him to continue.

They were still as captivating as ever, holding within them a deep, unwavering emotion.

“I only inherited Remeros’ power. If that’s the case, then I should also claim her knowledge.”

“Then I should do the same with Dekarv’s power and memories.”

“I wouldn’t recommend that. What if I’m the only one who recalls everything?”

He had a point. Eveline had heard many tales of Dekarv’s cruelty.

“Elkais… are you afraid I’ll end up hating you?”

“Yes.”

His honesty made Eveline chuckle.

“Elkais, do you want to rule over the gods?”

“No. If you wanted that position, I’d give it to you. I already belong to you, Eveline.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

That was the key difference.

Dekarv had hated Remeros because he believed she had no right to be the leader of the gods.

But that was only from Dekarv’s perspective.

Everyone else knew exactly why Remeros was suited for the position.

Her overwhelming power, her calm and just nature, and her unwavering fairness—she had always given even the reckless, power-hungry Dekarv a chance.

“So you’re saying you belong to me?”

“Yes.”

Instead of placing her on the sofa, Elkais set her down atop a small round table meant for displaying vases.

“…What are you doing?”

“I’m trying the third method.”

“And what’s that?”

“If the hierarchy of gods is the problem, then if I submit to you, I will become a god beneath you.”

With that, he knelt on one knee before her, looking up into her eyes.

“I have no idea if that will work, but go ahead. I’m curious.”

Eveline smirked, amused by his antics.

Elkais’ heart pounded at the sight.

He reached down, removed her shoes, and gently placed them on the floor.

Then, he lifted her small foot in his hands and kissed the top of it.

“That feels nice.”

“Can I do more?”

“Is this really submission?”

“Yes. This time, I’ll only do what you tell me to.”

“You only did what I told you last time too.”

Eveline laughed. This so-called “third method” felt more like an excuse to touch her.

“Elkais.”

“…Why are you calling me like that?”

“You’re here because you’re feeling anxious, aren’t you?”

She knew him well.

Elkais wasn’t someone who rushed into things.

Yet, he had hurried to come up with these ideas, which meant his actions were driven by something else.

“…Yes.”

“Why are you anxious? Ah… is it because of Crown Prince Ferite?”

“…Yes.”

His frank answer made Eveline smile. She cupped his face in her hands.

“Who was the first person I was with?”

“…Me.”

“And who’s the person I told I love?”

“…Me.”

“Then what are you so worried about?”

At her words, the tension in his expression softened. He gazed at her with newfound ease.

“I’m always afraid. I can’t help that I love you. But you… it feels like you could choose to stop loving me if you wanted to.”

“I’m the same as you, Elkais. My love for you isn’t something I can control.”

Hearing that, Elkais let out a deep breath, standing to his full height.

Then, he stepped between her legs, leaning against her.

“We’re not doing it here. If I pass out again, that’ll be a problem.”

“…I wasn’t spreading your legs for that. I just wanted to hold you.”

“Sure.”

Deciding to play along, Eveline wrapped her arms around him tightly.

* * *

The next day, Eveline had to enter the palace.

Since Crown Prince Ferite had formally sent a marriage proposal, she was required—at least in appearance—to meet with him and reject him in person.

To make her refusal clear, she dressed in dark clothing before stepping into the carriage.

“Can’t you just ignore it?”

Abellard, who had insisted on accompanying her out of concern, spoke from beside her.

“There’s no need for you to come, Brother.”

“How can I not? I’m worried about you.”

“There’s nothing to worry about. I’m going to refuse him, anyway.”

Despite her reassurances, Abellard still looked uneasy.

After a long ride, they arrived at the imperial palace—just as magnificent and overwhelming as ever.

To avoid any unnecessary formalities, Eveline deliberately skipped the main entrance of the Crown Prince’s palace and had her carriage drop her off beyond the outer gates of the palace itself.

“Brother, go attend your meeting.”

“But I want to stay with you, too…”

“Go. Do your work.”

At her firm tone, Abellard hesitated, still seated inside the carriage.

“But, Eve—”

Click.

She shut the carriage door and gave the coachman a pointed look.

Taking the hint, the man pulled the reins, setting the horses into motion.

The rhythmic sound of hooves against the pavement was pleasant to hear.

Eveline suddenly found herself longing to see the sky.

Back on that island, the sun had been bright, and the skies had been endlessly clear.

Now, the sky remained vast, the clouds white and beautiful, but the difference in climate—from the tropical jungle to this temperate land—made it feel somehow foreign.

“Eveline.”

She laughed, already knowing who would be waiting for her the moment she stepped out of the carriage.

Sure enough, Elkais greeted her with a welcoming smile, stretching out his hand as if it were a mere coincidence that he had been standing there.

Behind his back, poorly hidden, was a bouquet of flowers.

“Elkais, I have a feeling Emily is a spy for House Robein. Am I right?”

“…Yeah.”

It wasn’t difficult to figure out.

The fact that he knew her schedule so perfectly could only mean there was someone reporting to him.

“What does she report on? My schedule? My mood? How often I mention you?”

“…That’s exactly it.”

Elkais handed her the bouquet—roses, deep crimson like blood.

Eveline accepted them with a smile.

Seeing how he suddenly looked nervous again only improved her mood.

“You can read minds, can’t you? Why bother gathering information?”

“That was Dekarv’s ability, not mine.”

“Oh? Then I’d like to try it. I want to read your thoughts.”

“You wouldn’t be able to read mine.”

That was true.

Dekarv could read thoughts, but if he had been able to read Remeros’ mind, he wouldn’t have lost to her so often.

“And I don’t want you to know what I’m thinking.”

“Why not?”

Eveline inhaled the floral scent from the bouquet.

The black roses he had given her were thick-petaled and strikingly elegant.

“Is it like the meaning of these flowers?”

“…You know their meaning?”

“You are mine forever.”

Elkais made a slightly troubled expression as he took a step closer to her.

Eveline wasn’t afraid.

She hugged the bouquet to her chest and looked him straight in the eye.

“There’s no need to be so obvious about it. I’m already yours.”

“No, it’s the other way around. I’m yours. You belong to yourself. But if you could give me just a little more of that ownership…”

“Haha.”

Eveline couldn’t help but think he was dangerous.

How did he always know exactly what to say to make her heart waver?

“Come with me to the Crown Prince’s palace.”

“Alright.”

“But, Elkais.”

She reached for his hand as they began walking.

“There’s supposed to be a meeting.”

“I skipped it.”

“And the imperial council with His Majesty?”

“Skipped that too.”

“…Unbelievable.”

Eveline glanced at him, only to see him squeeze her hand tighter.

He stared at her with a relaxed, almost melted expression.

“…Are you going to scold me?”

“I’m not your wife yet, so I can’t.”

“If you were my wife, would you scold me?”

“Of course. If you keep skipping meetings with the Emperor, you should be punished.”

Elkais hesitated, then confessed.

“If you become my wife… I’ll step down as Minister of War. I’ll resign from all my imperial duties.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Then, I’ll take you to my territory, declare independence, and—”

Eveline’s grip on the bouquet tightened.

She had a feeling the next thing he would say would be his truest desire.

“—we’ll have ten children.”

“…You do realize that if I get pregnant, you won’t be able to touch me for at least three months, right?”

“…That’s true. I read that somewhere… But three months is too long.”

“Until it’s safe, we can’t.”

The way he seriously considered that issue made Eveline laugh.

“We’ll discuss that later. Be honest—what did you say to His Majesty to get out of the meeting?”

At that, Elkais averted his eyes, his lips shutting tightly.

Because if he told her, he knew she would definitely be angry.