Chapter 58
In a capital mansion, two people in black cloaks sat around a square table.
Just then, another figure in a black cloak entered the room and took a seat.
“We’re all here now.”
The last person to arrive was startled by those words and quickly counted the empty chairs.
Including himself, three people were present, but there were four empty seats. Yet, they were “all” here?
“Don’t tell me… Was there another attack? I heard that a human trafficking group was completely wiped out a few days ago. Was that the one Michelle was running? If this continues, we’re all—”
“Calm down.”
The person who spoke in a calm tone stopped him from panicking.
“The previous three were one thing, but Michelle acted on his own, defying orders, and was punished for it. But today’s urgent meeting has a completely different purpose.
“That’s right. Calm down. Right now, what’s more important than the attacks is the wish that Prince Andrew made after winning the Eclipse Hunting Tournament.”
“What? What do you mean…?”
“The news came directly from him.”
After hearing everything, the man held his head in frustration.
“The prince used his wish to make such a request to the emperor? If things go wrong, it’ll become difficult to secure humans… Damn it.”
It had never been hard to kidnap lower-class people who had nowhere to go and had no protection.
But if the prince ensured their safety, things would change.
They had to meet his demands for specific types of humans. If obtaining them became difficult, it would be a problem.
They were already struggling to avoid attacks while gathering people—this would only make things worse.
“For now, we don’t know if the prince can actually follow through with what he said. But we should prepare a plan just in case.”
At those firm words, the other two slowly nodded.
The night was still long.
I woke up and rubbed my sleepy eyes.
‘What a weird dream…’
I had dreamed about one of my most embarrassing childhood memories.
There was a boy from elementary school—his face was blurry now, but I remembered how he used to secretly leave school supplies on my desk when I forgot mine, or put snacks there when I wasn’t looking.
It seemed like he wanted to help without being noticed, but he was clumsy. That’s how I realized he looked at me differently from others.
‘But it was all just my imagination.’
One time, when I was sick and arrived at school late, I overheard him talking to his friends.
“Hey, do you like her?”
“No way! Are you crazy? I just felt sorry for her because she became an orphan.”
“Oh, right. Both of her parents died in a car accident.”
“Yeah!”
I never had romantic feelings for him. But mistaking his pity for affection was embarrassing, and hearing that when I was already struggling hurt me deeply.
That conversation stuck with me even as an adult.
Whenever someone seemed to like me, I would hear those words in my head. Thanks to that, I never made the same mistake again.
‘But why did that boy in my dream look like Harold?’
It was strange. That boy’s face wasn’t clear in my memory, and yet, in my dream, he looked just like Harold.
‘Oh well. A dream is just a dream.’
Shrugging it off, I turned to look at Harold.
My eyes landed on his lips.
At the prince’s welcome banquet, they had been pale from poisoning. Now, they looked healthy and full of color.
“Hehe—”
I smiled at the sight of his recovered lips.
Then, I suddenly pressed a finger against my own lips.
“…My first kiss.”
I had always wanted to share a special first kiss with someone I loved. But now, that dream was gone.
I didn’t regret what I did. If I had to do it again, I wouldn’t hesitate to kiss Harold.
‘…Honestly, I didn’t hate it.’
In fact, I had been surprised at how breathtaking a kiss could be.
The way he had pressed forward, the warmth in the air, the deep gaze that seemed to swallow me whole, the firm grip on the back of my head—everything was still so vivid. My heart pounded just thinking about it.
‘Do I… want to kiss Harold again? No, what am I even thinking!?’
I sat up abruptly, my face burning.
‘I should just get up.’
It was still early, but I didn’t want to stay in bed. Especially not with Harold lying next to me.
I started crawling to the edge of the bed when—
Tug.
“…!”
Something caught my ankle.
I turned around in shock and saw Harold holding my foot.
“…Did I wake you up?”
Instead of answering, Harold pulled himself up and moved closer to me.
I blinked at him in confusion, and before I knew it, he had wrapped his arms around my waist and lay back down—taking me with him.
My vision flipped as I landed against his chest.
“Harold? I was trying to get up…”
“Don’t. Sleep more. You love sleeping in the morning.”
His deep voice whispered right next to my ear, making it tickle.
I rubbed my ear and mumbled, “I’m already awake.”
Harold’s eyes, still half-closed, studied me.
His navy-blue gaze was sleepy, but warm.
“You have dark circles…”
His voice trailed off before he spoke again.
“There’s nothing urgent to do today, right?”
“Yeah… that’s true.”
I nodded.
“Then—wanna do it?”
He gently brushed through my messy hair as he asked.
“Do what?”
The vague question made me blink in confusion.
His hand trailed down from my hair—slowly, carefully—until his fingers pressed against my lips.
“Healing.”
“…!”
“A kiss.”
The sleepy look in his eyes was gone. Instead, there was a burning intensity.
My lips tingled where his fingers touched.
“We already agreed that a hug was enough for healing…!”
“You gave me permission to kiss you.”
“…Did I forget to say it was only for that one time?”
“You didn’t.”
Gasp!
‘I was in such a rush back then that I forgot to mention it!’
Realizing my mistake, my jaw dropped.
“…Wait. I need a moment to prepare myself.”
I quickly covered my face with both hands to block out Harold’s presence.
But my heart wouldn’t stop racing.
‘From now on, for healing, we have to k-k-kiss…’
I was still struggling to get used to hugging, and now reality hit me hard.
It was just an action for treatment, yet I felt embarrassed for not being able to stay calm.
But what drove me even crazier was that I wasn’t just embarrassed.
‘I’m a pervert.’
I took deep breaths, steadied my expression, and called out softly to Harold.
“…Okay.”
Hearing my small agreement, Harold’s eyes narrowed.
“You prepared yourself faster than I expected.”
“I wish I was ready… but I’m not at all.”
I gave an awkward smile and looked away.
I still felt the same—like I was trapped in a whirlwind. I wanted to bury my head under a blanket.
If Harold waited indefinitely, then I’d never be ready. So, I had to do it.
“I’m just going to do it.”
“…”
Harold just stared at me.
After a moment, the strength in his arm around my waist loosened. Instead, his large hand slowly cupped my cheek.
As he moved closer, I lowered my eyelids.
His nose brushed against my cheek, his breath tickled my skin, and his lips gently grazed mine.
“I still don’t understand you, Diana.”
With every word he spoke, I felt his lips move against mine.
“I didn’t think you’d accept this so quickly.”
I opened my eyes.
Just then, something warm and soft slowly licked my lips.
“Ah!”
I gasped, completely caught off guard by his sudden touch after he had been talking.
Harold gave me a playful smile as he gently sucked on my lower lip.
Just as I was about to shut my eyes, he pulled away first.
“This is enough for now.”
“Harold…?”
He brushed my lips with his thumb and got off the bed.
“Get some sleep. You’re tired.”
Without hesitation, he left the room.
I stared blankly at the empty space he had left behind and pressed my bitten lip.
“…How am I supposed to sleep after that?”
Ironically, despite my complaint, I fell asleep deeply within ten minutes.
Thinking back, I had returned late from the palace yesterday and woke up unusually early today. It made sense that I would fall asleep so quickly.
‘Did I look that exhausted…?’
Harold, who desperately wanted me to recover, had skipped the treatment and left. That thought made me wonder.
Then suddenly, the image of Harold licking my lips flashed in my mind.
I pressed my lips with my front teeth, feeling ashamed of my thoughts.
As I was battling with my embarrassment, a knock came at the door.
“My lady, the Marchioness of Mayer is here to see you.”
“I’ll be right there. Please escort her to the drawing room.”
I straightened my clothes and headed to the drawing room.
The Marchioness was already seated, sipping tea brought by a maid. When she saw me, she stood up.
“Marchioness Mayer, it’s been a while.”
Earlier, while I was having a late breakfast, I received a letter from her saying she wanted to visit.
I was surprised at first. She was someone who always scheduled visits at least a day in advance, and she had even skipped the imperial event yesterday due to feeling unwell.
“I apologize for the sudden visit, Duchess. But I couldn’t just sit still after hearing that you and the Duke had an audience with His Majesty.”
Ah…
Since she had worked in the palace before, she must have been more concerned than others.
“There’s nothing to worry about, Marchioness. Everything is fine.”
I smiled, not wanting to make her anxious.
Besides, there really wasn’t any problem right now.
“…I’m relieved to hear that.”
The tension in the Marchioness’s face finally eased.
Now, it was my turn to ask.
“Marchioness, how is your health?”
“I’m much better now. Thank you for asking, Duchess.”
I responded that I was glad to hear it and took a sip of tea.
It frustrated me that I couldn’t use my divine powers openly, even when those around me were sick.
It wasn’t that I didn’t trust her, but… knowing how dangerous my powers were, I could only sigh internally.
“I really must thank you, Duchess.”
“…Me?”
I blinked, confused by her sudden gratitude.
“His Majesty never wanted to give Prince Andrew any chance to rise in status. But because of this matter, he gained an opportunity while minimizing risks.”
“…I still don’t understand why you’re thanking me.”
Wasn’t it Prince Andrew’s side that proposed the deal to Harold? Harold had agreed to create a connection with the prince. All I had done was carry out my duties as expected.
Seeing my confusion, Marchiness Mayer explained.
“It was the Duke who first proposed this to the Prince, for your sake.”
