Chapter 19

What could it mean that Allen, along with that rare flower, had been going in and out of an unoccupied room? And what did it imply that he once lived here?

I searched Ariel’s memories, but I couldn’t find an answer to any of the questions tugging at my curiosity.

‘It wasn’t even mentioned in the novel…’

Ugh, who knows.

I gave up trying to figure it out.

To be honest, whatever relationship Allen had with Princess Isabella didn’t really matter that much to me, so there was no need to rack my brain over it.

Having reached that conclusion, I left the princess’s quarters and took a short walk before returning to the palace where I was staying.

* * *

“Mm… Calix?”

Dragging my tired body out for a walk must have taken its toll that before I knew it, I had fallen asleep early without even having dinner. And, just like always, I woke up when he returned to my side.

Maybe it was because I’d slept deeply, but when I opened my eyes, I was far more clear-headed than usual. Calix climbed into bed behind me, wrapping me tightly in his arms. I could feel his breath near the nape of my neck.

“Ariel.”

His deep voice whispered into my ear, and the moment his large hand came to rest on my stomach, a ripple of tension ran through me.

“I heard you went to bed early today.”

“Yes. I was unusually tired, so I fell asleep without eating dinner.”

He kept gently stroking my body with his large hand, making it hard to breathe as my nerves stayed taut.

“You must be hungry.”

“Well… maybe a little. Or maybe not…”

I heard a quiet chuckle from behind me.

I couldn’t see his face, so I had no idea what expression he was making, but my vague answer seemed to amuse him.

“So, is that a yes or a no?”

“Uh… I think I’d rather just sleep like this. I’m not that hungry.”

Honestly, I figured that if I said I was hungry, he’d immediately start feeding me. Not wanting the hassle, I chose to ignore the mild hunger.

But his hand started to wander upward from around my navel, slowly creeping higher. He brushed lightly along my ribs and opened his mouth again.

“I’m hungry.”

“Pardon? You haven’t eaten yet?”

I asked, surprised. I hadn’t eaten because I was asleep, but why hadn’t he?

“I did eat.”

“Oh… then…”

If he already had dinner, what did he mean by saying he was hungry? Had it been that long since his last meal?

I couldn’t quite make sense of his words, but his next actions made it all too clear.

“I’m always hungry.”

With that, he began licking along the nape of my neck.

“Ah…”

A faint sigh escaped me. I knew what was about to happen, and my heart began to pound in anxious anticipation.

‘Not tonight… I really don’t have the energy…’

Just as I was trying to figure out how to escape the situation, his hand began to move more deliberately.

Sensing imminent danger, I quickly grabbed his hand just before it reached my chest. I held on tightly, using all my strength to stop him from going any further.

“Th-think I might actually be really hungry!”

The words came out in a bit of a panic, my voice louder than I intended.

“I’m starving, Calix. Ah, why am I so hungry? I suddenly feel really hungry.”

I exaggerated a little, repeating myself for effect.

Instead of responding right away, he fell silent. Tension filled the space between us.

When he didn’t say a word, a chill crept over me. I instantly regretted what I’d said, knowing how perceptive he was. It felt like I’d made the wrong move. I even considered quickly taking it back, but before I could speak again, his clear, bright laughter rang through the room.

And for some reason, in that moment, I had an overwhelming urge to see his face. So I wriggled in his arms and turned toward him.

The moment I did, his smiling face, lips parted in laughter, came into view and was etched into my mind.

‘Ah…’

So he can laugh like this.

It felt unfamiliar, seeing him smile so openly. Yet at the same time, there was something strangely familiar about it. As I stared at him, speechless, Calix finished laughing and looked at me with a soft smile and warm eyes.

“Hungry?”

“Yes… I’m hungry.”

I nodded slowly, my gaze still locked on his. Still watching me closely, he sat up and tugged on the bellpull near the bed.

“I can’t let you go hungry.”

Soon after, the room filled with more food than anyone could possibly eat at this hour. Holding his hand, I rose from the bed and settled onto the sofa.

Calix sat right beside me and picked a grape from a bunch, raising it to my lips. He gestured for me to open my mouth. Feeling flustered, I glanced around.

There were still servants and maids in the room. Embarrassment washed over me. I kept my mouth shut, shifting my eyes awkwardly. Calix waved a hand, dismissing them all.

They disappeared like the tide receding, and soon it was just the two of us again. With no more excuses, I reluctantly opened my mouth. The grape popped in, its sweet juice spreading across my tongue.

“Good?”

“Yes. It’s delicious.”

Satisfied with my response, he tore a piece of bread, dipped it into soup, and held it up to me again.

“I can feed myself.”

I wasn’t a child, and it was embarrassing being spoon-fed like this. I reached out and took the bread from him.

“Just this one.”

But he didn’t back down, continuing to encourage me to eat. So I gave in and opened my mouth again. The soup-soaked bread went in.

As I chewed, a thought struck me. I hurriedly swallowed and opened my mouth.

“Your Majesty… Calix, you should eat too.”

“I’m fine.”

“But it feels awkward eating alone… And it’s always better to eat together.”

“You want me to eat with you?”

He looked amused, his eyes dancing with mischief.

“Yes. I’d like that.”

I nodded, replying without a second thought. In response, he opened his mouth.

“…”

So that’s what he meant.

Feeling like I’d walked right into it again, I gave in and fed him a piece of bread.

“Tastes good.”

His voice was calm and matter-of-fact, but I couldn’t help letting out a breathless laugh at the absurdity of the situation.

We continued eating after that. Except for the moments when I refused to be fed and he instead opened his mouth like a baby bird, demanding to be fed in return, it was actually a pleasant, satisfying meal despite the late hour.

Since it was getting late, we only ate a modest amount before finishing up. The servants returned to clear the table, and I began preparing for a short walk to help with digestion.

“Calix, aren’t you tired?”

“I’m fine.”

“But you have work tomorrow. I can go by myself…”

The moment I said I’d go alone, I felt the shift in his mood. His expression hardened instantly.

Sensing it, I quickly shut my mouth.

“Let’s go.”

And so, my plan for a solo walk turned into a stroll with him by my side.

Outside, the moonlight was bright, perfect for an evening walk. We stepped out of the palace hand in hand, strolling through the garden.

“I hear you’ve been taking long walks lately.”

As expected, every little thing I did reached his ears. I wasn’t surprised, so I answered calmly.

“Yes. Walking helps me feel refreshed. Staying in my room all day makes me feel sluggish.”

“A wise choice.”

He praised me, gently brushing his thumb over the back of my hand.

“But I heard you visited Princess Isabella’s palace.”

“What? Oh… yes.”

I figured he would know and might bring it up eventually.

But as soon as I remembered meeting Allen earlier, I started to stumble over my words. Noticing my clear unease, he stopped walking and fixed me with a sharp, hawk-like gaze.