Chapter 29
“Ah… Michalis.”
Through the cluster of royal guards blocking her view, Eliana caught a brief glimpse of Michalis.
“Sheathe your swords. That is the Duke of Ascher.”
Confirming that it was indeed Michalis approaching with long, purposeful strides, the Crown Prince issued a firm command to the guards.
“Your Highness…”
The guards hesitated. The aura surrounding the man drawing near was unmistakably hostile, making it difficult to lower their weapons without doubt.
“I repeat—sheathe your swords.”
The Crown Prince sensed Eliana’s unease and repeated his order with greater weight.
At the renewed command, the guards reluctantly returned their blades to their scabbards. The fact that the approaching man was unarmed also factored into their decision.
“I greet the Empire’s Little Sun.”
Michalis came to a stop a few steps ahead and bowed in flawless formality. Though his greeting was impeccably polite, the air around him crackled like sharpened steel.
“Duke of Ascher, did your private audience with His Majesty go well?”
“Eliana.”
Michalis didn’t bother replying. Instead, he extended his hand directly to Eliana.
Without hesitation, Eliana stepped away from the Crown Prince’s side and took Michalis’s hand.
“Thank you for guiding my wife through the Imperial Garden, Your Highness,” Michalis said, gently pulling Eliana toward him with possessive grace.
“It was nothing.”
“And the flower?”
Michalis’s gaze shifted from the prince to the soft pink peony in Eliana’s hand.
“It was a gift. A token of congratulations from His Highness for our marriage.”
“Is that so?”
Michalis’s eyes returned sharply to the Crown Prince.
“Even so, offering flowers to a married woman… I must ask that Your Highness refrain from actions that might invite misunderstanding.”
His voice was calm, but his eyes—locked directly on the prince’s—carried a cold warning that could not be mistaken.
‘If you keep playing such games, you’ll lose your shield.’
He swallowed the final words.
‘That arrogant…’
The royal guards clenched their fists, visibly trembling with restraint at Michalis’s brazen tone.
“Misunderstanding? It was a mere gesture of goodwill.”
Despite the tension in Michalis’s words, the Crown Prince simply smiled, brushing it off as if it were nothing.
“……”
‘Michalis… That’s enough.’
Sensing the dangerous shift in mood, Eliana tightened her grip on his hand—her silent plea for restraint.
“…Then I shall accept this act of goodwill with gratitude.”
Only then did Michalis’s tense expression begin to soften.
“We’ll take our leave now.”
“As you wish.”
“May the Little Sun be at peace.”
With a final nod, Michalis offered his respects to the Crown Prince and turned with Eliana, heading toward the carriage depot.
“……”
The Crown Prince watched their retreating figures in silence, his gaze lingering until they were out of sight. Then, he bit down hard on his lower lip.
“Haa…”
A quiet sigh escaped his lips.
‘Was it that obvious?’
He could still see her clearly in his mind—descending the central staircase during the wedding banquet. From that very moment, this maddening emotion had taken root. And it was something he could never allow anyone to discover.
‘It’s a feeling I must bury.’
With another soft sigh, the Crown Prince turned away as if nothing had happened and returned to the main palace.
“He’s not usually so reckless… What’s gotten into him?”
Count Espensen, still standing at the window, clicked his tongue in disapproval. As the Emperor’s only heir, the Crown Prince was expected to be impeccable.
‘Of all people, the Duchess of Ascher…’
This was nothing like cleaning up the Emperor’s hidden illegitimate offspring. This situation was far more delicate—far more dangerous.
Even as one of the Crown Prince’s strongest allies, there was nothing he could do to help now. The only hope was that the prince would sort out his feelings himself.
“The Duke treasures his wife deeply.”
Count Espensen’s gaze darkened. The couple had now disappeared from view.
“He really does…”
Standing beside her father, Freya murmured in agreement as she stared out the same window.
‘Because of one woman…’
Everything had unraveled. To think he had done something so foolish as to alienate the Duke of Ascher—a man whose cooperation was vital.
“……”
No one understood the Crown Prince’s actions more intimately than Freya. In a former life, she had shared everything with him—body, heart, and soul. And she knew all too well how sincere he was when it came to love.
‘No doubt about it… She must be dealt with, and quickly.’
Freya narrowed her eyes as she watched the Crown Prince walking toward the palace. Then, turning away, she followed her father.
The woman who was never meant to exist must be removed—before she rooted herself too deeply.
Inside the carriage, silence filled the space like fog.
Eliana and Michalis sat across from each other, eyes fixed on separate windows. The awkwardness that had begun at dinner last night now sat heavier than ever.
‘The Crown Prince…’
Though his gaze was on the landscape outside, Michalis saw none of it. His thoughts were consumed by the Crown Prince.
Nineteen. Still a boy. At that age, one could be foolish… impulsive. And it was exactly that impulsiveness—wild and unpredictable—that made him dangerous.
Michalis shifted his gaze from the window and stared straight at Eliana.
The Crown Prince was handsome—undeniably so. And Michalis had a vague sense that Eliana had a weakness for good-looking men. He had seen her accept a date once purely because someone was attractive.
Eliana was nineteen, just like the Crown Prince.
“Is Eliana impulsive too?”
That thought made him uneasy. Leaving things be felt risky. The Crown Prince was far too good-looking.
“Is there something you want to say?”
Eliana met his gaze, sensing the intense stare aimed directly at her.
“Please avoid getting too close to the Crown Prince from now on. It could lead to unnecessary misunderstandings.”
The moment their eyes met, Michalis spoke.
“Michalis, I didn’t do anything that could be misunderstood.”
If anyone overheard, they’d think she’d been sneaking around in secret. A wave of unfairness and frustration surged through Eliana.
“Are you doubting me right now?”
It wasn’t as if she had ever grown close enough to the Crown Prince to need to distance herself. She’d seen him once—that was all she’d wanted, and it had been enough.
“It was a bit thrilling at the time, but that’s it. I’m over it now.”
And that emotion wouldn’t return.
“No, I just…”
“…”
Eliana glanced at his mouth, waiting for the rest of his sentence.
“You’re too beautiful. That’s why pests keep buzzing around.”
That was the truth. This small, young wife of his was not only beautiful but adorably charming—and that made Michalis nervous.
And the nagging thought that he might not have pleased her in bed only amplified that anxiety. How many more pests might swarm around her in the future?
And the Crown Prince—soon to be Emperor—was the most dangerous pest of all.
“Michalis, still… isn’t that a bit risky to say about His Highness?”
‘Duke, no! Don’t accidentally trigger the rebellion route.’
If the Duke really rebelled, the story would veer right back into the original plotline—something Eliana had been desperately avoiding. The shocking label of “pest” aimed at the Crown Prince had completely overshadowed the earlier compliment: “You’re beautiful.”
“Give me the flower.”
Michalis’s hand reached out toward the flower still in her grasp.
“Here.”
Without much thought, Eliana offered it forward. Michalis took her wrist gently with one hand and received the flower with the other.
He stared at the still-fresh pink peony for a moment—then casually tossed it beside him on the seat.
He had wanted to fling it out the window, but that would’ve been a little too dramatic.
Still gripping her wrist to keep her from pulling away, Michalis leaned in and pressed a short kiss to the back of her hand.
“Because I’m the only one allowed to touch you.”
With a low voice and serious gaze, he left those words hanging between them—then began to plant soft kisses on each of her fingertips, one by one. His lips pressed gently against every knuckle, sealing them with quiet intent.
‘What is this? Why is the Duke acting like this today? It’s like…’
Watching Michalis stamp kisses on her hand like sealing a vow, Eliana felt completely thrown.
‘Is he jealous? No way… he can’t be.’
But the idea had already bloomed in her head—and she tried, desperately, to push it away.
“Don’t let anyone else stand beside you but me.”
By now, Michalis had moved to sit beside her and whispered directly into her ear. He had finished kissing every part of her small, pale hand.
‘Oh no. Now it’s not just jealousy, it’s obsession?!’
This was no longer something she could deny.
‘He said he’d never touch me unless I wanted it…’
Her head buzzed with red alerts. This wasn’t just a simple misjudgment. Michalis’s nature had flipped entirely. The man who once claimed he had no interest in this marriage… was now rewriting everything she thought she knew.
‘Is it because he lost his virginity? Or… was he always like this underneath?’
“Do you understand?”
While Eliana was still lost in her own thoughts, Michalis’s breath stirred her ear as he pressed her for an answer.
“Answer me.”
“I-I understand.”
Just as Eliana reluctantly answered and turned her head, Michalis’s breath reached her ear—
Smack.
A kiss landed squarely on her ear.
“Ugh.”
His lips were warm, and the sensation tickled. Her body flinched from the sudden heat. Amused by her reaction, Michalis traced the curve of her ear with the tip of his tongue.
“S-stop…”
The way his tongue explored every fold of her ear sent shivers down her spine—it felt like it traveled across her whole body.
‘Oh my god. What have I done? I dug my own grave.’
Embarrassment and tingling heat made her shrink back. The cold, “duty-bound marriage” she had long hoped for had just bolted out of sight.
Michalis’s lips curled slightly. He bit her earlobe softly and then drew it into his mouth, sucking gently.
“Ah!”
A gasp—half a whimper—escaped Eliana’s lips.
‘This is bad. At this rate, logging out of this world is going to be impossible. Focus, Kim Eunchae! Think about going back to school. You need to re-enroll. And after that… graduation…’
But Michalis didn’t stop. He kept kissing and softly sucking her earlobe, clouding her mind completely.
‘I’m losing it. This is way too intense.’
Her strength left her body. She slumped slightly under the heat of his attention.
“Pardon me.”
Without waiting, Michalis lifted her effortlessly into his arms and placed her on his lap—then covered her lips with his.
‘Why is he so good at kissing…?’
The kiss was deep and overwhelming, yet so tender it made her want to surrender. Her arms gradually wrapped around his neck.
‘Forget it. I’ll think about the consequences later.’
Until the carriage arrived at the mansion, neither of them let go.
