Chapter 8

Charlize’s mouth felt open, and her face flushed hot. She instinctively stepped back, but Achilles closed the distance with two steps, leaning in to peer into her face.

“I want to kiss you again,” he said softly. “Please allow that, too.”

Her mind felt like it was overloading. She had heard him say he liked her before, and while her heart had fluttered then, she had later dismissed it as a possible lie. But now… the man standing before her looked like someone completely and hopelessly in love.

Like someone cornered, Charlize stepped back again—only to bump into the wall. Startled by the cold surface pressing against her back, she turned her head—and found Achilles right there in front of her.

Is he going to kiss me again?

Her eyelashes fluttered in panic as his face slowly drew nearer. Unable to bear the tension, she squeezed her eyes shut—only to feel the heat of his fingers brush gently against her cheek.

“…You’re burning up. Is this because of me?”

Stop asking!!!

Charlize wanted to scream. Her heart felt like it might explode. His breath was so close, his warmth surrounding her—and then, his lips pressed against her cheek.

Lick…

The soft brush of his lips tasting her cheek sent another wave of heat rushing to her face. She flinched, her eyes snapping open in confusion, staring at him.

“Wh-Why did you… why did you kiss my face…?”

Achilles didn’t answer. Instead, he covered her lips with his own.

His hot mouth pressed against hers, and without hesitation, his soft tongue slipped between her lips.

This time, Charlize looked at him with wide, startled eyes—while he closed his.

His coldly handsome face, which often seemed emotionless, was tinged with a faint blush. Seeing that delicate color, Charlize felt like she could forgive him for just about anything.

“Mm… Ah…”

His tongue moved more skillfully than last time, wrapping around hers and deepening the kiss. A subtle tremble ran down her spine, and she instinctively clutched at the hem of his robe. His arm circled her waist, drawing her even closer.

My heart’s pounding…

All she could feel were his lips, his tongue stirring inside her mouth, and the arm holding her tightly. Her whole world had shrunk to him.

It wasn’t discomfort—it was fear born from excitement. This fluttering feeling was different from what she had known before. She had once loved someone else… but even thinking about him now didn’t hurt as it used to.

What do I do? I think I’m… happy right now.

Valter Bianchi had been her first love since she was eight. The anticipation of seeing him was always followed by bitter disappointment. She could never understand why she clung to that long, painful crush.

When he seemed to dislike her, she tried to keep her distance—and then he’d draw closer. But whenever she tried to take a step forward, Valter would only end up hurting her again.

She was now twenty-one. That thirteen-year-long unrequited love had left her bruised and scarred. But now…

“Your Highness, why are you crying?”

Charlize’s eyes widened in shock. She hadn’t even realized she was crying. As she hastily tried to wipe away the tears, Achilles gently grabbed her wrist.

“Was the kiss unpleasant?”

“No! Not at all… I just… I felt happy, that’s all… Ah!”

She said it. She actually said it.

Flustered, her face turned even redder than before. Achilles looked at her as if he were discovering something new.

“So… your face can get even redder.”

The way his fingers softly brushed over her cheek made Charlize want to cry again, this time from embarrassment. She raised her free arm to cover her face.

“Don’t look at me like that! It’s embarrassing!”

“You’re adorable. Please let me look.”

He held her tightly in his arms, gazing at her from just inches away. Offended, Charlize glared up at him, and Achilles tilted his head, clearly confused.

“Your Highness… why are you looking at me so adorably?”

“I’m glaring at you! I’m not being—mmph!”

He kissed her again, cutting off her protest. His tongue sensually traced her lips before slipping between them, and she felt like the heat in her face was about to spill out in waves.

For Achilles, this was the happiest he had ever been. He could finally understand what Charlize meant by that happy feeling.

I love this woman.

Yes, he had wanted to study her powers. But he didn’t mind loving her while doing so. He hadn’t planned to harm her. His goal was to understand how her abilities worked—to adapt them into real-world magic.

And now, love was simply part of that journey.

When she had once used Achilles’ magic to heal herself, the way she handled the spell elevated his magic to an entirely new level.

He was the kind of man who, when taught one thing, could discover a hundred more on his own. Now, his healing magic had reached a point where he could revive someone who had just drawn their last breath.

It was nearly on par with the healing powers of the Pope himself.

And it was all thanks to Charlize. Thanks to witnessing the way she used magic. It was only natural that he’d develop admiration—and eventually fall in love—with someone capable of granting him such extraordinary insight.

She’s mine.

The overwhelming possessiveness that had gripped him was now mingling with love, blurring into something even he couldn’t quite define. His rational mind warned him this was dangerous, but his heart said it didn’t matter.

He was going to marry her. Charlize had said she felt happy when they kissed.

She won’t be able to escape me now.

And yet, for some reason, Valter Bianchi’s arrogant face suddenly flashed through his mind.

The princess had rushed out of the room in a fluster, unable to resume the dance lesson. Her cheeks were red, and her lips slightly swollen. Even someone completely lacking in awareness could guess what had happened between the two of them in that empty room.

Achilles watched her for a long while, standing still as she moved away with her ladies-in-waiting. Even after she disappeared beyond the hallway, he remained turned in her direction.

His back didn’t look wistful—it looked like he might suddenly break into a sprint and go after her. There was something dangerous in the air around him.

So, the rumors were true… the Archmage really has fallen for the princess!

The etiquette instructor wiped the sweat from his brow, thinking that, in the end, the lesson had gone more smoothly than expected thanks to the princess’s presence.

Many were concerned about the delicate bond between the princess and the young Lord Bianchi, but now those worries seemed unnecessary. The Archmage appeared to have won over even her heart.

He persuaded the Emperor—and now, the princess too. He’s more capable than he looks.

He had seemed a poor match at first—tall and imposing, yes, but quiet and awkward in demeanor. Not someone you’d expect to get along well with Her Highness.

“Master Achilles, I believe that’s enough for today. Please rest well, and don’t forget what I’ve taught you.”

“……”

Achilles didn’t respond, but the instructor wasn’t offended. This was how the Archmage acted even in front of the Emperor, so a little rudeness was to be expected.

When someone possessed power like his, people learned to overlook things like manners.

Under any other circumstances, it might have been irritating. But for some reason, he didn’t find Achilles unpleasant. Perhaps it was because he seemed genuinely sincere about the princess.

The etiquette teacher bowed politely, saying he looked forward to greeting him again at the ball, and then left the room.

Achilles didn’t even glance in his direction. His mind was consumed entirely by thoughts of Charlize.

I didn’t think about her mana during the kiss.

He had touched her cheek simply because he wanted to. Kissed her simply because he desired to. There was no scholarly objective in that moment—no intent to examine her magic.

It had only taken two encounters for such a change to occur.

Strange.

Such rapid emotional shifts were something to be wary of. Normally, he would’ve stepped back to observe and reassess. But now? Achilles was startled to realize that he had no desire to retreat.

Things were going well.

…I can study the origin of her mana later.

Once they married—once she lived in the Tower as his wife—there would be endless opportunities. Even if the Emperor left her in the capital’s villa as a subtle way of handing her over, he’d still have more than enough chances to explore her abilities…

“……”

The thought of touching her entire body sent heat surging through him. Blood rushed to his face—and lower. Unable to bear it, Achilles immediately cast a teleportation spell and vanished.

He barely caught the servants’ startled cries as he disappeared. But he didn’t care.

Why am I like this?

It wasn’t that he didn’t know the answer. He did know—but the intensity of the change was startling. It was overwhelming. Thrilling. Exciting. His heart raced, and his thoughts scattered in every direction.

I want to see Charlize.

He wanted to touch her warm, blushing cheek again. Kiss her lips. Hold her in his arms so she couldn’t escape, and whisper to her where only she could hear.

With his magic, entering her palace wouldn’t be difficult. But the Imperial Palace was protected by detection wards. It wouldn’t be as simple as sneaking into the annex.

“Charlize…”

He murmured the name he hadn’t yet dared to call aloud, gently brushing his own lips. His heart still pounded—just as wildly as it had when they kissed.