Chapter 66

If love had the texture of an object, it would probably be terribly sticky and unpleasant, clinging to every part of your hands, and no matter how much you washed, it wouldn't come off easily. The next morning. Latil, who had hardly slept all night, sat on the bed and recalled the sharp conversation he had with Hyacinth the day before. It was called a conversation, but in reality, it was a battle of tongues. Both of them only inflicted and received wounds. Those wounds eventually sank deep into Latil's memory and continued to bleed even after a day had passed.

"Your Majesty, would you like to bathe?"

How long had he been sitting there? Usually, Latil, who acted precisely on time, wasted so much time that a servant, unable to bear it any longer, cautiously asked.

"Yes."

Latil answered and got up from the bed to go to the bathroom. Dousing his face and hair with cold water made him much more alert. However, the side effect of a clear mind was that his anger resurfaced even more. Still, he immersed himself in work all day, held meetings with his ministers, and after repeatedly pressing the Duke of Atraxi about the ongoing investigation into the 'foreign power that had joined hands with Tlawa,' a lot of time had passed. Although he occasionally thought about Hyacinth, it was better than in the morning. Latil, while eating dinner in a way that would make anyone lose their appetite, thought that after a few days of this, he could return to his life before Hyacinth suddenly appeared.

'Am I full?'

But perhaps because he had been thinking heavily while eating, as soon as he put down his fork, Latil felt a tightness in his chest and a queasy stomach, causing him to frown.

"Are you alright?"

When the three servants asked worriedly, Latil waved his hand to indicate he was fine and got up from his chair.

"I'm fine, but I need to walk a bit to aid digestion."

"I'll go with you."

Latil nodded and went outside the palace, walking aimlessly along the path. The sound of the white stones on the path clashing with his shoes was as urgent as his heart. How long had he been walking like this? Latil stopped when he noticed the grass turning reddish in the sunset.

'This grass...'

Latil stared blankly at the grass and bent down. As he swept the grass with his hand, a scent rose on the wind. Latil almost tore the grass out of habit.

"Your Majesty?"

When Latil suddenly clenched and unclenched his fist in the air, the three servants, who had been watching from behind, called out to him, puzzled.

"Why are you doing that?"

"This grass."

"Yes."

"It's the same grass that Hyacinth made into a ring for me."

"!"

When Hyacinth's name was mentioned, the three servants' expressions immediately stiffened. However, since they were standing behind Latil, he didn't notice the change. Latil extended his hand and placed it next to the grass. When he spread his fingers, the grass leaves draped over his fingers like a crude ring. As he looked at the shape, Latil felt uneasy.

'Could it be that I really can't forget Hyacinth? Is that why I keep the concubines at a distance?'

To prevent power from concentrating in one concubine, to shift the ministers' attention to the concubines and stabilize the imperial authority, he deliberately avoided sleeping with the concubines. But could there be, beneath this, a feeling for Hyacinth that even he didn't know about? This thought, though baseless, was terribly frightening. Latil shook his head and quickly removed his hand from the grass. His pride was hurt. He knew he didn't avoid the concubines because he couldn't forget Hyacinth. But once the uneasy feeling took hold, it was hard to calm down. Angered, Latil got up and walked straight to the harem. It didn't matter who it was, as long as it wasn't Hyacinth; he intended to take any concubine. After all, all the concubines in the harem were his, and he had to sleep with them eventually. If he could do it once, he could do it sooner. If Hyacinth heard about it, her pride might be hurt...

"Your Majesty, you've come."

Latil stopped in front of Rana Mun's room. Rana Mun's guard, surprised to see Latil, raised his voice.

"Tell Rana Mun I'm coming in."

When Latil gave the order, the guard quickly opened the door and went inside to inform Rana Mun's attendant, who was staying in the antechamber.

"Hey, the Emperor has come. Get up quickly."

Kardun, who had been lying on his side, was startled and sat up.

"Who's here?"

"The Emperor."

As the guard checked the outer door and urgently informed him, Kardun hurriedly tried to get up but hit his knee on the bed.

"Goodness!"

"Why are you sleeping so early today?"

Instead of arguing that 'our young master usually goes to bed early,' Kardun quickly knocked on Rana Mun's door and entered without waiting for a response.

"Young master!"

A moment later, the door finally opened, and Latil was able to enter Rana Mun's room. Inside, Rana Mun was standing in the center of the room, dressed a bit more casually than usual.

"It would have been better if you had sent someone to inform me in advance."

As Latil approached, Rana Mun muttered coldly as usual. If he had known the Emperor was coming, he would have washed more thoroughly, put on more beautiful but uncomfortable nightwear, and styled his hair. He was annoyed that he couldn't do any of these things because of the sudden visit.

"I wanted to see you."

Instead of teasing or joking with Rana Mun as usual, Latil walked straight up and grabbed the back of Rana Mun's neck, pulling him close.

"!"

Rana Mun was surprised for a moment but closed his eyes and followed Latil's lead. As a result, Kardun, who had seen this scene through the still-open door, turned away in embarrassment and quickly closed the door. But inside, he was rejoicing. Finally, our young master is really going to sleep with the Emperor! This was a great, great event. Although Rana Mun had not been diligent in his night studies, he had at least studied the theory. Even if it was all theory and he was still nervous... it was better than not studying at all. Once the young master was taken, the Emperor would surely give his heart, Kardun thought hopefully, nodding his head. Most people only knew that Rana Mun had a good face, but Kardun knew there was more to him, which made him even more confident.

'Our young master is handsome in every way!'

However, contrary to Kardun's expectations, Rana Mun was having a hard time regaining his composure. It was because he had never kissed anyone in his life. He had studied the theory diligently, but what good was it? Before he knew it, his tongue was there, his lips were on his neck, and his vision was blurred, leaving no time to recall the theory.

"Your Majesty."

All he could do was call out to Latil, breathless. After a long kiss, when he found a moment to catch his breath, Rana Mun panted and looked at Latil. The sound of their breathing, which was more ticklish than usual, filled the air. Even the eyes hidden beneath trembling eyelashes were endearing, and Rana Mun, without realizing it, touched Latil's neck and ear with one hand and lightly kissed his slightly swollen lips. The soft ear and the bone beneath the delicate skin in his hand were fascinating. But just as Rana Mun was about to kiss again, something fell from Latil's half-lowered eyes. It ran down his cheek and fell to the ground. Rana Mun, who had been touching Latil's cheek, looked down. A small wet spot appeared on the carpet.

"!"

Rana Mun slowly raised his gaze. He saw Latil crying. His lips were swollen, but there was no sign of excitement on his face, and his cheeks were pale. Seeing this, the blood drained from Rana Mun's heart as well. Without realizing it, he let his arms drop. His mouth opened without thinking.

"Is it... you don't even want to kiss me?"

Latil, standing there without a thought, responded with a "Huh?" When their eyes met, he saw Rana Mun covered in thorns, with cold eyes. Latil was momentarily baffled. Who would dislike whom with such an expression?

"What did I do? Who's backing away now?"

"Are you saying it's my fault?"

"No, I'm not saying it's your fault. I just don't understand why you suddenly got so upset while kissing."

As Latil spoke with a sigh, fine cracks appeared in Rana Mun's expression.

"I see. It's my fault."

"Rana Mun."

"Indeed. Since you've never come to me before, it makes sense that you wouldn't come to me now. I think it's my fault."

"Rana Mun."

Latil, frowning, called Rana Mun's name again, and Rana Mun, clenching his lips, took another step back, as if he were about to run away. Seeing this, Latil's heart sank like the tide. Right. Thinking about it, Rana Mun was a concubine sent by the Duke of Atraxi. He had come to see him, considering that he was the son of a meritorious official, but perhaps Rana Mun disliked even that. Dancing in front of people might be the best way for Rana Mun to gain the Emperor's favor while maintaining his pride.

"Alright."

Having made his decision, Latil took half a step back. Rana Mun's expression wavered at this, but Latil turned his body away and didn't see it.

"If you don't want to, it's fine. I'll go."

"!"

Latil walked away and closed the door before Rana Mun could stop him.

"Your, Your Majesty? Are you leaving already?"

Kardun, who was in the antechamber, was startled and called out to the Emperor without thinking. Latil paused for a moment but ultimately opened the outer door and gave an order.

"Comfort your master."

It was a suggestion that the attendant, who had seen the Emperor kiss Rana Mun, should comfort him. The outer door closed with a thud, and Kardun quickly entered the bedroom. Rana Mun was sitting by the bed, leaning his head against a pillar.

"Young master, what's going on?"

I clearly saw you two kissing before the door closed! What happened in this short time...? Rana Mun, still leaning his forehead against the pillar, only turned his eyes to look at Kardun.

"The Emperor?"

"He said to comfort you and then left."

Kardun carefully extended his hand to help Rana Mun sit up straight.

"What happened? The atmosphere was good just a moment ago."

"The atmosphere was good?"

Rana Mun repeated Kardun's words as if he had heard something strange, and the loyal attendant realized that Rana Mun was very upset and quickly tried to comfort him.

"I don't know what happened, but the Emperor was very worried about you when he left. So, whatever misunderstanding there might be, it's probably just a misunderstanding. Cheer up, young master."

But it was no use. Rana Mun, instead, bit his lip and clenched his fists on his knees. His trembling hands showed his anger.

"Someone who didn't even want to kiss me was crying? Make sense, Kardun."

Crying? Because of me? Kardun's eyes widened.

"But, but he did say to comfort you..."

"He threw me aside halfway through, so of course he would say to comfort me."

* * *

He backed away as soon as he didn't want to kiss. After looking at me with a 'don't touch me' expression.

"Really, it's ridiculous."

Thinking of Rana Mun's cold gaze, Latil felt his anger rise with each step. If he didn't want to kiss, he should have said so from the beginning! Why act like that after kissing?

'Did he think he could do it before he started? But when he actually kissed, he couldn't do it?'

He knew they weren't people who had gathered out of love for him... but sometimes they showed jealousy and seemed to crave affection. They had volunteered to become his men, so even if there were awkward moments now, he thought they would eventually be his. Was the problem that he had brought them in without any affection, or was it because Rana Mun had been half-forced by the Duke of Atraxi?

'Thinking of Kallain, it seems like the latter. Kallain has a strong first love but still sticks around here because he came of his own accord.'

A sigh escaped him. At least the anger towards Rana Mun had somewhat suppressed his anger towards Hyacinth. The problem was that it had only shifted from one anger to another. But as he walked, fuming, down the corridor, he felt a piercing gaze. Latil turned his head sharply. It was Hyacinth. Even though her face was hidden, it was definitely Hyacinth, and she was looking at him. He had just managed to shake off thoughts of her.