Chapter 7

The banquet was lively. The hall was filled with laughter, the clinking of glasses, and overlapping conversations. One by one, the nobles stepped forward to greet the emperor and empress including Killian Lunnart, who stood with his usual calm composure.

Yet strangely, Roxanne felt something was different. She kept feeling a gaze. The same gaze repeated, constant, impossible to ignore.

She didn’t need to turn to know who it was.

Killian.

Roxanne tried to remain calm, standing beside Rion while returning the guests’ smiles. But her heart refused to cooperate. Its pounding grew louder… faster.

This wasn’t like before.

In her previous life, Killian had never truly looked at her. After greeting the emperor, he would leave as if there was no reason to stay any longer.

But now… he was still here.

And he kept looking at her.

Roxanne lifted the glass in her hand and took a sip. Once. Twice. She had already lost count.

“Sister,” Rion’s voice came from beside her, slightly concerned, “you’ve had too much to drink. Don’t get drunk.”

Roxanne turned to him, her eyes slightly unfocused.

“I need some fresh air,” she said softly.

Without waiting for a reply, she lifted her dress slightly and walked out of the hall. The air inside felt too heavy too full of people, noise, and those lingering gazes.

She needed space.

The corridor leading to the balcony was quieter. The sounds of the banquet faded, replaced by the cooler, calming night breeze.

Roxanne stopped at a corner of the balcony.

She sat on an empty chair the only one she could find. The others were already taken by guests who had also come out for fresh air.

She took a deep breath.

Once.

Twice.

The night wind brushed against her face, easing the heat on her cheeks. But her heart… was still racing. She lowered her head, trying to calm herself when suddenly, a hand appeared before her, holding out a glass.

Roxanne lifted her gaze and froze.

Killian Lunnart stood there. She instinctively tried to stand, but his voice stopped her.

“No need,” he said shortly. “Stay seated.”

Roxanne went still.

Killian then sat down in front of her, just like that as if the seat had always been his.

Silence settled between them. Roxanne lowered her gaze slightly, trying to steady herself even as her heart beat wildly.

“Your Grace…” she said softly, “I… may have had too much to drink.”

Killian looked at her, his expression unreadable.

“Drinking with your future husband,” he said calmly, “I don’t think that’s a problem.”

Roxanne’s hand slowly clenched on her lap.

The sentence was simple, yet for some reason, it made her face grow even warmer. She looked away, unable to meet his gaze.

The alcohol… or perhaps not just that.

“What if… we move somewhere else?” she said quietly, trying to shift the mood.

Killian studied her for a moment.

“Is it suffocating here?” he asked flatly.

Roxanne nodded faintly.

Killian held out a glass to her. “Drink first.”

Roxanne accepted it, then lightly clinked it against his. “You too… let’s drink together.”

Killian said nothing. He simply drank at the same time as her.

A moment later, Roxanne covered her mouth. Her head felt light, and nausea began to rise. She could barely hold it in.

Suddenly, Killian grabbed her hand.

“Let’s go.”

Roxanne looked at him briefly, then nodded and followed.

They walked through a quieter corridor, away from the crowded banquet, until they stopped in front of a door.

“Your room?” Killian asked shortly.

Roxanne nodded, opened the door, and stepped inside first. But after only a few steps, her body wavered, and she nearly fell.

Killian quickly caught her.

“Sorry…” Roxanne whispered.

Killian didn’t reply. He just looked at her.

Roxanne slowly lifted her face. Those red eyes were so close, staring straight at her. Her heart began to race again, stronger than before.

Without realizing it, she moved closer.

Their lips met.

At first, it was brief. Then slowly, it deepened. Roxanne couldn’t clearly remember what happened after that. Everything felt blurred.

When she opened her eyes, her body felt sore.

She shifted slightly, but immediately froze when she realized something around her waist.

Slowly, she pulled the blanket aside, and was shocked. She wasn’t wearing anything. An arm was wrapped around her.

Roxanne turned her head slowly. Killian Lunnart was sleeping beside her… in the same state.

“AAAH!”

Her scream broke the silence.

Killian woke up in shock. Roxanne was already sitting up, clutching the blanket to cover herself, while Killian quickly grabbed a pillow.

The door suddenly opened.

The emperor stood there, along with others.

For a moment, everything froze.

“Everyone out!” the emperor shouted.

They quickly stepped back, and the door closed again and silence filled the room. The emperor’s sharp gaze fell on them.

“Get dressed,” he said coldly. “And explain what happened.”