Episode 6
“Ugh… wait a little…”
Licht lowered his head, sighing deeply, feeling both helpless and frustrated as Ayla squirmed in his arms. He lifted her chin so she would face him.
Her light blue hair swayed softly in the wind. Though no flower pollen was flying around, his nose and chest tingled for some reason.
In her shining violet eyes, he could see his own reflection.
Without even realizing his fingertips had become hot, Licht just stared blankly at Ayla.
“Haa… damn it.”
The desire he’d been trying so hard to suppress finally broke free and grew stronger.
Slowly, he leaned closer, closing the distance between them.
He knew he shouldn’t be doing this — not with a drunk woman — but he couldn’t stop himself. His instincts had completely taken over his reason.
And then—
“Urgh… bleegh!”
It happened before he could react.
Licht froze like a statue. His mind went blank.
He slowly looked down at himself — his once-clean uniform now stained.
Ayla had already run away like a frightened bird, leaving only a disastrous mess behind. Licht let out a long, complicated sigh.
“Good thing I trained in swordsmanship since childhood. If I hadn’t been quick, that stuff would’ve ended up on my face too…”
He brushed back his golden hair and looked at Ayla hanging off the terrace railing.
Strangely enough, he wasn’t angry. Not even a little.
Sure, it was absurd and embarrassing — but instead of rage, what he felt was…
“Did I just think she’s cute? I must be losing my mind over this woman.”
He shook his head and laughed at himself.
“Cassius.”
His aide, Cassius, entered the terrace and immediately frowned.
“…Your Highness, what kind of trouble did you cause while I was gone?”
“Why do you assume I caused trouble when I haven’t even had a drop of alcohol?” Licht replied, irritated.
He nodded toward Ayla. “Take her.”
“Take her… where?” Cassius asked innocently.
Licht glared, clearly meaning, ‘You really don’t get it?’
Cassius thought for a moment. Given Licht’s personality, maybe he meant… the trash dump?
Without hesitation, Cassius smiled. “To the east dump or south one?”
“…What?”
“Oh—so, not the dump?”
Licht rubbed his temples in frustration.
“My room,” he said finally.
“…Your room, sir?”
“Yes. Take her to my room.”
Cassius dropped his teasing smile, obeyed quietly, and carried Ayla over his shoulder like a sack.
***
After his bath, Licht came out wearing a silk robe — only to find a ridiculous scene.
Ayla was lying flat on his bed, fast asleep, as if it were her own.
The maids had changed her clothes into a soft, white nightgown matching her silver hair.
Licht stared at her for a while, then sighed.
“Looks like tonight isn’t my night.”
He’d thought about relaxing a bit, but clearly, that was impossible.
He dried his hair and started to walk past her — when she suddenly stirred.
He turned his head and met her wide-open eyes staring straight at him.
“I wonder if she remembers what she did…” he murmured.
Ayla blinked slowly a couple of times. No answer.
Still, her gaze was clear now — maybe she had sobered up a bit?
But then—
“Heyyy, you… you’re that beggar guy, right?” she slurred.
“…Beggar?”
Licht froze, unsure how to respond. A beggar? Her words hurt his pride badly.
Still… oddly enough, he couldn’t bring himself to be angry at her.
Usually, no one dared even joke about confusing him with a commoner, let alone a beggar.
“Better to put her back to sleep than listen to more nonsense,” he thought.
He reached for the bell cord to call a maid — or at least tried to.
But Ayla suddenly stood in front of him, blocking his way.
Licht looked down at her, puzzled.
And then he realized — her outfit was… very thin. So sheer that his heart skipped a beat.
He clenched his fists, blue veins rising on his hand.
“This is… really troublesome,” he muttered, turning away.
He glanced around for something to cover her with — but his tidy room had nothing of the sort. The blanket would have to do.
Just as he was about to grab it—
“Wait! I just need to check something!” Ayla cried.
She rushed forward and—
Pulled open his robe.
Licht’s toned, flawless chest was suddenly revealed.
Ayla hesitated for a moment but then boldly placed her hands on him, touching here and there like she was searching for something.
“This might not be such a bad opportunity,” Licht thought, not stopping her.
Still, her touch was far more intense than he expected.
“Ah… damn…” he muttered, stepping back in surprise.
He tripped slightly on the bed and fell backward — Ayla followed, landing right on top of him.
Her body pressed close, her soft hair brushing against his skin.
“A woman… on top of me?” he thought, half amused, half overwhelmed.
He had never allowed anyone to get this close.
Temptation burned through him; his patience was running thin.
“I can’t hold out much longer…”
Just then, Ayla stopped moving.
Licht opened his eyes and looked up at her. She tilted her head, her silky hair tickling his stomach.
“Huh? What’s this?” she murmured, clearly confused.
She seemed to be searching for something — but couldn’t find it.
Finally, she frowned in frustration and snapped,
“Who the heck are you?”
