~Chapter 94~
With a hazy mind, I turned my head.
Nocturne, who was sitting by the window reading documents, looked at me and smiled softly.
“Sera.”
He placed the papers on the chair and walked over to my bedside. He gently brushed my hair to the side and kissed my cheek lightly.
I turned to look up at him. Afternoon sunlight poured through the window, dyeing his side profile golden.
The way the light shimmered on his black hair made me blink slowly.
‘Why does he look so dazzling today…’
Bathed in sunlight, he looked like he had just stepped out of a painting. His perfect features and gentle smile blended so well, I couldn’t take my eyes off him.
That beautiful face stared at me for a while before he let out a small laugh.
“You still look half-asleep.”
No—it’s just that I was lost in your beauty.
Unaware of the truth, Nocturne smiled like I was adorable and kissed my cheek and forehead again, as softly as a bird’s peck.
His sweet, gentle voice whispered in my ear:
“You can rest a little longer.”
His warm fingers brushed through my hair, ticklish and tender. My eyelids grew heavy again, as though under a mental attack.
“It’s already 3 p.m.”
I shook my head, pushing his hand away.
“Why didn’t you wake me? We had things to do today.”
“I went already.”
“…Already?”
I frowned slightly.
Today, we were supposed to meet people around Dr. Karno to investigate his movements. With my sensitivity, I could have exposed lies and gotten more information.
“It’s fine. Lance went with me. You didn’t need to be there. I’ll tell you what we learned later.”
He withdrew his hand from my hair but didn’t move away. Instead, he lowered his lips and kissed my neck.
“Shall we talk over a meal? I’ll have them bring food here.”
“Mm, alright then… I’ll just go wash first—”
I stopped mid-sentence, realizing my body was already clean and dry.
Why? After last night, it should have been a mess.
While I blinked in confusion, Nocturne, still kissing my neck, said:
“Don’t you remember? I carried you to the bath last night.”
Ah, right. That was true.
Even after the battle outside, deep in madness, he had carried me into the bathroom in his arms. And in the bath too…
“Mmm…”
Before I knew it, Nocturne had climbed onto the bed, kissing below my collarbone. The way he clung to me in the morning made him seem like a spoiled, affectionate big dog.
When I glanced down without thinking, I was startled to see the vivid marks all over my body.
‘Wow… Good thing we’re in the North. If we were in the Empire, I’d have to wear heavy clothes for days.’
“What’s wrong?”
Nocturne lifted his head and asked.
The man who had covered my body in red marks looked so innocent—it had to be because Aria, this body’s original owner, had loved him blindly.
“Just… wondering if you wanted to do it again in the morning.”
I stroked the back of his head gently as I spoke. But he frowned and sat up.
“I won’t. I know your stamina isn’t enough.”
“…”
I was speechless, staring at him.
Me? Lacking stamina? I thought I had held up pretty well, actually.
He stood and ordered the servants to prepare breakfast. Soon, a tray was set on the bed’s side table.
The food was something I had never seen in the Empire. It looked like toast but cut into cubes, and when bitten, eggs and cheese oozed out. A curious dish.
As I ate, I muttered:
“I can feed myself, you know.”
At the moment, I was leaning halfway against his chest, with his arm around me, while he fed me piece by piece.
“I’m better at it.”
Using such strange logic, Nocturne won again, even making me eat vegetables.
…After a night like that, and now being fed lazily in his arms, I felt like a shameless hedonist.
I glanced up at him.
‘Is he feeling guilty?’
It hadn’t been my intention, but mentioning the Imperial Palace memories last night must have bothered him.
That’s probably why he finished his work quickly and stayed by my side, treating me even more tenderly than usual.
I didn’t want him weighed down by guilt. So I spoke carefully.
“Last night was really good.”
“…What?”
The fork heading for my lips froze midair. I continued calmly.
“It was so good that I think it covered up all the bad memories.”
“….”
“Mm… You’re the best.”
At my words, the food cube trembled and dropped back onto the tray. I closed my mouth, watching him.
Turning my head, I saw Nocturne trembling slightly, his face buried against my shoulder. His ears and neck were bright red.
‘See? He embarrasses easily.’
Quietly, I took the fork from his hand and continued eating on my own. I could handle it better now.
After a simple meal, we went to the office. We had to organize the gathered information, so aides and knights sat around the long table.
The aide began the report:
“We’ve obtained a list of Dr. Karno’s collaborators. Among those handling distribution, one notable name appeared: Arthur Rinata.”
“Arthur Rinata…”
Jason, sitting across, repeated the name and looked at me. Nocturne frowned.
“Why are you looking at her?”
“N-no reason.”
Jason quickly turned away and asked the aide instead:
“Then, those revenants—did Dr. Karno gather them?”
“Most likely.”
“For what purpose?”
“Because revenant cores are the key material in Eshafe cloning experiments.”
At my words, everyone’s eyes turned to me. Jason nodded.
“Right, they were trying to make an S-class revenant.”
“That’s from the cloning research notes you mentioned before.”
Nocturne looked at me. I nodded.
“Yes. I overheard Cambiata remnants say that using an S-class revenant core, they could create an S-class Eshafe. They must be trying to make another being like me.”
The room fell into heavy silence. Finally, one knight hesitantly asked:
“But, Princess… why are you speaking to us so formally?”
“Ah…”
I paused, then replied:
“I heard that everyone participating in this mission was told I’m a clone.”
“…Ah.”
The atmosphere in the room shifted.
People mumbled, unsure of what to say, or glanced at me with unreadable eyes—only to look away quickly if our gazes met.
It was as if everyone was walking on eggshells around me.
Then Nocturne spoke:
“Just speak comfortably. If my pair acts too formal with subordinates, it messes with the hierarchy.”
“Mm…”
“See? They’re all awkward right now.”
I looked at him and nodded quietly. The tense mood in the room eased a little.
