Chapter 24
“Hah. Anyone would think you’ve never seen a naked body before.”
After saying that, he went inside and came back out after casually putting some clothes on. As Lillian watched him button his shirt, she hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“Um… I’m sorry to bring this up, but since we’ll be living together for a while, I think I should say this at least once.”
“What is it that you’re being so serious about?”
“Well… I think you might be a bit too unaware. I’m a woman too, you know.”
Cartan frowned slightly.
“I know. So what’s the problem?”
“I was hoping you wouldn’t act so casually in front of me from now on.”
She thought she had spoken quite seriously—but suddenly, he let out a short laugh.
“You couldn’t even talk properly in front of me before. Does that mean you’ve gotten comfortable around me now?”
For a moment, Lillian wondered if she had been rude. Thinking about it, this was his house, and she was the one imposing on him. She wasn’t really in a position to make demands.
She was about to correct herself when he suddenly stepped closer.
“But I think you’re just as unaware.”
She tilted her head in confusion—and then he placed one hand against the wall beside her and continued.
“Even if I were to pin you down right here, no one in this house would care. This is my room.”
He paused, then leaned in closer.
“We’re the kind of people who can do that.”
Their faces were so close they might touch. His breath brushed against the bridge of her nose, hot enough to make her flustered.
Then, suddenly, Cartan took her hand and pressed his lips against the back of it. His eyes, locked onto hers, flickered fiercely—as if he might devour her.
Thump.
Her heart dropped straight to the floor.
“I—I’ll eat later!”
She rushed out of the room as if fleeing, afraid he might grab her again. Her head was spinning.
What just happened…?
She stopped abruptly in the hallway.
“Wait… why didn’t I move away?”
Before, just meeting his gaze had made her heart feel like it would stop. So how had she been able to stand there this time?
Was I so shocked that I froze…?
“Yes. That must be it. I was just too surprised.”
Satisfied with her own explanation, Lillian nodded and hurried back to her room, pulling the blanket over her head.
But her mind refused to calm down.
“Still… I shouldn’t have just stood there. It must have looked like I was waiting for it.”
Suddenly, she kicked the blanket off and grabbed her hair.
“No. I ran out in the end. That was the right response.”
But… I could’ve just pushed him away. Leaving like that probably hurt his feelings. If I were the Grand Duke, I would’ve been annoyed too.
No matter how she looked at it, she felt she had wronged the person who was protecting her.
After hesitating, Lillian headed back toward his bedroom—
Only to run into him in the hallway.
Startled, she looked up at him. Cartan frowned.
“At this hour, where were you headed?”
There was anger in his voice. He was probably upset about how she had acted.
“Um… I—”
“Were you trying to go home?”
“What?”
The unexpected question made her eyes widen.
“Home?”
“No?”
Only then did she remember the documents she had seen earlier.
Ah… right. I saw the personal rehabilitation papers in his room. Does he think I’m shaken because of that?
Thinking of her parents made her chest feel tight. Letting out a quiet sigh, Lillian shook her head.
“No. I wasn’t.”
“Then where were you going?”
“Well…”
She had been on her way to apologize, but now that she was actually facing him, it didn’t seem necessary.
He doesn’t seem to like apologies much… and he doesn’t look that angry either.
“…I just got a little hungry.”
Cartan let out a sigh.
“Alright. Then let’s go.”
He naturally took her hand. Feeling the heat of his palm, Lillian glanced down. She could faintly feel something like a pulse. But that was all.
See? Earlier my heart only raced because I was startled.
“Phew…”
She let out a small sigh of relief—then suddenly felt his gaze on her.
“What is it?”
“No, nothing.”
Shaking her head, Lillian stayed quiet.
But… what’s going to happen to my parents?
When nobles went bankrupt, families usually scattered—or lived their lives hunted by creditors.
She thought about asking but gave up. Even if she knew, what could she do?
She couldn’t repay the debt, and she didn’t want to be “sold” into marriage again. And considering how much money her parents had taken under the Grand Duke’s name, she had no right to ask him for more.
Maybe this is all their own doing.
Lillian didn’t ask him anything about the documents.
They reached the bedroom without another word passing between them.
Strangely enough, even in the silence, she didn’t feel awkward at all. Maybe she had grown bolder after seeing him so often—but the quiet felt natural.
* * *
“There are rumors everywhere that you’re dating. So tell me—what kind of woman is the lucky lady who captured your heart?”
The young emperor asked playfully from his seat at the desk. Cartan sighed.
“We’re here to discuss state matters. Let’s avoid personal conversations.”
“Oh, come on. Tell me a little. She might become my aunt one day, you know?”
“Let’s continue reviewing the documents.”
“What could possibly be more important than this? You need to get married already! How long are you going to keep cleaning up after me?”
Cartan didn’t even respond, clearly annoyed. The Emperor, used to this, only laughed more.
Arian Richmond Kairos had just turned fifteen. Cartan had personally placed him on the throne after overthrowing the previous emperor. He was the only royal with legitimate blood.
“The troops we organized have arrived safely at the border. And here’s the budget proposal for the Sun Festival—please review and sign it.”
Arian was still too young to rule properly and endlessly curious. So Cartan handled the real work and brought documents for approval.
As Arian quietly read, he suddenly clapped his hands and spoke excitedly.
“Uncle! I’ve changed my mind. Let’s make this year’s Sun Festival as grand as possible.”
He started rambling about fireworks, banquets, and all sorts of extravagance—none of it worth listening to.
“What I’m saying is, let’s invite all the nobles in the empire! Even those from the provinces!”
“The budget has already been finalized.”
“Then—!”
“I won’t lend you money. Don’t even dream about it.”
Cut off firmly, Arian grabbed Cartan’s arm.
“Come on! Think about it again. You like the Sun Festival too, don’t you?”
Cartan fell completely silent. Eventually, Arian sighed.
“Fine. Then we’ll just have to get sponsorship from the nobles.”
“……”
“I’ll auction off the right to have an audience with me. I’m sure they’ll all rush to buy it.”
“Hah. Are you some kind of item being sold at a market?”
Even under such a disapproving gaze, Arian wasn’t discouraged.
“Well, not exactly. But it sounds fun, doesn’t it? Everyone already calls me a puppet—so why not act like one properly for once?”
Then suddenly, Arian grinned mischievously.
“Or better yet, Lady Lillian could buy the right to see me. I’ve been curious about her anyway. For example, how exactly the two of you met.”
It was obviously meant to provoke him.
And so, Cartan replied—
