Episode 28
After sharing a few more glasses of wine, Alicia stood up—but her body swayed unexpectedly.
“Oh no.”
Kaiyen quickly stood up and grabbed her wrist, then caught her in his arms before she could fall.
It all happened in the blink of an eye.
“Your hand is cold.”
Only then did Alicia realize how warm Kaiyen’s hand was on her wrist.
“Are you still feeling unwell?”
Her face was already red from the wine, which luckily helped hide her embarrassment.
She gently pulled away and stood up straight.
“No, I’m fine.”
Although Kaiyen let go, he stayed close, still watching her as if he was worried.
His dark eyes watching her so intently felt almost hot.
“Your Majesty, it’s getting late,” Alicia said carefully, stepping back.
“…I see.”
Kaiyen seemed disappointed—maybe because the evening passed too quickly, or maybe because Alicia was acting distant again.
“Perhaps I went too far with the wine punishment.”
As Alicia hesitated to leave, Kaiyen suddenly stepped closer.
The sweet smell of wine was on his breath, and his warm breath contrasted with her cold hands.
“I’m fine. I’ll bow and call for the head maid…”
“No need for that.”
“…Pardon?”
His face was unreadable as always.
“If I went too far, I should be the one to make it up to you.”
Before Alicia could react, Kaiyen lifted her into his arms.
One arm under her knees, the other behind her back—it happened so fast she couldn’t even gasp.
Her only reaction was to hold onto his neck out of instinct.
“Ah…”
Kaiyen seemed to realize how suddenly he’d acted.
But he also noticed Alicia holding onto him.
“Don’t worry. I won’t drop you.”
That wasn’t what startled her.
She couldn’t say what she was really feeling, so she looked away.
Their faces were too close—but avoiding his gaze felt safer than meeting it.
“Are you scared?”
His low voice whispered in her ear, sending chills down her spine.
He already knew everyone feared him, so why was he asking?
“N-No…”
Kaiyen smiled faintly.
He was used to fear and awe, but Alicia’s answer made him surprisingly happy.
His fast-beating heart confirmed that.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Even though he wasn’t used to a woman’s scent, his instincts already accepted it.
“So please… don’t be afraid of me. Ever.”
Alicia just stared at him, surprised, then quickly looked away again.
But this was a command from the emperor—she had no choice but to answer softly, “Yes.”
“Where’s your bedroom?”
His tone was still calm, but Alicia’s heart began pounding.
The wine’s effect was gone now, and only one possibility filled her head.
“Your Majesty, I… I…”
What had she been thinking all night?
They were already married.
They had been alone in her quarters, drinking wine late at night, and now he was carrying her.
In any era, this situation only meant one thing.
“Did I really overdo it with the wine?”
Kaiyen looked at her frozen face, then headed straight for her bedroom.
Even though he was carrying a grown woman, he walked like it was nothing.
“Your Majesty, I can walk…”
Alicia whispered, but he ignored her, opened the door with his foot, and gently laid her on the bed.
His touch was unusually careful, but Alicia was too flustered to notice.
“This is my first time seeing the empress’s bedroom.”
He should’ve come here on their wedding night.
“If we had just…”
He trailed off and gave a bitter smile.
He knew he couldn’t redo that night.
“But are you really okay? Your face was so red before, but now it’s pale.”
If he left, she’d be fine—but he didn’t realize that.
“Shall I call the doctor?”
“I’m really okay.”
As she sat up, her robe slightly parted, revealing her delicate collarbone.
“Hmm.”
He hadn’t meant to stare, but it felt like he’d done something wrong.
Even though they were married, they’d lived like strangers.
He had no experience with women, and it showed.
“I honestly don’t know why I was so cold to you on our wedding night.”
His black eyes were serious, and for the first time, she saw a hint of regret.
“If I hurt you… I’m sorry.”
“N-No…”
Seeing this large man looking so awkward and sad, Alicia didn’t know what to do.
“Which cheek did I kiss back then?”
“…What?”
He looked at her fair cheeks curiously.
“I just suddenly wondered.”
Alicia didn’t remember.
He hadn’t even hidden his disgust back then, and barely touched her.
“This one?”
He reached out and gently touched her cheek. His quick movements always surprised her.
“Y-Yes…”
She didn’t really care which cheek, but answered quickly to hide her nervousness.
Then Kaiyen leaned closer.
“Your Majesty?”
There was nowhere to run—he was in front, the pillow was behind. Even if there were an escape, she couldn’t move faster than him.
Did he come here tonight with this in mind?
It was normal for married couples to share a bed.
Even if they’d been distant, he was still the emperor.
He had the right.
Even if Alicia didn’t want it, this was the law.
“Your Majesty…”
He paused right in front of her, staring into her blue eyes.
His face didn’t move closer—but the tension didn’t lessen either.
“What is it?”
Their faces were so close, Alicia’s breath trembled.
Her long lashes shook as she blinked.
“I-I’m not ready…”
She shut her eyes tightly and spoke.
“Ready?”
He looked confused.
“You don’t really need to be ready for this…”
His shadow came closer.
Alicia clenched her blanket, her eyes still shut.
What if she pushed him away? Or…
“I’m just trying to finish what we didn’t do on our wedding night.”
She forgot to breathe.
Then his warm breath touched her cheek, and she instinctively turned her head.
“…”
Kiss.
Their lips touched for the first time.
The heat of their breaths and the unfamiliar softness froze time.
Neither of them moved, completely stunned.
“S-Stop!”
Alicia was the first to speak, pushing him away with all her strength.
Kaiyen stood still, blinking in surprise.
“…I…”
He looked away.
Alicia opened her eyes but couldn’t face him.
“I just wanted to make up for the lack of sincerity back then…”
Alicia still didn’t understand this man.
He was cold, blunt, and rough… but when it came to women, he was clueless.
He hadn’t even planned to sleep with her tonight—he was just trying to show sincerity.
“I heard earlier that you were hurt by it, so I thought… I wanted to make up for it and show you respect…”
He muttered to himself and looked more confused than ever.
“…No, I acted too soon.”
Finally, he took a step back.
“I didn’t mean to kiss you like that.”
Alicia, now calm, looked at him—this giant man, somehow more embarrassed than she was.
“So… I…”
Frustrated, Kaiyen ruffled his own hair. Everything had been going so well—how did it turn into this?
“…Forget it.”
He turned and stormed out of the room without a word.
“Haa…”
Alicia let out a deep sigh. But there was no way she’d fall asleep tonight.
And Kaiyen… felt the same.
