“Please, go in.”
Elisha nodded and entered the room. As soon as the door closed, she threw herself into Mikael’s arms with a bright face.
“I missed you, Elisha.”
“Me too.”
Mikael pressed his lips to the back of her neck.
The faint scent coming from her body stimulated his nose. It was truly fragrant.
Mikael didn’t know that the scent was the fragrance of the fiora flower.
After obtaining the perfume, he had given it to Elisha without even trying it himself, so he didn’t know what scent the fiora flower had.
“Elisha, your scent is especially sweet today.”
At those words, Elisha’s cheeks flushed red.
“Your Highness, really…”
Mikael lifted Elisha into his arms and fell onto the bed.
Holding her tightly, he savored the fragrance even more.
“It’s so good I feel like I might go mad.”
His red eyes burned with heat.
“Me too. I love you, Your Highness.”
Elisha hugged Mikael tightly.
“Elisha, how is my brother?”
“I have been making contact every morning, just as you instructed.”
Every morning, Elisha encountered Estevan along his walking route.
If she pretended to water the flowers, Estevan would inevitably come out for a walk with his aide.
Elisha behaved as politely as possible and treated him as a maid should, while cautiously attempting contact.
Each time, Estevan would warn her to be careful and then pass by.
“It seems he is definitely becoming addicted to me.”
The bloodshot red eyes he showed every time he looked at her were proof.
“He looked at me with intense eyes as if he were trying to restrain himself.”
Whenever she saw her reflection in those eyes, her heart trembled.
“Good work.”
Mikael lifted his head and looked at her face.
“Don’t fall too deeply for my brother. I would get jealous.”
Elisha wrapped her arms around Mikael’s neck with a happy expression.
“That will never happen. The only one I love is Your Highness.”
“If you say such pretty things, I won’t be able to hold back.”
“You do not have to.”
Mikael slightly curled the corner of his lips and roughly claimed Elisha’s lips.
Even though their lips were only touching, heat spread through his entire body, and his eyes turned red.
***
Late in the afternoon, Liliana received a message from Jennifer while inside her study of the ducal mansion.
“She went to the Emerald Palace again today?”
“Yes.”
Liliana quietly lifted her teacup and savored the tea.
“How is Prince Mikael’s condition?”
“He looked like he was about to go mad. His face was full of the desire not to let Elisha go.”
It was a pity she couldn’t see it with her own eyes. A special magical barrier had been placed over the Imperial Palace, making it difficult to use magic from outside.
Even if someone broke through the barrier, a magic trap would activate and an emergency alert would spread through the entire Palace.
‘There is no need to go through such trouble.’
Jennifer and Daisy were constantly monitoring the two and reporting back.
“As you planned, Prince Mikael’s addiction is deepening.”
“It would.”
Without even realizing it himself, he would gradually become addicted, and later it would explode.
Liliana expected that moment to come during the Imperial Family’s luncheon.
“I’m looking forward to the upcoming gathering.”
“Hehehe, by then he will not be able to hold back from exploding.”
“Good work, Jennifer. Continue to watch the situation.”
“Yes, my Lady.”
After ending the communication, Liliana lifted her teacup with an elegant posture.
***
Early in the morning, Liliana prepared herself to attend the Imperial Family’s luncheon.
She neatly twisted up her red hair and secured it with a silver pin shaped like a rose.
For her dress, she chose a simple light sky-blue gown decorated with sapphires, and as accessories she wore a set of pearl earrings and a pearl necklace.
After finishing her preparations and looking at herself in the mirror, Liliana straightened her clothes and set out for the Imperial Palace.
When she arrived, Anna, Jennifer, Daisy, and Elisha greeted her at the detached Palace.
“I think it would be better if you attend to the breakfast today, Elisha.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Elisha smiled inwardly in delight. Meanwhile, Liliana’s gaze as she looked at her was colder than ever.
As they left the detached Palace, Estevan came out to receive her.
Since today’s luncheon was one she would attend as his fiancée, he had come to escort her.
Liliana naturally took his arm and began walking toward the Sun Palace.
Behind them, Elisha and Estevan’s attendants followed quietly.
As he walked beside Liliana while holding her hand, Estevan whispered in a low voice near her ear.
“I am looking forward to today.”
“Of course.”
Liliana looked at Estevan and smiled with her eyes.
Watching the affectionate appearance of the two from behind, Elisha glanced at Estevan with an anxious expression.
While walking, Estevan didn’t even spare her a glance.
It was strange. For the past few days, she had been consistently making contact with him.
Not knowing that he had deliberately allowed that contact, Elisha firmly believed that he had become addicted to her.
Estevan’s gaze briefly shifted toward Elisha. When their eyes met, she smiled.
Soon withdrawing his gaze, Estevan whispered something to Liliana.
“It seems your maid is still under a misunderstanding.”
“Hah, is that so?”
Liliana glanced back. Elisha’s cheeks were flushed like peaches.
‘Enjoy that feeling while you can. Soon you will taste hell.’
The two of them arrived in front of the dining hall of the Sun Palace.
As they approached the door, the chief attendant greeted them.
“Please come in.”
The chief attendant opened the door.
Liliana entered the dining hall while holding Estevan’s hand.
Liliana looked at the long table set before her. Several members of the Imperial Family were already seated there: the Emperor’s two younger sisters, their husbands, and two Imperial Concubines.
One of the concubines was Consort Isabella, and the other was Second Consort Diena. The other concubines didn’t have official ranks, so they couldn’t attend the luncheon.
Together with Estevan, Liliana politely greeted them.
“Welcome, Lady Dayan.”
Empress Isabella welcomed her with a gentle smile.
However, she didn’t give Estevan even a single glance. It was because she didn’t like that Liliana was holding his hand.
“It is good to see you here, my Lady.”
Mikael’s piercing gaze was directed at Liliana.
“Thank you for welcoming me, Your Highness.”
Estevan pulled out the chair beside his own seat and escorted her.
Once Liliana sat down, Estevan also took his seat.
Soon after, the Emperor entered through the door. Everyone stood and greeted him.
The Emperor received the greetings of the Imperial Family and sat at the seat of honor. His gaze turned toward Liliana.
“I am pleased to see the Young Lady here.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Everyone, be seated.”
Once the Emperor gave permission, all the members of the Imperial Family sat down.
Soon the maids brought out the food.
Elisha passed by Mikael with a flushed face. As she passed, she lightly brushed his shoulder with the tips of her fingers.
Startled, Mikael looked at her. Elisha glanced at him and gave a faint smile.
“Eat.”
When the Emperor began eating first, the others also began their meal.
“I hope the food suits your taste.”
Liliana cut a piece of the veal steak and took a bite.
“The food tastes very good, Your Majesty.”
“I am glad.”
The Emperor smiled and looked at Estevan.
“Estevan, take good care of the Young Lady.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
With a slight smile, Estevan cut the steak into easy pieces and gave them to Liliana.
“Thank you.”
When Liliana looked at Estevan with a gentle smile, everyone looked at her as if she were adorable.
“They truly are a well-matched pair.”
When Consort Diena praised them, the two Princesses also spoke with pleased expressions.
“Indeed. His Majesty is truly blessed, to receive such a lovely person as a daughter-in-law.”
“I hope my son will also meet a good match like the Prince.”
As they said this, they subtly directed their gaze toward Prince Mikael.
“By the way, Prince Mikael, are you unwell?”
Startled, Mikael quickly shook his head.
“No, Aunt. I am fine.”
“That is good to hear.”
In truth, Mikael wasn’t fine.
Perhaps because Elisha was inside the dining hall, the scent coming from her felt especially strong.
Mikael’s gaze turned toward his brother. Even though Elisha was nearby, Estevan seemed completely unaffected.
‘Is my brother really unaffected?’
If he had been addicted to the scent of the fiora flower, it would have been natural for him to show interest in Elisha.
But something was strange. Instead, he himself couldn’t take his eyes off her.
For some time now, his body hadn’t been in good condition. His thirst had grown stronger, and uncontrollable impulses often rose within him.
Whenever he met Elisha, those symptoms became even worse.
He had even taken a purification pill beforehand to prevent being affected by her, so he couldn’t understand the reason.
‘Why is this happening?’
