Before Ahel could thank Sever’s kindness, Ray cut her off, signaling out the door as he waited for her to come out first like a proper gentleman.

When they were out, Ahel decided to follow behind him which made Ray stop in his tracks. She gave him a confused stare as he turned to her with a grin.

“Now that I think about it, I think it’s better that you walk with me,” he held out his hand for her to take, “Come.”

Ahel didn’t understand this sudden change as she took his hand and he led her beside him. However, she obeyed his order without protest.

“Shall we go?” she replied with a small nod as they walked together. Ahel looked ahead as she felt the warmth of the noon intensify with the momentary smile he casted at her; it took every part of her not to look back.

They passed by some workers like she did last night. She saw them retract and huddle at the sight of the emperor, but her presence roused their curiosity as their gazes followed them.

Oh.

It was after hearing the distant voices of servants as they walked when she realized how a common girl walking with the emperor looked to the public eye. A lady such as another royal blood or perhaps his lover was the only one to be this close to him–she was neither of those!

But watching his cool demeanor, continuing his pleasurable stroll as if it were nothing, Ahel concluded that he intended this.

Why in the world…?

Her pace slowed as she picked at her fingers in deep thought. Just like how Ray adjusted his long strides to steadily match hers, Ahel endured his personality and felt herself looking at an unsolved riddle every time they met.

Ray noticed his dazed companion and stopped walking. He watched her take a few more steps before realizing that she went without him.

This time, she turned to him, and she could only look down in embarrassment from her tiny blunder as he tilted his head in curiosity. She thought she imagined the amusement twinkling in his eyes.

Ray narrowed the distance between them, crossing his arms before her and extending his right leg to shift his weight on the other, “What are you thinking?”

Ahel lifted her head like a doe before a hunter, tilting her neck back until she felt a slight pain to meet the gaze of the man who was a full head taller than her. Impressive. Imposing. Intimidating.

“Isn’t it dangerous to bring a commoner into the royal palace, employ her in a respectable position, invite her for lunch and treat her like your lover, Your Majesty?”

The meekness melted away to reveal a hint of boldness, and he felt compelled to answer. Her confidence, unwavered, “Am I right?”

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Eye to eye and with words unsaid between them, Ray held back his laughter and bent down, ghosting a whisper on the shell of her ear, “We’ll talk about this when we’re finally alone.”

Ahel’s cheeks flushed as his breath tickled her, her gaze falling unto the servant and two maids standing at the end of the hallway. Their effort to remain inconspicuous was in vain as they peeked from a corner.

“We shouldn’t let the others in on our little secret, hm?” he regained his composure, standing straight and looking down at her again.

The servants can barely read their lips, much less hear their conversation, but Ahel decided to reply with a nod.

Just as she was about to begin walking beside him again, he wrapped his arm around her tiny waist. Trapped by his bigger frame and strong grip, she yelped.

“What are you- “

The hunter has taken his prey, subduing it into his grasp, “Relax—” he leaned again towards her petite face, “—If you want to learn more about your neck tattoo and get your end of the bargain, all you have to do is cooperate.”

She let out a sigh and composed herself, smiling faintly. Though she didn’t expect to walk while wrapped by his arm, she grew comfortable to his touch. This was the second time they had been in close proximity, yet she only began to notice his beauty in this instance.

His dainty fingers, his enchanting smile, his sweet smell.

The first time she found him beat up in an alley and heaved him up a hill to be sheltered in her home, all she saw was a dirty unconscious man who didn’t know better.

Today, however, was different. Her nerves were on edge as the same man she nursed to health turned out to be a shining emperor of high status. How did she compare to him? She couldn’t even bother to care as he held her.

Feeling her stiff body against his, Ray’s lips tugged into another smile. He readjusted his hold to be softer, rubbing soothing circles on her hip.

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“Are you really hungry?” he giggled as her stomach rumbled, “That’s a problem. Let’s hurry.”

His intentions were crystal clear and the rumors will spread like a forest fire, fast and inextinguishable.

His emerald eyes fixed on her like crown jewels, and his voice as rich as pure honey.

Ahel silently marveled at Ray as he led her to the dining hall.

Since he had been caught, he threw all cares in the wind and let his heart out.