* * *

The atmosphere of the meal was mild. The Counts and the couple were greatly relieved at the news that they had dealt with the one remaining beast.

"Youngji people were worried, but I'm glad."

"I'm worried that there might be more Demon Beasts left...."

Zerkan, who had listened to the count couple, reassured them.

"The knights will be dispatched so that there is no damage to the neighboring provinces."

Zer Khan and his elite knights were the first to set out for the search, and the knights and soldiers to be formally dispatched were expected to arrive within a few days.

Raphine smiled and opened her mouth so that the atmosphere of the meal did not become stiff.

"Anyway, the food tastes great. It's really tasty."

"I am glad that you like it. Oh. This material has been...."

The Countess stopped talking to her. Raphine rolled her eyes and looked at her.

Her countess looked into her husband's eyes, and she nodded with a smile. Count Nicklas coughed heavily and spoke her up.

"There are quite a few families of soldiers who took part in the war among the residents of the territory."

"Ah...."

"These are precious ingredients that Yeongji-min brought with them since this morning when they heard the news that His Majesty was coming."

"...."

Zerkan said nothing. The count looked at Zerkan like that and continued.

"There are some people who run through the rain with precious arms in their arms to repay your majesty, even a little."

"What is grace...?"

Zerkan answered bluntly. Raphine glanced at Zer Khan like that and continued her meal.

Even though he was full, Zerkan emptied all of the food that was made with the ingredients brought by the local residents, leaving no leftovers.

after the meal is over. Zerkan got up first and headed for the room.

Raphine had a cup of tea with the Countess and talked about this and that.

Rumors that the Duke of Aston's daughter was in love with the Crown Prince had spread all the way here.

Rafine showed off her acting skillfully.

As she explained in detail how wonderful Zer Khan was, a delightful smile appeared on her Countess' lips.

By the time Raphine went back to her room.

"Ah, I forgot to give this to Your Majesty."

The Countess took out her little piece of paper and gave it to her. Raphine asked with her eyes, and she answered kindly.

"Please pass it on to your Majesty. You'll find out soon enough."

Raphine was curious about the contents inside the double-folded paper, but she persevered and went up to the room.

Zerkan was standing by the window.

"I thought you fell asleep first."

Raphine said so and approached the window where Zerkan was standing.

Zerkan's expression looked complicated.

In fact, they always have the same expression, but somehow Raphine is now able to read Zerkan's expression a little easier.

"This one."

Raphine immediately handed Zerkan the paper the Countess had brought.

"what?"

"I do not know. Did the Countess ask you to deliver it?"

Zerkan looked down at the paper for a moment and unfolded it on the spot. Raphine did not miss the opportunity and glanced at her.

"...."

Zerkan's forehead wrinkled as he read the contents. Raphine couldn't see the content, so she stuck her head out and dug openly.

"Ah...."

It wasn't a long sentence.

On the paper were written children's clumsy characters.

Thank you for saving us.

Raphine smiled warmly at the cute thank you. But soon she looked at Zer Khan with a stiff face.

Tears were dripping down from the corners of Zerkan's eyes. My heart was pounding as I saw only tears streaming down my face with an expressionless face.

Raphine put down the letter in his hand and faced him. Gently holding his hand, Zer Khan wiped his eyes with his other hand.

he said in a stern tone.

"I am not their benefactor."

"...."

Raphine read the emotions in Zerkan's eyes.

excruciating guilt.

He felt the emptiness as if he had fallen into a deep swamp.

"Rather, I...."

Zer Khan paused to continue his words. Raphine seemed to know what he was trying to say.

"What rather? Their enemies?"

"Because I couldn't keep it."

Raphine grabbed his hand tightly.

Good-hearted people end up blaming themselves for whatever happens.

Because it's the easiest and simplest.

However, there is one thing that such people overlook, the more difficult it is to heal the wounds they inflict on themselves.

And the deeper the wound, the more difficult it is to heal.

"Then why did they eat the food they said was made with the ingredients they brought? What if I heard poison...?"

To Raphine's question, Zerkan answered slowly in a calm voice.

"Even so, it is my responsibility. I am responsible."

Raphine is thirsty at the nonchalant answer.

Did Zer Khan really eat the food, thinking he might have been poisoned?

Rafine's answer was 'no'.

You may not be aware of it yourself, but Zerkan would know.

That they don't resent Zerkan.

But on the other hand, deep in his heart, Zerkan might have wished for poison to be contained.

He wants to end that guilt.

The weight I was carrying was so painful. I can't stand it now.

It was not the bereaved families of the soldiers who blamed Zerkan, but Zerkan himself.

Raphine felt very sorry for Zerkan like that.

It was like that when I was young, but I still can't cry out loud....

"Raffine?"

Zerkan was perplexed as she saw Raffine suddenly started crying. Raphine wept with a distorted expression on his face as if he had been through something sad.

"Stop hurting yourself."

"...."

"No one blames Zerkan. Remaining until the end, collecting the bodies of the soldiers, and working hard for the bereaved families.... Everyone knows that, but why don't you just admit it to yourself?"

I couldn't understand why he acted as if only he was not important in this world, as if he was the most insignificant, and as if he didn't care if he got hurt.

It's like it's never been treated with respect.

"It was like that when I was young...."

Raphine muttered sadly and looked at Zerkan with red eyes.

"Raphine...."

Raphine hugged Zerkan, who was still embarrassed.

Zerkan was embarrassed by Raphine, who suddenly hugged my waist tightly.

But he couldn't push it away.

He gently placed his palm on the back of Raphine, who shrieked like a baby in my arms.

"I did. Well done, bold, wonderful, and wonderful. So praise me...."

Raphine said with a smirk.

Zer Khan recalled the day Raphine gave his name to his red flowers as a child.

"I don't really listen...."

Raphine grunted and hugged Zerkan tighter as if scolding him. Rather than feeling uncomfortable with Raphine's hand, it felt like it was touching her heart.

Zerkan, who was hesitating, immediately gave himself strength and hugged Raffine.

She was so warm and cozy that it was hard to describe.

Zer Khan lowered his head and buried his face in Raphine's shoulder.

* * *

Soon the rain stopped and a clear dawn came.

Zerkan, who regained consciousness at the sound of a bird chirping, opened his eyes in shock.

But he couldn't move his body.

It was because of the raffine that was clinging to my body.

My heart started beating like crazy.

Of course, nothing happened, so the two were still in their clothes. But Zerkan felt as if they were hugging each other naked.

Yesterday, Zerkan was obviously trying to fall asleep on the sofa.

But Raphine pulled him to bed, saying that he could sleep on the edge of the castle just like in the Imperial Palace.

They were both tired all day, so they quickly fell asleep.

I never imagined that I would greet the morning with such a clump.

"...."

Zerkan pondered whether or not to wake Raphine.

Raphine's cheeks were attached to his chest, and her arms were wrapped around his neck.

Besides, Raphine's legs were on his thighs, as if sleeping with his legs wrapped in a blanket.... The location was very difficult.

At this rate, Raphine, who felt strange, might have woken up.

It was a dilemma that I couldn't do this or that.

Zerkan, forgot how to breathe, was still immobile.

Fortunately, Raphine, who began to toss and turns, lowered his legs and spread his body to the side.

"...."

Zerkan managed to get out and get down under the bed. As he sat down and caught his breath, his heart rate returned to normal.

'Shit....'

However, only the heart rate was still normal. One part of the body was still not normalized.

Zerkan glanced around to make sure Raphine wasn't awake.

But as soon as he saw his calves through his thighs peeking through his pajamas, he turned his face again.

Zerkan turned his gaze to avoid looking at her as much as possible and covered Raffine with a blanket.

And he hurriedly put on his clothes and ran outside.

When Rafine opened her eyes, her body was covered with a blanket.

It was from that day. Subtle changes began to occur between the two of them.