Capitulo 66
Episode 66
He pressed the thing he was holding in his hand to turn it off and put it away.
«I don’t have the right painkiller. It’s not bad for you, so don’t worry.»
Having said that, he leaned back in his chair with a short groan.
I slowly made my way through the smoke and approached Aster.
«Oh my god.»
He had taken off his shirt for the treatment.
His lean body showed how long he had been training.
The muscles that tightened every time he moved were so firm that a sword blade didn’t seem to pierce him easily.
But what surprised me most were the numerous scars on his skin.
The knife cuts were normal.
There was even a scratch mark somewhere. There were also traces of piercing.
It made me wonder how he had survived so far.
Is it ugly?
he asked when my gaze couldn’t easily stray from Aster’s body.
I shook my head.
No, he is not.
I sat down next to him and put my hand on his bandaged arm.
I hurt this beautiful person again.
Doesn’t it hurt too much?
It’s tolerable.
After saying that, he reached out and ran my hand through my hair.
Delicate, playful fingers moved from hair to cheeks to chin.
He touched my nose to the point where I felt dizzy.
He lifted my face with his finger and I met his pale violet eyes.
You?
It was a casual conversation.
Just saying hello.
But strangely, his body stiffened with tension.
I barely opened my mouth to answer his question.
I’m fine. Compared to Aster, it’s not painful.
You can’t think of me as a comparator.
He looked down slightly and his long eyelashes cast a shadow over his face.
Her quivering lashes looked pathetic like the fluttering of a butterfly caught in a spider’s web.
Possessiveness overflowed in the eyes seen through the rich golden lashes.
It’s an incredible feeling that Aster always kept a poker face, and it was an emotion that could not be hidden.
A fear more peripheral than when I first met the wolf god enveloped my mind.
H-His Majesty?
The voice that called him trembled.
He looked at me and took a step back.
The hand that lifted my chin and the bitter smell of herbs disappeared at the same time.
I’m tired today. All right, come back.
Aster turned his head as if to run away.
At his invitation, I was thrown out of his barracks without a word.
What?
It was like seeing him for the first time.
* * *
The knight hunting contest was postponed for the date. If it was cancelled as much as if it gave preferential treatment to gentlemen, there would have been a lot of backlash.
Thanks to this, other schedules were delayed one after another, and the opening date of the perfumery workshop was also delayed.
So that day, I completely forgot what happened with Aster.
Madam, it is ready.
Today was the day of the big banquet, the highlight of the hunting festival.
It was also the day that Aster and I entered at the same time for the first time.
«I completely forgot.»
How awkward was that day when we parted ways?
Lily asked as I crinkled the hem of my shirt with an anxious look.
What’s bothering you?
Yes?
You look different than usual, why are you so nervous?
Since I saw Aster that day, were you that nervous?
My mouth was dry and I was just fiddling with my empty water glass.
Lily, this. It’s not my story, it’s my friend’s story.
Lily’s eyes narrowed.
Realising my mistake, I shut my mouth.
Lily would know better than that I have no friends.
I couldn’t lift my head in shame.
Her friend’s story?
Lily asked, pretending not to know.
Lily’s tearful efforts to bury her teacher’s dark history were almost touching.
Ugh, I’m talking about my friend…. A person I knew well showed a very different side, so what should I do in that case?
Is it completely different? What kind of violence is that?
Oh, no. It’s not like that… Could it be that the atmosphere was too different from usual ?
How’s the mood?
Lily had a look on her face that she didn’t understand at all.
As I recalled the memories of that day, I stammered and explained the situation.
Should I say that she doesn’t have time to spare as usual? It seemed a bit dangerous.
His eyes and atmosphere like a slow beast left a strong impression. It even felt suffocating.
It’s sure exactly what you’re worried about. Does the lady think that person is strange?
No, she doesn’t. It’s just awkward and it’s not. It’s not about me! I don’t know what to do when a friend does that.
Lily shrugged at my words.
I think it would be better to let the other person react. Your friend might have misunderstood.
Is that so…
Come on, you don’t have to worry about that. You should leave now.
At Lily’s words, I looked at myself in the mirror and checked myself one last time.
The dress matched the colour of Aster. Made in pale pink beige chiffon. A fine silver shawl and lace was applied over me.
It was decorated with coloured flowers embroidered on the waist part.
My long hair was adorned with pearls and jewels.
Miss, the carriage is here!
At Lily’s words, I left the room and went out the front door.
The carriage sent by the imperial family was huge and beautiful.
More so than the last time they sent it.
You seem to be showing off too much.
The Aster I knew was worthy of such a thing.
My mind wandered all the way to the palace in the carriage.
The great banquet was held under the auspices of the imperial family.
A lantern decorated with the coat of arms of the winner’s family brightly illuminated the banquet hall.
This year there were lanterns with the coats of arms of the Duke Pioneer and the Imperial Family.
We have arrived, Princess.
I got off the carriage on the driver’s horse.
The waitress, who was waiting outside, greeted me and guided me.
The closer I got to the waiting room, the more nervous I became.
When the valet announced my visit and opened the door, I saw Aster.
Come here, princess.
He greeted me as usual.
A normal reaction to the extent that it was ridiculous for me to be nervous about anything.
I sighed in relief and walked over to him.
The clothes fit you much better than I thought they would.
They fit us well.
Aster’s clothes are made of the same material as mine, but in a slightly lighter beige colour.
Embroidered in the same pattern as mine with gold thread on the wrist, right down to the pink tie.
They’re not exactly the same designs, but when they’re together, they’re definitely a match.
Behind him was the perfume I had given him. The smell didn’t seem right, so I approached Aster.
What?
Aster recoiled in surprise.
Oh, I was just trying to make sure it smelled right… Are you surprised?
I haven’t sprayed it yet.
Aster turned around, picked up a bottle of perfume and handed it to me.
He muttered, scratching the back of his neck in embarrassment.
I’ve never used it before.
Aster closed his eyes silently and sat back in his chair.
I took the bottle and stood in front of him.
«Somehow, I feel strange.»
I tried to ignore my uncomfortable feelings and sprayed perfume around him.
The intense head note blended surprisingly well.
How’s that? Doesn’t the smell give you a headache or burn you?
Isn’t that bad?
Aster raised her arm and smelled the incense, showing an expression of satisfaction.
However, the movement of raising her arm was not natural.
Considering the injury she had just a few days ago, she doubted whether she could move her body like that.
How is your body?
Ah. Nothing to worry about.
When I looked up, I couldn’t see the bandage on his arm.
Were you able to take off the bandages yet?
I had a good recovery, so I healed quickly.
He said and hid his arms behind his back.
I’ll see that with my own eyes.
Confused, I quickly grabbed his hand as he was about to pull back.
Ahg!
He grimaced and staggered from holding it too tightly.
I looked at his arm in astonishment, Aster quickly pulled back.
Is he all right?
When I took a step closer, he backed away again, as if trying to keep his distance.
It’s okay, it’s okay. It’s because you suddenly squeezed hard.
You haven’t been treated properly, have you?
Aster didn’t respond.
She just kept her eyes closed and her mouth shut.
As His Majesty the Emperor, you must appreciate your own body.
I noticed it when I saw the scars left on his body.
Even if it had been neglected because of the Emperor’s indifference, it would not have been enough to prevent him from receiving treatment.
Maybe he was a nuisance or no one cared that he was injured.
Even Aster himself.