Translator: Khan

Editor Group: Liber Reverie

After that, the hands that was around her waist brushed her cheek, and they were now busy peeling off the cumbersome piece of cloth that had been wrapped around Aria.

"Wait..."

She wanted to tell him to wait. However, she couldn't finish what she wanted to say because of the soft touch that kept her from making a sound out of her mouth, so she just held on to his shoulder.

The sensation climbing up her spine made her head disturbed. She gulped helplessly to the strange sensation that she felt in the first contact of this lifetime. A little more impatient, Asher left Aria's lips and bit her neck.

"Aw…!"

The feeling of it, which was never light, made Aria raise her voice briefly. It was not only once. Asher put her in a corner without giving her a moment's rest.

Asher kissed her deeply again, throwing off his cumbersome dress. It was a rough and hasty touch, and it was a time when he had been wasting his time a few times.

"Wait, wait a minute!"

Aria, who was able to relax for a moment, was so embarrassed that she pushed Asher's shoulder away. Aria, who was feeling hot with her cheeks dyed red, stared at Asher with a gasp that she had not yet cleared.

But it didn't seem very helpful for Aria, who pushed him away to ask something. Aria, who saw Asher frowning, hurriedly opened her mouth.

"Why, why. Why are you so... so...?"

'Like this? If you want to ask me something, do it quickly.' Asher sighed deeply and urged her to talk.

"So?"

"How are you so… skillful?""

The question of Aria, which was urged in such haste, was enough to freeze Asher, who was so excited and was giving off a fierce glare.

"What's that...?"

"I'm sure there were no other women except me, but…!"

'But how can you make me such a mess although I have lived ten years longer than you? How did you make my soul escape? This was a strange act that even I did not know. By the way, how are you so skillful?'

When Aria asked in doubt, Asher's eyes narrowed. His eyes deepened again. He brushed her cheek and asked her back in a very threatening voice. "Isn't that a question I should give to the Crown Princess, who knows if I'm good or not?"

"What, what do you mean...? I've never had a deep relationship with a particular man...!"

Then Aria replied, stuttering uncomfortably, and Asher smiled and kissed her cheek.

"So do I. I have just learned it as part of my education. I'm glad it made my princess happy."

"... From whom?"

"From the books handed down for the imperial family... and from the one who explained it."

"... Are you so skillful because of the books and this person's explanation...?" Aria blinked and asked him back as if she didn't believe it.

Then Asher replied with a significant smile, creating a long shadow over Aria. "Yes, it's true. So would you like to test how far I could satisfy you? Me who just learned through books and explanation?"

However, his eyes still looked hideous. They were full of pressure, urging her to answer quickly. 'So how can I not answer you to do that?'

"... If you're lying, I'll be angry."

At the answer, the smile disappeared again from his face. His stretched hands were still rough and impatient, but they were enough to drive Aria into a corner so that she could hang on only to him.

* * *

Asher, who had disappeared from the Imperial Castle with Aria, stayed in the villa for three more days, and soon returned to the Imperial Castle quietly as if nothing had happened. It was only three days in a small villa, but it was the happiest and most enjoyable time ever for the two of them.

There wasn't much to do. There was nothing to do. They were almost confined to the bedroom, except to quietly eat the food the butler had prepared. That was enough and overflowing.

Asher wanted to live in the villa for years, but he knew better than anyone else that he couldn't do that, so he finally managed to get rid of his lingering regret.

Not that he hadn't told anyone, of course, but he had told that he would leave the Imperial Castle for a while, as he had sneaked out of the bedroom and moved the space secretly while Aria was asleep. Thus, the escape of the Crown Prince and Princess on the day of their national marriage ended quietly without much fuss.

"It's already morning…" And after a while, in the sunlight that began to seep through the window, Asher spoke to himself quietly, staring at Aria, who was laying on his arms. It sounded that he was annoyed, as he said that he didn't know why morning was coming so quickly.

This had been the case ever since he had returned to the Imperial Castle. There was more time away than with Aria. But it couldn't be helped. It was also intended by himself. It was because his work had been delayed by the national marriage, and he had fled to the villa with Aria after the national wedding and hadn't returned for days. Three days was plenty of time to push Asher into the abyss of work.

"... Mr. Asher?"

Asher was soothing his irritation, staring into Aria's face, and then she slowly opened her eyes as it was morning already. She called out his name, looking into his eyes.

Then, as if he had never been irritated, his heart was filled with pride. He was really happy compared to the past when it was hard to see her once a month.

"... My princess is awake."

"Yes. Good morning, Mr. Asher. Did you have a good dream last night?"

'A good dream?' In fact, he didn't sleep very long and spent most of his time staring at Aria. But it was a more satisfying and precious time than just dreaming.

"Yes. I had a very good dream. Did the Crown Princess had one, too?"

Asher answered yes and kissed Aria's forehead briefly. Then Aria grinned and said, "Yes, Mr. Asher."

'How could it be so lovely?' It was amazing and mysterious. 'I can't believe I'm feeling so happy with just this little talk.' With uncontrollable emotion, Asher hugged Aria to his bosom tightly. He thought he wanted to spend all day like this if he could.

Before long, however, he had to let Aria go, as the maids, who made an indication of themselves being around to mark the beginning of the day. Suddenly, his mood plunged down again in an instant, as if he had never been in a good mood. Even changing his clothes after washing his face was really annoying.

It was because he had to stay away from Aria for a long time now after breakfast.

So he tried to delay the time, having a meal so slowly, as slowly as he could, but Aria ended her meal as usual and held the tea her maid brought in as if she was different from his mind.

"It smells good."

"It's a tea made of fruit fit for the season."

"It smells like sweet peaches."

"Yes. It's a peach tea, Your Highness the Crown Princess."

"Really? It tastes good too."

"It's an honor that it tastes good to you. Should I put it on for lunch?"

"Please do that."

Aria's praise made the maid blush.

Unlike Asher, who didn't want to be apart from her for a moment, Aria, who had become the Crown Princess, seemed to have adjusted well to life in the Imperial Castle more than he had thought. It was because the servants followed Aria quite well, and she also spared no effort to adapt.

Of course, there were difficulties, such as learning new etiquette, learning what the Crown Princess should do or figuring out many people, but Aria worked hard without complaining, so most people were happy enough to help Aria adjust to the Imperial Castle.

Everyone liked her enough to laugh lightly at Aria's little mistakes, even though they were the people of the Imperial Castle, who set strict standards on etiquette.

"See you tonight, Mr. Asher." Aria smiled softly as she kissed Asher's cheek after eating.

He wanted to split his time and dine with Aria, but the people around wouldn't let him and Aria go.

It was because the Imperial Castle was crowded with people who wanted to meet Aria whenever they had the chance. Aria, who spent most of her time studying because she had a lot to learn, had to deal with visitors as well, so she also did not have much time, just like himself.

"Yes... I'll see you tonight."