* * *

The expedition date set quickly approached quickly.

It was a decision to start the subjugation before the monsters from the north of the continent arrived, and to reduce the damage to the people of the empire as much as possible.

The first to start was the Knights Templar that Zerkan, Adrian and Violet belonged to.

And it was decided that the second campaign would be a united army of nobles.

As it was a dangerous war because of the number of variants of the beasts, many nobles participated.

Even late at night, Hwangseong was busy with preparations for the expedition.

Raphine tried to calm her mind, cluttered by the noises outside the window.

But my heart did not calm down easily.

After the day Violet and Adrian came to visit, Raphine met Zerkan several times, but did not speak of the expedition.

He waited for Zerkan to speak first.

The two of them exchanged casual conversations as if they were doing a play.

Each time the conversation continued, Raphine was disappointed, and the atmosphere became gloomy.

Until it seems like the Cold War to others.

In the end, even though the day before the departure approached, Zerkan did not say anything to Raphine.

This situation was unbelievable.

"No way, really...."

Thanks to this, Raphine was in a state of anger.

'Aren't we supposed to talk and discuss everything?'

You acted like you were discussing things together before, and I don't know why you're pretending you don't know anything now.

I couldn't stand it any longer.

Even today, if Zerkan kept his mouth shut, Raphine would grab his hair and shake it.

Raphine turned her head to check her watch. It was late, but Raphine was going to wait for him to come.

Sadness crept up to the tip of his neck.

But what was more painful was the anxiety.

For some reason, the fear that it might become like the original came over and over again.

No matter how hard I tried, no matter how much the flow changed, I couldn't get anything in my hands because of the anxiety that the ending wouldn't change.

Adrian, Violet and Zerkan in the original. The three eventually die.

The tragic ending of the three men who took part in the war was drawn in front of them over and over again.

So Raphine was even thinking about whether she should follow the battlefield herself.

However, if that happened, it was obvious that the emperor, the empress, and Raphine's family would all strongly object to it.

I consulted with the spirits, but Ruby and Orphana were both opposed to the matter.

Ruby suggested instead. He said that he would personally follow and protect his allies.

The enemy had a weapon to neutralize the spirit's power. However, it was a material that worked even for demons. If the enemy wants to use the beast in this war, it will not be easy to use that weapon.

So Raphine was thinking of proposing to Zerkan to take Ruby.

'But you're saying you won't talk to me until the end....'

Raphine bit her lip. It felt like tears were about to come out of my eyes again.

It was time to hold back tears.

There was a knock, the sound of a door opening. And soon after, I saw Zerkan approaching through the bedroom arch door.

"Raphine."

He sighed and approached, as if he knew Raphine wasn't sleeping.

Raphine, who was standing by the window with her arms crossed, turned towards Zerkan.

"Are not you tired? Why haven't you been lying down yet?"

"...."

Despite Zerkan's question, Raphine narrowed her eyes and just stared at him.

"Raphine."

Zerkan, noticing Raphine's condition, approached him.

As Zerkan approached, Raphine quickly turned her head away from his eyes.

"How long are you going to keep your mouth shut from me?"

"...."

"Until you leave?"

"Raphine, I...."

"Why don't you talk to me?"

"...."

"Before, you were all discussing with me.... Why don't you tell me anything about this or ask me?"

"... Sorry."

Zerkan grabbed Raphine's cheek and made her look at him. Raphine looked at him with tears in her eyes.

Despite his resentful gaze, as if he was going to die of hating, Zerkan seemed to laugh for some reason.

But he couldn't laugh in front of the angry Raphine. Zerkan made excuses in a low voice.

"I was always trying to tell you. I had to do it today, I thought I should... I was afraid."

"What?"

Zerkan distorted his expression as if in agony.

"... I thought you would follow me."

"...."

Raphine pursed her lips. I really didn't know what to say because I thought so. He was speechless as if stabbed in the corner.

"So I kept running, I didn't know. Sorry."

"... I really have no intention of following it."

Raphine knows it too. That his existence is of no great help.

No, I'm sure it would be a big help, but.... important moment. It will shake Zerkan's decision.

He was well aware of the weight of the commander-in-chief's decisions in war.

Zerkan had a duty and mission to protect the people of the empire.

So I couldn't follow Zerkan.

"I just...."

Raphine was sad because Zerkan was trying to carry all the weight alone.

Even before he left, I wanted to think with him and make him feel comfortable.... I came all the way here because I was proud of myself.

'As I said that day.'

Raphine raised her avoiding gaze and glared at Zerkan.

Raphine was not an idiot.

Raphine knew the meaning of Zerkan's words that day.

what he really wanted to say.

Zerkan said while stroking Raphine's cheek.

"I am on my way to see your Majesty."

"...."

"Your Majesty promised good deeds."

"what...."

"When I return. I will ascend to the throne."

"...."

"The moment I come back and become emperor, you are free. Raphine."

At Zerkan's words, Raphine couldn't move as if time had stopped. There was no power in my fingertips.

It was difficult to know what he meant.

"I'll divorce you if you want."

"...."

Raphine bit her lip. It felt like my heart was boiling.

Are you going to come and divorce me now?

I really wanted to grab Zerkan's hair and shake it.

But after saying that, Zerkan was staring at Raphine with tender eyes.

His thumb stroking his cheek felt painful.

"Do you really want to?"

he asked in a trembling voice.

"...."

Raphine looked up at Zerkan. His red eyes fluttered in disbelief.

Zerkan, who seemed stronger than anyone else in the world, felt weaker than anyone for now.

His eyes were like a child, trembling in fear of being left alone.

Zerkan, waiting for Raphine's reply, felt very slow. My heart tightened.

In fact, regardless of Raphine's answer, Zerkan didn't want to let Raphine go.

But I had no intention of forcing it.

Even if he is rejected, he will not give up until the end and may beg until Raphine accepts his heart.

Like spinning in an infinite loop.

Conflicting emotions weighed him and confused him, but one thing was clear.

Because his feelings are his own, he didn't want to pass them on to Raphine as if they were hugging him.

"Answer me, Raphine."

The pleading voice trembled weakly.

Raphine looked into Zerkan's trembling eyes with pity, and pulled his neck.

Their lips overlapped in an instant, and Zerkan closed her eyes.

As if waiting, he hugged Raphine and stroked her cheek and kissed her.

He dug into the inside of his sweet lips and begged for affection. Please love me more, never forsake me.

Between the intense kisses, their lips parted for a moment.

They exchanged each other's rough breaths with their heated lips pressed against each other. The corners of Zerkan's lips rose slightly.

In the quiet room, only the breathing sounds of the two heated people could be heard.

With their lips touching, Zerkan said.

"The moment I ascend to the throne, I will be yours forever...."

"...."

"Raphine, you too will be mine forever."

Instead of answering, Rafine gave a short kiss as if pressing a seal.

said Zerkan.

"Even if I die, I won't let you go."

His eyes were so serious that he was embarrassed. His tone and voice were so strong that he was obsessed with breathing, but Raphine somehow only laughed.

It was what I was hoping for.

Raphine nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck again.

Their breaths mixed more wildly than before. Hasty hands groped each other's bodies and dug between their clothes.

It was finally the moment I had been waiting for so long.

As the night progressed, the two confirmed their unquestioned love for each other.