Raphine ran straight to the window.

Due to the triumphal ceremony, there was a festive atmosphere outside the imperial castle. A great wave of cheers could be seen beyond the wall in the distance.

Breaking through that road, the knights were coming straight to the Imperial Castle.

Raphine was nervous. I blinked and tried to find Zerkan.

It was still far away, so I couldn't see him in detail, but it wasn't difficult to find him.

It was because he was coming from the front seat, wearing a uniform, and driving a pure white horse in a cool shape.

As soon as she saw Zerkan, Raphine's nose twitched. It is said that when the body is far away, the mind is also farther away, but sometimes this was not true.

Rather, her heart deepened. My heart was pounding so much that I was even surprised.

"Sir, the triumphal ceremony will begin soon. You must go."

"Yeah, I see."

Rafine followed the maid's words and hurried her steps.

* * *

Throughout the triumph, Raphine rolled her feet.

The emperor honored each and every one of the knights who participated in the war with great care.

That, however, could not ruin the improvement ceremony, which took place in a strict atmosphere.

'Why aren't you looking at me?'

In the meantime, if we make eye contact, I think I will feel better, but Zerkan didn't even look at Raphine.

On the other hand, Adrian and Violet smiled at Raphine whenever they had a chance.

Thanks to that, Raphine was able to calm her heart even a little.

But, like a lie, Zerkan never made eye contact with Raphine.

As the ceremony continued until almost the end of the ceremony, Raphine's nose twitched at her ferocious heart.

Could it be that he changed his mind during the year of the war? What if I ask for a divorce according to the contract?

An unsettling thought came to me that I had never thought of before.

How do you change your mind like this? It was to the point that Zerkan became resentful.

Raphine bit her lip and glared at Zerkan with wide-eyed eyes.

To make matters worse, Raphine was unable to reach Zerkan even after the triumphal ceremony was over.

This was because by order of the emperor, Zerkan had to go straight through the city in a wagon.

Perhaps because he intends to inherit the throne soon, the emperor wanted to make Zerkan's face properly recognized by the people.

Thanks to this, after the triumphal ceremony, Raphine returned to her place in despair.

As if the world had collapsed, the maids looked at each other while looking at Raphine coming back tumultuously.

Raphine's eyes were full of tears as if they were about to fall.

Saying they wanted to be alone, all the maids left the room.

Raphine licked her lips and burst into tears. It was sad, annoying, and disgusting.

'No, how can you not take a look?'

How long have I waited for this day all year....

Raphine felt like everything was ruined, so she lay down on the bed and buried her face in the pillow.

I screamed and cried while hitting the soft pillow, but I didn't feel any better.

'Just come....'

Raphine, who barely stopped crying, lifted her head slightly and looked out the window and cheered.

As soon as the march was over, Zerkan rushed to the Sapphire Palace like the most urgent person in the world.

Ignoring all greetings from passing courtiers, Zerkan ran to the bedroom and looked down at his outfit only after standing in front of the door.

"...."

It was a gaze with a meaning that Zerkan could not understand.

Raffine's maid, who is an expert on facial expressions, stopped talking to Zerkan.

'His Vision is already very upset.'

It might be better not to tell you.

The maid just opened the door without saying a word.

Zerkan patted his messy hair and went inside cautiously.

It felt like my heart would explode. How long have you been waiting for this moment....

As soon as he entered the large hall, Zerkan found Raffine. He seemed to know what it felt like to have tears running down his face.

Even with this longing that brings tears to his eyes, he deliberately tried not to pay attention to Raphine throughout the triumph.

Raphine only glanced as she exchanged glances with Violet and Adrian. It was possible because of his desperate efforts.

When Raphine's eyes met, it seemed like she couldn't contain it.

Ignoring everyone, it seemed like he would be standing there, holding only Raphine, all day long.

The triumphal ceremony wasn't just for himself.

However, Zerkan realized the moment he found Raffine, who was still motionless with his face buried in the pillow. own mistakes.

Zerkan should have kept eye contact with Raphine. It was the only circumstance that he knew how to hold back his desire to run.

"Raphine."

Zerkan went straight to the bed and bent his knees.

Raphine, who had her face buried in the pillow, turned her head. Zerkan raised the corners of his lips without realizing it.

With such a lovely and pretty wife, how in the world could he have been on the battlefield for a year?

"I was all wrong, Raphine."

"...."

Raphine bit her lip and glared at him. Zerkan felt sorry for Raphine's tear-soaked red eyes.

Besides, no matter how much she cried, Raphine's pillow was damp.

"I'm sorry."

Zerkan apologized sincerely. Raphine exhaled vigorously and stood up.

"How can you never look at me?"

"... I saw it when you weren't."

"When I look at you, you say you ignored me."

"that...."

"I know, I know why...."

I wanted to see you like that, but now I feel like I want to throw the honey chestnut away.

Zerkan looked up at Raffine like that, and carefully stretched out his arms.

"Seed...."

Raphine was crying and then fell into Zerkan's arms and hugged her.

"ha...."

Zerkan let out a sweet sigh. Tears streamed down my cheeks. It was a moment I dreamed of every day.

He slowly got up, grabbed Raphine's cheeks, and lowered his head.

Their lips overlapped, and the longing breath of each other dug into the tip of their noses.

"ah...!"

But at that moment. Zerkan widened his closed eyes.

Raphine couldn't bear her hatred and bit Zerkan's lips.

It was an unexpected sweet and bloody reunion for both of them.

* * *

Five days have passed since Zerkan returned.

Raphine couldn't hide her surprise.

Wash, eat and sleep. It was unbelievable that he had continued a life that seemed like a normal person for five days.

But even more surprising, no one pointed that point to Raphine and Zerkan.

In five days, there was no knock on the bedroom door except for dinner.

The servants hid very much, only provided food and disappeared.

It was convenient because no one came, but... After a while, I was a little disappointed.

Raphine patted the nape of her neck for nothing and turned her gaze away. His white neck was full of red marks.

In the seat next to the bed, I saw Zerkan with his eyes closed.

At that moment, Zerkan's hand, thought to be sleeping, crept up on her stomach.

"Isn't the rumor already all over?"

Raphine asked in a worried voice. Zerkan slowly opened his eyes and looked at him as if he was saying what he meant.

Raphine took a deep breath and continued.

"no.... As soon as I got back, the rumors wouldn't have spread that I didn't leave the room for five days."

"Has it already been that way?"

"... It's not my fault. Your Majesty explains everything."

"Yeah, I see."

Zerkan smiled and pulled Raffine towards him. Raphine continued to chirp while being held in his arms.

"Yeah, it's all my fault."

Zerkan answered with a smirk and stroked Raffine's soft skin.

Raphine grunted as she felt the touch of Zerkan's lips falling on the back of her neck.

Zerkan listened to the cute grunt with a smile and asked.

"But if it's going to be rumored, wouldn't it be okay if it were longer than 5 days?"

Raphine's brow furrowed in response to a question asked while kissing Raphine's ear. There was a firm feel behind his back.

"but...."

"Everyone will understand. I'll do my best without rumors, Raphine. yes?"

"...."

"If you mention this, I will give you a strict decree that I will not leave you alone, so just a little longer...."

At Zerkan's sweet plea, Raphine sighed. I didn't want to, and I couldn't.