1st Kiss Was Intentional - Chapter 10

It is laughable.

Marquez is aware of the ambition behind Jamie’s eyes. However, he does a great job as a substitute for the troublesome emperor, so he pretends not to notice. His kingdom, which Marquez promised to return, is so small that it’s not enough to pose a threat to the empire’s territory.

Marquez, who is more comfortable with a bloody battlefield than the colorful life of the Imperial City, prefers to go around freely by himself rather than being adorning and applauded on the streets.

Though the emperor’s position is more comfortable on the battlefield, it’s very troublesome in the Imperial City. The overflow of wealth and power are nothing more than a nuisance to him.

However, she’s an exception.

Lydia Odette.

A flower that has been cultivated without being contaminated by the toxicity. His interest was piqued. If it has been grown on purpose, she would have hidden it even if he had said that he was a servant, but she seemed to have no idea what the flower was used for.

‘I invited her to the ball just to be sure. Once I smelled the scent, I thought she was an assassin of Perilland, so I tried to take care of her on the spot.’

However, he decided to give her another chance. It was a waste to kill the first woman he took an interest in. Besides, she was too soft and thin for a trained assassin. She also had no unique energy like that of female assassins of Perilland.

‘I even smelled the scent with suspicion, but it was no used.’

He let her go to the ball and used Jamie to check the concentration of the Astra on her.

‘From what I’ve seen before, there were a high number of flowers planted.’

No matter how much medicine he took, Jamie didn’t drink more than he could take.

Then she must really not know the purpose. Maybe she just happened to try it on because it smells good?

‘Good for you.’

He was going to grow Astra himself and use it as a weapon of war, but all the famous horticulturists failed at growing it. Therefore, he was going to coax her for the secret. It’s quite interesting that he wants to get to know others, but she doesn’t seem to have any greed in her.

As much as he remembered, she was a humble aristocrat. After she became the 30th concubine, she lived in hiding as if she was a mouse.

Everyone wanted to catch the eyes of the emperor and failed. He wondered why a woman named Lydia Odette chose to live quietly.

Marquez then shakes off his thoughts and says in a cold voice. “This doesn’t concern you. Don’t think about it, and just stick to your duty.”

It’s awkward for a dog that tries to hide its ambition to pry into its owner’s thoughts.

Marquez’s not one to share his thoughts even after a long time.

The strange thing is that she wanted to hide from everyone’s eyes. He recalls her startled and surprised expressions every time she saw him, and the strange words that he’s never heard from her lips, the first time he’s ever heard them— even if he thinks it’s because of the aroma of Astra, he’s used to war and slaughter.

Astra’s scent does not work on him, who developed extreme self-control. Though, he doesn’t know why he keeps wanting to watch her.

Is it just curiosity?

‘We’ll see.’

Lydia Odette seems to want to live quietly and away from the public. That’s also the most interesting, and questionable thing about her. On the other hand, Marquez decided to use that as a way to approach her.

She looks haughty, but she is surprisingly naive and wary. Therefore, the first thing to do is lower her guard.

Marquez rubs his chin, recalling himself acting subservient. He has never thought that he’d use the personality skills that he’d learned from a long time ago as a tactic.

Well, it won’t be too bad. No one will know that I am the Emperor.

When she asked for his name, he unconsciously, and unexpectedly said his real name, but she still lives alone in a secluded castle, so there will be no problem. Just in case, he’ll keep lying that he ran away so he doesn’t need to speak to the outside world.

“Yes, your majesty. We will do what you ordered without making a mistake.”

As Marquez coldly looks down at the bowing Jamie, who tries to hide the ambition behind his eyes, he squeezes one of Jamie’s shoulders. “I will be away from the Imperial City for a while. Do well until then.”

“Of course, without a doubt.”

The prince, who had lived in the castle all his life with only books, is courageous, but falls short in comparison to the God of War. Though, the height and physique are similar enough to be used as a substitute, the strength is comparably different. Jamie flinches and is barely able to withstand Marquez’s grip. Marquez only withdraws his hand just before Jamie stumbles and fall.

“Long live your majesty, the Great Emperor.”

Marques sees deep fear seeping into Jamie’s green eyes, and after a silent warning, he leaves the emperor’s bedroom like the wind.

He runs through the cold early morning wind light than usual. The pleasure is similar to jumping off a horse, and running at full speed to slash the neck of an enemy commander.

No, maybe he’s a little bit more impatient.

Marquez doesn’t notice that his face, which has always been icy, has an unfamiliar expression.

He disappears quickly to Lily Castle under the sun’s ever-bright dawn.

—

Warmth lingers in the air.

I toss and turn in a fluffy bed. Soon by the window, the twittering of the morning birds tickles my ears, and at last I sit up, frowning and yawning.

“Oh, my shoulder.”

My muscles ache. I enter the bathroom with my half-closed eyes with my sleepy face.

The same day that repeats every day.

Thanks to that, it has become such a habit that I can see the structure of my bathroom with my eyes closed.

‘Oh, why are you so tired today?’

I yawn and hurry to the morning shower.

After washing and coming out, I put on a light blue dress that’s neatly arranged and hung.

Once I put on my white apron, I tie my hair into a ponytail so I wouldn’t be bothered by it. Before getting ready to eat breakfast and going to the garden, I look in the mirror.

The dress is perfect without a single wrinkle, and the face in the mirror is as pretty and lovely as ever.

Transparent, clean skin features with perfect proportions like statues, jewel-like bright purple eyes, golden hair full of sunlight.

However, it’s a bit disappointing because there’s no dazzling makeup done by maids like yesterday. It’s too bad that there’s not even a single maid here. I’ve never thought about it, but it’s better to not know at all. After tasting the sweetness of even a little bit of power, I still have some lingering feelings.

I try to shake off my thoughts quickly.

‘Wake up, Lydia Odette! You’re going to die! Live a long, fine life, remember?’

‘Hmm. Somehow my mind is heavy. Did you forget something?’

Attending the ball last night did not cause any serious accident, so I’m not sure. Maybe I’ll feel better if I get some fresh air!

I walk down the stairs and head directly to the secret flower bed. Last night, I decided recharge myself by eating breakfast there, and also, at the same time, check on the flowers.

I simply pack a bottle of savory milk, sweet blueberries, and a fresh cheese sandwich in the kitchen on the first floor.

‘All right, this morning’s going great!’

Unlike yesterday, when it was crowded, Lily Castle is still. It’s a familiar quiet, with no sign of others beside the sound of the birds. As I breathe in the fresh morning air, my body and mind start to feel much better.

Yes, it’s my home. I open the gate and hum along with my steps. Seeing that the soil being stepped on was moist, it seems to have rained a little at dawn. Worried that the flowers might have been damaged, I start to walk faster on my own.

I can see the flower bed as soon as I circle around the angular part of the wall in front of me. As soon as I did, I suddenly felt a sense of strangeness. “Huh?”

As I move, the basket in my hand shakes sporadically. I then tilt my head and stop because the morning sun shines in my eyes, blocking my view.

What is it? Is it a lost bird?

“What happened?”

“Ahh!” I scream reflexively at the sudden strange voice and fall to the ground while holding my basket.

What, who’s that?!

I gasp and look up quickly at the shape I saw. The glare of sunlight obscures the head of a tall figure that took a step back. Then I see hair shimmering like a galaxy, and ruby red eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

“You surprised me!”

It’s Mar.

I drop the basket from my hand. I knew that I had forgotten something, and it was this!

Right, the memory of last night comes rolling in like a kaleidoscope.

I’m supposed to live with him after he saved me from the troubles last night. Instead of leaving him after escorting me, I allowed him to cohabitate in my castle.

“You got up early?”

I greet Mar with a big, belated smile, pretending that I didn’t forget about him.

Mar looks hurt, like he has noticed my mistake. My conscience immediately stabs me when I saw disappointment on his handsome face.

Ak—I’m sorry!

“I’m sorry, Mar! I was so tired…so, I forgot for a second! Now I remember everything!”

Mar, however, is already striding away with his long legs.

I jump up and follow him with my basket on hand. Anyone would naturally feel bad if they’re treated so rudely in the morning, especially if he should have been treated as a lifesaver instead!

“Let’s do this. Let’s have breakfast together?” I quickly change the subject and show him my basket.

Mar stops walking toward the flower bed, and rolls his disappointed red eyes. He then glances at my face before moving down to the basket in my hands. “Breakfast?”

“Yes! You didn’t have breakfast! You’re hungry, aren’t you?”

“Not much—”

“What? Very, very hungry? I knew it!”

I shout loudly, cutting off his words.

Then, I quickly take out two blankets from the basket and spread them out on the grass. I set up the food that had been packed for breakfast and beckoned Mar to come.

He has a strange look on his face instead.

Sorry for the long absence I’ve been very busy with my college classes, becoming an RA, and starting the ROTC program. I am going to start trying to schedule updates for every weekend.