Far from the commotion of the banquet that lasted late into the night, the Argent Palace was quiet with no one passing by. After Franz and Judith moved to the Nation Palace, the Argent Palace, and the Astel Palace were silently sleeping day and night, facing each other.
As Judith walked, leaning against Cheran and feeling the night breeze, the alcohol that had been building up inside her slowly subsided and she saw lights twinkling in the distance. They were the lights coming from the windows of the Argent Palace.
“It’s strange... I lived here until recently, but it feels like it’s been a long time since I last saw it.”
Judith stood at the entrance to the palace and looked up at the windows, flooded with light, with a new sense of wonder. The stone windows that jutted outward were adorned with rich floral decorations like the hems of a puffed skirt, and the arches leading into the palace were hung with dried ash blossoms, purple crystals, and long ribbons of crisscrossed white and red threads.
“Look, Your Highness. It looks like the children of Nation Palace have done this.”
Cheraan said. It was a custom in the private sector to hang things with good meanings in front of the bridal chamber to celebrate the new couple’s future when holding a wedding. Judith touched the rustling ash tree flowers and went through the arch into the palace.
Although it was an empty place that had not been visited for a long time, the interior was filled with warmth. Countless candles were brought in and carefully lit everywhere, and warm curtains were hung on the windows to keep out the outside wind.
Cheraan took Judith to the previously decorated bridal chamber. It was a room decorated with a cozy atmosphere, different from when she had been staying at the Argent Palace. Judith burst into laughter at the sight of the bed covered with a translucent canopy and the two flowers placed on it.
“I didn’t know you would prepare this hard.”
“Everyone was so motivated. Normally, the two of you should have gone on a trip, but you couldn’t, so they hung around here all day, saying they had to decorate the bridal chamber to make it look like a new place.”
Judith, who had been slowly touching the unfamiliar decorations and the warm-feeling tapestries, was soon washed by Cheraan. Judith, who found it strange that there were no people in the delicately decorated room, asked why and was told that the room had been left empty on purpose for Franz and her.
“But you don’t have to worry. When His comes comes, Captain Bibiyu will be guarding the palace.”
Judith just soaked in warm water, but her skin still smelled pleasant thanks to the perfume she had taken yesterday. In fact, it seemed to have become a little more gentle and sweeter as time passed.
After bathing, Judith, wearing a robe that reached down to her knees, looked at the back of Franz, who was standing with his back to her.
“Then I will go now.”
In an atmosphere where shyness and excitement were mixed together and became awkward, Cheraan made a face that seemed like she was dying of amusement and slowly stepped away. The candle flickered slightly as the door closed. Judith coughed and walked towards the bed, sitting on the soft edge. Franz’s eyes slowly followed her.
Suddenly Judith noticed that Franz had a scent she had never smelled before. The fresh scent of cardamom and iris seemed to linger in her nostrils, and then at some point, the intellectual scent of pepper and ambergris seemed to envelop her whole body like heavy silk. The scent grew stronger as Franz knelt down on one knee at Judith’s feet. The wicks of several candles by the window began to burn out.
The moment she heard that sound, Judith stared blankly at Franz’s face, shadowed by light. She felt as if she was lost in a wild imagination, wishing he could tie her up so tightly that she couldn’t move, cover her, and make a mess of her to his heart’s content. She couldn’t tell if it was because of the strange scent Franz gave off, or because of the intense gaze that made it hard to look away.
Franz, who had been silently looking up at Judith, placed his fingertips on her knee. The hand that had been gently caressing her calf, which extended under the slightly flared hem of her robe, touched her small heel. Judith made a face that seemed to be smiling and slightly pulled back the foot that was caught in his fingertips.
“Your Highness, what are you doing?”
“I think you must have been tired all day today.”
Franz took one of Judith's feet and placed it on his thigh. Judith's lips parted slightly as his strong thumb pressed firmly against the hollow center of the sole.
“Aren’t you sick?”
“A little... but it’s bearable.”
As Franz's hand caressed her foot, the tense and stiff atmosphere seemed to relax. The two talked about the interesting things they had seen at the reception.
As he told stories of how the old Count had come to drink strong wine and offer his congratulations countless times, and how a noble lady who had been on friendly terms with the Duke of Vergy had sent him an absurdly large picture frame as a gift, her stiff body gradually relaxed.
Judith lowered her gaze, letting herself be drowsy all over her body. Warm blood flowed from the tips of her feet. She had her head slightly lowered as he kneaded her feet, and a few strands of her bangs fell over Franz’s forehead.
As Judith stared at him, many thoughts came to mind. It may have been because of the warm body temperature transmitted from his fingertips and the slightly dry contact.
She vividly remembered how and where those long, slender fingers had caressed her body. At the same time, she vividly remembered how those lips, incomparably soft compared to her fingertips, had passed through her body, deeply and secretly.
"Do you like me that much?"
"I like it so much... sometimes it’s painful."
She once had that conversation on the bed. He was right. When she was dealing with the boiling affection, the love that piled up and overflowed, there were times when she even felt a slight pain. It was as if a flood had occurred inside her body, and she was drowning in the water that rose from the deep bottom. At times like that, she wanted to sit down and cry like a child who had let go of her mother's hand.
Judith's hand touched Franz's cheek. The sight of him meeting her gaze was breathtakingly beautiful. All sorts of sensual fantasies seemed to sparkle in full color.
Judith felt sad and pitiful as if she was watching something flowing away and uncatchable. She didn’t know how to express her feelings in words. She thought that the vague, vague, and formless anxiety that she might trip and fall at any moment would eventually disappear as she loved him.
“My feet don’t hurt anymore, My Lord.”
Judith gently stroked Franz's eyes. Franz closed his eyes obediently, turned his head, and kissed her palm.
“So now...”
Judith's words trailed off at the faint ticklishness that suddenly came to her. Franz, who had wrapped both of his hands around her feet, touched her protruding toes with his lips.
“...”
His leisurely golden gaze glanced at Judith's expression. Her flushed cheeks and her closed, silent lips certainly satisfied him somewhat.
His long fingers ran over Judith's calf. His lips moved slowly upwards, following the movement. He pressed the shallow instep and reached the ankle, which was thin enough to be held with one hand. Judith's breathing began to get faster.
“What were you trying to say?”
"...Yes?"
“Just a little while ago. So now... I was wondering what you were going to say next.”
The fingers that had been groping over her round, small knees lightly lifted the hem of her robe. Franz’s hands, moving as if they were playing an instrument, almost brushing her thighs, felt hot as if they had a fever. Judith felt her feet slowly shrinking as they stepped on the carpet. The tingling sensations knocked on every part of her body.
“Now... come up here.”
Her voice was quiet and thin as if she was revealing a secret. Franz’s lips moved slightly. Before he could even examine her face to see what expression it was, Judith’s body was pushed down onto the bed. Judith’s chest rose slightly as his hands dug into the loose hem of her robe.
The sailors had a comfortable night.
“Your Highness, these are reports from various regions.”
When Duke Vergy, who had put down a stack of documents, spoke, Franz nodded, rubbing his sore neck. He could see flocks of birds flying in the distant sky outside the window where he sat with his back to them.
King Jedercayer had been suffering from severe body aches and had not been seen for several days, perhaps due to overexertion at a banquet that lasted only a day. Franz was mostly in charge of state affairs.
“Shall I read it to you?”
“I can do it.”
“You’ve been reading all morning. Get some rest.”
As a regent and as a Crown Prince, his abilities were excellent, but the Duke of Vergy still felt restless and worried like a child left on the waterside. Because of this, Duke Vergy, who had previously been busy assisting the King, now lived almost in the palace. He only went to the ducal residence once every three days, and even then he returned to the palace right away.
“I’m fine, so you should go back to the mansion and rest. I’m sure my aunt is very worried.”
“Now it is like that. Before, she didn’t even know if I was there or not.”
Franz couldn't help but laugh at the Duke's teasing. He knew that the Duchess, who was delicate and loved her family so much, would never do something like that.
“Uncle.”
Franz, who was counting the sealed documents one by one, called the Duke.
“I think the report is missing one thing.”
“Oh, yes... That’s right.”
“Where is it?”
The Duke looked embarrassed for a moment but answered immediately.
“There has been no report yet from His Highness the Grand Duke’s domain.”
Franz did not show any embarrassment or indignation because he had expected this to happen.
“A newly appointed Count is expected to report more frequently than others during his first year in charge of the territory. Duke Laetian volunteered to be his assistant and went down with him, but did he not inform him of such basic duties? Or did he know about them and ignore them?”
“...”
“Which one do you think it is, uncle?”
As Judith walked, leaning against Cheran and feeling the night breeze, the alcohol that had been building up inside her slowly subsided and she saw lights twinkling in the distance. They were the lights coming from the windows of the Argent Palace.
“It’s strange... I lived here until recently, but it feels like it’s been a long time since I last saw it.”
Judith stood at the entrance to the palace and looked up at the windows, flooded with light, with a new sense of wonder. The stone windows that jutted outward were adorned with rich floral decorations like the hems of a puffed skirt, and the arches leading into the palace were hung with dried ash blossoms, purple crystals, and long ribbons of crisscrossed white and red threads.
“Look, Your Highness. It looks like the children of Nation Palace have done this.”
Cheraan said. It was a custom in the private sector to hang things with good meanings in front of the bridal chamber to celebrate the new couple’s future when holding a wedding. Judith touched the rustling ash tree flowers and went through the arch into the palace.
Although it was an empty place that had not been visited for a long time, the interior was filled with warmth. Countless candles were brought in and carefully lit everywhere, and warm curtains were hung on the windows to keep out the outside wind.
Cheraan took Judith to the previously decorated bridal chamber. It was a room decorated with a cozy atmosphere, different from when she had been staying at the Argent Palace. Judith burst into laughter at the sight of the bed covered with a translucent canopy and the two flowers placed on it.
“I didn’t know you would prepare this hard.”
“Everyone was so motivated. Normally, the two of you should have gone on a trip, but you couldn’t, so they hung around here all day, saying they had to decorate the bridal chamber to make it look like a new place.”
Judith, who had been slowly touching the unfamiliar decorations and the warm-feeling tapestries, was soon washed by Cheraan. Judith, who found it strange that there were no people in the delicately decorated room, asked why and was told that the room had been left empty on purpose for Franz and her.
“But you don’t have to worry. When His comes comes, Captain Bibiyu will be guarding the palace.”
Judith just soaked in warm water, but her skin still smelled pleasant thanks to the perfume she had taken yesterday. In fact, it seemed to have become a little more gentle and sweeter as time passed.
After bathing, Judith, wearing a robe that reached down to her knees, looked at the back of Franz, who was standing with his back to her.
“Then I will go now.”
In an atmosphere where shyness and excitement were mixed together and became awkward, Cheraan made a face that seemed like she was dying of amusement and slowly stepped away. The candle flickered slightly as the door closed. Judith coughed and walked towards the bed, sitting on the soft edge. Franz’s eyes slowly followed her.
Suddenly Judith noticed that Franz had a scent she had never smelled before. The fresh scent of cardamom and iris seemed to linger in her nostrils, and then at some point, the intellectual scent of pepper and ambergris seemed to envelop her whole body like heavy silk. The scent grew stronger as Franz knelt down on one knee at Judith’s feet. The wicks of several candles by the window began to burn out.
The moment she heard that sound, Judith stared blankly at Franz’s face, shadowed by light. She felt as if she was lost in a wild imagination, wishing he could tie her up so tightly that she couldn’t move, cover her, and make a mess of her to his heart’s content. She couldn’t tell if it was because of the strange scent Franz gave off, or because of the intense gaze that made it hard to look away.
Franz, who had been silently looking up at Judith, placed his fingertips on her knee. The hand that had been gently caressing her calf, which extended under the slightly flared hem of her robe, touched her small heel. Judith made a face that seemed to be smiling and slightly pulled back the foot that was caught in his fingertips.
“Your Highness, what are you doing?”
“I think you must have been tired all day today.”
Franz took one of Judith's feet and placed it on his thigh. Judith's lips parted slightly as his strong thumb pressed firmly against the hollow center of the sole.
“Aren’t you sick?”
“A little... but it’s bearable.”
As Franz's hand caressed her foot, the tense and stiff atmosphere seemed to relax. The two talked about the interesting things they had seen at the reception.
As he told stories of how the old Count had come to drink strong wine and offer his congratulations countless times, and how a noble lady who had been on friendly terms with the Duke of Vergy had sent him an absurdly large picture frame as a gift, her stiff body gradually relaxed.
Judith lowered her gaze, letting herself be drowsy all over her body. Warm blood flowed from the tips of her feet. She had her head slightly lowered as he kneaded her feet, and a few strands of her bangs fell over Franz’s forehead.
As Judith stared at him, many thoughts came to mind. It may have been because of the warm body temperature transmitted from his fingertips and the slightly dry contact.
She vividly remembered how and where those long, slender fingers had caressed her body. At the same time, she vividly remembered how those lips, incomparably soft compared to her fingertips, had passed through her body, deeply and secretly.
"Do you like me that much?"
"I like it so much... sometimes it’s painful."
She once had that conversation on the bed. He was right. When she was dealing with the boiling affection, the love that piled up and overflowed, there were times when she even felt a slight pain. It was as if a flood had occurred inside her body, and she was drowning in the water that rose from the deep bottom. At times like that, she wanted to sit down and cry like a child who had let go of her mother's hand.
Judith's hand touched Franz's cheek. The sight of him meeting her gaze was breathtakingly beautiful. All sorts of sensual fantasies seemed to sparkle in full color.
Judith felt sad and pitiful as if she was watching something flowing away and uncatchable. She didn’t know how to express her feelings in words. She thought that the vague, vague, and formless anxiety that she might trip and fall at any moment would eventually disappear as she loved him.
“My feet don’t hurt anymore, My Lord.”
Judith gently stroked Franz's eyes. Franz closed his eyes obediently, turned his head, and kissed her palm.
“So now...”
Judith's words trailed off at the faint ticklishness that suddenly came to her. Franz, who had wrapped both of his hands around her feet, touched her protruding toes with his lips.
“...”
His leisurely golden gaze glanced at Judith's expression. Her flushed cheeks and her closed, silent lips certainly satisfied him somewhat.
His long fingers ran over Judith's calf. His lips moved slowly upwards, following the movement. He pressed the shallow instep and reached the ankle, which was thin enough to be held with one hand. Judith's breathing began to get faster.
“What were you trying to say?”
"...Yes?"
“Just a little while ago. So now... I was wondering what you were going to say next.”
The fingers that had been groping over her round, small knees lightly lifted the hem of her robe. Franz’s hands, moving as if they were playing an instrument, almost brushing her thighs, felt hot as if they had a fever. Judith felt her feet slowly shrinking as they stepped on the carpet. The tingling sensations knocked on every part of her body.
“Now... come up here.”
Her voice was quiet and thin as if she was revealing a secret. Franz’s lips moved slightly. Before he could even examine her face to see what expression it was, Judith’s body was pushed down onto the bed. Judith’s chest rose slightly as his hands dug into the loose hem of her robe.
The sailors had a comfortable night.
***
“Your Highness, these are reports from various regions.”
When Duke Vergy, who had put down a stack of documents, spoke, Franz nodded, rubbing his sore neck. He could see flocks of birds flying in the distant sky outside the window where he sat with his back to them.
King Jedercayer had been suffering from severe body aches and had not been seen for several days, perhaps due to overexertion at a banquet that lasted only a day. Franz was mostly in charge of state affairs.
“Shall I read it to you?”
“I can do it.”
“You’ve been reading all morning. Get some rest.”
As a regent and as a Crown Prince, his abilities were excellent, but the Duke of Vergy still felt restless and worried like a child left on the waterside. Because of this, Duke Vergy, who had previously been busy assisting the King, now lived almost in the palace. He only went to the ducal residence once every three days, and even then he returned to the palace right away.
“I’m fine, so you should go back to the mansion and rest. I’m sure my aunt is very worried.”
“Now it is like that. Before, she didn’t even know if I was there or not.”
Franz couldn't help but laugh at the Duke's teasing. He knew that the Duchess, who was delicate and loved her family so much, would never do something like that.
“Uncle.”
Franz, who was counting the sealed documents one by one, called the Duke.
“I think the report is missing one thing.”
“Oh, yes... That’s right.”
“Where is it?”
The Duke looked embarrassed for a moment but answered immediately.
“There has been no report yet from His Highness the Grand Duke’s domain.”
Franz did not show any embarrassment or indignation because he had expected this to happen.
“A newly appointed Count is expected to report more frequently than others during his first year in charge of the territory. Duke Laetian volunteered to be his assistant and went down with him, but did he not inform him of such basic duties? Or did he know about them and ignore them?”
“...”
“Which one do you think it is, uncle?”
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