Chapter 65

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 65

Chapter Title: His Kiss and Her Soul (9)

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"The aroma is nice, isn't it? Down below, there's a vast plain where they grow grapes, and this wine is made from those. The wine from that brewery is the finest on the continent."

"It really is. This is the first wine I've had with such a rich fragrance."

Roxiana decided to set aside her worries for the moment and focus on the banquet. She had come to win people's hearts, and she couldn't afford to miss this chance by getting lost in other thoughts.

Her initial fears of awkwardness proved unfounded as everyone chatted with her, leaving no room for boredom. Even Arsen approached her with a comment: "The wolf has grown, I see."

For the first time in ages, Roxiana forgot the darkness surrounding her and simply enjoyed the moment.

But one thing nagged at her—Floyd's demeanor. The man who was usually the most talkative was silently watching her without a word.

'Why is he staring like that?'

Perhaps he had seen through her intentions.

Originally, Roxiana had planned to chat up the knight captains and ask to join the subjugation force. She intended to persuade them that her power to revive the forest would be of some help, even if just a little.

But his persistent gaze made it impossible to broach the subject. She feared he might snap at her, just as he always did. Besides, he looked unusually displeased right now.

Before Roxiana could find an opening to mention the subjugation, night had deepened. As the hour grew quite late, Floyd abruptly stood.

"We leave tomorrow, so drink in moderation and head back. Anyone hungover and groaning gets left behind."

"Yes, sir!"

The knights roared their response. Floyd turned to Roxiana.

"Princess, walk with me. Shan, you come too."

"Me too."

Hexston shot to his feet, but Floyd fixed him with a steady glare. Hexston shrugged.

"As you know, I swore my knight's oath to the princess, and I'm staying in Torkan to protect her this time. So whatever you discuss, it might be best if I—"

"Do what you want."

Floyd cut off Hexston's rambling with a curt dismissal. Hexston grinned and gave Roxiana a light nod. The sight eased her a bit.

Having the knight captain tag along despite her lord's foul mood was a relief for Roxiana.

Floyd and Roxiana walked side by side, with Kirshan and Hexston following a short distance behind. Floyd remained silent the entire way from the training grounds, across the expansive garden.

Eventually, they reached a bench by the pond in the lily palace garden, where Floyd and Roxiana sat side by side. Kirshan and Hexston stood, one on each side.

Even after sitting, Roxiana stole a glance at the still-silent Floyd. His gray eyes were fixed on the pond, lost in deep thought.

She felt uneasy, unable to read the emotions in those serene eyes beneath his russet hair.

"The Grand Temple has sent forces to Kanta."

Floyd started abruptly. His gaze stayed on the pond.

"Magical beasts pour out from the new rift constantly. Even holy knights will struggle to handle large numbers. The temple will play it safe until their holy knights return from Kanta."

"That buys us a few months, then."

"Yes. Rumors of the mysterious woman who revived the forest will reach the Grand Temple soon. But since the source is Torkan, they won't act rashly. They'll wait until enough forces return to confront me."

"Once Kanta's matter is settled and the holy knights have rested, they'll send an investigation team straight to Torkan."

"Of course, that team won't reach Torkan. We'll find a way."

She had expected to have to beg. To plead for protection from the temple in exchange for doing this much.

She never imagined he'd so readily promise to protect her.

Unsure how to respond to his inexplicable consideration, she whispered,

"I'm sorry... for dragging you into this."

"No, let's not apologize. You restored homes for my people, and in return, I'll protect you. Nothing to be sorry for."

She looked at him as he spoke firmly. He still stared at the pond, his expression displeased.

'Why is he so angry? Is it because this might spark a war he doesn't need?'

Floyd felt her anxious gaze but couldn't turn to her. One look into those innocent eyes, and he might lose control of his surging rage, charging off to Gania right then.

This was mortifying. Why wouldn't this anger subside? It wouldn't change anything. It was all in the past, things he couldn't fix now. He needed to focus on what lay ahead.

Why?

—"They killed our families! Threw them down wells! So we couldn't even smell the Adelia flowers! They sealed them in the wells!"

Roxiana's anguished face and despairing voice clung to him, refusing to fade. Even after time had passed, that desperate cry gnawed relentlessly at his heart.

He could usually quench his anger with a cool beer, so why couldn't he even stomach one now?

Suppressing his rising fury, Floyd said,

"Kirshan will come on the subjugation to treat the wounded. But he'll research ways to cleanly remove the brand the whole journey. The moment we return, we'll erase that damned thing. Right, Kirshan?"

"Yes, my lord. I've already considered several methods."

"After that, we'll give you a new identity. Changing your name and family name might even protect you from your enemies. So think about your new identity while I'm gone."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Floyd roughly rubbed his face with both hands.

"Two months. I'll wrap it up and return in exactly two. No matter what. Torkan should be fine for two months, but if anything happens, Hexston will handle it. So don't try solving things yourself—rely on him. The guy's always going on about his knight's oath, so he'll guard you with his life."

Hexston thumped his left chest with his fist in agreement. Floyd waved them off, and Hexston and Kirshan stepped away. Once they were far enough, Floyd spoke.

"As I said earlier, we'll find a way to recover the Franche royal remains upon our return."

"It'll be difficult and dangerous."

"I know."

"Will the knights agree? It could bring great danger to all of Torkan, and so easily..."

"It wasn't easy, Princess. This is enough. You've done plenty, and I've thought it through. So please, stop doing things that make me anxious. No more risking your life. Do you understand?"

He truly looked anxious, but Roxiana couldn't fathom why he was so worried.

She wasn't his anything, nor was he hers—yet why did he act as if something existed between them?

Roxiana gazed at his profile, which still seemed angry. Only then did he finally turn to her. As their eyes met in the air, she realized he wasn't angry—he was afraid.

Starlight shimmered and trembled in his gray eyes. Some emotion dwelled there, familiar yet unnamed.

Roxiana wondered if something similar flickered in her own eyes.

He stared at her with deep, devouring eyes and said,

"I'm going to kiss you."

"Pardon?"

"You still look like you'll scatter away."

She couldn't dodge his approaching face. No—she didn't. For some reason, she didn't want to.

His large hand gently cradled the back of her head, and his warm lips overlapped hers. His sweet scent slipped between her naturally parting lips. A hot, thick haze rose from him, sweetly mingling and enveloping her entire body.

Roxiana felt like crying for no reason.

Not because it was unpleasant, but for some other cause. Because of this emotion about to burst from her heart.

Before she could name it, his lips parted. Seeing her reddened eyes, he slightly furrowed his brow. His thumb gently brushed her teary eyes.

"You'll hate it."

For some reason, her throat tightened, preventing denial. His thumb, having wiped her tears, now rubbed her lips.

"But whenever you look like you're about to shatter, I'll do this. It seems to make you a bit sturdier."

It wasn't even seductive content, yet his voice sounded like a torturously sweet temptation. His low tone clung to her ears like sticky honey.

"So please, Princess, no more reckless acts. I'll think you're doing it just to make me want to kiss you."

"Your Highness..."

Thinking her trembling voice didn't sound like her own, Roxiana asked,