The night had barely settled.
The Duke residence, wrapped in soft silence, breathed peacefully under the dim glow of lantern light.
Inside the Empress's chamber—
Everything had finally gone still.
—
The Empress lay under the covers, her back turned slightly, trying to calm her racing thoughts.
The Emperor lay beside her, maintaining distance—just as he had promised.
No pressure.
No force.
Only presence.
—
For a while—
There was nothing.
Just quiet breathing.
—
Then—
A sudden sound broke the silence.
"Ah—!"
—
The Empress hissed softly.
—
The Emperor's eyes snapped open instantly.
He turned toward her.
"What happened?"
—
She pressed her hand to her forehead.
"…It hurts."
—
His gaze sharpened.
He leaned slightly closer.
"…Your wound."
—
Earlier—
When she had fallen into the lake—
The injury on her head had only been treated quickly.
Now—
It was reacting.
—
Her brows furrowed.
"It suddenly started hurting…"
—
Without another word—
