“Ashite.”

“…Yes.”

Ashite tried with all her might to appear calm. She swallowed hard.

“Do you perhaps have…” Lu Havre asked in a relaxed tone even though he was nervous on the inside. He smiled playfully as if it was a joke. He didn’t prepare anything for this particular moment but he wanted to ask nonetheless. It felt a bit childish, but it was not just a spontaneous whim. He didn’t lose sleep like a child, anticipating that she would give him a gift, but he couldn’t say he was hoping to get one, even though he had received the most important thing from her already.

It was not just one thing he wanted from her. He was just suppressing it deep within himself. Until she could come to him first, until she could tell him everything, he resolved to wait and wait some more. He was afraid that his raging desire and greed to have her may scare her away.

Although he knew this, Lu Havre couldn’t help but expect a present from Ashite more than from anyone else. Even though he had spent the time just before now opening carefully considered presents from the nobilities of other nations, he, truthfully, found no interest in the sparkling gems, historical artifacts, luxurious sculptures, or anything else that had been presented to him thus far. The reason was obvious.

But now, Lu Havre’s face was full of anticipation. Ashite failed in her attempt to look nonchalant. She was slightly taken aback. To be more exact, she became even more nervous. And so, she didn’t even wait until he finished talking.

“Oh, I apologize, You Highness. I have nothing worthy to give to you, and after much thought, I wasn’t able to prepare anything.”

It was a lie. The truth was she didn’t want her gift to look pathetic amongst the luxurious items she had seen him receive before. It was not her original plan to pretend she didn’t have a present and then surprise him with the gift later. She was afraid that he would not smile for her, afraid he might compare her gift to those the others gave him.

This had never happened before. Ashite clicked her tongue to herself. There wasn’t even time to reprimand herself.

“…Is that so?”

He was disappointed. Lu Havre accepted that feeling. Disappointment. He was not going to be able to fall asleep easy tonight, but he shouldn’t be more greedy. He convinced himself of this, but he was not able to completely hide his emotions. His deep disappointment showed clearly on his face.

Upon seeing that, Ashite bit her lips. When her expression looked a bit hazy, Lu Havre spoke calmly.

“Of course, that’s alright. Ashite.”

It sounded like he was telling her that there was no need to apologize. He smiled gently like one would do to soothe a child.

“Oh, no, Your Highness. I…”

At his kindness, Ashite interrupted him, but not knowing what else to say, she again closed her mouth and bit her lips.

Lu Havre tilted his head to one side. His hair looked black, dyed by the night sky.

“Really, it’s alright. Ashite.”

“Your highness. I-I wasn’t sure… what I could give you, so I….” Again, she didn’t know how else to continue. Ashite lowered her head. Actually, it drooped rather suddenly.

A few of the petals in her hair fell as the wind swept through them. Her long flowing hair covered her neck and shoulders. The pink-tinted purple hair, her round forehead, her lips that he was able to catch of glimpse of time to time. Lu Havre stared at it and slowly opened his mouth.

“Ashite.”

“Yes.” It was a small voice. But Lu Havre heard it.

“Then, could I tell you what I want to receive?”

“Yes. Please let me know.”

He couldn’t help but smile reflexively. Lu Havre, as if reveling in it, rolled his tongue inside his mouth. But this was not a spontaneous whim. It was a desire deep within him that he had wanted for a long time. Even though he knew he shouldn’t expect more, Lu Havre decided that he should express the feelings bubbling inside of him. This much was okay. Wasn’t it okay to borrow this moment as an opportunity?

“Lu Havre.”

“Excuse me?”

Ashite turned her head quickly. The gentle eyes were glowing red. He repeated it again with his irresistible voice.

“Call me by that name, Ashite.”

His hair flowed down from his slightly tilted head, his voice was heavy and seductive, and his eyes were sharp and mysterious. The dark and predator-like man seemed to shine in the ever-darkening night.

Feeling a bit dazed as if asleep, Ashite thought to herself. <>

Ashite calmly opened her mouth to speak.

“Yes.”

Lu Havre smiled widely. She had not said it out loud, but the meaning was certain.

“I will do that. Your Highness.”

“Lu Havre.”

He explained to her calmly. Ashite grasped the ends of her dress tightly. It was a reflexive action. But no words came out.

Lu Havre waited. Relaxed and calm. It didn’t matter anymore whether the reason for it was the truth or an act. What was important to him now was what awaited after all the waiting. Moving forward from the wait, he quietly called the woman’s name.

“Ashite.”

Every time he called out her name, his tongue rejoiced. The sound was bright and soft like a light. Like the name, its owner, too, was sweet. Her lips twitched slightly, and her hands clenched and opened repetitively. Every time the wind tickled her cheeks, her hair would flutter and send the scent of flowers into the air. Every time the sweet scent wafted up, Lu Havre had use a lot of effort to calm his breathing.

Pale yellow and white light fell down from under the dark sky. The golden crown, purple hair, the smooth bridge of his nose, the sharp chin, his wide shoulders, and the red cloak was dyed with the rays of the stars. He was leaning relaxedly against the balustrade when he opened his mouth to speak.

“Ashite.”

Ashite slightly lowered her eyes. He felt that his secret affection for her had been found out. He thought to himself that the gentle rustling of her purple hair looked soft to the touch. What would it be like to touch it? He felt a bit embarrassed but he admitted his desire.

There were feelings that rang so clearly in her heart. Ashite lightly swallowed her smile. She had no choice. That person’s smile made her do it. That voice was the problem. The tingling from the top of his head to the ends of his feet was intense. When he had first met her, he had no interest or attraction to her, but how could she become so alluring all of a sudden?

She was alluring. He had never thought that about a person before. But it was a good description of how he felt. If he was unable to control his urges, he thought he would easily get swept away in no time. Truthfully, even his attempts at remaining calm were failing miserably. Electricity kept shooting through him. He felt like a child floating about in a dream. Was this a man’s instinct?

“Ashite?”

He called her three times. Only then did Ashite look at him directly. Lu Havre was smiling faintly.

“You can do it later.”

<> Ashite clenched her teeth. It was childish. She felt bad for disappointing him with the lie that she had not prepared a gift because of her own feeling of inadequacy. It made all her nights of thinking of the perfect gift seem like nothing. It disappointed her that she had forced him to pick something he wanted. But even now when it was no longer difficult, she was still making him wait. She’d never felt this way before, but still. <>

“Ashite.”

<> That’s how she heard it.

Ashite’s lashes fluttered lightly. How curious. It felt like he could read her mixed-up feelings and soothe her tumultuous emotions. The short time in which he called her name seemed to be passing by slowly. He really was a curious person.

Lu Havre approached Ashite. He patted her shoulder gently. She wasn’t sure if it was disappointment or a way to comfort her, but his touch felt warm. Ashite swallowed hard.

The woman’s shoulders were a bit cold. Lu Havre instinctively wrapped his arms around them. Her delicate skin was cold. Lu Havre frowned a little. He walked toward the red curtains. Light was filtering through the curtains. He was planning to go inside.

<> Ashite hurriedly took a step forward toward him.

“Your Highness.”

She spoke fast. Lu Havre turned immediately around.

“Hmm?”

The voice that fell over the round forehead tickled his ear. Even the simplest of responses sounded seductive. Had he always been this kind of man, or was it because it was just the two of them here in this quiet night? Or was it because of the continuously wafting bittersweet scent?

“Never mind.”

Of course, it didn’t matter what the reason was.

“What is it?”

A faint smile crept up onto her face. Each drop fell upon the woman’s forehead, cheeks, and into her heart.

“I’m going to do it now.”

Knocking, and knocking again, the door finally opened to let him in and the woman’s heart slowly filled up with him. And so Ashite no longer hesitated.

“Will you do that for me?”

He spoke with that affectionate voice of his again.

“Yes.”

Ashite couldn’t help laughing. Her glittering golden eyes stared straight into Lu Havre’s eyes. The glowing red eyes took in the image of the woman. His view was filled with her. Ashite slightly wrapped her hands around Lu Havre’s wrist. Now all she had to do was open her mouth.

But she was unable to stop herself from thinking this. It would have been better to have written the letter earlier. Ashite let out a small sigh then closed her eyes. But it was already in the past, and regret was fleeting. As if the cool wind was precious, she inhaled it deeply. Then she opened her eyes. She removed her red lips.

“…Lu…vre…”

Lu Havre opened his mouth again. But his words came out slowly.

“Again.”

His voice was heavy. A bit low. The greed she had suppressed over and over again came out.

“Lu…vre.”

Lu Havre had already lowered his upper body toward her.

“Again.”

Ashite closed her eyes. A voice that sounded as if it would be swept away by the night wind flowed out.

“…Lu Havre…”

But he heard her. He was listening.

“…Ha…”

He kissed her. He became drunk off the scent that clouded his mind. He swallowed the delicate and soft voice, he tasted the reddening lips.

“One more time.”

Lu Havre whispered to her. He placed his forehead on hers after the deep kiss. She could feel his warmth.

“…vre.”

Lu Havre kissed her again. He embraced her shoulders and continuously swept his fingers through her flower petal scented hair. “Ashite, one more time,” Lu Havre whispered quietly.

“Lu Havre.” Ashite held tightly onto his wrist and called out his name just as warmly.

His red eyes curved beautifully. Lu Havre was smiling. It was a smile in which the darkness could not cover. The sensitive emotions were now clear. Laughter kept flowing out of her and it knocked at the other’s door. “Ashite, one more time.” Ashite rolled her tongue and breathed out.

“Lu Havre.”

“Ashite.”

Again, he called the name that was like a light. The man’s lips came down upon the woman’s lips. His low voice, his touch which patted her frail shoulders, the gentle kiss warmed her entirely. She felt electricity flow through her from the top of her head to the ends of her feet. The sound of her pounding heart rippled through the room. The wafting scent hit her repeatedly, seducing her. Ashite closed her eyes.