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Poliana looked around and asked the musicians who were hiding around the gazebo. They have been waiting for a long time on standby. These musicians were supposed to start playing when the emperor began to dance with Poliana, but it seemed that things weren’t going according to his plan. The musicians all replied with a nod.

“See? Your highness, the things you did and said tonight were very misleading. It is no wonder I misunderstood you.”

“But I am innocent! Did you really think I would force myself on you like that? Outside?!”

Lucius the First staggered a little in shock. He ordered all the musicians to leave and leaned against a stone chair. Poliana, who argued heatedly because she felt too embarrassed, now regretted her words.

‘I think he is upset at me now…’

Because she worked as the emperor’s personal guard for many years, she knew that if she didn’t console him now, Lucius the First was most likely going to pout for days. The best way to make him feel better was to compliment him.

“Y-your highness. I can’t believe you prepared the musicians. How romantic. I am very impressed and flattered.”

“…”

Of course, these musicians ended up being dismissed without playing a single song. Poliana began to sweat nervously. She looked around and continued hurriedly, “And this place! What a beautiful and romantic location. The calm sound of the bugs and this gorgeous gazebo… This is a perfect place to dance indeed, your highness.”

“…”

“And the moon and the stars are so bright tonight. So how about it, your highness? Would you allow me this dance?”

Poliana bowed politely while holding her dress up like a lady. Lucius the First finally turned towards her. After a sigh, he took her hand and they walked to the center of the gazebo.

There weren’t any musicians, which meant there was no music. However, Lucius the First and Poliana didn’t feel awkward. The emperor gently wrapped her waist with one hand and guided her into a smooth dance. Their legs moved like they were meant to dance together.

The sun was almost completely set now, leaving only a slight bit of redness in the sky. The bugs continued to cry because it was a mating season. After a long silence, the emperor finally said to her, “I realize that you and I are both adults and we even slept with each other once already… But…”

“Yes, your highness.”

“But I am currently courting you right now. Unless you give me permission, I would never make unwanted physical contact. Even if you allow me, if I feel that it is not appropriate, I wouldn’t do it.”

This was very true. Ever since Poliana returned to Yapa, Lucius the First never made any unnecessary physical contact with her. All he did was look at her adoringly and ask her politely if he could kiss the back of her hand. He also waited patiently until she was ready to hold his hand.

The emperor continued, “They say men should be greedy while women should be patient. I am, however, proving my love for you by being patient so that you would become greedy for me, Sir Pol.”

While they chatted, their first dance ended, but Lucius the First could not let Poliana’s hand go. Just as he said, once he began to dance with her, he could not stop.

This time, it was the emperor who bowed to her and asked her to dance. Poliana bowed back and took his hand. Lucius the First chose an excellent location to dance. The moon, now high up in the sky shone directly on the gazebo.

Poliana’s dance moves were textbook and rigid but Lucius the First led her smoothly and elegantly. While they danced together, their breathing and heartbeat matched perfectly. Poliana could not stop looking at the emperor. It was the same for Lucius the First. The emperor made sure not to touch Poliana more than was necessary, which oddly disappointed her.

Just how many dances were they going to dance? It was Poliana who first fell onto fatigue. She didn’t get a good sleep last night and she didn’t eat much at dinner earlier. Lucius the First encouraged her, “Sir Pol! We can dance more! You can do this.”

“I am feeling too nauseous, your highness. I can’t.”

She was beginning to feel dizzy as well. Poliana surrendered and Lucius the First quickly got her a warm blanket he prepared as she sat down on a chair.

“I’m okay, your highness. I don’t need the blanket.”

“It’s pretty chilly at night nowadays. You just gave birth recently, so it is important to keep yourself warm at all times.”

Lucius the First looked up at the sky longingly and continued, “My mother died when I was very young because she didn’t take good care of herself after giving birth to me. She got a very bad cold and didn’t make it. So please, Sir Pol, I am begging you. Please take care of yourself.”

The emperor did not bring up his dead mother spontaneously. This was a topic he prepared in advance. He also looked up at the sky at an angle that allowed the moonlight to shine on his face and hair.

Lucius the First wanted Poliana to realize what a sensitive man he was. He may have been the emperor of the kingdom, but deep inside, there was a great sadness of losing his mother very young. He might have been a perfect man, but he was also someone who needed a woman’s warmth and sympathy.

This was what Lucius the First learned from his friend Sir Ainno. He didn’t care if Poliana pitied him. What the emperor wanted was any kind of strong emotion from her. Lucius the First wanted Poliana to show interest in him. He wanted her to love him.

He wondered secretly, ‘Do I look handsome now? Does Pol think I look good? Or does she think I look pitiful?’

“Your highness…”

The emperor looked so lonely and suddenly, Poliana felt a strong urge to lessen his sadness. She wanted to be the one who healed the emperor’s pain. She wanted him to know that he wasn’t alone.

Only

Poliana wanted Lucius the First to know that she could provide him the warmth he craved so much.

Her heart began to beat very fast as she looked at the emperor. Could this be love? It had to be, right? Then should she say it out loud? Should she tell him? Poliana knew he would be thrilled to hear it.

But was it really okay to tell him?

Poliana stood up from the chair to stand next to the emperor. But as she stood up, she accidentally stepped on the blanket. Luckily, Poliana had excellent reflexes, which meant she would’ve staggered a little before straightening up. However, Lucius the First’s overreaction made things worse.

The emperor was busy wondering what Poliana was thinking when he spotted her stumble. Lucius the First grabbed Poliana’s wrist and pulled her towards him. Unfortunately, this made her lose her balance even more. The emperor turned his body to embrace her and they ended up bumping into the nearby column.

By the time Poliana opened her eyes, she found herself trapped between the emperor and the column.

“Are you alright?” Lucius the First whispered.