Cade accepted Abella’s request for an audience. It was because he knew the seriousness of the situation, and just because it was late, he did not want to leave her in unrest. Abella greeted Cade, who appeared in a gown.

Cade waved her hand as Abella bowed her head to honor the emperor.

“That’s enough. I heard what this was about.”

She didn’t think he wouldn’t know, so Abella straightened her body without embarrassment. The emperor sat first, followed by Abella. Seeing Abella’s pale face, Cade sighed.

He didn’t know who did it for what purpose, so he clenched his teeth.

Since the room she was guided to was a reception room operated privately by the emperor, Abella spoke at ease.

“I sent a priest. Maybe tomorrow evening the results will come out.”

“Could it be a contagious disease?”

“No matter what you think, it’s low. The coal mines in Amerigo were not closed due to deaths or accidents. Naturally, the mineral dried up and closed. There is no reason for it to be an epidemic.”

Besides, it was a coal mine on a high mountain.

As the emperor shifted his position, the robe flowed down. Cade leaned back in the chair in a sluggish posture and motioned his hand at the maid.

“Bring the tea you have prepared.”

There was something prepared in advance of Abella’s coming.

“That’s..!”

Abella bit her lips tightly. It was because of Cade’s unexpectedly extended hand. Cade carefully turned over Abella’s hair which had been messy.

And then he said in a sweet voice.

“You are not okay, Abella. You should drink some hot tea and calm your mind.”

“But....”

“You look anxious, Abella.”

Eventually Abella resigned and took the teacup. Cade was right. With her current anxious mind, she would not be able to do anything.

She was already not thinking about it properly. Abella soothed her prickly heart with hot tea.

‘It’s warm..’

This cup of tea may have been what she needed the most at this moment. The moderately heated tea seemed to warm even Abella.

Abella exhaled a long breath and shifted her eyes down. Now everything became clear.

Cade would have known that Abella would come.

So he must have prepared a tea to her taste. Was Cade the kind of person who cared? Cade, as Abella remembered, was an indifferent and uncaring person.

He was someone who could do anything for what he wanted.

He was promiscuous, cruel, and ....

However, he keeps showing her aspects that were different from her memories. It wasn’t just Cade. Everyone was like that.

Abella buried her face in her palm.

As her anxiety subsided, her mind became complicated.

“I don’t think this is an epidemic.”

“Then we should know who is doing this and for what.”

“Can you guess?”

Cade was silent.

Abella lifted her head at Cade’s silence, which seemed to be an answer in and of itself.

She could see Cade’s eyes darkening as he looked at her. Cade’s red eyes were fixed on Abella.

She was caught in fear for an unknown reason and her heart started pounding.

Still, Abella couldn’t take her eyes off Cade.

“....Cade.”

“Do you like him?”

“What?”

Cade smiled faintly. He knew he shouldn’t be asking questions like this, but he couldn’t control himself.

When he looked at Abella, all sorts of emotions ran through him.

“That man, you like him? Is it him this time?”

“Cade!”

“Arsene, then Enosh. Then who?”

Abella’s face turned pale again. Not knowing what to say, Abella bit her lip.

She could see Cade’s feelings for her clearly. But, after realizing it.. Abella shook her head. As if he would want her.

“No.” She denied Cade’s questions and all of his doubts.

“Really?” Cade smiled sharply.

“No means no.”

Cade wiped his face. Now the question was too messed up. He didn’t have to push Abella. Cade took a few breaths before he whispered, “Sorry. You can forget the question I asked.”

“I’d better get going..”

“No. I won’t make you feel uncomfortable again.” Cade grabbed Abella. With a pathetic smile on his face, and his earnest gestures, Abella slumped into the seat.

For some reason, his heart ached.

‘Stupid Cade.’

A familiar taste lingered in her mouth.

It was a day when he kept wondering about the secret that Abella did not know.