/
Helios knew that he was asking something that would be burdensome on Sera’s part, and so the way he phrased the question was extremely careful. But, still as ever, the gentle smile on his lips was never forced.
“Do you mean, the time when you’ll be going to the Imperial Villa in the South?”
Sera briefly recalled the way the children excitedly jumped in place as they told her about the imperial villa.
“You already know where we’ll be going.”
“Their Highnesses told me before. They’re really looking forward to it.”
“Actually, they’re the ones who first brought up that they want to go on this trip together with you.”
“Their Highnesses?”
Sera felt both grateful and apologetic about having to leave like this. They seemed to like her more than she thought.
Still, on the other hand, she couldn’t decide right away. How could she dare impose on their family vacation? She didn’t know if that would be a wise choice.
It was going to be a vacation to the imperial villa, and it would be the last thing she would do as the twins prince and princess’ tutor. She didn’t want to fall into the futile hope brought upon by being on the receiving end of Helios’ kindness. That would be a mistake.
“What do you think? Do you need some time to think about it?”
Noticing that Sera was hesitating and could not answer easily, Helios tried to coax her with a gentle gaze.
Saying that there’s no need for her to answer now was with the intention to reduce the burden if possible.
But, at that moment.
“Se
ra
”
With her eyes still closed, the tearful voice of RosĂ© echoed softly across the room as the little girl was talking in her sleep. Naturally, Sera and Helios’ eyes turned towards the children.
Even in her dreams, it looked like Rosé was struggling with having to part ways with Sera.
The tutor’s heart sank heavier as she heard RosĂ© sniffling even as she was asleep.
“D
Don’t go
 Sera
”
Was His Highness Ferre having the same dream? Ferre was similarly weeping in his sleep as he was hugging his older sister.
The tears in RosĂ© and Ferre’s eyelashes sparkled from the soft light of the dim chandelier.
Sera watched the children with a grim expression, lost in thought for a moment. After she would end her job as a tutor for them, the relationship between them would not be the same. These three people were the imperial princess, the imperial prince, and the country’s emperor.
After they would see each other once or twice more at most, the children would steadily grow apart from her.
As His Majesty said, she and the twins would need time to prepare for their goodbyes. And, after all, it was the first time she had exclusively taught just two children over the course of a long time.
‘Yes, wouldn’t it be alright to part ways after creating a few memories first?’
Sera turned her head towards Helios. As expected, his eyes were ever so kind—to the point that, even this time, she wanted to misunderstand again.
“No, sire. I don’t need to think about it.”
She looked straight into Helios’ eyes.
‘I will also take this opportunity to organize my feelings for Your Majesty.’
“The trip
 I will go with you.”
* * *
After making the decision to go to the imperial villa, Sera’s mind became lighter.
She thought it would be nice to make a few more memories with the children while preparing for a pleasant parting of ways.
Perhaps because the burden plaguing her mind had been eased, but even the bag she was holding felt lighter in her hands.
“Let me carry that for you.”
Despite knowing about Sera’s reluctance, Helios offered and reached for Sera’s bag again.
“No, Your Majesty. You can’t keep trying to carry it like this.”
His Majesty was still as kind as he was. Sera pulled the bag away from Helios’ outstretched hand, keeping it close to her.
Seeing that she had no plans of giving the bag to him, Helios put on a strict expression, his eyes narrowing a little.
“But it’s heavy.”
“A knight will come to meet me halfway, so he’ll carry it for me instead. No need.”
“Then I’ll carry it until we leave the Star Palace’s grounds.”
“No, sire, absolutely not. What will people think? I’d seem like a completely wicked tutor who’s forcing Your Majesty to do my bidding.”
Sera spoke firmly and strode straight to the door. However, since she was holding the bag with both her hands, she couldn’t open the door at all.
Helios smiled lightly when he saw that she would have to set the bag down for a moment. With an elegant gait, he swiftly approached her and soon arrived right behind her.
“I’ll open it for you.”
His low voice rang out. Sera could feel Helios’ presence close behind that his breath had touched her nape.
And when he reached an arm towards the door, his body came so close that it felt like he was giving her a back hug.
Sera raised her head slightly and looked up at him. His magnificent silver hair and deep violet eyes were beautiful.
When their eyes met, Helios smiled—as if he noticed how she had become possessed by his beauty.
Was this man really doing this even though he’s not interested in her?
Her body wasn’t listening despite how her mind was screaming to stop. Her honest heart was pounding like crazy because she didn’t know how to hide her feelings.
And the sound of her racing heart might just be heard.
“Ah, wait a second, Miss Popo.”
He looked down at Sera’s forehead. After a pause, he brought one big hand to her cheek.
With his eyes closing halfway, he leaned down, making the distance between them only a hand span left.
They were extremely close together. Sera gulped as his face got close—no, he shouldn’t come closer.
‘What in the world are you about to do?’
Right now, with one hand gently on top of her cheek as well.
Sera really didn’t know what Helios was going to do. In a moment of panic, she squeezed her eyes shut.
“Miss Popo.”
His sweet voice, like a melody, made her heart beat wildly.