Angela saw the cigarette in his hand. “Oh, I thought you didn’t smoke.”
“Not much,” Hansberg smiled, extinguishing the cigarette.
The hall lights cast over Hansberg’s face, highlighting his distinct and handsome features. Such a melancholic man—how many hearts must he have broken? Yet tonight, he still looked lost, as if he had unintentionally lost something important.
Angela sighed, “Would you like to join us for a drink?”
Hansberg smiled gratefully, “No, thank you. I should be going. I have some official business to handle.”
“Alright then,” Angela said. “Have a good evening.”
Watching Hansberg walk away, Kains asked, “What was he thinking?”
“How should I put it?”
“Angela thought, ‘Probably just meeting the wrong person at the wrong time.'”
Kains sighed, “No matter what, it’ll pass, right?”
“Yes, it will pass.”
No matter how sad, the planet still rotates, and dawn arrives. Last night’s nightingale is gone, leaving only a lingering melody in dreams.
Servants prepared breakfast while maids cleaned the palace, tidying the remnants of the ball. Withered flowers were replaced with fresh bouquets.
Sunlight spread across the exquisite carpet, a cool breeze bringing morning flower fragrance from outside.
Albert awoke to birdsong, took a deep breath, turned, and kissed Wilhelm’s bare shoulder.
Meanwhile, in a bedroom of the small Louvre, Angela and Kains sat wrapped in blankets, awkwardly staring at each other.
Chapter 68
Compared to the queen and her husband’s warmth, this pair was more awkward. After sobering up, last night’s madness felt like a dream, but the messy bed proved otherwise.
To cover his awkwardness, Kains whistled involuntarily.
“Shut up, Kains!” Angela said fiercely.
Kains obediently fell silent.
“Now,” Angela commanded, “Close your eyes and turn around so I can get dressed.”
Kains wanted to protest but complied, grumbling internally. They’d done everything last night, and now he couldn’t even look.
Angela dressed quickly and tidied her hair.
“Okay,” she ordered, “I’m leaving now. You should wait half an hour before leaving to avoid being seen. Last night was just… just one night. We’ll act like nothing happened and never speak of it again. Understood?”
Kains, looking incredulous, asked, “That’s it?”
“What did you expect?” Angela replied, raising her chin, “Should I reward you with candy for your performance last night?”
