...

The next morning, Eve had woken up with a groan. She was embracing the pink plush toy that Chung had given her a while back, when they were working on their project. Though something seemed off. There was a part of her that felt different than normal, but she couldn't put her finger on it.

Rolling off her bed groggily, she forced herself to stand. She stretched her arms and legs, and headed to the washroom to freshen up. It may have been a bit of a hallucination, but everything else in her house seemed exactly the same. Why did the odd feeling reside? She let it go for the time being.

She headed downstairs afterwards, to eat breakfast. Her servants had already prepared a simple meal that Eve would enjoy: bacon, eggs, and sausages, accompanied by a tall glass of milk. It wasn't much, but it was certainly enough for the Queen of Nasods to be 'satisfied'.

The Empress was poking around at her food childishly before consuming it. Thoughts were racing around her mind about her life, about Chung, Add, Rena, and the formulated hearts.

A short duration later, nothing remained on her plate except a few bits of eggs and bacon that were too small to be eaten, and of course, her utensils. The cup of emptiness towered over the remnants. Clapping her hands, Oberon cleaned the table as Ferdinand gracefully handed over the dishes over to Ophelia, who immediately washed them in the sink.

Ding-dong! Ding-dong! The doorbell sounded.

"Eve shall get it. You three can carry on with the chores." she declared, strutting to the gateway.

A familiar face stood in front of her as she swung open the door.

Chung Seiker.

~

He was dressed quite casually that day, with a cozy t-shirt and denim jeans. The Prince wore a royal blue and black checkered shirt as an outer layer; it looked stunning in the Queen's eyes.

"Ah... G-Good morning, Miss Eve." he cheerfully smiled, as the flaring sunshine complimented it.

"Morning. What brings you here?" she inquired, cocking her head in confusion.

The question made him fidget around nervously with his hands. His voice started out quivering at first, though it ended with confidence. "I... I am here to confess. M-My feelings. My feelings for you."

"'Feelings'?" she repeated, blinking.

"Yes. Miss Eve, I've known you since the beginning of our highschool careers. But ever since our first few encounters back then, years ago, I've always liked you. Really, it's hard for me to explain why, but I just do. Maybe it's the way how you're actually kind on the inside, when you try to hide it by saying that you have no emotions... or maybe it's because of how elegantly royal and exquisite you are... But, what I'm trying to say is, I like... er, love you, Queen of Nasods."

After his speech, the Chaser's face was already as red as a tomato. He attempted to hide his face in his hands, though he managed to snap out of it, averting his gaze directly into the Empress' eyes to see her reaction.

"I... I see." she replied, a bit shocked at his sudden increase in courage.

"Phew! It feels a lot better to get this off my chest. So, um, I would like to ask you whether you have decided yet. Whether you would prefer me, or Add."

"Negative. I don't know yet."

"Then, can I ask you one more thing?"

"Yes?"

The Prince's eyes wandered over to their feet as he mumbled out his request. "Do I have permission... to take your second k-kiss, since Add had already taken your first?"

Her train of thought blanked out. Another sensation. Although she didn't particularly mind, and was in fact looking forward to it...

She nodded.

He leaned in closer and closer, until their lips eventually met. They were attached to each other for a good five seconds before he inched away.

Chung's breathing rate drastically increased. There went his first kiss, with his first crush.

"I-I'm sorry, Miss Eve, but I'm going to have to steal your third one, too...!"

The Deadly Chaser dove in for another peck on her lips, wrapping his arms around her. He couldn't help it, he really did adore the Code: Empress.

And finally, he released.

"S-Sorry." he whispered, his cheeks were dusted with the deepest shade of red there was.

"It's... fine." she replied.

"I shouldn't take up a-any more of your day. I'm sure you're busy...! S-Sorry! I'll take my leave now. Take care, Miss Eve!" he swiftly turned back, and ran off.

Eve's 'emotions' were bewildered once more, as the day went on.

...