Chapter 5

After Minuelle left, Esadien remained alone, a strange expression tugging at his lips.

Somewhere inside his chest, it felt like something was sinking—cold and heavy—or maybe churning with uneasy motion.  

It was an unfamiliar sensation for someone who, after being adopted by the Emperor, had always sought a simple and tranquil life.

“Hm.”

Unable to define this feeling, Esadien let out a quiet hum as if wringing it from his chest. Naturally, what followed was the echo of Minuelle’s voice.

“Did I do something wrong…? Was I too forward today?”

It had come right after he told her he didn’t want their relationship to deepen.  

Minuelle had looked surprised, and Esadien had calmly explained his reasons.  

He’d accepted the engagement to repay the Emperor and the Grand Duke.  

He had never intended to tie himself to anyone, and thus, he couldn’t return the feelings she showed him.

“I… I must’ve been too overwhelming,” was Minuelle’s first response after a long silence.

She was always expressive with her emotions, and now the hurt in her face was plain to see.

“That’s…”

Esadien had tried to say that wasn’t it—but the words never made it out.  

Because when he thought about it, he couldn’t quite say she was wrong.

“I honestly expected you to call off the engagement.”

He wasn’t the Emperor’s real son. Just a nephew taken in and given the name of a Prince, with no real power or backing.  

It was only natural to assume the Karnian family would object to the match.

But Minuelle hadn’t protested. She only sat still, gazing down at her knees.

“……” 

“So I thought… if we’re going through with this, then at least let it be peaceful.”

What Esadien wanted was the same kind of relationship most aristocratic couples had—cold, calculated, a marriage of convenience.  

Love is fleeting. Ephemeral.

He understood that better than anyone.  

So he thought it easier to avoid such emotions from the start.  

That way, no one would get hurt.

“Did I disturb your peace, Your Highness?”

Even if it stung a little now—Esadien firmly believed this was the right path.

Yet, why did he feel this uncomfortable?

“Your Highness, Lady Karnian’s walking in the rain,” came the surprised voice of a servant, who had just closed the window after airing out the room.

Esadien knew the Emperor and the Crown Princess had gone out of their way to ensure Minuelle could reach the Prince’s palace without getting wet.  

So why was she in the rain?

‘A protest?’

He walked to the window, brows furrowed—only to truly spot the pink head of hair in the distance.

His irritation was just about to rise—when Minuelle suddenly looked back.  

Despite the distance, their eyes met perfectly.

Her soft sky-blue eyes widened.

“…”

The next moment, she darted into the covered corridor like a startled deer meeting a tiger.  

Even though Esadien hadn’t said a word.

She must’ve thought she was running fast, but all he could see was her slowly retreating figure.  

As he watched her disappear, that strange feeling in his chest stirred again.

The next day, as if breaking through the long stretch of heavy clouds, the sun shone brilliantly, almost like a lie.  

The Imperial garden, always immaculately maintained, glistened even more beautifully with the lingering moisture.

“Welcome, Your Highness the Third Prince, Lady Karnian.”

The steward in charge of the garden greeted them with a beaming smile.  

It was Esadien’s first time stepping into the Imperial garden. But instead of the breathtaking scenery, his eyes were fixed solely on Minuelle, who was looking around with delight and constant exclamations.

“Goodness, it’s so beautiful!”

Given how things went yesterday, he’d assumed she wouldn’t visit for at least a few days.  

Yet here she was, appearing at her usual time as if nothing had happened.

‘This woman’s skin is thicker than I thought.’ 

Was this the bearing of a true noble daughter?

That was Esadien’s conclusion.

“This garden was created by the former Emperor for his consort. Originally, this land was flat, but they dug a lake and even relocated a hill filled with memories of the two.”

“The former Emperor? It wasn’t built over generations?”

“Haha, thanks to the heavy involvement of mages, the whole thing was completed in just three months, my Lady.”

Minuelle and the steward carried on their conversation with ease.  

The steward, clearly pleased by her sincere reactions untainted by pretension, eagerly offered explanations even for things she hadn’t asked.

“The place where the original hill stood…”

As she asked, Minuelle’s eyes met Esadien’s.  

He instinctively stiffened, expecting her to rush over to him like always.

But instead, Minuelle gave him a faint smile and a brief nod—then turned her attention back to the steward and resumed talking.

“……”

Esadien didn’t return the greeting. He deliberately turned his gaze away from her.

Once again, that strange feeling stirred inside him.

* * *

‘It’s seriously bothering me.’  

There’s no way it’s true, but I kept feeling Esadien’s gaze landing on me. Of course, it was probably just because I was conscious of him.

‘Ugh, it’s hot…’  

Even with a parasol, the summer heat was oppressive.  

I dabbed at the sweat forming on my forehead with a handkerchief, careful not to ruin my makeup. Normally, I wore minimal makeup so I wouldn’t have cared, but after getting rained on from heartbreak and frustration last night, I’d developed a mild fever overnight.  

Turns out, tragic heroines need to be healthy too.

‘Seriously, why’d you go out in the rain, huh? Idiot!’

Ramande had scolded me like a machine gun while pumping divine power into me. I felt like my ears were bleeding, but thanks to him, I’d recovered a bit of energy.  

Still worried that my faint fever and flushed skin might be visible, I’d asked the maid to apply a thicker powder than usual.  

Ramande had told me I should just rest until I’d fully recovered.

‘But cutting him off cold turkey would look like a protest.’

It’s not like I wasn’t hurt.  

But thinking back on what Esadien had said, I realized I might have pushed my feelings on someone who wasn’t ready.  

Honestly, I reflected on it.

‘Ah…’  

As I listened to the explanation that the daffodils surrounding the lake were a symbol bestowed by the former Emperor to his consort, my eyes met Esadien’s—again. The second time.

‘Just a coincidence, just a coincidence.’* 

I clenched my twitching hand, aching to link arms under the excuse of an escort.

‘Patience. I must endure.’ 

Even cats run away when you come at them too eagerly. Let alone a wild… no, an Imperial Prince. I’d startled him too much.

“Now, I believe that concludes our general tour. Shall we launch the boat on the lake?”

My energy had been almost drained, but the steward’s words made me beam.

‘Finally, I get to see Esadien’s muscles!’

But shortly after…

“……”

Big hopes often lead to big disappointments.  

‘Seriously, Plendena! Are you doing this on purpose?’

I’d practically begged for a rowboat expecting some sleek leopard-like muscles and a cozy moment just between the two of us… only to be greeted by a grand, gold-trimmed gondola.

“It is my honor to serve you today, Your Highness, my Lady.”

Even the gondolier greeted us with a cheerful, friendly smile.  

There’s no way the Emperor himself ever came boating here—so what was the point of this gaudy boat?

“Shall we board?”

Regardless of my disappointment, the others were already boarding.  

As I took Esadien’s outstretched hand, I did my best to keep a straight face.

‘Where should I sit?’

Gondolas are narrow and long. Feeling a bit awkward around Esadien, I hesitated whether to sit beside him or across from him.

But without letting go of my hand, Esadien naturally seated himself opposite the steward.

‘Is he really this unfazed?’

A glance at his profile showed the same calm and beautiful face as always.

Well, he already said everything he needed to say. Of course he’d feel relieved.  

Thinking that I was the only one still bothered by yesterday made my mood drop even more—until—

“Is something wrong?”

“Huh?”

“Are you hot?”

“Ah, j-just a little. I’m fine.”

He startled me by suddenly speaking. It was probably just courtesy since we were engaged, but my heart still thudded at the attention.  

And… we were still holding hands.

‘Hmm. Should I let go?’  

I debated briefly, but decided to stay like this.

‘He’s the one who took my hand, so surely he won’t complain.’

Even in this heat, Esadien’s warmth felt nice.  

Even I had to admit—this was genuine love.

My face flushed with joy, and I quickly turned my gaze toward the lake so he wouldn’t see.  

‘So pretty.’

It wasn’t a canal but a wide lake—man-made, but vast.  

Every single blade of grass and stone had been placed with intent, but its beauty was no less real.

The long oar gliding across the water created soft waves, and the sunlight danced on the clear surface in glittering shards.

‘If I weren’t wearing gloves, I would’ve dipped my hand in the water.’  

But that little regret quickly vanished.

“Oh, you who shine like the sun, let your light shine upon me. Even if it blinds me, I will not look away.”  

The gondolier’s deep, rich singing voice made my eyes widen in surprise.  

‘He really sounds like a gondolier!’ 

The lyrics yearning for love, the sweet melody… even I felt like I was melting into the moment.  

‘Ah, this feels amazing.’

The warm weather, the gently cool breeze, the beautiful scenery, and that song—and beside me, broad, strong shoulders.  

I was so swept up in the moment that I instinctively leaned my head toward Esadien’s shoulder, only to snap out of it mid-movement and glance at him.  

Of all times, he happened to look at me too.

Our eyes met. I flinched like a guilty child and forced a sheepish smile.  

“Ahaha…”

“……”

Esadien’s eyes didn’t waver in the slightest. He didn’t smile back either.  

With no choice, I sat up straight and faced forward again.

‘Tsk. Should’ve leaned on him sooner.’

Overflowing with regret, I stomped mentally in frustration.

Just then, the gondolier paused his rowing.

“This spot is the deepest part of the lake. If you look closely, you’ll see the water here is a different color than elsewhere.”

“Wow. You’re right…”  

Just how deep did they dig this?  

I looked down at the water, which was a deeper shade of blue than before, and shivered a little. I straightened up instinctively.

The gondolier chuckled at my reaction.

“And now, this will be your tomb.”

‘Huh? What’s with this sudden assassin-like line?’

It was so absurd that it didn’t feel real in the slightest.

But before I could even react, the gondolier moved like lightning.

He stabbed the steward—who had been sitting right beside him—in the chest with a dagger. The friendly smile from before had completely vanished from his face.

‘Wait, what? This is for real?!’

Just moments ago, we’d been chatting normally, and now the steward was bleeding and sinking into the lake.

“Tch.”  

While I was still frozen in shock, Esadien instinctively reached for his waist—but clicked his tongue in frustration. He’d remembered too late that, since the Imperial garden was the Emperor’s domain, he’d handed over his sword at the entrance, as always.

“Who sent you?”  

Even as he shielded me protectively, his voice was sharp and composed.

“It’s standard not to disclose the client’s identity.”

While I struggled to get a grip, the gondolier—no, the assassin—charged toward us with bloodshot eyes.

“Just die quietly.”

“No—don’t!”

There was no time to pull myself together.  

I had no idea where the strength came from, but I pushed Esadien aside and threw myself in front of him.