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Ashley slowly and calmly told them about the long-term relationship she had with Amor starting from the first time she met him. It mustn’t have been too difficult for Fleon to realise that it had been somehow related to the diary. Rebecca still looked incredulous but she eventually accepted it.

“My brother, the 4th Prince has helped me a lot till now. He’s a really really good person.”

It was an undeniable truth. From what Ashley was saying, didn’t it mean that Rebecca also came to know Ashley through him?

She wondered if it was because they always ended up in situations where they would suffer from their misfortune? He was someone she was very thankful for.

‘Right, I am thankful to him but why…’

The more Ashley felt grateful for him, the more she felt like being thankful to him wasn’t enough. But this was not the time to be thinking about this. She shook her head before raising it.

“Don’t worry. Everything will turn out fine!”

Rebecca and Fleon tried to hold on to Ashley for as long as they could but they were both really busy and soon had to go address the calls of those who were looking for them.

The two had no choice but to put off the urge to stay and left but just before he left her palace, Fleon grabbed Ashley.

“You. You’re being weird.”

As Ashley stared into the deep blue eyes beneath his fluttering gray hair, she wondered.

Strange? What about her?

Fleon stared into the eyes that stared back into his for a long time.

His younger sister tilted her head without a word and blinked slowly while she continued to stare at him as if she thought he was the one being strange.

“What’s strange?”

Fleon personally did not think his hunches or gut feelings were that accurate.

‘No. Maybe it’s better to say that I’m dim-witted like what Dane and that damned knight always say.’

He didn’t necessarily want to admit that he was dim-witted but he could accept it to some extent. However, he was feeling a strange sense of discomfort.

‘It’s strange.’

Was it a few days ago? Maybe it was three, no, four days ago. He realised that his younger sister had strangely changed.

“Damn it”, Fleon spat out.

‘I’m not really good with this kind of thing. This is Dane’s speciality.’

The last person he wanted to ask for help from was that blunt knight. But his tongue was heavy and he would never say things he was not sure about.

Fleon swept up his hair roughly. He wasn’t sure but he couldn’t force her.

“Fleon?”

Most importantly, he couldn’t hate her smiling face that didn’t contain a shred of anger.

“What. Why aren’t you saying anything? Are you speechless because I’m so pretty?’

For as long as he could remember, she would look into the distance with a dry and dazed gaze. Like branches in winter, her smile was faded and sad. That’s why, to him, it had been a long time since he had seen such a bright smile from her. So, he wondered if it was really necessary to light the candle.

“Nonsense.”

“Ack. Wait.”

Ashley stepped back.

“You dodged?”

Fleon frowned.

“What. In that case, you should be telling me the reason and not just notify me. Are you upset because of the 4th Prince?”

“Who’s upset!”

Just as he thought, this was not his specialty. He desperately needed to get to Dane’s palace.

***

A few days later, in her own palace. A very long and flamboyant procession from the Central Palace arrived at her palace.

“We greet the noble 8th Branch, the flower of the Imperial Palace.”

Rebecca, her brothers and the templars had gone to inspect the stage in the city. Only Ashley and her maids were present to welcome it.

Ashley stared at the blindingly flamboyant palanquin and thought that it was a relief that no one else was there. What would Rebecca think if she had been there? In any case, Ashley was taking her official patronus away.

She didn’t think that Rebecca was oblivious anymore. For a few days now, her dignified expressions had become strange as if they had been distorted or coloured with regret. Her colourful expressions were proof of that.

“For what reason?”

Ashley wasn’t sure. If she had told Rebecca everything, how far would Rebecca continue to trust her? She didn’t want to explain that it was her way to save Rebecca. Since she was a noble, she was someone who would treat sympathy and compassion towards her as an insult.

So, Ashley was wondering if Rebecca would view her more favourably if she told her that she liked her. Ashley tilted her head. Her beautiful and proud lady-in-waiting. Armed with more elegance befitting an Imperial Princess than the actual Imperial Princess, Rebecca did not hesitate to do what she had to and was always confident. Ashley wanted to repay Rebecca for choosing to follow her.

Spring was everywhere. With its petals fluttering through the air, the acacia tree in front of her palace was in full bloom.

“Stand back, everyone.”

As she sat on the palanquin, her eyes drifted to the sights of spring before smiling bashfully as she clasped her own hands.

‘Right, the misfortune in my life had never lasted for more than a day or two.’

Other than what people were thinking of herself and Rebecca, there was much for her to think about. From the Founding Festival that was soon approaching to the desert princess who must be staying in Granius’ palace by now. She didn’t have the luxury to stop and admire the scenery. The misfortune that was closely chasing her from behind and the diary was pushing her forward as always.

Should she be getting used to the shaking of the palanquin by now? When they reached their destination, the palanquin decorated with eye-catching flowers was gently laid on the ground, crushing the petals underneath.

And there he was waiting.

“I greet the noble 1st Branch.”

“We meet again, my Ashley.”

It was Castor.

“Come here.”

Taking the role of a knight, he lifted Ashley herself off the palanquin.

“Have you been well?’

‘… Yes.”

Without letting her go, his languid breath soaked her ears with his sullen voice.

“I’ve been waiting for you. Continuously…”

There were 15 days to the Founding Festival.

“… I am honoured, brother.”

This was the start of the full-on practice for the stage.

***

Water dripped from the eaves. (1) The sound must have been from a pipe drilled into a waterway.

It was windy. The curtains that were supposed to block the light shone a brilliant white. Behind the fluttering curtain, the sky moved like a masterpiece under a painter’s hands.

The sky was dazzlingly calm just like the skies she never liked.

‘It’s almost time for Ashley to arrive.’

For Castor, there were times where everything slowed as if time had stopped. He leaned against the windows before sighing slowly.

A long time ago, there was a palace the emperor left his heart at. It was the palace the emperor had once lived in and the palace the Crown Prince was currently residing in, the Sole Heliospera.

Each room had a sculpture depicting the gods of each season. The hall’s ceiling which would rotate every month was built by the best technician Vulcanus had at that time in collaboration with a Templar of Flowers and perfumers from Rome who were experts in scents.

When it was completed, it was too large of a gift for a young prince.

‘Isn’t it so useless?’

Castor smirked.

He got up and started walking.

“Y-your Highness.”

“I’m going on a walk.”

The land on which the Imperial Palace, or the Domus Aurea, was on had been an empty wasteland thousands of years ago. Especially the area the Central Palace was on since it was too high. However, the earth was rejuvenated by the grace of the Lord of Gods and the first Emperor had established a city befitting the heavens.

Because it had been a swamp, the land did not have clean water. At the higher order of the Lord of Gods, the God of Snow and the Sea had performed a miracle and created a huge artificial lake on a land which only source of water was the swamp.

Since then, the God of Snow and the Sea had taken residence in the flooded city of Sevetheia.

With a lake in its west, a hill in its east and a mountain to its north. Even after thousands of years, the miracles the gods have granted this land could be seen in everything. As long as the gods and the templars were alive and well, the abundances would only continue.

And just like that, mountains and lakes were made. And everything was for the one person the gods desperately cherished.

”It’s a beautiful city. However, there’s still one thing that’s lacking.”

“And what will that be? Tell me what you want.”

“Will my descendants be able to enjoy this honour?”

The first Emperor was arrogant.

“I will grant the ‘Power of the Lords’ not only to you but also to your descendants. From generation to generation.”

Castor scoffed.

A miracle could only be considered one because it did not repeat itself in the same lifetime. The emperor had succeeded in tying a miracle to this land.

Did he know? That it would only lead to disaster thousands of years later.

They were now living in a time where it was only natural to sacrifice others to hold onto the waning power. The descendants were paying the price for coveting things that were not for humans.

Everything started because of the first Emperor’s excessive greed. Because of his success and greed, countless victims fell in turn and karma was now just around the corner.

And in a time where there were more Templars of Chaos than ever, under the weakest Emperor in the Empire’s existence, ironically enough, there Castor was, the strongest heir of all time.

“Your Highness, the princess has arrived.”

His eyes that were void of inspiration slowly shifted.

‘Ashley Rosé.’

Castor subconsciously slammed his hand against the table and he stared at the tingling sensation he felt at his fingertips.

The scar he had on his index finger had begun bleeding again as red flesh ripped open.

‘… Was it a notebook?’

It was a wound caused by the strange book that the girl had not too long ago. There was a strange glint in Castor’s eyes.

“W-w-what should we do?”

“Let her in.”

Castor stared at the staff who was grovelling flat on the ground.

“No… I’ll go.”

It was time for him to have fun.

“I-I greet my brother.”

He slowly lowered his gaze to capture the girl in front of him.

“Alright.”

As he continued staring at the girl, a smile bloomed on his face naturally. How many years had it been? Preparations for the stage had begun again. He recalled how the Saintess was the one who had been filling in for her absence all this time.

The Saintess had been a Templar of the Sword long ago. However, now, due to some circumstances, she could no longer use her strength but she was once exemplary.

“Tsk. I don’t want to see the Saintess dance anymore. I mean, that lousy performance?”

“Wasn’t she originally a knight?”

Nonetheless, her sword dance could not catch the eye of the commoners who were used to the splendour. But it was understandable considering how she had danced alone to a dance meant for two. The stage looked empty.

‘This year… will I be able to see a proper performance?’

As Castor counted the years, he was struck with other thoughts which made him lose count.

How many years would this year make? He was not fond of keeping track of time and other similar notions.

“Let’s begin.”

The musicians began playing their piece.

“… Are you nervous?”

“No. I’m not!”

Castor pulled the girl’s waist into his embrace as he held her hand. Then, he frowned slightly.

‘She’s light.’

If he were to exaggerate a little, her waist felt like a dry branch.

‘Ah. She’s trembling.’

The only princess of this Empire, Ashley Rosé, was trembling. He could clearly tell from her shivering muscles. Castor took a glance downwards before smiling.

The girl nervously gulped before facing the person looking down at her.

“To be honest, I am a little nervous…”

He could see his golden eyes in the center of her bright purple ones like the center of a violet. Castor pulled the girl closer as they spun around.

‘Is this worth being nervous about?’

Surprised at the closed distance, the girl widened her eyes.

“Why’s that?”

“I-It’s nothing. Have you… been well?’

She had stuttered a little but her voice remained delicate. Castor glanced at her before smiling.

T/N:

(1): Eaves – the part of a roof that meets or overhangs the walls of a building. (hope the image below helps!)

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