Chapter 1

Up close, her cheeks were flushed with a delicate blush. Her face, so full of life, looked as though the lightest touch might draw color from it like crushed petals. For a moment, Rezion found his gaze lingering.

She seemed entirely used to such stares, and turned her attention to Ellaris with practiced ease.

“Shall I prepare for the young master to dine with you this evening?”

“It’ll just be a family meal. You should join us as well, Miss Dianne.”

It was Ellaris’s way of saying Rezion wouldn’t be staying for dinner. Hosting an unannounced emperor for an evening meal was far too much to ask of even the most seasoned staff. Rezion made no complaint.

The governess offered a polite curtsy and began to retrace her steps. As Rezion watched her light, graceful footsteps with a dazed gaze, Ellaris shot him a sharp look.

“I told you. Miss Dianne is off limits.”

Rezion sighed.

“Well, I’m not harboring any improper thoughts.”

“There’s nothing improper about a young man feeling fond of a pretty lady, but I won’t allow you to do anything that could damage her reputation.”

“Aunt, I am not my father.”

At his curt response, Ellaris nodded without argument.

“And thank the heavens for that.”

The late emperor had loved his empress, and yet still left behind a trail of mistresses and illegitimate children. He had the power to do so, and lacked the morality to choose otherwise. Even now, Rezion ensured those children were cared for. Perhaps the most unpleasant part of his father’s legacy.

Ellaris changed the subject.

“By the way, thank you for the gift. Erin was overjoyed.”

“He’s still young, so I thought he might prefer a puppy over words. I’m glad he liked it.”

Rezion had gifted Erin one of the puppies born from his favorite hunting dog. Since the fire, the boy had shown an aversion to animals ever since losing his cat, but even that resistance couldn’t stand up to the wobbly charm of a newborn pup.

Rezion lingered a moment longer, watching Erin chatter animatedly to the governess. Then he rose from his seat. A guard who had been waiting at a distance approached and draped his cloak over his shoulders.

“I’ll follow your advice, Aunt. And I’ll trust that Miss Dianne Ortenza is every bit the capable governess you say she is.”

“She’ll exceed your expectations,” Ellaris said with certainty.

She rose and offered her nephew a deep bow.

“Eternal glory to the Sun of Catalos.”

Rezion and his guard turned their backs on the garden and made their way to the main gates, where a carriage bound for the imperial palace awaited.

It was just as he was about to leave the grand duchy grounds that he heard the hurried sound of footsteps, and a desperate voice calling out.

“Please wait a moment!”

The governess. Her cheeks were flushed, likely from running all the way from the garden. Both Rezion and his guard turned toward her, equally surprised.

Still catching her breath, Dianne Ortenza stepped forward without hesitation and held something out toward him. The guard instinctively moved to block her, but Rezion stopped him with a simple glance.

What she held out to him was a small cluster of roses, blooming in full, lush color. The shape and shade were unmistakably familiar. She had picked them straight from the garden.

When Rezion didn’t immediately take the flowers, Dianne Ortenza quickly added an explanation.

“I heard you were the gentleman who gifted the puppy to the young master. It’s nothing much, but would you accept these as a thank-you?”

“…”

“The young master was so happy. He really wanted to give something back, so this was the best we could think of…”

Her voice trailed off, and with a swift motion, she reached behind and untied the ribbon holding her hair. The motion was swift, unguarded.

Rezion’s gaze was drawn to the soft waves of her hair as they tumbled down her back, catching the sunlight. The clean scent of soap and grass seemed to bloom in the air between them.

With gentle fingers, Dianne used the ribbon to tie the roses into a small bouquet. Rezion said nothing as he accepted it.

It was the first time he had received flowers since his sister was a child.

“Will you take them?”

Her intelligent eyes looked up at him, clear and steady.

This young woman clearly had no idea who he was. If she had—if she had even suspected—there was no way she would meet his gaze so openly, so freely.

The thought struck him with an odd sense of regret. Even if things went as planned and he saw her again, she wouldn’t be the same. The honesty in her eyes, the polite but unfiltered way she spoke, it would all vanish the moment she stood before the “Emperor,” replaced by caution and reverence.

It felt like losing something he hadn’t even known he could have. Suppressing the heaviness in his chest, Rezion said quietly,

“Thank you. They’re beautiful.”

She smiled, relieved by his response, it seemed. A smile so radiant it pierced through him like a blade.

Unaware of the mark she had just left on him, the lady gave a respectful bow, then turned and walked back toward the garden. Rezion’s legs stayed rooted to the ground, watching until she was completely out of sight.

Beside him, his guard had also been staring after her in a daze. He finally spoke.

“It’s like she cast a spell.”

“…”

“I’ve heard plenty about the governess of House Ervinzel, but I didn’t expect a young lady like her.”

The guard said he would carry the bouquet, but Rezion refused. This was not a gift for the Emperor. It was for the man, Rezion. He didn’t want to entrust it to anyone else.

He left the grand duchy in silence, emotions tangled. The soft scent of flowers lingered at the edge of his senses, laced with a sweetness that didn’t belong to any bloom. It felt like he’d glimpsed a future he could never have, and the feeling wasn’t pleasant.