The weekend service, attended by the King and Queen themselves, was as quiet and solemn as ever. As the priest’s sermon was ending, Hyacinth closed her eyes devoutly and prayed. Naturally, she prayed for the safety of her loved ones and the eternal prosperity of the kingdom. It was the same as the previous weekend.

As she finished her prayer, a vague man’s name flashed through her mind. But Hyacinth didn’t pray for him. Why should she pray for him just because he was handsome? So she pretended not to think of anyone and joined the final hymn of the prayer.

The dreams were becoming clearer day by day.

In a dream one night, she was staring at a massive snowstorm that seemed to swallow the whole world. It wasn’t sightseeing. Sightseeing usually involves anticipation.

…Her soul was already dead to anticipation. The Hyacinth Hener in that place just stared at the whiteness with a broken heart, without any excitement.

Her fingertips were dead. Her toes too.

Even though the harsh cold was clawing at her entire body, she endlessly endured the pain that was more like torture than suffering. In fact, what tormented her the most was not the bitter cold.

Emotions. Emotions that were intense enough to explode her whole body yet tightly trapped inside.

She didn’t know the detailed story of why Hyacinth Hener was so aggrieved. The silver-haired man must have done something wrong. That’s all she could guess.

But what made Hyacinth most miserable upon waking up was…

There was an emotion even stronger than ‘grievance.’

Hyacinth Hener resented the silver-haired man. She hated and resented him so much she could go mad with grievance. She hated him enough to swear to tear out all his hair if he appeared before her.

But at the same time, watching the snowflakes fall like a deluge, Hyacinth missed him. It might be more accurate to say she needed him.

Because she was so lonely. Because she wanted someone to stay by her side. Because she knew that even if he showed consistent coldness, he wouldn’t be cruel. That’s why.

It was too cold.

Hyacinth thought, pulling her shawl tighter.

It’s too cold, and I’m too lonely…

Even if I hate and resent you, I want you by my side. Please come back. If you miraculously come back to me now, I might forgive you like a madwoman.

Please. Please. Where are you?

I’m so cold right now…

She didn’t see the end of the dream, but Hyacinth knew. She was even more certain because she woke up in a fit of rage.

…That heartless man never came back.

* * *

After the service, Hyacinth headed to the stables with her youngest cousin, Caleb.

On a sunny Sunday, she usually enjoyed horseback riding with one of her cousins. Crown Prince Arthur was busy even on weekends, so he was excluded. Thus, Benjamin and Caleb alternated spending time with her, and this weekend was with Caleb.

He must be teasing a lot.

Hyacinth gripped the reins tightly, preparing herself. Unlike the always serious Benjamin, Caleb was sly and mischievous. He would tease her and run away like an arrow, making Hyacinth grit her teeth and chase him on horseback.

But surprisingly,

Caleb Hener was unusually serious. Matching her pace with careful attention, Hyacinth raised an eyebrow. She was about to express her amazement, but.

“Are you very tired, Hyce?”

“Do I look like it?”

“Yeah. Your eyes are dark like a raccoon’s.”

Hold it in. Hyacinth switched the whip to her other hand. She couldn’t just charge at her cousin with a weapon.

“I had a nightmare.”

“Oh, do you still have them?”

“Yes.”

What would Caleb’s reaction be if she said her nightmares were weaving into one huge story? She was curious, but Hyacinth didn’t bother to test it.

“Can we run a bit, Brother?”

“Let’s do that.”

Caleb patted his horse and spurred it on, galloping ahead. Following him, Hyacinth also urged her horse and sped up.

The royal forest, familiar and endearing, began to flow by as swiftly as the night sky. The midday sunlight streaming through the leaves looked like twinkling starlight.

As she continued to ride, Hyacinth slowly tilted her head back.

It was now completely spring, and the acacia flowers were blooming beautifully, proving Tyche’s gentle weather. The pure white flowers scattered gently. It was like a rain of flowers.

A pure color engulfing the whole world. As she admired the fleeting beauty, Hyacinth tilted her head slightly.

The view outside the Northern window from her dream came to mind.

White snowflakes, like flowers, were swirling fiercely. The more she looked at this acacia rain, the more vividly the Northern scenery from her dream came to life. Like an artist repeatedly adding layers of paint.

“How strange.”

At Hyacinth’s small murmur, Caleb glanced back.

“What is?”

“Have I ever been to the North?”

“My cousin has finally gone mad!”¹literal translation is ‘My cousin has finally turned around/spinning!’

“Can you speak nicely…?”

“My beautiful cousin is spinning beautifully like the sun!”

Hyacinth’s hand holding the whip trembled for a moment. Using flowery language doesn’t make it a nice word. That annoying, irritating cousin had a natural talent for getting under her skin.

So annoying, really!

“But why? Does the lady from the South want to visit the North now?”

Do I want to visit the North?

They say dreams reflect one’s wishes… Is that it?

Caleb’s simple question made Hyacinth hesitate for quite a while. She blinked, pondering and weighing it, and finally nodded.

“Maybe.”

“What is that vague word?”

“I’m curious about the North… So I want to see it, but not just to visit.”

Caleb frowned, tilting his head this way and that. His reaction seemed to say, ‘What’s wrong with her, has she really gone mad?’ Regardless, Hyacinth firmly insisted.

“Go there…”

“Yeah.”

“I think a lot of things will become clearer.”

For example, what the silver-haired man in the dream did wrong. Why she was so aggrieved in the dream—all of it.

And maybe, just maybe, she might even find out why her subconscious is so averse to Ethan Erentis.

The Duke of Trisel had been consistently showing her favors until now. He tried not to show it, but it was obvious.

A young and handsome high lord, who was said to be equally curt and indifferent to everyone, clung only to her. It was a point where she could feel proud as a woman, but Hyacinth found the man extremely annoying.

And she had a gut feeling that there was a clear reason for disliking Ethan Erentis.

Even if it sounded foolish, it was so.

“Become clearer, huh. What will?”

“I don’t know either.”

“Don’t tell me you like the Duke? I don’t really know what liking feels like, but if you go there, it might become clear…”

As usual, Caleb was babbling, but he shut his mouth as soon as he saw his cousin’s expression.

“Sorry.”

He apologized very meekly.

Or maybe he was certain that his sister would pull out all his hair overnight.

Never tease her again, my life is precious! Caleb’s solemn determination broke faster than expected.

* * *

The prize for this jousting tournament was none other than a gold tiara.

There could be no more romantic courtship if one presented the glory to the lady of their choice in front of everyone. It was an attractive event even for those who didn’t have anyone in mind.

It was an event hosted by the ruler of the kingdom. There was no better opportunity to showcase one’s skills than winning such a tournament. If one used the victory as a stepping stone to join the royal knight order, receiving a title wouldn’t be too difficult.

Getting noticed by the king and the royal family was a bonus.

Tyche’s court gathered in groups to place bets. Opinions varied on which knight would win the glory, but the speculation about the lady chosen by the victor was surprisingly unanimous.

It would be Hyacinth Hener, the Lady of Laurel, no doubt.

“Anyway, so. The most money is bet on you.”

Hyacinth chuckled at her friend Diane’s explanation.

They were seated in their assigned seats, waiting for the jousting tournament to officially begin. The sound of hooves pounding the ground outside was loud. The vibrations were transmitted here, thrilling the audience.

“Who do you think will win, Hyce?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Will Sir Jedith win again?”

“If nothing unexpected happens, yes.”

A lady nearby chimed in.

Hyacinth, who had quite an interest in the jousting tournament until last year but suddenly lost interest this year, was genuinely grateful to her. Because she took all of Diane’s attention.

As expected. Diane, who was passionate about the jousting tournament, began an enthusiastic discussion with the lady, her eyes sparkling.

“Sir Jedith won last year and the year before, right?”

“He’s a capable young knight. Considering he joined the royal knight order at that age, even more so.”

“That’s right. Although the scale has doubled, it seems likely he will win again.”

“Well, I bet on someone else.”

At the new voice, Diane and the lady stiffened simultaneously. Hyacinth, who was about to let her mind wander, did the same.

The owner of the voice was none other than Bridget Erentis, the Duchess of Trisel.

That woman… the one she’s betting on.

Diane, wide-eyed with surprise, took the bait immediately.

“Then who do you think it will be, Duchess?”

“You’ll find out when the results come out.”

“Oh dear, I’m so curious~.”

“You seem quite sure, Duchess.”

Hyacinth glanced over. The woman who met her gaze smiled dryly.

For the first time, Hyacinth found her hair annoying.

Of all things, hers was the same red as that woman’s. A woman who tries to assault her stepson in public can’t be sane. The fact that she managed to build a reputation as a somewhat gentlewoman in society was even more creepy…

“I’m sure.”

The lady and Diane exchanged glances.