After Evolaine left in a hurry, Cardel remained in his office, dazed and forlorn.

“Hah…”

He became an idiot whenever he stood before Evolaine. Words wouldn’t come out properly, and facing her directly was difficult.

“I should’ve just written that d*mn letter…”

Though he’d been flustered that Ashiel actually sent an invitation, there was no reason to oppose them meeting since it wouldn’t cause problems.

Considering Evolaine would need to work as an advisor in the future, getting acquainted with royalty early was a good thing.

The problem was his damned pride made Cardel pick a fight for no reason, ending up hurting Evolaine.

‘She knew I was avoiding her.’

He wanted to just rip all his hair out. He’d been avoiding her because he couldn’t muster the courage to face her properly.

Simply put, from the moment he acknowledged he’d fallen for her one-sidedly, he found himself creepily lurking around her vicinity in secret.

There was nothing to say about the bizarre behavior of quickly turning down different paths when they met in hallways.

It was purely his own fault.

As a result, Evolaine came to think he disliked her…

“…I’m actual trash.”

“You’re just realizing that now?”

Cardel jumped at Lucia’s sudden voice.

“Did you see a ghost? Why so startled?”

“I didn’t sense any presence at all…”

“Is that what matters right now? This is my house—why does it matter if I walk around?”

Well, that’s true, but… Cardel couldn’t find words to say to Lucia, who spoke so matter-of-factly.

“I was going to just watch, but I can’t anymore.”

“What?”

“See, the fact you’re asking back is already a problem. Brother, you need special romantic training.”

“Romantic training…?”

What kind of novel nonsense is this? Cardel made a bewildered expression at his younger sister, who showed exceptional talent even at her young age.

“Starting today. Refusal isn’t an option. I’ll conduct lessons whenever I have time, so you just need to receive them.”

“…”

Thanks to his one-sided sister, Cardel’s romantic training began by force.

* * *

After the invitation was sent through twists and turns, Ashiel immediately sent a reply.

It was a letter with the tea time’s location, time, and a simple greeting.

Thus this afternoon, Evolaine entered the palace and arrived at the garden Ashiel personally tended whenever she had time.

The garden was peculiarly filled entirely with red flowers.

Normally when decorating gardens, people often arranged diverse colors harmoniously to create visual pleasure.

But this place had different varieties of red flowers planted.

At the landscape that looked dyed in blood, Evolaine clenched her fists.

‘The Princess I saw at the banquet had a cheerful personality.’

Were those all masks she wore?

She felt like she was missing something…

“Dame, you’ve arrived. Thank you for accepting the invitation.”

Just then, Ashiel came out to greet her. Ladies-in-waiting accompanied her.

“I greet the Flower of Vesasium.”

When Evolaine kissed her gloved hand, Ashiel’s body flinched.

“…You’ll make many cry later.”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing. Please come this way.”

What? Evolaine’s head tilted at Ashiel, who spun around and left first.

Her receding ears were red. Was she hot?

* * *

The tea time location was a greenhouse installed in the garden’s center.

Inside the greenhouse, tables and chairs were all painted white furniture, arranged with other plants surrounding them.

“It’s a cozy space.”

“Right? Her Majesty the Empress gifted me this greenhouse. Thanks to it, I can grow beautiful plants regardless of weather.”

“Her Majesty the Empress?”

“Yes, she cherishes me greatly.”

“I see.”

The Empress cherishing the Princess—unexpected information.

“The Princess isn’t the Empress’s biological child. She’s the Second Imperial Consort’s child.”

“The Second Imperial Consort? Then wouldn’t she be someone to guard against from the Empress’s position?”

“She must have conducted herself well. She’s snake-like—someone who can bend her pride however much needed to achieve her desired goals. So be careful. Whatever she says, don’t accept it unconditionally.”

Remembering how Cardel had earnestly warned her with a fierce face, worried she’d be deceived by Ashiel’s words, Evolaine smiled softly.

“You seem to have something pleasant on your mind.”

“Ah, well… I remembered the cookies I ate this morning.”

“Cookies?”

When things became awkward with Cardel while writing the reply to the tea time invitation, Lucia had led Cardel to personally visit Evolaine’s dormitory.

“Dame! Brother baked cookies for you!”

“Lucia!”

“The shape’s not great, but the taste should be edible. Not deadly, anyway.”

It was funny seeing Cardel cover Lucia’s mouth as she laughed like a third-rate villain, sweating profusely.

Seeing the calm, quiet him so flustered was cute.

‘Cute?’

Why do I keep thinking like this? Get a grip.

Evolaine shaking her head looked like someone recalling their crush.

Cheeks shyly flushed pink. Skin full of vitality.

“The cookies must have been really delicious.”

“What? Yes… I don’t usually like sweets, but they were good.”

“Really?”

Maybe they tasted good because someone you like baked them.

Like, say, the person protecting you from closest by.

‘I’m stupid too. So is she.’

There are few people in this world who can express genuine feelings.

The tea tasted bitter today. Even after dumping in sugar.

“Do you know why I invited you, Dame?”

“…I don’t.”

At the banquet hall, she’d only said she’d send an invitation soon, without clearly stating other reasons.

But Ashiel definitely had a purpose for sending the invitation.

‘The problem is not knowing what it is.’

At Evolaine’s eyes that turned sharp, Ashiel smiled brightly.

Was blood truly thicker than water?

Looking at the Young Marquis and Verit, she couldn’t feel the spirit she’d sensed from the past Marquis, always leaving her with questions.

But to get an impression like seeing the Marquis from an illegitimate child—

It couldn’t be a more ironic situation.

“I want to make you a proposal, Dame.”

“What kind of proposal?”

“Dame, don’t you want revenge on the Marchioness?”

Thump—

A heavy heartbeat resonated through her body.

‘How does the Princess know?’

Even Cardel didn’t know about the final goal Evolaine was pursuing.

Why were words coming from Ashiel’s mouth about a secret she’d never told anyone?

“I don’t quite understand what Your Highness is saying.”

“No, you understand perfectly. Your eyes are shaking considerably, like facing a disaster.”

Ashiel was certain about the words she’d uttered.

‘Is she testing me? To fish out the truth?’

Evolaine’s fierce gaze reached Ashiel.

She didn’t waver. Like a reigning ruler, she simply laid a trap and waited.

“Since Your Highness brought up that topic, it seems you want something from me.”

“Correct. I have something I want to ask of you.”

“What is it?”

“Help me meet with the Young Master of Radelica.”

Cardel? Why him?

“For a private meeting, it would be better to contact him personally.”

“There are limits. You don’t know, Dame, but I’m someone who lives in a space with many watching eyes.”

Ashiel’s eyes sank coldly.

Sensing k*lling intent for a moment, Evolaine’s hand moved below the table.

“Is this a threat?”

“It’s a kind request.”

“If I grant Your Highness’s request, I should gain something too. What will Your Highness give me?”

“The Marquisate.”

Ashiel, holding her unique card, whispered softly.

“I’ll tell you the Marquisate’s secrets.”

To the precious card that would protect her on the cruel and beautiful land of sl*ughter.

* * *

After tea time ended, Evolaine left Ashiel’s garden.

Though she’d planned to return home immediately after finishing business, her head was complicated by the Princess’s meaningful words earlier, so she planned to rest before leaving.

“The Marquisate’s secrets…”

What did the Princess know about the Marquisate?

Knowing she harbored revenge against the Marchioness meant she also knew about what Evolaine had suffered at the Marchioness’s hands.

‘Was the Princess close with the Marchioness? Enough to discuss such important matters?’

If the two were close, why did the Princess say such things to me?

Evolaine plopped down on a bench and sighed.

Her future looked bleak, feeling like she’d be wracking her brain hard during vacation.

‘It should be fine to rest a bit before going.’

The Princess had said to look around comfortably, so there shouldn’t be problems.

When she closed her eyes to meditate, someone called her name.

“…Evolaine?”

At the unfamiliar voice, Evolaine opened her eyes. Who?

In the garden where the sun had set and night was descending, there was no one besides herself.

Even if someone had come, Ashiel was the only royal Evolaine had conversed with.

So there shouldn’t be anyone to call her so familiarly.

Then her name was called once more.

“Evolaine… is that you?”

Turning her head toward where the voice came from, she saw a woman.

Sky-blue hair and transparent blue eyes so pale they were nearly white.

With white skin and a delicate frame, she wore a considerably small-sized dress that still seemed to have much room left.

“…Who are you?”

Someone she’d never seen before. Does she know me?

“…I am, urk!”

Suddenly the woman clutched her throat. Approaching the suffering woman to check her condition, Evolaine saw a strange pattern engraved in purple on her neck.

‘A horned sheep?’

Why was there a picture of a large sheep smiling wickedly in the center of her neck?

“Are you alright? I’ll call a physician, so…”

“I’m, fine. Don’t, call…”

“But…”

The woman stopped Evolaine and rubbed her neck. Then white light appeared, the sheep twisted its face in agony, and soon hid itself.

‘That picture just moved.’

It didn’t just change expressions—it moved subtly.