Having apparently given up on climbing, Violet jumped down and hid behind Julie. At Violet’s fingertips were the vast, dark wall surface and the rose vines glittering with fairy blessings. And—two dark silhouettes.

They were getting closer.

“Miss.”

“Mmm?”

“We run on the count of three.”

Julie took Violet’s hand and slowly backed away. She wanted to hide their presence, but it was too late for that, and making a run for it seemed like the best option. No matter who the other party was, if it became known that a lady had tried to climb over someone else’s wall, it would be a social disgrace.

And the blame would fall squarely on Julie for not properly restraining her Miss.

Oh, dear Lord.

“One, two……”

Julie called out to a God who had disappeared from this country as she backed away. The tall silhouettes were approaching with large strides.

“Three—”

“Wait!”

It was an unexpected tenor voice. A low, refreshing voice. Julie had never heard such a beautiful voice since Violet.

“Who might you be?”

“P-p-p-prince, Your Highness……”

They had run into the homeowner while trying to climb over his wall. Without hesitation, Julie bent deeply at the waist. Strictly speaking, Julie hadn’t done anything wrong, but failing to control her mistress was a servant’s sin.

“Who are you to be here at this hour—”

“I apologize, Your Highness. Our Miss is quite curious, so she has… committed a great impropriety.”

Julie stepped forward to apologize before the prince could focus on Violet. But despite Julie’s earnestness, the prince paid no heed.

“A servant apologizes to cover her master’s mistake, while the master just watches?”

It was indeed a pleasant voice. Julie stared at the ground, falling into an inappropriate reverie.

“That…… is certainly my fault. Julie, you may rise now.”

Only at Violet’s command did Julie finally straighten up. Opposite to earlier, now Violet was shielding Julie.

“I’ve caused trouble due to my curiosity. I apologize.”

“Who might you be?”

“Violet Blanchet. The third child of the Blanchet viscountal family. Um, and……”

Unaccustomed to formal settings, Violet looked awkward as she spoke with exaggerated politeness.

“And, um, I came here because I wanted to see Your Highness.”

“……Me?”

“I haven’t had my coming-of-age ceremony yet, so I couldn’t see the prince when you arrived. So I wanted to see you in person.”

“So you tried to climb over the wall?”

“If I sent a formal letter, rumors would spread. Then my family would find out too.”

Far from being displeased by Violet’s brazen excuse, the prince seemed intrigued.

“By the way, what is Your Highness’s name?”

“Helio. Helio Bellivet.”

Julie nearly fell over in shock at the prince’s friendly expression. To receive such a gentle response after attempting to break into the king’s villa—fortunately, Julie wasn’t the only one about to fall backward.

“And who is that behind you?”

“Ah, this is my friend and bodyguard knight, Kale.”

“Greetings, my lady.”

Only then did Julie notice the person who had been standing like a shadow behind Helio. His slightly curved eyes looked smooth-talking.

“Pleased to meet you, Sir Kale! Oh, this is my maid and friend, Julie.”

“I apologize for the intrusion……”

Julie bent at the waist once more. The situation seemed comical—exchanging introductions when it wasn’t the time for such pleasantries.

Violet and Helio conversed amicably, seemingly forgetting they had met as intruder and homeowner. They were so absorbed in their own world that they barely remembered to introduce their companions.

“This villa is new to me too. But had I known a jewel like you existed here, I would have visited much sooner.”

“Oh my, really? Had I known Helio was here, I would have thrown a tantrum to my mother and visited the capital much earlier.”

“Perhaps this was the fairies’ prank, ensuring we would meet so fatefully today?”

“That might be true.”

Their conversation showed no signs of stopping. Julie sighed heavily as she watched them exchange pleasantries that could go on indefinitely. Her calves ached from standing so long, and her shoulders, which had been tense, now felt hot and uncomfortable.

No one noticed Julie’s discomfort, but…

……No, that wasn’t entirely true.

Opposite Julie stood a knight with equally empty eyes who, like her, remained standing. He appeared more composed than Julie, but his desire for this tedious exchange of loving whispers to end was palpable.

Their eyes met.

Julie and Kale exchanged small nods, awkwardly pulling at the corners of their mouths. Unlike the two beautiful people whispering in front of the fairy-blessed roses, Julie and Kale were positioned behind them and couldn’t examine each other’s faces in detail.

All Julie could tell was that Kale, befitting a warrior, was tall with a broad chest, and unlike the prince with his flashy appearance, had hair and eyes of a more subdued color.

Kale, that’s what he was called. Julie was silently repeating the knight’s simple name without a surname when she suddenly came to her senses.

This wasn’t the time. If they didn’t return to the Blanchet mansion soon, the servants preparing breakfast might discover their absence. Julie stamped her feet and bit her lip.

The scent of damp earth grew stronger. The insect sounds diminished, and bird calls echoed faintly. Dawn was approaching.

The beautiful Miss and the beautiful prince continued to laugh and chat, forgetting the passing time. They seemed oblivious to those anxiously watching them.

But Julie needed to ensure no one discovered Violet’s outing. Kale appeared to be in a similar position. The two exchanged brief glances before resolutely moving toward their respective masters. It was perfect coordination, impossible to believe it was their first time.

“Miss, we really must go back now.”

“Your Highness, it’s getting very late.”

After earnest pleas, Violet and Helio wiped away tears and waved goodbye. Their farewell, promising to send letters through their attendants—naturally meaning Julie and Kale—was excessively long.

Julie and Kale exchanged glances once more before urging their masters to hurry.

Throughout the journey back, Violet Blanchet remained deeply immersed in the afterglow of love. With her peach-colored cheeks cupped in both hands, the girl murmured like someone enchanted by magic.

“Julie, I think this is what they call love at first sight……”

This day marked the beginning of Julie, the maid and confidant of Miss Violet, becoming a carrier pigeon of love.

[Love Messenger]

After Violet Blanchet fell into “fated” love, Julie found herself playing the unexpected role of carrier pigeon. Kale was in the same situation.

Julie and Kale busily traveled back and forth between the two mansions to deliver their masters’ love letters.

In Paratan, filled with elderly people, there were many watchful eyes, making rumors about who met whom and what happened spread easily. In such circumstances, if the viscountal family’s precious youngest daughter personally visited the “king’s villa,” that fact would undoubtedly spread throughout the entire city in less than half a day.

The next best option was to use their companions. Unlike their masters with eye-catching colors visible even from halfway up the mountain, their attendants possessed extremely modest coloring.

“Miss says she wants to meet at ‘the usual place’ at midnight today.”

“His Highness has been waiting for just that news. You go through so much trouble every time, Lady Julie.”

“Ahaha, Lady? There’s no need for such embarrassing titles. Just Julie is enough.”

“Understood, Miss Julie.”

Despite being told that using her name alone was sufficient, he still insisted on adding an honorific. Julie smiled amiably while quietly observing the man’s hair, which was similar in color to her own.

After their “fateful” meeting, Violet and Helio were continuing their secret rendezvous through their maid and bodyguard. Because of this, the maid and bodyguard were bumping into each other more often than their masters. To deliver letters or messages without letters, Julie and Kale had left through the front gate numerous times.

“Oh! Miss asked what color His Highness likes.”

“His favorite color? Hmm…… He often wears blue, but I’m not sure if he likes it. Should I ask him directly and let you know?”

Perhaps because there were no young knights in the city, Julie found Kale’s broad shoulders and upright posture attractive. His playfully furrowed brow and lively speech also suited him quite well.

Julie tried to shake off the heat suddenly warming her neck and waved her hand.

“Please do. Miss seems to be preparing something—but this is a secret from His Highness.”

Secret—Julie placed her index finger on the center of her lips and curled up the corners of her mouth. The warm sunlight gently wrapped around her faint freckles scattered like dots and her green eyes. Kale stared blankly at this sight before quickly recovering his usual relaxed smile.

“I will certainly convey Violet’s message. Then I’ll see you at midnight, Miss Julie.”

“Yes, I’ll see you tonight.”

Later, at midnight, see you.