When Ainberg reached out and opened the door, a completely new space was revealed.

“……”

Normally, I would have first considered how to react.

I would have deliberately hidden my true self, either by forcing a surprised expression or showing an exaggerated reaction.

“Ah.”

But facing this utterly unexpected sight, I froze in place.

Beyond the door was an artificial garden.

“It’s a garden?”

A hole had been made in the center of the high ceiling. The rest was painted to look like sky, complete with clouds, creating the illusion of gazing up at the real heavens.

“Goodness, it looks just like the real sky.”

I muttered to myself, forgetting Ainberg stood beside me.

The trees and shrubs planted throughout made me feel as though I was in an actual garden.

“This is an Axius tree.”

I spotted trees and flowers I used to cherish, with even rarely-blooming plants in full bloom.

“This is truly impressive. Who maintains this garden?”

I looked up at the enclosed sky once more before surveying the surroundings again.

Despite the small window in the ceiling, the environment didn’t seem conducive for trees to thrive.

“Where exactly are we?” I asked.

Ainberg walked forward as he answered, “Exactly what you see.”

“Have we gone outside?”

Only after speaking did I realize what a foolish question it was.

“No, this is a specially created indoor garden.”

The space was perfectly and beautifully arranged.

Not a single flaw could be found. The trees were uniformly sized as if measured with a ruler, and the paths running along both sides were perfectly symmetrical.

I never knew such a secret garden existed while living in the imperial palace.

After walking silently for some time, I felt a surge of indignation and spite.

‘Why create something like this? Did he really enjoy trysts here?’

So it wasn’t the temple after all.

That explains why there were only rumors about the Emperor’s women, with no one actually knowing anything.

How many women had passed through here?

Did he smile brightly watching them enjoy themselves?

Walking in step with Ainberg, I asked again, “Do you come here often?”

“No.”

“Why haven’t you opened it to others?”

But immediately after asking, I could guess how Ainberg would answer.

He had ordered the balcony I frequently visited during my time as Empress to remain closed too.

He clearly intended to keep beautiful things all to himself.

As if sensing my thoughts, Ainberg merely offered a subtle smile.

I deliberately avoided his gaze and changed the subject.

“The more I look, the more amazing it is. The rare trees are so well-maintained.”

“Rare trees?”

“Yes, I heard Axius and Hinultari are difficult to grow. They bloom in midwinter but quickly wither—”

Oops.

I had inadvertently said too much.

Such knowledge didn’t fit the image I was trying to cultivate.

I grinned awkwardly and changed the topic.

“This seems quite secretive. Is there someone specific who maintains it?”

Ainberg glanced down at me and replied, “You seem full of questions today.”

“Haha, I’ve always been… curious and interested in Your Majesty.”

After uttering those insincere words, I glanced at Ainberg.

What’s with that expression?

His face was one thing, but even his ears had turned red, which was quite strange.

“Your Majesty, are you feeling hot?”

Ainberg turned his head, cleared his throat, and muttered, “…It’s an indoor garden, so naturally it’s warm.”

Then he began walking a step ahead of me.

What’s that about?

I quickened my pace to catch up and walk beside him.

“By the way, may I ask why you created such a garden indoors?”

I wanted to know. Why pour so much effort into a space that wasn’t public or open?

For personal pleasure?

If he created this place merely to enjoy with women, wouldn’t that be grounds for impeachment?

No, in this era it would be revolution.

‘But it looks too well-organized, which makes it strange.’

The scene felt oddly dissonant the more I observed it.

I touched a leaf with my finger when Ainberg spoke again.

“Here, you can feel neither the flow of time nor the change of seasons.”

His voice sounded somehow lonely and dry. I withdrew my hand and asked him.

“With everything enclosed, I suppose that’s—”

Wait, thinking about it now, there was something eerie about creating a garden in a place without sunlight.

“Why make a garden in such a place?”

“Look closely.”

Following Ainberg’s instruction, I walked toward a nearby tree.

Examining it carefully, I began to understand the source of the dissonance I felt upon entering the garden.

“This is…”

The surface felt oddly smooth when I touched it.

“It’s too soft.”

I finally realized the leaves and branches were artificial.

Looking around, the flowers and trees all seemed synthetic.

“Are they all man-made?”

Ainberg nodded and reached out to break off a nearby flower.

“Yes, an eternally unchanging garden.”

He offered me the flower and whispered, “The most beautiful place in the world. Though not yet complete.”

“Not complete?”

Ainberg seemed lost in thought for a moment.

“The most important element is missing. It will be completed soon.”

The most important element.

Whatever it might be, the garden already seemed perfectly arranged.

But I couldn’t agree with Ainberg’s assessment.

“This… isn’t beautiful.”

Ainberg stopped abruptly. I also halted and looked up at him.

“Living things are beautiful because they change. That’s what makes them precious.”

I caressed the red rose he had given me.

Though crafted with such detail that one could almost smell its fragrance, it evoked only a sense of curiosity.

“A flawless flower like this can’t possibly be beautiful.”

“……”

“The beauty lies in flowers blooming and withering, trees shedding leaves to survive the cold, then sprouting new ones when spring returns.”

“……”

“How mysterious is the unpredictability of it all.”

After remaining silent for a moment, Ainberg turned and began walking again.

“I respect your opinion, but I disagree.”

“……”

“Humans long for eternity precisely because unchanging things are impossible. Nothing is more perfect or beautiful.”

Ainberg touched the rose in my hand with his fingertip and asked, “Do you prefer roses with flaws?”

“Of course.”

He stepped closer to me.

“But I am flawless.”

Much as I hated to admit it, Ainberg’s face, viewed up close, was like a painting.

Deep navy-blue eyes and delicately curled eyelashes.

“…No one in this world remains unchanged.”

I forced a smile and stepped back.

His face had been too close.

Moreover, we were alone here, without attendants or maids.

But he advanced exactly as much as I retreated.

This atmosphere is dangerous.

I didn’t know how to act in this situation; my plans and strategies had completely failed.

Fidgeting nervously, I blurted out in an awkward voice:

“Didn’t Your Majesty also change?”

Ainberg’s brow furrowed subtly.

Seeing this, I knew I should stop, but couldn’t.

No, I was unable to.

“Something just occurred to me. Your Majesty, did the Empress ever visit this place?”

I’m insane. What am I saying?

After blurting it out, I realized I’d made a terrible mistake.

An unfamiliar energy flickered across his expression before disappearing, only to return as if he were observing something interesting.

“Since you’ve entered, should I say the Empress has visited?”

Ainberg responded glibly and smiled.

Of course, I couldn’t smile at all.

‘Do you truly feel no remorse toward me? What was I to you, really?’

Unspoken words circled in my mouth.

After vowing unchanging love, weren’t you the first to break that promise? While you were the first to change, isn’t it laughable that you speak of longing for constancy?

Were you really such a frivolous person?

“Your Majesty.”

I know you won’t be honest anyway. But I wanted to hear something, anything.

“There’s one more thing I wish to ask.”

He looked at me with a grave, solemn face, as if anticipating my question.

“Did you love the Empress?”