As they rode further, the town came into view. Kaiden, slowing his pace, called out to Rohana.

“Rohana.”

“Yes?”

Rohana slowed her horse and turned to look at him. Her cheeks, flushed from the cold, stood out under the hood of her white fur-lined cloak.

The people of Nopthal bustled about under the sharp winter sunlight.

“Have you eaten?”

Kaiden asked, to Rohana’s surprise. Her eyes widened at the unexpected question. Now that she thought about it, she hadn’t slept since the night before and hadn’t eaten anything until this late in the day.

“Let’s grab a bite to eat,”

Kaiden said gently, his expression showing that he already knew the answer.

“But…”

“You’ll collapse at this rate,” he said firmly.

Seeing her hesitate, Kaiden dismounted his horse and took Alby’s reins in his hand.

“It’ll only take a moment.”

Kaiden led the way to a place he seemed familiar with. Surprisingly, it was a small and narrow shop. The clunky wooden door rattled as they entered.

“Welcome,” a burly man, who appeared to be the owner, greeted them, then froze for a moment before casually continuing to wipe a glass.

“Who is this? She’s incredibly beautiful.”

Rohana gave an awkward smile at the unexpected compliment and slowly followed behind Kaiden.

“Two breakfasts, please,” Kaiden ordered quietly, and the owner loudly repeated the order toward the kitchen.

Rohana, feeling the warmth inside, lowered her hood. It had been a long time since she’d seen such a normal morning scene.

People of various appearances were chatting noisily, creating a lively atmosphere. Had she not been out for unpleasant business, she would have been delighted by the sight.

Kaiden’s voice brought her out of her thoughts.

“Eat.”

The meal arrived almost immediately after they sat down. It was a simple tomato celery soup with rye bread, butter, and grilled sausage. She smiled at the humble but welcome meal.

Rohana couldn’t help but think of the lavish evening feasts at the mansion, where they always had a variety of fish dishes.

“I figured it would be difficult to have a meal once we get there.”

Although skipping meals was something she could handle, she wondered why it would be difficult to eat once they arrived. But without questioning further, Rohana simply nodded.

Kaiden’s matter-of-fact tone was calm, as if he had already forgotten the intense tension from a few hours ago. This made things slightly awkward, so Rohana eagerly focused on her meal.

Maybe it was because she had an important task ahead, but she found her appetite had returned.

“How much further do we have to go?” she asked.

“Not far. It’s just outside Nopthal.”

Kaiden responded calmly.

“We should arrive just after noon.”

Rohana nodded and quickly finished her food. Kaiden, who had been watching her silently, suddenly seemed to notice something.

“Rohana.”

“Yes?”

“When was the last time you slept?”

“Is it that obvious?”

“You clearly didn’t sleep last night,”

Kaiden said as he leaned closer to her. For the first time, Rohana took notice of his face — his unusually straight, strong nose and sharp jawline, illuminated by the morning sunlight.

“And I doubt you slept the night before, since you were probably worried about that girl.”

She was indeed sleep-deprived.

“Do you know what happens to someone who doesn’t sleep for two nights in a row?”

Rohana lowered her gaze.

“It’s dangerous to ride a horse in your condition. Ride with me.”

“No, I can manage…”

“The road will get rough. If you fall off, that would be a real problem. And aren’t we in a hurry?”

Kaiden was right. Reluctantly, Rohana had no choice but to agree.

“Fine, I’ll ride with you.”

“Don’t worry, Alby is smart enough to follow us on his own.”

Rohana sipped the last of her warm water and nodded.

“Shall we go?”

Kaiden stood up abruptly and began walking ahead. Rohana watched him for a moment before quickly following.

***

“So, did you deliver the message?”

Aurelia spoke in a low voice as she swept her golden hair back.

“Yes, don’t worry,” replied Loriann, a maid and distant relative of Marquis Jordic. Her thick, curly gray hair was elegantly styled according to the latest capital fashion.

“You said you met Rohana after delivering the food yesterday?”

“I only greeted her in the hallway.”

“Was that okay?”

“Of course.”

“Then why haven’t we heard anything yet?” Aurelia grumbled with irritation. The beautiful woman reflected in the platinum-framed mirror wore a displeased expression.

“Go check.”

As Aurelia thought about the sight of Kaiden that morning, she wondered what had made him walk away so quickly in anger.

She was worried about Bardi’s earlier behavior, but as long as they didn’t get caught, everything should be fine.

With only a few maids accompanying her, Aurelia knocked on the door of Kaiden’s office. When she waited for the attendants to report back, the door opened, and she could see him standing by the desk, where he always stood.

Surely, a lot of work must have piled up for him. He was always busy. Feeling a bit self-satisfied, Aurelia dismissed everyone and sat down in front of him.

Unlike in the morning, his silver hair was neatly swept back, and a silver emblem gleamed on his chest, which was now adorned with a deep navy ceremonial uniform.

“Your Grace,” she addressed him.

“You may skip the formal titles, Your Majesty. ‘Duke of Delcliff’ is sufficient.”

He briefly lifted his gaze from the documents before returning his attention to the desk.

“What brings you here?”

“I understand the matter with the chandelier.”

At that, his gaze fully shifted from the documents to her.

“You acted preemptively to avoid leaving any traces of magic behind, knowing they would use it as evidence to further oppress the Kark race, correct?”

“I didn’t realize the Empress was involved in that matter as well.”

Aurelia stared at him. He had always seemed distant and unfamiliar, but today, there was something particularly different about him.

“So, shouldn’t the attempt on Rohana’s life also be covered up?”

Her pointed question left Kaiden silent for a moment before he responded.

“I met the leader of R.D., Lazar.”

At that name, Aurelia flinched.

“He intends to use Rohana as a catalyst.”

“And what did you decide?” Aurelia asked.

Kaiden raised an eyebrow.

“Now that you’ve become Empress, wouldn’t war be the last thing you want? Naturally, I plan to prevent it from happening.”

Though it felt like rubbing salt in a wound, Aurelia, in her unease, continued speaking.

“Is it that you don’t want war, or that you don’t want Rohana to die?”

Kaiden’s eyes remained fixed on her.

“Of course, it’s…”

The lips that usually stayed tightly closed, hiding his emotions, and his deep, dark eyes held something different.

“The latter, I presume?”

Aurelia’s golden eyes lost their light.

“How could someone like you, of all people, hesitate to let a mere Arin die…”

“May I ask you two questions?”

Cutting her off, Kaiden’s unexpected question made Aurelia bite her lip. He put his pen down and folded his arms on the desk. The broadness of his shoulders cast a shadow in the sunlight.

“Do you know a child named Jody?”

“The arsonist? What more would I know about her?”

Kaiden’s cold gaze softened slightly, as if he had expected that answer. Aurelia frowned.

“And the second?”

Kaiden clasped his hands together and tilted his head slightly.

“What are you doing here, right now?”

His voice was low.

Aurelia bit her lower lip and glared at Kaiden. The unyielding wall she’d tolerated for over ten years felt strangely infuriating today.

“Do you really not know?”

“No, I don’t. And I need to leave now.”

As Aurelia opened her mouth to speak, his calm voice interrupted her, as if he already knew what she was going to say.

“As the Empress of this empire, isn’t it your duty to do everything in your power to prevent a war?”

Kaiden tilted his sharp jaw slightly, giving her a questioning look.

“Aurelia.”

At the sound of her name spoken as it once was, Aurelia shuddered. Kaiden, still looking directly into her tear-filled golden eyes, continued in a calm voice.

“Stop these petty games. What benefit does this bring you?”

“I know you never loved me.”

When she finally voiced the words, Kaiden closed his eyes tightly before opening them again, narrow and sharp. His long, straight fingers pressed against his temple.

“Then why, knowing that, are you here again?”

“War is inevitable. It could happen any day now.”

Kaiden furrowed his brow. His dark, jewel-like eyes, so deep they could draw anyone in, had subtle variations in their shades, if you looked closely enough.

Aurelia had once thought that her golden eyes and his dark ones made a perfect match. Clearing her throat, she spoke again.

“And you will need me.”

Afraid to meet his gaze, Aurelia quickly stood up.

Outside the door, Loriann, was waiting. Aurelia gave her a questioning look, and Loriann nodded in response. A faint smile curled at the corner of Aurelia’s lips.

‘Just you wait.’

She silently swallowed her words.

‘You will need me.’

Her confident steps sent her flowing hair swaying rhythmically.

TL NOTE: Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories