“It is hard to believe that the princess is already eight years old. Time truly flies.”

“Right? I’m worried that she’ll be holding a boy’s hand and talking about marriage before we know it.”

At Liliana’s playful remark, Vail let out a low chuckle.

“Her Highness is quite mature. It is entirely possible.”

“It seems like there are already two boys who like her. It’s really concerning, isn’t it?”

Liliana was simply sharing her thoughts from today, but she knew it would likely come across as a joke.

However, Vail responded with unexpected seriousness.

“What is there to be concerned about? Her Highness can make anyone her own if she so desires.”

“What?”

“Am I wrong?”

At Vail’s matter-of-fact tone, Liliana blinked.

Well, he wasn’t exactly wrong.

There’s no rule that says Lilith must choose only one…

She could very well become the first royal of the Carlo Empire to take consorts.

Lost in thought, Liliana suddenly chuckled.

“But I think Lilith will choose just one person.”

“How can you be so sure?”

Liliana answered with confidence.

“Because she has grown up watching how perfect love can be when shared with just one person.”

For a brief moment, Vail’s gaze turned blank, as if surprised. Then, as if realizing something, he gave a faint smile.

“I see.”

After chatting a little longer, the two rose from their seats. Liliana still had many people to meet.

Just before parting ways, Vail called out to her.

“Your Majesty, forgive my impudence.”

“Impudence?”

Vail had never been impudent since becoming her knight. As she looked at him with curiosity, he smiled deeply and said,

“You look happy. And that makes me happy.”

Liliana tilted her head at his words, then suddenly burst into laughter.

“That’s not impudent at all, Duke. You seem much happier than before as well. That makes me happy too.”

Vail nodded at her words.

After exchanging light farewells, they turned their backs to each other and slowly walked away.

Just before Liliana disappeared around the corner, Vail turned to look at her retreating figure.

It was impossible not to love the woman who had achieved so much with that small back.

But now, perhaps forgetting her was the truest way to love her.

“I am sincerely happy for you, Liliana. Be happy.”

His brief farewell was carried away by the autumn wind, reaching no one.

Side Story 3: To the Ones I Miss and Love

A soft laughter echoed from somewhere.

At first, Liliana thought it was Helio’s voice.

After all, Helio had become someone who could laugh so happily and warmly now.

But the tone of the laughter, the way the person exhaled between chuckles—it wasn’t Helio’s.

Following the sound, Liliana walked forward.

Her steps felt as if she were walking on clouds, the ground beneath her entirely white and soft.

There were no attendants in sight. The palace, too, was one she had never seen before.

And yet, she never once lost her way. It was as if someone kind and gentle was guiding her.

As she stepped into a large room, the space transformed in an instant into a breathtaking garden.

At the center, a tea table was set, with two men seated across from each other.

“Hahaha! Helio, when did you become so playful?”

One of them was her dearest Helio.

Helio had a mischievous smile on his lips as he looked at the man before him.

“You’re one to talk, brother. You haven’t changed one bit.”

Brother?

Liliana’s eyes widened in surprise.

There was only one person in this world whom Helio would call ‘brother’ with such affection.

Adonia.

The older brother who had tried so hard to teach Helio pure love.

The kind soul who had left Helio in the end, yet even in his final moments, worried about him.

Before she even realized it, Liliana was approaching the two of them, her heart brimming with joy.

“Hello, Prince Adonia. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

As soon as she appeared, Helio stood from his seat and walked toward her.

“Lily, I should have known you would come.”

“You finally get to see Prince Adonia again. Prince Adonia, Helio truly cares about you.”

Helio, looking slightly embarrassed, rubbed near his brow before exhaling a quiet laugh.

He placed an arm around Liliana’s waist and introduced her to Adonia.

“Brother, this is my wife, Liliana.”

Under normal circumstances, such an introduction would have been improper.

Physical affection in public, calling her ‘wife’—none of it was acceptable within the imperial court.

But here, it felt like it was okay. And so, Liliana did not stop him.

Adonia, too, ignored formalities, rising from his seat and extending a hand toward her.

“I have heard much about you, Lady Liliana.”

“Please, just call me Liliana.”

“Then, please call me Adonia as well.”

“Alright, Adonia. I’m truly happy to finally meet you.”

Liliana was so overjoyed that she wanted to hug him or shake his hands wildly.

But as this was their first meeting, she settled for a mature handshake instead.

Adonia gave a warm smile and nodded.

“I am happy as well. To see Helio smiling so gently like this… It must all be thanks to you, Liliana. I should have been there to witness it. The thought alone nearly brings me to tears.”

Adonia playfully tapped the corner of his eye with his index finger, pretending to wipe away tears.

At the sight, Helio let out an exasperated breath, while Liliana burst into laughter.

“I must have missed quite the spectacle during my long journey. I wasn’t even there to scold my little brother when he acted foolishly.”

“Hah! It seems you know everything about how I’ve been living, brother.”

“Of course, I do. Do you know how much I care about my younger brother?”

“And yet, not once did you come to visit?”

“But I’m here now, aren’t I?”

Adonia and Helio quickly started bickering.

With Adonia, Helio looked like an ordinary young man. The way he quarreled playfully with his older brother was endearing and lovable.

“That’s right, you were too much. Do you know how much Helio missed you? He sobbed every night.”

Liliana exaggerated dramatically, and Helio, about to protest, sighed deeply and gave up.

“Is that so? Acting all mature and composed in front of me, but in reality, he was beside himself, longing for his dear brother?”

“You’re treating your grown brother like a four-year-old child.”

Helio’s retort did not land successfully.

Liliana sat at the table with the two brothers, chatting for a long time.

She joined forces with Adonia to tease Helio, only to turn around and take his side at times, as if she had never done otherwise.

Adonia spoke about Helio’s childhood, while Liliana shared stories of Helio as a father.

They talked endlessly, yet strangely, the sun remained still at the center of the sky, unmoving.

Noticing this, Liliana gazed up at the sky, and Adonia smiled faintly.

“Perhaps it’s because I desperately wish for time to stop.”

It was a meaningful remark, but Helio pretended not to hear it and grumbled instead.

“Enough with the teasing. You both should rest now. Brother, allow me to escort you to the palace so you can recover from your journey.”

“There’s no need. I will be leaving again.”

Liliana, just as startled as Helio, quickly grabbed Adonia’s arm.

“You just arrived! Where are you going?”

“The journey I have embarked on is not one I can end at will. But it is a journey everyone must take eventually, and along the way, I meet many people. It is not such a bad thing.”

Adonia spoke gently, as if to soothe both Helio and Liliana.

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, his eyes widened in surprise, and he looked intently at Liliana.

“Liliana, your mother asked me to send her regards.”

“My mother?”

“Of course, she did not introduce herself as your mother. But the way she looked when she spoke of you—it could only be the gaze of a mother.”

Liliana immediately realized who he was talking about.

Marchioness Liston. The woman who had given her life for Liliana, another mother to her.

Even before Adonia relayed the message, Liliana felt a sting at the tip of her nose.

Adonia placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and spoke tenderly.

“She said thank you for forgiving her. That because of you, she spent the rest of her days in happiness.”

Liliana bit her lower lip for a moment before letting go, holding back her tears. With a trembling voice, she asked,

“Is she doing well?”

“Of course. She is on a joyful journey, happy to have reunited with her daughter. But she worries about you greatly.”

“…Please tell her that I am very happy too. And that when we meet again, she should be prepared for a long scolding.”

“Yes, I will.”

Adonia then turned to Helio and spread his arms wide. Though the gesture was a bit embarrassing, Helio did not hesitate and embraced his brother.

At some point, a door made of light had appeared in one corner of the garden.

Adonia walked toward it, turning back several times to wave warmly.

When Liliana woke from the dream, her face was damp with tears.

Helio gently wiped her cheeks with his large, warm hands and whispered,

“Brother seems to be doing well.”

Liliana nodded.

“And so does Marchioness.”

There was no need to say it had been a mysterious dream.

Because it was not just a dream.

Helio and Liliana had shared a tea party in a garden made of clouds.

They spoke with their loved ones, about their loved ones.

Though the time had been brief, the memory would remain in their hearts forever.

~~End of the Side Story~~