‘…I’m not worried about the world not following the original story.’

Despite knowing the original story being great wisdom granted to me.

Rather, I was afraid of the world following the original story. Afraid that someday, Rashid would end up falling in love with Priscilla.

How could I assert that such a thing won’t happen?

Imagining the day when Priscilla would reclaim this hand, this warmth he gives, his gentle words, his lips and breath—it made me want to burst into tears.

‘I shouldn’t be like this.’

I closed my eyes, trying hard to collect myself. I should become indifferent. I should treat Rashid like I did at first. Don’t become weak. Don’t have expectations.

In the end, I’m the one who gets hurt. I didn’t want to be the one crying.

* * *

“Glory to the rose. I greet Your Highness the Princess.”

I bent my knee and greeted Jeanne. Jeanne welcomed me with a faint smile.

I met her at the palace on Castor’s invitation.

Jeanne’s face, which I hadn’t seen in a long time, looked gaunt. Her cheeks were thin and tired-looking, and her already slender and delicate arms had become even thinner like twigs.

Though I was happy to meet Jeanne again without any particular reason, it pained me to see her health had visibly deteriorated.

“It’s been a while, Duchess. Still, I can’t contain my joy at meeting you again.”

“I’m honored. Have you been well?”

“Of course. I seem to have caused needless worry. I was just taking time to compose myself as I didn’t feel like engaging in bothersome social activities, but brother really……”

Taking a sip of tea, Jeanne seemed to catch herself and added,

“I don’t mean meeting you is like that. You know that, right?”

Jeanne smiled brightly as she said this. However, to my eyes, even that smile seemed strained.

“Yes, Your Highness. Though I’m honored, have you been seeing the imperial physician often?”

“I receive check-ups frequently. The physician says I’ve just become weak, so don’t worry too much. If needed, we can always request help from the Ailan ducal family.”

The Ailan ducal family specializes in healing white magic. Though their power has weakened considerably now and can’t save the dying or cure incurable diseases, I heard they still maintain considerable ability.

“How have you been lately? His Highness the Crown Prince mentioned that you’ve been in frequent contact with the Magic Tower.”

When I asked about her well-being as I heard from Castor, Jeanne nodded lightly.

“That’s right. I had some thoughts after that time. I became convinced that this country will become more peaceful in the future if the Magic Tower’s magical technology advances. It’s all thanks to you.”

“You’re too kind.”

“No, it’s true. Throughout winter, I’ve been corresponding with the Magic Tower and discussing various things. About how to create better magic formulas and such. And……”

「Recalling Gallard’s words, Jeanne fell into worry.」

Beyond the sentence that rose like smoke, Jeanne’s face clouded over. Her lowered eyelashes cast delicate shadows on her white skin. Her green eyes sank low.

「Worrying about that had made her sensitive body fall ill, causing her health to deteriorate day by day.」

After watching Jeanne for a moment, I called out to her.

“Your Highness?”

“Ah, yes. The Magic Tower master has been kind too, so we’re having many discussions.”

“…Thanks to Your Highness’s interest, I’m sure many good things will happen.”

“They should. What about you? How was life at Camelli? Tell me about it.”

Jeanne skillfully changed the topic.

I talked about my days in the west as she wished. Since I couldn’t talk about Natalie or Rashid, and it was difficult to mention the corridor where my portrait wasn’t hung or the forest where his sadness was buried, I had to carefully choose my words.

Still, Jeanne listened with interest while smiling.

The conversation that started with life in the west led to the recent Great Blooming of camellias.

Around when we were in full bloom of conversation, a palace official announced Castor’s visit.

“His Highness the Crown Prince is here.”

I rose from my seat to greet him.

Castor looked neat as always. His bright golden hair was dazzling and his blue eyes sparkled like sapphires.

“Jeanne, and Duchess Penvernon. I hope I haven’t interrupted a pleasant time.”

He gracefully waved his hand, gesturing us to be seated.

“You came at just the right time. We were about to wrap up.”

Jeanne looked between me and Castor.

“Thanks to brother inviting the Duchess, I had an enjoyable time after so long.”

“I’m glad.”

Castor’s voice was sincere. He seemed to truly care for his sister.

“But I’m a bit tired so I should rest now. If it’s alright, would you escort the Duchess out, brother?”

“I’ll be fine, Your Highness.”

I politely declined, but Jeanne shook her head and her eyes sparkled.

“Please do. You came all this way because of me, so that much at least.”

Castor gladly agreed to escort me. It was too great an honor.

He called me because he was worried about his sister, and willingly spares time for me because she wishes it. Watching their beautiful sibling affection, a gentle breeze-like warmth seeped into my heart… but I also felt a bit sad.

While some blood relatives were so affectionate, others were crueler than strangers.

Where did this difference come from?

Though I knew not everyone could have the same experiences and relationships, the stark contrast like light and shadow ultimately left me feeling somewhat bitter.

* * *

“Your presence seems to have improved the Princess’s mood.”

“I’m glad if that’s the case.”

I followed one step behind Castor.

Castor suddenly stopped walking. Wondering why, I looked up to see him gazing out the corridor window.

I naturally followed his gaze. The dazzling sunlight shattered softly as it hit the white walls of Granrose Palace. As a result, a rainbow created by scattered light colored the walls.

After watching that scene for a moment, Castor spoke.

“The roses should be blooming now.”

“What?”

“Shall we walk for a bit?”

“…Ah, yes.”

Does he have something to say privately? He gestured for the attending palace officials to withdraw. I quietly followed him.

The palace garden I found following Castor was a small and delicately decorated place. I thought a palace would definitely be flashy, but this was different from my expectations. As I tilted my head slightly in surprise, Castor added casually,

“The palace has many gardens. This is one of the more pastoral ones.”

Ah, I see.

Though I’m curious about the others, this one is pretty enough. The flowers planted as if spilling from large ceramic jars and the rustic log decorations added a simple and friendly charm to the garden.

As I moved my gaze around enjoying the scenery, Castor casually asked,

“Did the Duke of Penvernon say anything about you coming to the palace?”

Rashid?

I gently shook my head.

“Not at all. He shared my concern for Her Highness the Princess’s well-being.”

“…I see, the Duke of Penvernon.”

He smirked while stroking his chin.

Is it so strange that Rashid would be concerned about Jeanne? Perhaps he finds it odd because they were once potential marriage partners?

With such questions in mind, I walked through the garden with Castor for a while. He asked me about everyday things like how I’ve been lately and I answered readily. We exchanged casual conversations that could be had or not.

Then suddenly my gaze went to one corner of the garden.

There, clovers had dyed the palace grounds green in abundance. Among the small grass, tiny white flowers peeked their heads out proudly showing off their existence.

“Seeing so many flowers blooming, it seems summer is really coming.”

I bent down to pick one flower, then rolled it into a ring.

“You quite enjoy such simple pleasures.”

Castor said in a dignified voice.

“It was a game I enjoyed in childhood. We used to make these flower rings and give them to friends.”

I put the flower ring on my left middle finger. When I stretched out my hand, the clover flower ring sat next to my sparkling wedding ring. Their mismatched appearance made me laugh.

Castor was staring intently at me. Noticing his persistent gaze, I was startled for a moment and hurriedly continued speaking.

“Um, shall I make one for Your Highness too?”

After saying it out loud, I was dumbfounded by my own words. A clover flower ring for the Crown Prince who could wear rings dripping with diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds if he wanted.

What am I saying to someone who probably never played like this even once?

“Haha…… Then Your Highness……”

“Let’s do that.”

“What?”

I tried to smoothly gloss over it with laughter, but for some reason Castor readily accepted.

“Ah, yes……”

At his unexpected acceptance, I hurriedly picked another clover flower and made it into a ring. However, perhaps because I was flustered, the knot wouldn’t tie well. I struggled moving my hands this way and that, trying to bind the stem.

“Give it here.”

Castor took the partially knotted flower and skillfully tied the stem. A proper flower ring was made instantly in his hands.

He handed it back to me.

“Huh?”

I unconsciously made a stupid sound. I quickly covered my mouth, startled. I felt flustered and embarrassed.

Then Castor laughed softly.

“If you’re giving a ring, shouldn’t you put it on?”

He removed his glove and held out his hand.

‘Eh? Ehh?’

What is this? What should I do?

At this sudden turn of events, I just stared at his hand as if my whole body and mind had frozen. My head went blank.