Rosana was repeatedly discovering just how noisy a person could be. Lily, who was sitting before her, chattered away without pause. 

Yuna was quite talkative too, but she showed restraint, perhaps because of the difference in status between them. Lily, however, was different.

Noticing Rosana staring at her with blank eyes, Lily covered her mouth, embarrassed.

“I talk too much, don’t I?”

“No, it’s fine.”

Rosana actually felt relieved that there wasn’t an awkward silence.

“I’m not very eloquent, so it might be rather dull.”

“It’s fine. I practically forced my way in. Please feel comfortable calling me Lily. I want to become close with you, Rosana. Oh, may I call you by your name?”

“Of course.”

“That’s a relief. Anyway, I was so surprised when I saw you and His Majesty walking in the garden. Normally, Jade should have his guard up, but I could see this calm, gentle atmosphere surrounding him. So I knew right away. Father was right!”

“Are you talking about Duke Helpe?”

“Have you met him?”

“No. I’ve never met him.”

She recalled Jade mentioning that Duke Helpe might be able to help her. From his attitude, he clearly trusted the man.

“What kind of person is the Duke?”

“Father? Hmm… He worries a lot, but he’s kind.”

Lily smiled broadly. Anyone could see she loved her father, Duke Helpe.

“He worried so much because of me. His Majesty mentioned it briefly, but my health isn’t very good. This snow-white hair and red eyes are proof of that. So it was rather difficult.”

“Why?”

Rosana took in the sight of Lily stroking her hair with a bitter smile. Did she mean the color of her hair and eyes were evidence of poor health? 

Rosana looked at Lily’s sorrowful face. She smiled awkwardly and touched her hair.

“The physician said it was a phenomenon caused by illness, but the people around me didn’t see it that way. I don’t resemble either of my parents. Well, I heard all sorts of things.”

Lily swept her hair back with an embarrassed laugh. Not resembling her parents. Rosana could roughly guess what sorts of things people said. They must have whispered that she wasn’t a real daughter or that she was illegitimate.

‘Thinking about it that way, I’m lucky I’m the spitting image of Mother.’

Rosana had once been briefly embroiled in controversy because her innate nature was so different from her family’s. 

However, the rumors died out like a snuffed flame because she looked so much like Amy. They must have meant they couldn’t understand why someone like her was bound to them as family.

“It’s not worth worrying about. Jade and the people close to Lily don’t speak such words, do they? Isn’t that enough?”

Hearing Rosana’s words, Lily looked at her with a surprised expression. Then she responded.

“You’re right!”

She clapped her hands to change the mood.

“Now, shall we set aside the gloomy talk? I don’t know how we got on this topic… Don’t you have any questions for me?”

“Why did you say you wanted to have tea time with me?”

“That’s because of His Majesty and…”

“You know about my story, don’t you?”

Especially if you’re a noble. Rosana exchanged a serious look with Lily.

“I can’t deny I had prejudices before entering the imperial palace. But I knew right away. I told you earlier, didn’t I? That His Majesty’s atmosphere had softened. Someone like you who could do that can’t be a bad person.”

“Is that so…”

“If you know about past events, do you also know His Majesty stayed at our estate when he was young?”

“No. That’s the first I’m hearing of it. When you mentioned Jade appearing at a friend’s house to Sir Baron, I roughly guessed, but…”

“I remember that time vividly. One day, Father brought a boy home. I was weak and couldn’t go outside much, and I didn’t have many friends. I was curious enough about the boy who suddenly appeared. This might sound strange to say, but…”

Lily thought for a moment, then spoke when she seemed to have found an appropriate comparison.

“You know those really prickly princes? He gave off that exact vibe. His clothes were shabby, sure, but you could tell they were made from high-quality material. The moment I saw him, I knew—this guy is that prince.  

I tried so hard to make him laugh. I went out of my way to approach him, talk to him, even act like a fool. And the smile I managed to get? Just a ‘pfft.’ That’s it. Pfft. You saw it earlier, didn’t you? That completely mocking expression on his face.”

“That’s not true. He cherishes Lily in his own way.”

Rosana could clearly see that Jade cherished Lily enough. His tone was sarcastic, but it contained worry. Lily frowned and grumbled, but she didn’t seem to dislike it.

“We’ve arrived.”

Baron announced their arrival, and Rosana and Lily got out.

“We’re finally here. Why is it so far…”

Lily, who had gotten out carefully, casually lifted her head. Then her words stopped abruptly.

“…Was I mistaken? He doesn’t like her?”

Lily muttered with an expression like she was deciding something of great importance. Baron smiled awkwardly from behind. 

In the imperial palace, there was a saying that the farther a palace was from the Emperor’s palace, the less affection there was. The palace Jade initially gave Rosana was far. It was hard to see it as a palace given to someone he liked.

Even if they had been on bad terms at first and he realized his feelings later, there were various methods like moving palaces or doing major construction. 

Not knowing that Rosana had declined all of these, and not having seen the interior, Lily’s reaction was reasonable. Rosana walked calmly toward the palace and called out to Lily, who wasn’t moving, with curiosity.

“Lily?”

Until then, Lily muttered to herself with a serious expression.

“There’s not even a garden. The palace is shabby. Could this be some elaborate scheme…!”

“You’ve gone too far.”

When Baron placed his hand on Lily’s shoulder, she jumped in surprise.

“You startled me!”

“Is there a problem?”

“N-no. It’s just… different from what I expected. Let’s hurry.”

Lily rushed to Rosana’s side. The palace became busy with the sudden visitor. Since that visitor was Lady Helpe, it became even more hectic.

“I’ll guide you to the drawing room.”

Celine skillfully guided them to the drawing room and served tea. Lily spoke awkwardly while drinking her tea.

“I said earlier I wouldn’t judge by appearances, but I got flustered without realizing it.”

“About what?”

When Rosana asked curiously, Lily sipped her tea and subtly avoided her gaze. She had let her imagination run wild after seeing the palace’s exterior. Feeling guilty, she couldn’t meet Rosana’s eyes.

She had even wondered if Jade was trying to win Rosana’s heart to backstab Astrot. You really went far. Lily, get a grip. She scolded herself.

However, the interior was completely different. 

The maids were polite, and he had assigned the Imperial Knights as palace guards. If he hadn’t been interested in the first place, he wouldn’t have assigned Baron either.

Lily pulled her chair closer, saying let’s get to the real conversation now, and smiled brightly. With her hands cupped, she asked.

“I want to hear your story too, Rosana. You do like him, right? I thought I’d freeze to death earlier. Oh, not that the weather was cold, but because of the cold air you were radiating.”

“Wh-what are you talking about?”

Seeing Rosana flustered, Lily’s eyes sparkled.

“Being flustered means you know, doesn’t it? You were jealous earlier.”

Lily giggled softly. Those around them quietly swallowed their shock. Until today, Rosana had consistently played dumb. They stirred at this first-time revelation, but soon quieted down. 

Celine gave the maids, and Baron gave the knights sharp looks.

“Jade must have liked your kindness, Rosana.”

“I’m not kind.”

Rosana, who had previously regarded Lily unfavorably, gently averted her gaze. She felt embarrassed to be called kind by someone she had harbored feelings close to hostility toward.

“Your own perspective and a third party’s perspective are different.”

Having said that, Lily took a sip of the tea before her. Then silence prevailed. Rosana didn’t readily open her mouth, and Lily stared intently at Rosana, gauging her. 

Since the person who had been chattering continuously suddenly closed her mouth, an awkward silence followed. Rosana hesitated, then spoke.

“Do you think I like Jade, Lily…?”

At Rosana’s question, she smiled brightly.

“Of course!”

“I-is that so?”

“Are you confused, Rosana?”

Rosana traced the surface of her teacup with her finger.

“When I see Jade, I feel energized and happy. Sometimes my heart races.”

Rosana’s face, having never directly told anyone this before, turned bright red and burst.

“You two really suit each other well. I can see Jade loves you very much too.”

Lily was sincere. They say even hate is a form of affection, and she was quite worried about Jade being alone in such a high place.

“Do you think so…?”

“…?”

When Rosana tilted her head, Lily’s head tilted too. She had honestly acknowledged her own feelings. Lily was flustered when a questioning answer suddenly came back.

Lily’s bewildered voice came out naturally.

“So, you’re in love with each other, aren’t you?”

“I don’t know about Jade.”

Lily’s face crumpled as she watched Rosana speak with a bitter smile. What a pathetic fool. Thanks to that, Lily’s teacup rattled mercilessly.

“Does His Majesty not express himself well?”

“Uh, well…”

Rosana hesitated, not knowing what to say. In the end, it was Lily who became anxious.

“Which is it?!”

“I don’t know. I won’t know unless I hear it directly from his mouth. He is kind to me, but… He probably pays attention because he’s worried about leaving me alone.”

“What?”

Lily became extremely serious and fell into anguish. She recalled how he had coldly rejected her when she always visited him at the ducal estate. However, no matter how much she thought about it, he was definitely giving Rosana special treatment.

What is this about? 

Lily stared blankly at Rosana, who was spouting nonsensical stories.

“Jade is kind, so he finds it hard to watch me struggle alone. So he encourages me and stays with me. I’m alone here. But… that kindness isn’t proof that he loves me.”

Having finished her long speech, Rosana drank her tea to wet her throat. She truly thought that way. It was difficult for Rosana to understand emotions that weren’t clearly visible.

“No, wait. Wait a moment.”

Lily became serious. She waved her hand while lightly touching her forehead. Then she glanced at Rosana.

‘This… Jade isn’t the problem.’

Lily held her head, feeling the back of it throb. Then she spoke slowly.

“Rosana. Being kind means there’s affection. No one can guarantee what kind of emotion that affection is. But don’t you know from seeing His Majesty’s attitude?”

“I wonder…”

The drawn-out ending showed she didn’t believe it.

“You don’t love yourself, do you, Rosana?”

She had to say this. Rosana’s attitude was no different from avoidance. She didn’t believe the visible evidence. She didn’t try to believe it. 

A deep distrust that she couldn’t possibly be loved was evident. Lily’s thought was correct. Rosana, with surprised eyes, just smiled. She couldn’t bring herself to refute it.

Lily decided not to say anything more. Beyond this point, it was Jade’s job, not hers. Words of encouragement were her last.

“It’s okay. Originally, loving yourself is the most difficult thing. You know what? I hated this hair and these eyes for a long time too. But not anymore. You’ll come to like yourself soon too, Rosana.”

Lily smiled brightly to lighten the mood.

So that’s why Jade couldn’t take his eyes off her. There was something about her that captured people’s attention. Rosana’s face held sadness and the lonely autumn wind that surrounded her. 

Lily glanced at Rosana and changed the subject.

“What do you usually talk about during tea time in Astrot? The ladies here often show interest in policy or swordsmanship.”

“Oh, actually…”

“Yes.”

“I haven’t had tea time very often.”

“…What?”

Lily’s smile faltered. The situation was beyond recovery.