When Kai was young, Verdura Castle was small and quaint, yet incredibly beautiful. It was a place his father, the Emperor, had personally designed for his mother, who loved simplicity. It was also her favorite place.

However, over time, it ceased to be a warm, beautiful, and joyful place filled with happy memories and instead became somber, sad, and unwelcoming.

Why did that happen?

There was a vast gap between the emotions tied to the same place, but the memories that could bridge the two felt like a gaping void.

It was as if the only bridge connecting these emotions had been severed. Kai was left with unpleasant feelings and became troubled by the sudden memory of Verdura Castle.

Why had the memories in between vanished, and why had the place of cherished memories with his mother been neglected?

“What is it?”

Kai tried to focus on the blurry memories, but the more he did, the more they faded like mist. As he concentrated on the fading memories, his headache returned.

Kai frowned and let out a short groan.

“Why? Are you hurt? Or did you miss dinner?”

Esta asked, checking on Kai as if he were an older brother. Kai suddenly wondered why the earth fairy appeared at this moment.

“Why do you keep coming here?”

He suddenly suspected that Princess Stella might have another motive, possibly using the earth fairy to spy on him.

“That’s because you’re one of Stella’s few human friends.”

Previously, the little creature had appeared out of nowhere, claiming it was because it felt sorry for him, and now it called him a friend of that woman. Kai tried to think if there was any connection between him and Stella that could be called friendship, but nothing significant came to mind.

Just a few times she had given him carrots, a handkerchief, and they had worked in the fields together. And the shared ability to see these tiny creatures.

“Why are there so many?”

Thinking of Stella, Kai’s eyebrows furrowed at the trivial memories that followed like byproducts. She was a subtly annoying and unsettling woman.

“I’m not her friend.”

“She’s Stella. Why do you call her that when you know her name? Oh! Did you forget already?”

Esta, who had been looking at Kai curiously, suddenly clamped his mouth shut and muttered in disbelief.

“Ark said you were a fool, and you really seem to be one. Oh dear, you look fine, but that’s unfortunate.”

Kai was left speechless by these tiny creatures who first pitied him and now called him a fool.

And behind these creatures was Stella, that woman. Even if he tried to ignore it, everything bothered him: Verdura Castle, these creatures, and even the carrots she grew.

Once he started doubting, everything seemed suspicious. It seemed he needed to find out more about Princess Stella.

* * *

Stella, who had come out to check on the chicory and spinach, noticed a strange shadow lingering in the garden. It was a late hour when even the guards outside the castle were likely dozing off.

“Who’s there?”

Stella shouted loudly enough for others to hear. However, the shadow stood still, without any sign of surprise, and turned its head towards her.

The fact that it didn’t run away but just stood there looking at her sent chills down Stella’s spine.

“What’s wrong? Is something happening?”

The earth fairies who had followed her also asked cautiously.

“It’s a human?”

“Why are they standing there? Is it a spinach thief?”

Hearing Stella’s voice, faint lights began to appear in the windows of Verdura Castle. Stella hoped that the person waking up and lighting a candle was Darren.

In case anything happened to her, she felt the guards outside the castle gates would just watch.

“Do you live here?”

Contrary to her tense state, the voice from the darkness surprisingly didn’t carry any malice.

But that didn’t mean she could let her guard down. Stella kept her distance and asked again.

“What are you doing in my garden?”

She tried to ask as calmly as possible, but her voice was sharp, and her breathing quickened.

“Did you remove the stone wall that was here, Princess?”

He responded to her question with another question. The mention of the stone wall out of nowhere made Stella’s eyes narrow. A different kind of tension from fear lingered around her neck.

“Who are you? If you want to ask questions, reveal your identity first. I won’t answer a single word until you do.”

Stella didn’t know where she found the courage, but she shouted at the man whose face she couldn’t even see clearly.

Although her voice was quite threatening, the man remained unfazed. Instead, he wandered around, searching for traces of the stone wall that had once stood where the field now lay.

Stella was baffled by his unhurried actions. It seemed as if he had forgotten she was watching him, as he continued to circle around before finally looking at her and asking again.

“Did you, Princess, remove the stone wall? Or was it the gardener who works here?”

“Why does that matter?”

Once again, the man didn’t answer Stella’s question. He gazed at her with an unreadable expression for a while, then slowly approached, as if he had made up his mind.

He didn’t seem like he would harm her, but his mere presence was intimidating. Instinctively, Stella took a step back, only to stop when she felt something behind her. She turned around.

“Darren.”

It seemed her wish had come true; the person who had woken up was indeed Darren. A smile spread across Stella’s face, feeling relieved at the sight of him.

“Are you alright, Princess?”

Darren carefully assessed Stella’s condition before turning to address the man standing opposite them. He naturally stepped in front of Stella, shielding her from the man’s view.

“Who are you? What gives you the right to enter here without permission?”

Though it was dark and he couldn’t see clearly, the silhouette didn’t resemble that of a servant or a mere soldier. Darren focused on the epaulettes on the man’s shoulders. It was then that the man spoke.

“Darren, is that you?”

The unidentified man addressed Darren. Darren, who had been staring intently ahead, relaxed slightly upon hearing his name. His expression suggested he was trying hard to recall the voice’s owner.

“Who are you?”

There was hesitation in Darren’s voice.

“I can’t believe you’ve forgotten me already. That’s disappointing. I didn’t expect to find you here, though.”

As the man continued speaking, Darren’s eyes widened. Before long, Darren was moving towards the man, leaving Stella behind.

“Darren, be careful!”

Stella didn’t have time to stop him. She was worried that Darren might get hurt by the mysterious man. She considered whether she should run to fetch a pickaxe from her room as she followed.

“Your Grace?”

Darren stopped midway and cautiously asked the man. The man laughed heartily.

“Do you recognize me now? Or should I be grateful that you still recognize me despite my age?”

Stella could hear Darren taking a deep breath.

She worried that he might be afraid due to some past enmity, but that didn’t seem to be the case. Darren’s expression was one of joy, as if he had met someone from his hometown.

“Your Grace!”

Darren ran like a child to stand before the man. Although Darren was much taller, the man somehow appeared more imposing.

Bowing deeply, Darren wiped away tears with the back of his hand, overwhelmed with emotion. A hearty laugh rang out again.

The moon, previously hidden by clouds, now revealed the man’s face, removing the shadows.

Based on his silhouette in the darkness, Stella had assumed he was a young knight around Royce’s age, but he wasn’t. He was an elderly man with a powerful build, white hair, and wrinkles around his eyes.

“I greet you, Princess.”

Will, who had been patting Darren’s shoulder, turned to Stella and greeted her respectfully.

Stella nodded in acknowledgment, still bewildered. Shortly after, Milla, who had come out due to the noise from the garden, also recognized the unfamiliar man and greeted him with surprise.

Even though it was late at night, a tea table was hurriedly set up for Will.

Brynn and Lianne, who had come out half-asleep to work, didn’t seem to know the man, but seeing Darren and Milla treat him with such reverence, they assumed he was someone important.

“Thank you for your hospitality.”

Will thanked them politely, and Stella responded appropriately.

Although he was an unannounced guest who had shown up unexpectedly late at night, Stella couldn’t just send Will away.

He clearly knew something about the stone wall in the garden. If so, he might also know about the earth fairies or the pickaxe.

‘Can he see the earth fairies too?’

Stella wondered, glancing down at the earth fairies sitting next to her.

However, the earth fairies, despite the stranger’s presence, weren’t wary. Their eyes were gleaming as they looked at the tea and snacks in front of them.

Ark had even climbed onto the table, nibbling on a cookie piece by piece.

He wanted to eat it whole, but he was cautious, knowing a floating cookie might alarm the humans.

Stella picked up a cookie, took a bite, and placed it on an empty chair. The earth fairies nearby climbed up onto the chair.

“I like chocolate cookies.”

“They’re sweet and tasty.”

“Eat quietly.”

Oton scolded the earth fairies, who were eating with constant exclamations.

Stella sipped her tea, waiting for the other party to start the conversation. She tried to appear relaxed, but she couldn’t help feeling impatient.

To calm herself, Stella took another sip of the warm tea. The fragrant and slightly bitter aroma filled her mouth.

“Did you remove the stone wall, Princess?”

Breaking the brief silence, Will repeated the question he had asked in the garden. It seemed appropriate to answer now.

“I needed to plant something else.”

Will, seemingly unsatisfied with Stella’s vague answer, leaned in closer than before and asked again.

“Did you remove the stone wall with your own hands? Or did the gardener or a servant do it for you?”