‘W-why is this happening all of a sudden?! If it goes on like this, they’ll find out I have divine power!’

April hastily shoved her hand, glowing with divine power, into her hood and returned to Haya and Isabel’s side. Seeing April’s pale face, Haya, who had thought it was only an excuse, panicked, exclaiming that she must really have been sick.

The two quickly supported Isabel and hurried out of the plaza, heading into a back alley.

While April was too busy running to pay attention to her surroundings, someone who had been watching her from among the crowd revealed himself.

“Found you.”

Since the first day of the funeral, Jarenne had been observing each and every person who came forward to place flowers. Her fist clenched tight.

Calsion had insisted on watching over the plaza until the funeral was over, but Yulifa barely managed to dissuade him. No matter how much he tried to hide it, he stood out too much—anyone could tell he was suspicious. Yulifa had argued that if he did so, April would only hide even deeper, and only then had he reluctantly agreed.

So Yulifa stayed by his side, while Jarenne and other knights concealed themselves throughout the plaza to keep watch.

Jarenne gazed at the flower April had cast. The white chrysanthemum infused with divine power shone so brightly it was dazzling. Unlike the other flowers that had already begun to wither, it remained fresh.

Quietly, Jarenne followed after them. After learning where they lived and waiting until morning, he discovered the place April went to work. Then he hurried back to the palace. It was time to report the long-awaited news to his lord.

***

The late emperor’s funeral ended amidst the grief of the empire’s people. They returned to their daily lives, and so did April.

After finishing her shift at the flower shop, April stopped in her tracks on her way back to Haya’s home, weighed down by a troubled heart. Sitting heavily on the flowerbed nearby, she pressed her chest.

‘Lately, I’ve been feeling bloated…’

She thought it must be because she hadn’t been at ease, and let out a sigh.

‘Now that His Majesty’s funeral is over, it’s only a matter of time before he ascends the throne.’

She had always vaguely thought that someday Calsion would become emperor. But why were her hands trembling like this? He had driven out the other royals and seized the throne—it meant he had won. She should rejoice, so why didn’t she feel happy?

‘That means our contract is over.’

Though they had set the term for two years, now that he was becoming emperor, he no longer needed a contract wife. At the thought of Calsion becoming someone who had nothing to do with her, April’s chest tightened. Her heart pounded irregularly, and pain seized her.

Now everything was truly over.

‘There was no need to dye my hair, either.’

It was pointless. Why had she even bothered, when no one was even looking for her?

‘What do I really want to do?’

If only someone would tell her which path she ought to take.

Deceived by Harit’s words, she had left the palace on impulse, but the longer she stayed here, the more she felt this wasn’t where she belonged. Sitting in the flowerbed like this, she found herself so pathetic she could hardly bear it. Compared to Calsion, who managed everything on his own, she was nothing.

‘Who am I to compare myself to him?’

Even comparing herself to Calsion felt shameful. She tried to stride energetically back home, but her resolve had long since faded.

April let out a deep sigh. Just then, a long shadow fell across her.

“I came to take you, Vi.”

It was Calsion’s voice. Startled, she widened her eyes and looked up. He was standing over her, gazing down at her.

“…K-Karl…? How are you here…?”

“It’s time to go home.”

“What do you mean…? I don’t even have a home.”

“Hearing that hurts.”

‘How did he find me?’

When April saw Calsion’s face, she was so dazed, unsure if this was reality, that she missed the chance to get angry.

‘What in the world is happening? Is this a dream? Did Calsion really come to find me? That can’t be…’

A whirl of emotions surged inside her. April didn’t know how to react; her eyes darted around. Should she run? Should she get angry?

Before she could say anything, Calsion seized her hand. Because of his sudden appearance, all the commoners passing by immediately fell to their knees. But April saw no one else—only him.

April stared blankly at Calsion. He didn’t urge her, simply stood still while holding her hand.

At that moment, April felt a sudden desire to start everything over again. So, recalling the very first time she met Calsion, she opened her mouth.

“Couldn’t you just pretend you don’t know me?”

Calsion thought for a moment at her question, then let out a faint chuckle. It was a strangely thrilling and heart-pounding moment.

Would he remember those words? With a nervous heart, April looked at him.

“Of course not.”

At Calsion’s reply, a smile curved on April’s lips.

“Everyone has their own story. Couldn’t you let it go, just this once?”

“No.”

Calsion answered quickly, as if it wasn’t even worth considering. April laughed out loud, unable to help herself. How could he still be so unchanged?

“Coward.”

“What did you say?”

April gripped Calsion’s hand tightly, the one that adjusted itself to match hers. Her eyes, fixed on him, gleamed with resolve. She still believed he had tried to use her, and that conviction hadn’t changed. That was why she had to ask him at least once.

April closed her eyes briefly, then opened them again to speak.

“Wasn’t our deal already over?”

“I don’t recall making such a deal, wife.”

“What? But you clearly promised to give me my freedom…!”

“I’ll say it again. I never made such a deal.”

Startled by his sudden change in tone, April froze. The bright, easy smile he had worn moments ago was gone, replaced by a blank expression as he stared at her. She faltered, but only for a moment.

“I’ve also never heard why my Vi left the palace.”

“Karl.”

“April.”

His cold face drew close. So close that their lips were nearly touching. April tried to pull back, but Calsion moved first.

His hand stroked the back of her neck, tightening with subtle strength. As April flinched in alarm, his lips brushed against her hair.

From the spot his lips touched, the color of her hair slowly began to change. The streaked black strands, unevenly dyed, gradually returned to their golden hue, shining brilliantly. Gasps of shock rippled from everyone who witnessed it. April, too, was stunned.

“This is…!”

“Wasn’t it freedom you wanted? Then you can be free—in my arms.”

“Karl.”

“Let’s go back to the palace first. We’ll talk there.”

Calsion tightened his grip on April’s hand. She didn’t resist, instead rising to her feet. Part of her thought it was time they had a real conversation, at least once.

‘Though I didn’t expect it to be now…’

She had feared facing him, but there was no avoiding it any longer. From the moment her hair changed under Calsion’s touch, resistance had slipped away from her mind.

Behind her, Jarenne stepped forward.

“I’ve retrieved them.”

“What…?”

When April turned, she saw a familiar bundle of cloth. In Jarenne’s hands were the belongings she had hidden away at Haya’s house.

“The reward?”

“I delivered the amount you specified. After all, they were the ones who rescued Your Highness.”

“Good.”

Calsion held April’s hand as if escorting her. When she moved clumsily, he frowned. His sharp gaze flickered across her, but April caught the concern hidden in it and smiled faintly.

“It’s not as though I’m badly hurt—kya!”

Before she could finish speaking, Calsion swept her into his arms. Startled and embarrassed, April buried her face against his chest.

“The dress is a little short.”

Because Haya’s dress was short, her ankles were showing. Calsion muttered with displeasure. Jarenne, watching silently, unfastened the cloak draped over her shoulders and wrapped it around her waist. When Calsion saw April’s ankles completely hidden beneath the cloak, he glanced around and gave an order.

“Return to the imperial palace.”

“We obey.”

At some point, the loud voices of the knights rang out. The commoners, however, still hadn’t risen from the ground.

‘It’s because of me.’

They had work to go to, but Calsion’s sudden appearance had brought them to a standstill. April couldn’t help but notice them, frozen in place. If she hadn’t known, she wouldn’t have cared, but now that she understood there were people who lived day to day by their wages, she couldn’t just walk away. So, in a small voice, she called out to Calsion.