—Please come out to the terrace overlooking the castle gates tomorrow morning.

As he had asked, Diana went out to the terrace as soon as the morning sun rose. She had all her official business brought to the terrace for the day.

“Jerome, what time does Lord Ian usually arrive at work?”

Even as she reviewed documents, she kept glancing toward the castle gates and asked Jerome, who was standing beside her.

“Lord Ian? Were you waiting for Lord Ian?”

Jerome finally realized what was going on, though his face looked more flustered than enlightened.

“Your Highness, you and Lord Ian Leheits… what exactly is your relationship? Come to think of it, you were alone together at the last banquet too!”

“What do you mean, relationship? There’s nothing between us.”

“But still…!”

“I said there’s nothing. There never will be. Not in this life.”

She answered firmly, and at that moment, she spotted Ian entering through the castle gates and jumped to her feet.

He was riding a horse into the castle grounds.

“It really is Yan…”

“Would it be a fake Ian, Your Highness? Your Highness!”

Recognizing Yan, she immediately left the terrace and hurried into her room.

She could hear Jerome’s flustered voice behind her, but she quickly threw an outdoor coat over her dress and rushed outside.

Once inside the castle gates, one was met with a maze of paths leading to various buildings. Even those familiar with the castle could easily get lost, as it was vast and complex.

Worried she might miss him, Diana’s hurried steps matched her anxious heart.

She ran across the royal garden to the central courtyard. Circling the central garden, she reached the walkway that led directly to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the stables. If she kept running to the right from there…

“Princess Diana!”

Only then did Diana stop running. Ian was riding his horse toward her.

He wore a relaxed expression, as if he’d known she would come this way.

He stopped his horse in front of Diana and nimbly dismounted.

“I was about to go to you. I didn’t expect you to come running like this.”

“Ha… I’m glad we didn’t miss each other. But how did you…?”

“I saw you leaving the terrace in a hurry. I thought you’d come this way.”

“You must be used to the castle now. The garden is so big, it can be confusing.”

“Well… this might sound strange, but somehow… the royal castle has never felt unfamiliar to me. When I walk through the gardens, I feel at ease, so I often stroll here.”

“…”

His words sounded oddly meaningful, and Diana stared at him. But he seemed to misunderstand her gaze.

“Oh! I forgot to introduce him again. This is Yan.”

Yan had been staring at Diana the whole time.

“…Yan.”

She called Yan’s name softly.

“Try petting him. He’s not gentle, but he’s a good horse.”

Diana slowly approached Yan and reached out her hand. Her heart was pounding with nerves.

At that moment, Yan brought his nose to her hand first, then snorted in greeting.

“He’s not usually this friendly…”

Ian sounded surprised.

Yan even went so far as to lick Diana’s hand and face like a puppy.

Did Yan recognize Diana?

“…Yan.”

It really felt that way, so Diana hugged Yan’s head tightly. She felt as if she might cry.

Her last memory with Yan was still vivid.

On the night she was taken as a prisoner to the Kargen Empire, Yan had stood in front of the carriage that was taking her away. That was the last time she saw him.

Diana could never forget it—the sight of Yan’s white neck falling helplessly right there…

“I’m sorry…”

She whispered as she hugged Yan.

As if in reply, Yan blew a warm breath onto her forehead.

It was as if he was saying, It’s okay, I missed you too.

Feeling Ian’s gaze, Diana quickly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.

“He looks so much like a horse I once knew… He’s a really good boy.”

She gently stroked Yan’s mane with affection as he tried to stay close to her.

“He must have been precious to you.”

“Yes. I’d forgotten, but… when I was young, I was afraid of horses.”

What Jerome had said about her hating horses wasn’t wrong. If she hadn’t met Yan, she probably would still be afraid of them.

“Because of him, I was able to like other horses too. He was a truly precious friend…”

Diana recalled the day in her previous life when young Ian had given her the unusually small and pale newborn Yan.

Yan hadn’t been friendly at first, but after many days together, he willingly became a part of her.

In her past life, Yan had loved Diana more selflessly than anyone else.

“Thank you for bringing Yan.”

“I’m happier seeing Your Highness smile.”

Ian smiled at her in return.

It was such a warm smile that Diana thought, perhaps, there was some sincerity in it.

At that moment, a tall, cold-faced woman approached them, her formal suit making her height even more striking.

It was Natasha, the Queen’s aide.

“Princess, I’ve come to escort you.”

“Natasha.”

“Her Majesty is waiting for you.”

Diana gave Yan one last pat and nodded to Natasha.

“Thank you for today, Lord Ian.”

Ian returned her farewell with a gentle smile and a bow.

“…”

Natasha seemed to quietly observe Ian.

***

Following Natasha, Diana made her way to the Queen’s office.

“You called for me, Your Majesty.”

Queen Isabella, who had been gazing out the arched window that overlooked the capital, turned toward Diana’s voice.

“You’re here.”

Queen Isabella smiled softly.

Her deep blue eyes, the purest sapphire shade symbolizing the Ahiel dynasty, shone with strength.

Looking at her, Diana wished that someday she too could face the world with such resolute eyes. They resembled each other enough that such thoughts came naturally.

At that moment, a cool breeze swept in through the open window. Isabella’s thick golden hair, tied back and hanging softly, fluttered in the wind.

“The weather’s been so nice lately, I thought of taking a walk with my niece for the first time in a while, but Natasha absolutely forbade it.”

“You have a full schedule today, Your Majesty. Perhaps one day in the week after next would be possible.”

At Natasha’s inflexible reply, Isabella chuckled, deep wrinkles forming at the corners of her eyes.

But those lines did nothing to diminish her beauty. Even at sixty, she was still striking.

In her youth, she’d been called the most beautiful and strong woman on the continent. Now, with age, she had gained wisdom and become a true queen.

“Your Majesty, let me carry those for you.”

Natasha reached out for the stack of documents in Isabella’s right arm.

The stack looked heavy, as if it weighed as much as several bricks.

“It’s fine.”

But Isabella moved the heavy load aside with just her right hand.

Diana’s gaze went to where Isabella’s left arm should have been.

During her father’s reign, Isabella had led Erden’s army as a general against Kargen.

She won a great victory in the final battle, but in the process, lost her left arm to the Kargen Emperor.

“Why, do I look pitiful to you?”

Sensing Diana’s gaze, Isabella smiled wryly.

“Why do you look at me like that?”

“…No, Your Majesty.”

Diana still couldn’t look her in the eye. The memory of Isabella’s last moments kept flashing before her, making it hard to bear.

The ones who pierced her heart and toppled the kingdom—the Kargen crown prince and the Duke of Promes.

Even with the right arm that had repelled countless enemies, she could not stop their treachery.

“Still, it’s a relief I have my right arm left to sign royal decrees, isn’t it, Natasha?”

Isabella said cheerfully.

But Natasha’s face remained cold and serious. She never dared laugh, even at the queen’s jokes. Not that anyone could laugh at such a grim jest.

Isabella seemed amused by Natasha’s lack of reaction and finally took her seat on the throne.

Seated on the throne, Isabella was the very embodiment of Erden. Her presence was so commanding and noble that anyone would instinctively bow before her.

“The crown prince will be returning soon.”

From the throne, she spoke not as Diana’s aunt but as the sovereign.

“He’ll return in time for the coming-of-age ceremony next year. Therefore, I order the princess to leave this country as soon as you are named crown princess at the ceremony.”

“…”

“The journey will be long, so start preparing now.”

“I…”

Diana couldn’t easily bring herself to speak. She had expected this order and had practiced her answer many times.

Clenching her fists tightly, she took a deep breath.

“I want to stay in the kingdom.”

“…You mean to break with tradition?”

Queen Isabella’s voice resonated low in the grand office.

“You know well that the crown prince and crown princess cannot remain in the kingdom at the same time.”

Erden had an ancient law of royal succession.

At the coming-of-age ceremony at age twenty, the first prince and first princess would be named crown prince and crown princess, gaining equal status.

Originally, the intent was to let the two heirs compete for the throne, so the most capable would become king or queen.

But over time, the law was often twisted for power.

Nobles formed factions and manipulated each other to suit their own interests.

It became common for royal siblings to be forced into conflict and even murder, so eventually, the royal family taught the younger heir to yield the throne to the elder.

That was why Diana had to leave Erden.

To strengthen Louis, the elder heir, and for her own safety.

“You know well what your father did at my coronation, and what it meant.”

Of course, Diana knew.

To survive, he pledged loyalty to Isabella—or rather, to those who supported her.

At the coronation, before the eyes of the entire continent, he kissed the queen’s feet.

He did it to protect his family. Thanks to that humiliating oath, Louis and Diana were able to spend their childhood in their homeland without threats to their lives.

“If you don’t leave, it will look like you refuse to submit to the crown prince’s authority. Can you bear the consequences?”

Diana also knew Louis’s potential. He was a devoted brother and a brilliant strategist. But…

But if she left Erden now, she wouldn’t be able to stop the war. As in her previous life, everything would be destroyed, and she would be left alone in the ruins.

“I’m not rebelling against Louis.”

Diana, who had been unable to look Isabella in the eye, now raised her head.

This time, she didn’t avoid her gaze.

“I just… don’t want to have regrets.”