Roan quickly closed the distance as if he had never hesitated. His tongue traced the tender inner surface of my lips and then firmly entwined with mine. I felt my mind growing hazy. I couldn’t tell how much time had passed during this.

“Ugh,”

When I came to my senses, his lips had already moved down to the area around my neck, gently nibbling. I let out a sound, feeling ticklish. Just then, as he grasped the edge of my robe with his hand, he paused and met my eyes.

“If you don’t want this, tell me now.”

His eyes were filled with a strange heat as he said this. He was clearly indicating that if I didn’t say anything now, he wouldn’t be able to stop. Would he even be able to stop if I did say something? Instead of replying, I kissed him.

***

When I opened my eyes, the sun was already high in the sky. I felt a bit chilly, as the air brushed directly against my bare skin. At that moment, I realized that I was lying there in my most natural state.

Oh, right. Last night.

My face flushed red before I could do anything about it. What should I do? As I tried to get up, a sharp pain shot through my lower back. Just then, someone gently held my waist and laid me back down on the bed.

“Sleep a little more. You overexerted yourself last night.”

It was Roan. The touch of his hand on my waist reminded me of the previous night, and my face started burning even more. What kind of boldness did I have yesterday? Embarrassed, I buried myself in his arms, hiding. I didn’t think I could look him in the face.

Perhaps because I was trying to hide my face, I heard a low chuckle from above my head.

He brushed aside the hair stuck to my forehead and kissed the area near my head.

“You slept quite a lot today.”

“You must have been tired.”

Now that I had fully realized Roan’s unrelenting stamina from last night, it made sense. He wasn’t called a knight who roamed the battlefield for nothing.

“I have someone to thank for that.”

I grumbled in a tone that was more like a playful complaint. From the slight tremor I felt against his body, I could tell Roan was laughing again.

***

The empire, which had experienced an event that would go down in history, was gradually stabilizing. The administration, paralyzed by the downfall of the noble faction, was swiftly being handled by the remaining capable individuals, and the other nobles, ever the adaptable creatures, were slowly getting used to the empire, which had changed overnight.

With all the nobles who had tyrannized from above, including the officials of the noble faction, either stripped of their positions or having met their ends in battles with the emperor’s faction, there were even reports of the empire’s citizens living much better lives than before.

“Alicia.”

“Oh, Delis.”

I was face-to-face with Alicia, whom I hadn’t seen in a while. She had lost some weight, giving her a more mature look than before. She asked me with a worried expression.

“Delis, are you feeling better?”

“Yes. But… are you okay, Alicia?”

Alicia must have gone through a lot of emotional turmoil while the crown prince’s life was in danger. Sensing the meaning behind my words, Alicia smiled softly and replied,

“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for your concern. I’m just glad he’s safe.”

“Indeed, it’s a relief.”

Alicia seemed to have composed herself better than I had expected. I patted my friend’s shoulder.

But then, something caught my eye as I turned my gaze.

“Alicia, what’s this?”

I asked, noticing a wound on Alicia’s palm. It seemed to be a recent injury.

“Oh, haha. I actually fell before meeting you, but fortunately, someone helped me, so I’m fine.”

Alicia replied with an awkward smile.

“Oh no, let’s get it treated right away!”

“No, it’s okay. The person who helped me even gave me some medicine.”

Alicia waved her hand as if to show she was really fine. Whoever it was that helped someone who had fallen on the street, I thought they must have been a kind-hearted person.

Alicia and I strolled around the marketplace, browsing items and chatting. Then, we noticed a crowd gathered at a particular spot. Upon closer inspection, it was a notice board.

“What’s that?”

“My Lady, should I go check it out?”

“Huh? Yes, please.”

I nodded at Mary’s suggestion. She quickly moved toward the crowd, listening to what they were saying, and then returned to us with a shocked expression. What’s going on?

“They’ve announced the date of the princess’s execution!”

“What? When?”

So soon? No, considering the time I lost my memory, maybe it’s not that soon. But still, it hadn’t been many days since Grace’s private meeting with the crown prince. I didn’t expect Cameron to make such a swift decision.

“It’s tomorrow!”

Alicia and I were left speechless. Announcing it the very next day?

I felt a surge of indescribable emotions. Though she had tried to kill me, and the thought of her attempting to kill Roan and others made my blood boil, this wasn’t the ending I had initially hoped for. If I looked far back enough, there had been a time when I sincerely wished for her happiness. After all, she was the heroine of the original novel I had once adored.

Grace’s execution was said to be public. It was intended to serve as an example not only within the empire but to other kingdoms as well.
***

“Are you going tomorrow?”

Roan asked me when I returned to the mansion. I knew right away that he was referring to the execution grounds.

Roan didn’t seem to want me to go. It appeared he didn’t want me to witness the sight of someone being beheaded.

“Yes. I’m planning to go.”

I felt that I should at least witness her final moments. Roan, who had been quietly observing me, spoke without any objection.

“Then I will go with you.”

I nodded at his words. Then Roan quietly asked me,

“Is your heart troubled?”

Whether I was poor at hiding my feelings, or he was just particularly good at reading them, Roan had an uncanny ability to sense my emotions at times like these.

“…Even though it’s only right that she’s being punished, separate from that, yes, I do feel a little uneasy. Now that the execution is imminent, it just feels unsettling. She was someone who tried to kill me, so it doesn’t make much sense, does it?”

“I may not understand it, but I think it’s possible, if it’s you.”

For some reason, his kind words made me smile. I leaned into him, finding comfort in his sturdy presence.

***

The next morning, a now slightly biting wind seeped into the collar of my clothes. The execution grounds were overflowing with people who had gathered to witness the princess’s execution, to the point where it was difficult to move without stepping on someone. Grace hadn’t appeared yet.

‘Would Cameron be here?’

I couldn’t quite tell. Whether he came or didn’t, both scenarios made sense.

We found a spot at one side of the execution grounds. Then, I spotted a familiar silhouette among the many unfamiliar faces. Though he was covered in a gray robe, I could tell. It was Cameron.

He was quietly watching the execution ground where the guillotine was set up. His figure looked particularly lonely and sorrowful. Although it was a choice he made, I couldn’t even begin to imagine what it must feel like to make a decision that would drive someone you once loved to their death.

Just then, the crowd began to murmur. Fearing the worst, I turned my gaze to the execution platform, and saw Grace being led up the steps to the guillotine by soldiers. Her hands were bound, and her expression, rather than one of someone about to die, was strangely indifferent. There was no fear or terror in her demeanor, just a calm acceptance of her impending death.

Finally, the executioner prepared the blade. As Grace stood before the guillotine, she briefly glanced at someone. It was Cameron. Though it lasted only a few seconds, I clearly saw their gazes meet.

Grace’s execution proceeded after she stated that she had nothing to say.

***

Grace accepted her fate, knowing she would die in a matter of seconds, without any emotion. She wasn’t sure if it was fortunate or unfortunate that the last person she saw was him.

“Would it be pointless to ask if you ever loved me, even for a moment?”

Yes, it was a pointless question. But in that moment, even she didn’t know why those words slipped out. Perhaps she would never know, because she would die in just a few seconds.

“Please, execute me as quickly as possible. I don’t want to have any regrets in these unnecessary moments.”

Regret. A feeling that was utterly meaningless to her now.

She closed her eyes, feeling the sharpness of the blade descending upon her.

***

Alicia woke up early in the morning and found herself being drawn to the execution grounds. In a way, it was a means of closure for her. At the execution grounds, she saw a familiar figure, someone she had once gazed at so often. As expected, he was here. Wearing that robe, he stood out even more, though he didn’t seem to realize it.

She watched as Grace and the crown prince exchanged a brief glance. So, it really was like that.

As the execution was carried out and people began to disperse, their voices buzzing around her, Alicia felt a hollow emptiness.

“The woman who was to become empress is dead, so who will be the empress now?”

“Indeed, it should be a virtuous woman, not someone as wicked as her.”

Listening to their conversation, Alicia felt no ambition growing within her.

Her first love, to whom she had given her heart, was not meant for her. She simply had to wish for his happiness.

For some reason, a tear trickled down Alicia’s cheek. It was a tear that washed away the last of her lingering feelings.

With that single tear as a catalyst, Alicia began to sob uncontrollably, no longer caring about the people around her. She had always been conscious of others’ opinions, but at that moment, nothing else mattered.

Just then, a handkerchief was suddenly held out in front of her tear-filled eyes. It was as if it brought back memories of a distant, cherished moment.

“Last time you fell, and now why are you crying?”

The voice was unfamiliar yet somehow recognizable. When she looked up, the first thing she noticed was a vivid red hair that was hard to forget. Indeed, the face was familiar as well.

“Take it.”

From the first time they met, this person had felt strangely familiar and close to her. Especially his eyes, which seemed to convey warmth and affection. Alicia accepted the handkerchief.

“Th-thank you.”

After crying her heart out, she absentmindedly wiped away the tears and snot with his handkerchief.

As she watched him observe her tearful display, Alicia thought that even if she returned the handkerchief, he probably wouldn’t take it back. Just then,

“Alicia?”

Someone called her name. She turned and saw Delis, a face she was glad to see, and next to her, her husband, the Duke of Bannister, who still made her a little nervous.

TL NOTE: Visit and bookmark the story at dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and updates on its latest release.