However, Delis, who was waving happily at her, suddenly froze when she saw the man standing beside her. She definitely paused.

“B-brother?”

A moment later, her friend Delis uttered a very surprising word with a very shocked expression. Then she noticed the man next to her frown slightly. He and the Duke of Bannister exchanged a polite nod. So, they really were family?

It was only then that Alicia realized how much he and Delis resembled each other, especially in their eyes. No wonder his eyes had seemed particularly familiar to her. Who would have thought that the man she had met on the street was none other than the eldest son of the Marquis of Caesar? Although she was a noble herself, it was still hard to believe.

“So, we all meet here. But how do you two know each other?”

Delis asked with a curious expression. Worried that he might get the wrong idea, Alicia quickly replied,

“Oh, it’s not like that. Remember when I told you that someone helped me when I fell yesterday? That was him.”

Delis looked at the man standing beside her with a disbelieving expression after hearing Alicia’s explanation. It was clear from her expression that she was thinking, *You helped someone?* Despite his annoyed look, Cain asked,

“And how do you two know each other?”

While Delis was still in disbelief, Alicia answered,

“Oh, Delis and I are friends.”

Now his expression changed. His eyes clearly conveyed, ‘You’re friends with her?’ Then he turned to Delis and asked,

“Are you… feeling well?”

His tone was cold, but his words were caring. Alicia realized that his brusque way of speaking wasn’t due to being in a bad mood—it was just his natural manner.

“I’m fine. I’m almost fully recovered.”

Delis responded with a smile. It seemed that, contrary to appearances, they were not siblings who didn’t get along. They were just pretending not to.

“In any case, since you’re friends with my sister, I suppose I should introduce myself. I’m Cain le Caesar.”

He turned to Alicia and introduced himself as Cain. Although it seemed like he wasn’t trying to assert his presence, there was an undeniable aura of authority and confidence about him.

“Alicia Berkeley…”

She replied, still somewhat dazed by the revelation.

***

There were two pieces of good news today. One was that Cameron had granted Roan a vacation, acknowledging the hard work he had done while handling an overwhelming amount of tasks.

The second was that Sophia and her guardian knight, Jace, had started a relationship that seemed like a love story straight out of a legend. The even better news was that Cameron had finally given his permission.

“Isn’t it so romantic? The love between a knight and a princess!”

It reminded me of a similar romance novel I had read long ago. Jafflin, who had delivered the second piece of news to me, was also in a good mood, smiling broadly.

“It’s fortunate indeed. To be honest, I was worried that Sophia might elope.”

“But it’s a relief that His Highness the Crown Prince allowed it.”

“He probably decided there was no longer any reason to stubbornly oppose it. The forces that threatened his power have disappeared, so he likely felt there was no need to use his cherished sister’s marriage as a political tool.”

“Perhaps. A lot has changed since then.”

As I spoke, I looked out the window at the autumn leaves that had turned yellow. Jafflin, too, gazed out the window, his eyes focused on some distant, unseen point, before he spoke.

“Indeed. There might be another reason behind it, too.”

Though Jafflin didn’t specify what the “other reason” was, I could roughly guess his meaning. I had a better understanding of why the crown prince’s feelings regarding his sister’s love had changed. I silently offered a word of comfort to the pitiful crown prince in my heart.

Then Jafflin brought up a different topic, shifting the conversation.

“By the way, I came to speak with you today about something else.”

“Were you not here to talk about the princess?”

“There’s one more thing. It seems I won’t be able to serve as your teacher for a while.”

“What? Really? Why?”

I was a bit taken aback by his sudden announcement.

Though I wondered if it was a joke, Jafflin’s expression was unusually serious.

“Just as I said, for a while. I’m planning to go on a trip for a while. Perhaps to the Siglieve Sea?”

“For how long?”

“I’m planning on about six months.”

My mouth hung open. Was his wanderlust acting up again? Didn’t he recently say something about being more committed to his duties as a prince? Seeing my expression, Jafflin burst into laughter.

“It’s for personal reasons, so don’t be too disappointed. When I return, I plan to formally join the Magic Tower at the palace. And, of course, I’ll resume being your teacher.”

I flinched a little. His mention of “personal reasons” struck a chord in my heart.

Perhaps it was because I couldn’t forget the fleeting feeling I had experienced when I lost my memory. It might have been a misconception, but back then, it seemed as though Jafflin didn’t just see me as a duchess to whom he taught magic. Although our relationship had grown closer than merely sharing knowledge, it felt like something entirely different.

Maybe it was because I had tried to ignore it, or perhaps it was naturally forgotten, but sometimes, I would suddenly get an incomprehensible feeling from him.

Jafflin, who had been watching me in silence, asked, his playful expression already returned.

“Do you really dislike the idea of me leaving? If so…”

“Have a safe trip.”

My farewell was short and swift. After all, where would he even go? I sighed, not sure if it was out of relief or resignation.

“When are you leaving?”

“I plan to leave the day after tomorrow. Oh, and please tell the Duke of Bannister that I’m sorry I couldn’t say goodbye.”

He winked with one of his violet eyes, which might have looked mysterious if not for his personality. I could imagine Roan’s expression tightening if he had seen that wink.

I chuckled.

As I laughed, I glanced at Jafflin again, only to find him smiling gently as he watched me.

Is this an expression he reserves only for farewells? Today, Jafflin seemed unusually calm, and without realizing it, trivial thoughts began to fill my mind.

“You seem truly happy now.”

His sentimental words made me clear my throat before I replied.

“Ahem, was there ever a time I wasn’t happy?”

Sure, there had been times I almost died or got hurt, but I always had the means to be happy. Even in the face of misfortune, I had people by my side. However, I couldn’t deny that things were indeed a bit happier now, with no issues at hand, just as Jafflin had mentioned.

“I’ll have to find such happiness myself as soon as possible.”

“You will.”

“My hope is that you continue to be as happy.”

“…Thank you.”

His eyes seemed to genuinely wish for my happiness, and it made my nose sting a little. There probably weren’t many people who would think of others like that. Though sometimes he was so annoying that I wanted to hit him, he had unknowingly become my reliable ally.

“Well then, farewell. I’ll see you later.”

“Yes.”

I waved quietly at his back as he turned to leave.

***

It had become quite chilly outside. The autumn leaves, now colorful, were falling one by one, and the snow from the sky was layering the ground with a white blanket. It was December in the empire. I leaned against the window frame, briefly savoring the refreshing air, when I felt the warm touch of fabric being draped over me from behind.

“Roan.”

He, who had covered me with a blanket, looked out at the snowy landscape I had been watching. He asked as he looked at the falling snow with a calm expression.

“Do you find watching the snow amusing?”

“Yes. Don’t you, Roan?”

As soon as I said it, I regretted asking. Would Roan find weather phenomena amusing?

“There aren’t many things I find amusing. But seeing you enjoy it isn’t bad.”

Roan relaxed his lips into a smile. Returning his smile, I said to him,

“Really? When I see snow, I think of you, Roan.”

His eyes showed that he didn’t see any connection between himself and the falling snow. Roan asked, looking puzzled.

“Why is that?”

“Well, because it’s cold?”

Roan’s expression hardened instantly. Faced with his look of simultaneous confusion and disbelief, I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“Pfft, haha!”

Even though I was laughing beside him, his face remained serious.

“Do you know how funny your expression is right now, Roan? I was joking. Really, it was a joke. There’s no way Roan is cold.”

“…Then what is it?”

I could feel his determination to get an answer out of me.

“It was snowing the day I first saw you, Roan.”

Though it was in a book.

“Our first meeting wasn’t on a snowy day, though.”

Roan, like a ghost, recalled the memory. Back then, his relationship with Delis wasn’t great, so I thought he wouldn’t remember. Surprised by his memory, I continued,

“Was it not snowing the day we first met? But the day I first saw you, Roan, it was snowing.”

Even if he hadn’t seen me that day.

“How do you remember that?”

“For the same reason you remember our first meeting wasn’t on a snowy day.”

Roan chuckled at my words. Then, a question suddenly popped into my mind.

“Then Roan, when did you first fall in love with me?”

Roan watched the falling snow in silence for a moment before he slowly opened his mouth.

“…I’d say it was probably later than you.”

“That’s true. I liked you first. Hmph.”

Though I had known it all along, I couldn’t help but pout, feeling a little sulky.

“But now, I love you much more, so isn’t that all that matters?”

“Who says that? I love you way more than I used to, too!”

Instead of answering, Roan’s lips softly brushed against mine, like the falling snow. As if to say that such things didn’t matter. After all, we would be together from now on.

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