The corridor was brightly lit—almost brighter than daylight, if that wasn’t an exaggeration. Security was also tight, with soldiers stationed at every possible corner.

Mail crossed the corridor, her tongue clicking in disbelief. This seemed excessive, but then again, given the need to reassure the other candidates, maybe it was necessary.

“Where are you headed?”

Mail jumped in surprise. She hadn’t noticed that in addition to the soldiers, there were knights stationed intermittently as well. Normally, knights were considered elite personnel, rarely used for simple guard duty. Just how much caution was being exercised?

“I’m going for a walk. I’m not planning to leave the palace.”

“I’ll escort you.”

“What?”

That was even more shocking than the sudden question. She was just going to stay inside, so why would she need an escort?

But the knight’s demeanor was so resolute, as if this was his mission, that she couldn’t bring herself to refuse. In the end, Mail accepted the escort.

“Isn’t this a bit much?”

Anyone would think there had been a murder last night. Feeling awkward, especially since she was unharmed despite causing the palace’s increased security, Mail scratched her forehead. Soon enough, they arrived at their destination.

“This is where I’m going.”

They stopped in front of a side path leading to the garden. The knight hesitated for a moment, then took a step back.

After the short escort ended, Mail entered the garden alone. She had been worried about what to do if the knight insisted on following her, but thankfully that didn’t happen. It was one thing to allow herself entry as she pleased, but showing anyone how she talked to plants was out of the question.

“Shall I start by seeing my dear Violet?”

She mumbled to herself, then chuckled. Why had she even said something so silly? How much could she really have missed the violet anyway? She saw it every day, yet she was starting to worry if she’d get lovesick over it once she returned to her homeland.

“If I miss you, I can always look at my botanical guide.”

‘Isn’t that right, Violet?’ Mail gathered her skirt and crouched down. The illustrations in the latest plant guides were so vivid that it felt like they had simply copied the actual plants. It was a delight for Mail, who loved all plants equally but couldn’t grow them all.

“I have three copies of the guide with your picture in my house. And I can probably see you in person if I visit the royal palace gardens, though I’ve never been there.”

That’s right, you’re not such a special friend that I’d sleep-talk about missing you. Well, you *did* show up in my paradise of dreams, though.

With these thoughts in mind, Mail gazed at the violet intensely. Since there was no breeze, the violet didn’t move.

“But I…”

Mail’s words trailed off, leaving her unfinished question lingering inside her.

‘Was it really *you* that I wanted to see so badly?’

‘Was it truly *you* that lingered in my dreams, making me mumble in my sleep?’

Or was it…

At that moment, Mail heard a rustling sound. She knew right away—it was footsteps. Her head instinctively turned toward the sound.

“….”

Under the bright full moon in the night garden, someone familiar stood there. Even though his expression was hidden behind a mask, he clearly looked startled. As Mail locked eyes with him, she realized the truth.

‘Ah, it’s him.’

‘It was him I had wanted to see.’

Now she understood. The moment she recalled being attacked by the intruder, the helplessness and terror she had felt came rushing back. Seeing the emperor appear like a savior had reassured her. She felt relieved, but at the same time… disappointed.

In that life-threatening moment, absurdly enough, she had been waiting for someone else. How utterly ridiculous.

“I see.”

The man standing before her looked down at her, visibly confused. Still staring at him, Mail simply smiled.

The realization had hit her suddenly, yet it was so clear that she couldn’t deny it. There was no escape. She could only accept it.

Just then, a breeze stirred. The leaves of the violet swayed gently, as if celebrating her newfound clarity.

***

Rohayden hadn’t believed it until he actually entered the garden. He had received word just moments ago that Mail had woken up, and he had been preparing to summon the palace physician.

Although the physician had given assurances the previous night that she was fine, it was always different when they examined someone fully conscious. But Rohayden never got the chance to summon the physician. Another report had followed soon after.

“…She went where?”

Mail had barely regained consciousness after a whole day, and yet she had already decided to go out. This, after what she’d gone through the night before. Rohayden had been stunned, but only for a moment, before he rushed out of his office. With Banther already having left for the day, there was no one to stop him.

By the time Rohayden arrived at the garden, he had already made up his mind. This was something he couldn’t let slide. Mail needed to hear some harsh words. Who gets into such a situation and then wanders around without taking care of themselves? He was determined to scold her the moment he saw her.

But as soon as he spotted Mail kneeling before the violet, Rohayden realized how futile that decision had been.

Scold her? He couldn’t. The moment she looked up at him, his breath caught in his throat. How could he speak when he could barely breathe? His resolve to lecture her evaporated. He was left speechless, staring at her like a fool.

It was Mail who broke the silence first.

“Master.”

She called him that and then gave a shy smile. Once again, Rohayden found himself captivated by that smile, and after a moment, he sat down at a small distance from her. The space between them was the same as usual, but the pounding of his heart was anything but.

“…Are you feeling okay?”

After a long pause, that was all he managed to say. Any plans to scold her had clearly gone out the window. Mail blinked a few times before responding.

“Did you hear about everything, Master?”

Instead of answering, she posed a question. Rohayden replied.

“About what happened last night?”

“So you did hear.”

“Well, I didn’t just hear…”

Rohayden hesitated. He wasn’t sure why he wanted to say this, but the words came out faster than his doubts.

“I… saw it.”

“Excuse me? You saw it?”

“I mean, I was there. Last night.”

When I saved you from the intruder.

Rohayden was essentially claiming that he, too, had been part of her rescue. Though it wasn’t a lie, it wasn’t something he should be boasting about after having saved her while wearing the emperor’s face. Mail’s eyes widened at his words.

“Really? You came after I passed out?”

“…Yes.”

“I heard that His Majesty caught the criminal. So, you were there with him?”

“Yes, I was.”

“Ah, I see. But how did I get moved? I must’ve been heavy.”

She wasn’t heavy at all. Rohayden recalled the moment but found himself at a loss for words. In the heat of the moment, he hadn’t fully realized it, but now, thinking back, he remembered carrying Mail in his arms—her delicate, slender frame. He cleared his throat unnecessarily.

“You’re not exactly heavy.”

“Me? Are you saying I was light?”

“Yes.”

“But people usually become heavier when they’re unconscious. And I’m quite tall, too.”

“You were still light.”

He answered almost defensively, then hesitated. Sure enough, Mail responded quickly.

“How would *you* know that, Master?”

“I would… imagine.”

“Don’t try to change your answer now. It’s too late.”

There was no way to salvage this. Rohayden quickly recalled the events of the previous night. While it was widely known that he had captured the criminal, no one had spread rumors about him personally carrying Mail to safety.

That was thanks to the sharp-witted knight, Dojari, who had ensured everyone kept quiet. With the empress selection process in full swing, such rumors would only cause trouble. Rohayden made a mental note to grant Dojari a special leave of absence.

“I moved you myself.”

“Oh, I see… wait, what?”

“I carried you, so I would know.”

Mail’s eyes widened in surprise. She hadn’t expected that answer.

“You carried ‘me’? Really, Master?”

“You don’t believe me even when I tell you.”