“Anasha.”

Ignoring the quiet admonishing tone, Anasha jumped off her mother’s lap and ran over.

“This is a gift! I offer my favorite flowers to the beautiful lady… to the guest!”

What Anasha abruptly held out to Hari was a bouquet of blue laspis flowers. After hesitating, Hari carefully accepted it, and the child smiled brightly.

“Thank you for playing with Mommy. No one ever comes, so Mommy is sad every day. Will you be friends with my mommy and me? I have a wonderful fan. Mommy loves takenia (pancakes) eaten on it. I also have many colorful clay dolls, lady. So let’s play together!”

“Anasha, that’s enough.”

Madalena tried to stop her in embarrassment, but the fragrant flower scent had already filled Hari’s arms. Eventually, the nanny stepped in and picked up the excited Anasha. A struggle ensued, but Anasha couldn’t win against the stronger nanny. Watching the nanny carrying her daughter away, Madalena sighed.

“I’m sorry. She’s still too young to know better, so I’d appreciate if you could pretend this didn’t happen.”

“She’s a bright and pretty child. Please tell her I’ll cherish this gift.”

The tense atmosphere loosened slightly with the child’s unexpected appearance. Hari smiled at receiving the unexpected gift. Anasha was a lovely five-year-old little lady. An age where flowers, wild grass, and mother are the whole world. A pure and clear soul like this bouquet. That’s why Hari couldn’t readily accept the gift when the child held it out.

“You must feel secure and happy having Princess Anasha.”

Madalena, who had been quietly holding her teacup, laughed with a sigh.

“Yes. She’s my only love in a loveless marriage. Don’t you know? The terrible feeling of being bound to a man you don’t love. Toward the one who holds you for his desires…”

Madalena smiled with a frown.

“Is it hatred? Do you agree, Lady Hari?”

Do you sympathize with my feelings?

“That’s the aspect where I felt kinship with you, Lady Hari.”

Her face was deeply marked with resignation and directionless disillusionment.

“Anasha seems to like you very much.”

She smiled brightly to drive away unhappiness.

“If you ever need help, just say so.”

“I don’t understand why you’re showing me such kindness.”

“Since you seem to dislike being indebted, how about this? I’ll help you, and you help me.”

“I have nothing to offer Your Highness.”

“Second Prince Antor.”

In an instant, the gentle atmosphere surrounding Madalena changed.

“If Antor approaches you, bring me evidence of the affair.”

Her gaze turned merciless, revealing the years she had endured in the palace, desperately clinging on.

“That’s all I want.”

“…”

“Let me say this out of concern, but I hope you won’t disclose today’s conversation. The reason I can speak so freely to you is…”

At Madalena’s slight nod, an unexpected person stepped out from behind a pillar in the greenhouse. It was Doris, the priest from the Holy Shrine.

“I know that you underwent the imprinting ceremony with Achilleon instead of Selina Karnos. I also know that if this fact were revealed, it would cause a great commotion, and your life would be in danger. The shield of the Third Prince alone wouldn’t be enough to protect you.”

Hari’s eyes widened in shock. Her hand gripping the teacup tightened.

“How—”

“When Anasha was young, she was often sick, so we frequently visited the temple. While others pressed me to abandon my crippled daughter, this friend was different. Thanks to him, we’ve maintained a good relationship.”

A trusting gaze was directed at Doris. After bowing respectfully to the princess, Doris stared at Hari. His expression showed that this meeting was not entirely welcome.

“As he’s the person I trust most in the palace, we often exchange confidential information, so don’t be too surprised that I know your secret.”

Madalena placed the orb she was holding on the table. Doris approached and pricked his fingertip with a sharp needle. The round sacred object stained with Doris’s blood shot a sparkling light into the air. In that light, the image of Hari hurriedly leaving the temple appeared. Selina’s face mask was half removed.

A sacred object that recalls memories.

‘He saw me that day.’

“I haven’t told anyone except Princess Madalena.”

Doris added stiffly.

“As long as you possess this memory, Your Highness will continue to pressure me.”

She was sick of having her weaknesses exploited.

“And you’ll try to use me.”

Madalena gazed at Hari, who had bristled like a hedgehog, then let out a long breath.

“I can understand why you’d think that. Truthfully, I have no such intention. I don’t think you could be of any more help to me anyway.”

Her voice continued tonelessly.

“And I don’t want anything from this terrible place. I just want to protect myself and my only blood.”

“Does Your Highness wish to break off the engagement with the Second Prince?”

“Yes. Cleanly, without any loss. It’s entangled in a messy and complicated way with various issues.”

Madalena shrugged.

“Both politically and in terms of women.”

After being lost in thought for a while, Hari raised her head to look at Madalena.

“…I’ll do it. If Your Highness grants me one request, I’ll follow without asking questions.”

“I haven’t gained anything yet, and you’re making demands first?”

“If you do this for me, I’ll help you end this marriage without lifting a finger. Without any messy scandal, cleanly as you wish.”

Madalena narrowed her brow, seemingly doubtful of Hari’s confident attitude.

“I don’t like people who only talk.”

“I can’t tell you the details. But I swear I won’t break my promise.”

Raising her eyebrows, Madalena gestured slightly, and Doris withdrew. Now only the two women remained in the small greenhouse. Madalena lightly inhaled the sweet floral scent and raised her chin. Her scoffing laugh contrasted with the peaceful atmosphere enveloping the greenhouse.

“Such a conversation in this beautiful garden. Fine, as long as you’re not asking me to kill someone or free you from slavery, I’ll accept. Let’s hear it. What do you want from me?”

After taking a deep breath, Hari said:

“It’s something only Your Highness, who understands the hardships of a foreigner better than anyone, can do. I want you to save someone who’s been imprisoned on false charges.”

* * *

By the time she finished the tea time and came out, the dusky sunset was coloring the horizon. Hitais’s main castle was situated on high ground, providing a clear view of the fields stretching below. Royal slaves were planting wheat and millet in stooped postures.

“There’s no more beautiful scenery than this.”

“It’s truly inspiring.”

The royal painters watching the same scene as Hari murmured excitedly. Their hands were busy sketching the overworked slaves. When a slave supervisor kicked a slave who had collapsed while carrying wheat, sighs erupted from various places. Nevertheless, their eyes gleamed with interest and their brushstrokes remained busy. Turning away from this somewhat grotesque scene, Hari approached a slave who was leaning against a tree, exhausted. When she offered a bowl of water, the old woman fearfully stepped back. After noticing the elaborate ornaments and clothes Hari was wearing, her wariness deepened.

“It’s cold water. You must be thirsty, please drink.”

The woman stared at Hari’s lips and muttered something while tilting her head. It was a foreign language. Does she not understand? Hari took a sip of the cold water herself. Then she offered the bowl again, but the woman, still anxious, only pretended to drink.

The evening sunset colored the shadows of the two women standing face to face with melancholy. An indescribable feeling washed over Hari as she watched the woman lowering her body while fearfully looking around. The old woman, who had been carefully observing Hari’s face, smiled faintly.

Though they couldn’t communicate with words, the meaning seemed clear.

After taking a small sip of water, the woman expressed her gratitude and disappeared into the sunset. As Hari gazed at the limping figure, she felt someone watching her. Achilleon stood holding the reins of his horse on the hill path leading to the castle entrance.

“Your Highness.”

Hari put on a fabricated smile.

“Now that the day’s heat has subsided, the weather is really nice. The breeze is cool. Shall we walk to the castle for a bit?”

Achilleon, who had been staring at Hari, handed the reins to his attendants. He would have to follow her request, whether he wanted to or not. Because she was his beloved concubine. Because that’s what he wanted.