“Shall we go horseback riding? Mother said she brought many small horses.”

“I’m going to ride the wildest one!”

“Let’s have tea time instead. After all that playing, I want some snacks.”

The “we” seemed to refer to the princesses. The princes went off to ride horses while the princesses enjoyed their tea time.

Soon, silence fell everywhere. Forgotten by everyone, Evelyn had no choice but to get up again and wander through the maze garden. Though she hadn’t eaten anything, walking all day made her legs ache terribly.

Hoping some children might still be around, she called out.

“Help me! I’m trapped in the maze garden!”

Perhaps passing maids or ladies-in-waiting might see and rescue her. She thought that among her half-siblings, someone kind-hearted might regret their actions and come to save her. But the maze garden remained silent.

Evelyn clasped her small hands together and plopped down on the ground.

No one was there. No one would help her. How could she escape this place?

Everyone looked up to royalty, calling them special, but they weren’t special at all. No, Evelyn had thought educated people were smart and therefore special.

‘I haven’t received education, but those children must have. And yet…’

They didn’t hesitate to bully someone weaker than themselves. She needed to reconsider her thinking. They were selfish and unfit to rule over others.

If even one of them had come to rescue her, she could have acknowledged that person. Could have said they were worthy of ruling this country.

Evelyn looked up at the bright sunny sky. Her lips were drying out and her throat burned. She feared dying of thirst in this place. She shouted loudly again.

“Help! I don’t want to die here! I’ll grant whatever you wish if you save me! Please…!”

It wasn’t night yet. Since it wasn’t nighttime, she thought someone might pass by. Even if it was just a gardener who rescued her, she would do anything for them. What couldn’t she do if she could escape these trees that towered far above her height?

Only the sound of leaves rustling in the wind could be heard. Evelyn shouted again at the top of her lungs.

“If you save me, I’ll make you Emperor! I’ll…!”

Just then, she heard the sound of hooves. She wondered if it might be one of the princes who had gone horseback riding. But judging by the growing volume, she could tell it was approaching her.

The boy on the white horse looked at most 2-3 years older than her. However, mounted on his magnificent white horse, he wouldn’t be trapped in this maze. The exit would be clearly visible to his eyes. Three attendants accompanied the boy. Three!

He wasn’t one of the princes from earlier. With his blonde hair and green eyes, he looked nothing like His Imperial Majesty. The boy looked down at Evelyn from atop his white horse. He raised the corner of his mouth toward her.

“You’ll make me Emperor if I save you?”

“…That’s.”

Thinking about it, those were very dangerous words. Serving another emperor while the current one lived? It could be considered treason. The boy showed a disappointed expression as he watched Evelyn hesitate and struggle to speak.

“I thought so. Just childish words from a little kid.”

At that, Evelyn flared up.

“I-I’ll try. To m-make you Emperor…”

“I’m joking. I can become Emperor without the help of someone like you.”

“…?”

Just then, an attendant glared at Evelyn with sharp eyes. Evelyn glared back. Though her situation was pitiful, she had pride in being a princess. The attendant avoided her gaze and quietly bowed his head. Seeing this, the boy laughed.

“Not bad. I’m Hector.”

“Oh… Nice to meet you, Hector.”

But at those words, the attendant looked shocked. Hector smiled and gestured to Evelyn.

“Follow me if you want to get out of here. You made today interesting for me.”

“…Okay.”

‘Who is he to say becoming Emperor would be easy? He doesn’t even seem to be of imperial blood.’

Judging by Hector’s confident demeanor and his three attendants, she could only guess he was a high-ranking noble. After reaching the exit, Evelyn said to Hector:

“Thank you. I’ll definitely repay you…”

“I don’t need your repayment.”

“Huh?”

Hector turned his back to Evelyn and said:

“I’m the Crown Prince.”

Evelyn froze completely. Hector’s back, though young, stood perfectly straight, giving her the impression that unlike her, he had received excellent education. It was also impressive how he rode a horse several times her height without hesitation despite his young age.

He couldn’t be compared to the other imperial children in the harem. Hector. He seemed like he would become a good emperor.

* * *

Evelyn found the place where she had met Hector in those days long past. After getting lost in the maze garden once, she had left markers in various places to find her way if she ever got lost there again. She smiled seeing the red ribbon that had come undone and was hanging limply.

“Sigh…”

When they met at the well, Hector seemed to have forgotten her.

“…Who are you?”

That was natural. Unlike when she was wandering in the maze garden, Evelyn had suddenly grown much taller. Hector too looked very different, having grown up. Evelyn leaned against a tree and sat down in this place filled with childhood memories. There was no worry of getting lost here now.

Thanks to knowing this place so well.

After Hector had taken her out of the Cold Palace, he had allowed her to receive education. He taught her swordsmanship too, making him her benefactor. So even if everyone else spoke ill of him, she couldn’t.

Even if he sold her to a foreign country, she had nothing to say about it.

‘But why did I sleep with Jenkins?’

In the maze garden, now completely dark with the setting sun, Evelyn closed her eyes. With her eyes closed like this, she could still feel Jenkins’ body heat. His warm, gentle body heat.

Before becoming a concubine of the Peshar Emperor, she wanted to know what love was. That must be why. The reason she had slept with him.

Just then, the sound of hooves approached, and a snow-white horse appeared. Seeing the man on the horse, Evelyn slowly stood up and bowed.

“…Your Imperial Majesty.”

“What are you doing out here in the cold instead of going inside? You’re not staging a protest by freezing to death, are you?”

“Of course not…”

Hector extended his hand to Evelyn.

“Even adults easily get lost in the maze garden. Especially at night. Come… Let’s go together.”

Evelyn took a slight step back.

“No. How could I ride the same horse as Your Imperial Majesty?”

“Hah… It’s fine. Didn’t I give you permission?”

Hector extended his hand again, but Evelyn shook her head.

“Your Majesty. The night wind is cold. Please withdraw your hand. And don’t worry about me, I won’t get lost here.”

“…I told you to get on.”

“I’ll walk.”

“…Tsk.”

Finally, Hector slowly moved his white horse. Evelyn walked far enough away so as not to interfere with him. The white horse standing tall and Hector suited each other perfectly, just like in their childhood days. For a moment, tears flowed from Evelyn’s eyes.

Evelyn wiped her tears with her sleeve and followed behind Hector, maintaining a composed appearance. She voluntarily became Hector’s shadow.

Today too, watching the straight back of the Emperor, Evelyn quietly smiled. As Hector had said, he became Emperor without needing her help.

‘…There must be a simple way to get rid of me.’

Why had Hector, who had killed all his siblings, spared only her? She felt she might understand his heart, but thought she shouldn’t. Because that could never be.