“Breti, I feel the same.”

“…”

“Always. Always.”

Adrian pressed a gentle kiss to Breti’s forehead.

“I’ll stay by your side. Always.”

Maybe it was because Breti was the first person he saw when he opened his eyes. It felt as if Adrian had been imprinted on her from that moment on.

“I’ll never let anyone take you from me.”

“…”

“Not even Karsten.”

Just then, a flash of lightning streaked across his eyes. As if making an unbreakable vow, Adrian pressed his lips to her forehead.

“Good night.”

“…”

“My Breti.”

💙💙💙 💙💙💙

The next morning, the entire ducal mansion was thrown into chaos as they dressed up Breti.

“Bring the scented oil!”

“Not this hairstyle—again, from the top!”

“Who tied this ribbon? It’s not even done right!”

“Use this hairpiece—it’s perfect!”

Breti sat in the middle of the bustling servants, being waited on from every direction, but it felt as if she herself was the one dashing about in a frenzy.

Fragrant oil was dabbed on the nape of her neck, a hint of rose-red color brushed onto her lips,
a dusting of pale, fine powder on her cheeks, her hair was plaited and twisted up, strand by strand,
and a dazzling white ornament was set on the left side of her head.

When she finally opened her eyes, Breti blinked in disbelief at her reflection in the mirror.

“Bagi, is that really me?”

“Hehe, of course it is, Miss. You look wonderful.”

Bagi replied with a gentle smile.

“We’re not done yet. Now, it’s time to put on your dress.”

The outfit she’d picked out with Meliover from the catalog last time had finally arrived in her room.
It was even more beautiful than it had appeared in the catalog.

A green dress, densely embroidered with gold thread, radiated elegance at a single glance.

With help from Bagi and several attendants, Breti put on the dress. But as she stood in front of the mirror, she hesitated, afraid to look at herself directly.

Just a peek.

At the unfamiliar sight in the reflection, Breti felt strangely disconnected from herself.

‘It doesn’t look like me.’

She couldn’t shake the feeling that she was someone else entirely.

“Oh my, Miss, it’s as if this dress was made just for you!”

Bagi exclaimed in delight, making up for Breti’s embarrassment.

“It really is.”

Meliover’s voice came softly, teasing her ear.

When she looked in the mirror, she saw Meliover’s figure reflected beside her.

“Ah, Mother…”

As Breti started to move, Meliover quickly stopped her.

“Don’t move, darling.”

Meliover said, placing her hands on Breti’s shoulders and gazing into the mirror with satisfaction.

“Just as I thought. This dress was meant for our Laterna.”

Breti, still uncomfortable with her mother’s proud expression, hung her head low.

“Come now, lift your head, child.”

When Breti looked up, she saw that Meliover had placed a necklace and earrings around her neck. Looking in the mirror, she saw the sparkling green emeralds and her heart began to pound again.

Meliover was still holding her hands on Breti’s shoulders, smiling at her reflection in the mirror.

“I knew these would suit you as well.”

“…Mother.”

“I had them made for your fifteenth birthday.”

“…”

“Laterna, I couldn’t bring myself to throw this away—I kept it all this time, hoping you might come back. I’m so happy I can finally put it on you.”

Meliover said, holding Breti’s hand tightly.

Breti lowered her head, staring at the necklace around her neck. The emerald shone so brilliantly that she could imagine just how carefully Meliover must have guarded it all these years.

Just then, a warm touch pressed against her forehead. It was Meliover’s kiss.

“Take care, my daughter.”

Breti only nodded, afraid that if she opened her mouth, her emotions would spill over.

“Come, I’ll walk you to the door myself.”

Meliover said, gripping Breti’s hand firmly as she led her along.

Breti followed her mother, her steps light and cautious.

When they reached the first floor, Karsten was waiting for her.

He was dressed in formal attire she had never seen before, and for a moment, Breti couldn’t take her eyes off him.

“…..”

But the same was true for Karsten.

As Breti descended the stairs, he watched her, momentarily captivated.

When she finally stood before him, Karsten snapped back to his senses.

“Karsten, isn’t our Laterna beautiful?”

“Yes, she is.”

Karsten replied, nodding in agreement with Meliover.

At his compliment, Breti’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink.

“Here.”

Karsten said, reaching his hand out to her.

Breti took the hand offered to her.

As they left the mansion and walked toward the carriage, Breti moved with careful, measured steps.

“Both of you, travel safely.”

With Meliover seeing them off, the carriage soon began to move.

Was it the motion of the carriage? Or the fear of stepping into the Imperial Palace for the first time in her life? Or perhaps… it was because of the man sitting right across from her.

Breti’s heart thudded wildly in her chest, refusing to calm down. It wasn’t as though this was the first time she had shared a space with Karsten—so why did it make her pulse race like this?

Meanwhile, Karsten kept his gaze fixed on the passing scenery beyond the window, never once looking her way.

The fact left her feeling unexpectedly disappointed.

Breti gave a small shake of her head, forcing herself to review the proper etiquette she would need to observe in the Imperial Palace.

The rain from the night before had left the roads rough and muddy, making the journey even more grueling. With nausea from both nerves and motion sickness twisting in her stomach, Breti held herself together with effort.

After a long ride, the carriage finally reached the palace.

“Step down.”

He alighted first, then extended his hand to her.

When they had left the ducal mansion, the sun had still been up. But now, the world outside was dimming into dusk.

Taking his hand carefully, Breti descended from the carriage. And the moment she emerged, countless eyes turned toward her.

“Oh my, oh my…”

“Isn’t that the young lady from the rumors?”

She had expected the stares. Still, facing them head-on made her throat dry as if scorched.

“The young lady said to have returned from the dead?”

A sharp voice pierced her ears like a blade.

Her shoulders flinched.

“Focus.”

The low murmur brushed against her ear, Karsten’s voice carrying warmth that steadied her.

“You must stay focused, Laterna.”

Though his lips curved with the faintest hint of a smile.

“It was you who said you could endure this.”

Breti knew well enough that his smile wasn’t genuine.

“…Yes.”

Her quiet answer slipped out as she placed each step with deliberate care.

The farther they moved into the banquet hall, the sharper the stares and whispers that pricked at her ears.

“Unbelievable. To think someone we thought dead has returned alive.”

“They say she lived all this time without even knowing who she was.”

“After so many years cut off from her world, her refinement must have… slipped.”

“Hush, young lady—someone might hear you.”

Most of all, every movement she made drew relentless eyes.

Every place their gazes touched felt as though it burned her skin.

All Breti wanted was to flee this place at once.

“Don’t listen to a word.”

Karsten’s low murmur brushed her ear, as if he had read her thoughts.

“Don’t listen. Don’t even think.”

“…”

“You mustn’t let them see the slightest crack in you.”

His grip tightened firmly around her hand. The sharp, tingling sensation that coursed through his touch jolted Breti back to her senses.

‘Pull yourself together, Breti.’

Yes. She had to stay composed.

As they crossed the center of the hall, the crowd stepped aside one by one, clearing a path for them.

Seeing this, Breti allowed the faintest smile to touch her lips.

At last, they reached the place where the Emperor, the Empress, and the Crown Prince awaited.

“Your Majesty, Your Highness the Empress, and Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

Karsten said, bowing his head to them.

Following his lead, Breti performed the practiced greeting, every motion exact to the etiquette she had rehearsed.

In that moment, the nobles watching her every move erupted into a stir.