I approached Levanfell and stared at the same spot he was looking at. The flowers were neatly trimmed by the gardener and looked much tidier than before.

“It’s not what I intended to do, but I couldn’t control my strength.”

“…It’s pretty.”

“It was prettier when I saw it earlier…”

Even from a distance, I could see it. The flowers that had temporarily grown due to my divine power were wilting at a rapid pace.

The lively flower petals that were soaked in morning dew were becoming dull again, and the leaves were starting to wither, like they were thrown in the desert.

Some flowers were already shedding their leaves due to the harsh wind.

“I remember, when I was young enough to have faint memories, before the world tree disappeared.”

“Yes?”

“I saw a flower from afar once.”

It was the first time I heard about Levanfell’s past. It was the first time he ever mentioned it, always refusing to talk about himself.

“I remember how beautiful that pink flower looked, filled with black and white. I stood in the same spot for days, hoping it would fly to me in the wind.”

You saw it from afar? Why? The garden is so close.

And why wait for it to fly to you in the wind? You can go and see it directly.

It was not even related to the Ferdia experiment, as it was a story before the world tree disappeared.

It was baffling.

“One day, a petal stuck to the shoulder of a passing knight was blown to me. I first learned what beauty was while looking at the small petal that landed on my palm.”

“… …”

“After that, I don’t remember. After the world tree disappeared, the petals quickly vanished inside the palace. The only surviving flowers had to be cut down, stained with red blood.”

Levanfell’s finger drew a raindrop on the window, following the falling petals.

“I never thought I’d see such lively flowers again… even though they’re far away, I’m happy.”

“Then you can see them up close.”

“What?”

There is still time until midnight. It’s not time for the guards to patrol.

I grabbed my cardigan for emergencies and took Levanfell’s hand with the other.

The distance to the garden visible from the bedroom window is not far. If the flowers wither today, who knows when we will see them again?

“Let’s go, Your Majesty!”

“Empress?”

“Let’s go see the flowers!”

I pulled Levanfell’s hand and ran. Levanfell followed behind, looking puzzled.

It was the same when we went to see Karayan. We ran hand in hand to the Damask Palace, which was much farther away, so this distance is nothing.

“Empress. If I change…”

“It’s okay. I’m right here with you, Your Majesty.”

Even if he suddenly changes, we can hide where people can’t see us, and I can use my divine power to return to his original form. Or I can quickly cover my head with the cardigan I brought!

And from behind, he just looks like another man with different hair color.

‘I should have brought a hat.’

I regretted not bringing a hat because I was running too fast, but I still held Levanfell’s hand and ran to the garden.

We passed through the corridor and rushed down the stairs. Then we stopped in the garden that we had been looking at through the window.

“Heh, heh. The flowers, the petals have already fallen a lot.”

Even though we ran together, I was the only one out of breath. Levanfell stared intently at the falling flowers, his eyes twinkling like stars in the night sky.

Seeing Levanfell’s blank expression, I strangely felt pleased.

Certainly! Here’s the translated passage:

There was no discernible emotion on her face, but at least I knew she didn’t dislike it.

Because it was the same expression when she first attended the sacred ceremony.

She tried to maintain a blank expression, but she couldn’t hide her eyes, which sparkled as they caught the light. I quietly approached Levanfell and lightly tapped his elbow.

“How does it look up close?”

“……It’s prettier.”

It was nothing.

Until the World Tree disappeared, even the streets were covered in flowers.

Was such a trivial thing difficult for Levanfell? I was curious but didn’t dig too deep.

Instead, I looked at the bright moonlight and covered Levanfell’s head with the cardigan I brought.

“It’s for protection, just in case.”

“……It smells of the Empress.”

“That’s because it’s my clothes. ……Levanfell.”

Levanfell smiled. He blended perfectly with the cool night air.

“It’s really pretty.”

“There are no petals left, so what’s left?”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

Levanfell reached out.

“But it’s still pretty, that’s the problem.”

A strong arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me, and a small whirlwind blew.

The awkwardly placed cardigan swayed, revealing the changing color of her hair under the moonlight.

It was completely different from the thieflike appearance seen through the window, illuminated by the moon.

The intense moonlight settled on Levanfell’s head, revealing his noble figure.

“Your, your hair……!”

I unwittingly stared at the sight, then hastily replaced the cardigan on her head. Levanfell laughed softly and unbuttoned his chest.

“Empress.”

You know what to do.

Levanfell’s eyes softened into a crescent. I didn’t say it, but I felt like I heard the rest.

I nestled in his arms, holding the cardigan with one hand and reaching into his shirt with the other, stroking his chest.

The throbbing heartbeat was loud. My lips were dry and dizzy, so I gently rested my forehead on Levanfell’s shoulder.

“……You were beautiful, Teriella.”

The tiny voice ringing in my ear was soft and sweet like whipped cream. After confirming that his hair had turned black again, I held the cardigan and fell away from Levanfell.

“There, there’s no next time. Let’s go in quickly. Before others see us.”

“It was enough.”

Levanfell smiled contentedly.

The short but unforgettable brilliance of the flower thus withered.

The gardener bragged everywhere that ‘the flower gained vitality from the Empress’s touch,’ but seemed frustrated since no one had seen it directly.

In the palace, there started a ridiculous rumor that whoever caught my eye or received my touch would thrive and be fortunate.

And a few days later.

A new rumor spread.

There were rumors in the palace that I had brought a whitehaired man as my consort and had an affair.