“If we reveal Queen Rose Ricci’s lowly birth, the Roborvon family will suffer damage.”

“That’s true. The Duchess of Roborvon would have known and hidden it, and deceiving the royal family is a serious crime.”

“Where is this so-called father living now?”

“He’s a mercenary based in Saintfield. He squanders his earnings on drink, indulges in debauchery, and has a recent divorce. He doesn’t provide financial support to his ex-wife.”

“A pathetic life.”

How shocked would Queen Rose be to learn such a man is her father? Her life would feel shattered, in reality too.

“Ludwig.”

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

“Find and bring this father discreetly.”

Casaline achieved a record twelve hours of sleep for the first time in her life.

Feeling almost weightless upon waking, she looked around her dimly lit room in the early dawn.

The sound of the clock ticking seemed unusually loud.

“Your Majesty.”

She called out softly, but as expected, no one was there.

Casaline shook her head and got out of bed, ready to return to her duties as a maid.

Then she noticed a small box and a note on the table.

“What’s this? It wasn’t here before I fell asleep.”

Inside the luxurious velvet box, a butterfly-shaped hair ornament, clearly of considerable value, shone brilliantly.
The craftsmanship was so delicate and intricate, especially the wings carved from deep blue lapis lazuli, that they seemed almost ready to flutter and move.

“How beautiful.”

Who would have left such a precious item behind?

Casaline, puzzled, picked up the note beside it.

The ball next week was set to be the last event of this year’s Grand Festival season. It was meant to be a brief respite and farewell, and many busy diplomats from various nations had begun to return to their countries.

Chalen and Rose seemed to plan to stay until the last ball, but after that, they would truly have to leave the Lernel Empire and return to the Khan Kingdom.

That would mean no more meetings with Parnes.

Wrapped in soft velvet, this lapis lazuli hair ornament seemed to be Parnes’s own way of saying goodbye.

He would probably say at the ball, with his usual indifferent face, ‘It was fun while it lasted. Take care.’

A light connection, free of regrets, bidding farewell, and as time passes, slowly forgetting each other amidst infrequent interactions.

In the midst of a busy reality, occasionally hearing happy news from afar – that he had found an empress, had a grand royal wedding, and welcomed a healthy prince or princess.

The thought of hearing about Parnes becoming a happy family man from across the border didn’t seem too bad.

‘But still… I don’t want to go back.’

Even though it was her homeland where she had lived all her life and would continue to live, the thought of a Parnes-less existence seemed somewhat lonely.

“What deep thoughts are you lost in that you don’t even hear me calling?”

Startling Casaline from her reverie was Chalen’s voice. Unnoticed, he had entered and was approaching her.

Casaline quickly closed the box, but it didn’t take long for his gaze to fall on the hair ornament.

“What’s this? I haven’t seen it before.”

“It’s a personal item. Please don’t concern yourself with it.”

“Wait, hold on. Isn’t this lapis lazuli?”

Chalen’s eyes sharpened astutely. He examined the wings inlaid with solid lapis lazuli under the chandelier light and then clenched his teeth tightly.

“Who gave this to you?”

“It’s none of Your Majesty’s concern. I don’t see a reason to inform you.”

“Don’t you know what lapis lazuli signifies in the Lernel Empire?”