Nelson disappeared into the bushes in an instant.

Having lost most of her jewelry, Rose collapsed on the spot, swaying.

The most miserable thing at that moment was the fact that if it had been her sister Kasalyn, none of this would have happened.

Kasalyn, born to their distinguished scholar father and a mother from a prestigious family, inheriting noble blood.

Compared to her sister, who, despite having everything, was endlessly greedy, she could only be the tragic heroine in a story of woe.

“Was that man just now your father?”

It was then.

Startled by the dark shadow cast over her head, Rose suddenly jumped up and looked up.

A strange man was standing there.

He seemed to have heard the entire conversation with Nelson, a strange smile on his lips.

“What, who are you?”

“Pleased to meet you, Your Highness the Queen of Khan. My name is Aster.”

“Aster?”

“You might not know, but I’m the heir to the Aster family, who has studied pharmacology and medicine for generations. My grandfather had some connections with the Rennel royal family, so I was invited here.”

The Aster family.

Rose thought for a while, then surprisingly remembered the name from a very old memory.

It seemed that a man named Aster had once visited their house as her father’s guest when she was a child.

Her father also liked to study various subjects, so it seemed they had some connection.

“Whether it’s a visible wound or an invisible one, I inherited the blood that can’t just pass by someone who’s hurt. You might think I’m meddling, but please don’t be too wary.”

He gently helped Rose to her feet.

He had auburn hair, tinged with red, loosely tied back, dressed simply in the manner of a nobleman, without any special adornment.

When he smiled, his eyes narrowed into long, thin lines, resembling a cunning snake.
His face wasn’t common, but oddly, once turned away, it was easy to forget what he looked like.

“Just in case, I’ll say this: that man who just disappeared was just a madman. Father, what a dreadful thing to say, even as a joke.”

“There’s no need for lies. I will, of course, keep it a secret to the grave. I am a gentleman, after all, and do not carelessly divulge a lady’s secrets.”

Rose, intending to ignore Aster, stopped in her tracks.

She looked at him with wavering eyes.

“…Who are you?”

“Let’s see. Shall I say I’m a crusader of justice who came to meet you?”

“Gone.”

Casalyn’s hands became frantic as she searched the innermost part of the drawer.

But all that fell from her hands were trifles of no use.

“It’s nowhere to be found.”

It was only on the afternoon of the ball that she realized the lapis lazuli hair ornament, carefully sealed and stored deep in the drawer, had vanished without a trace.

Stunned and hollow, she stood dazed for a while before rushing outside, unable to stay put.

It was Parnes’ first and last farewell gift.

She had to find it at any cost.

As it was a gift from the emperor, she was certain the royal household would actively help her search, so she hastened her steps.

“Looking for this?”

In a shadowy corridor, a familiar blue light pitifully twinkled.

Holding the fragile wings of a butterfly, the hand belonged to Challen, whom Casalyn knew all too well.

“…What is this about?”

Casalyn approached him quickly, her anger barely contained, but Challen, with a disgracefully leisurely attitude, tucked the hair ornament into his inner pocket.

As if daring her to try and take it.

“Such a valuable item seemed too precious for a mere maid. As a king, I’m just keeping it safe for a while. Don’t be so agitated.”

“It’s a gift from His Imperial Majesty. Please return it!”

“Treating me like a thief? When did I say I wouldn’t give it back?”

Challen paused before continuing.

“Don’t go to the ball today. Have dinner with me instead. Come to the dining hall later. Then I will safely return this item.”

“What is this about?”

“What do you mean?”

Challen, cutting a piece of white fish terrine and chewing thoughtfully, replied nonchalantly.

Casalyn, intending to retrieve the hair ornament and return immediately, found Challen sitting alone in the dining hall, with no attendants.

“I came here upon your invitation to dine.”

“I didn’t say I’d offer you dinner. Come here and attend to me. That’s why I called you.”

“You break into my room to steal and now treat me like a maid?”

“So, you refuse the king’s command?”

Casalyn felt dizzy.

How much more must this man torment and humiliate her before he’s satisfied?

Was it so hateful and resentful that she once carried the royal child, only to lose it in a mishap?

“My wrist is aching today. Would you pour some wine?…”

“…”

“Just fill the glass with wine, and the hair ornament will safely return to your pocket. Can’t you even perform such a simple task?”

While being so especially kind and gentle to Emperor Parnes.

Challen murmured in a voice almost inaudible.

Casalyn stood rigidly for a moment, then slowly approached him.

“Do you think I’m especially kind to Emperor Parnes? No, you’re wrong.”

“What?”
“Unlike others, he sees me as a person, Casalyn. He’s curious not about which dress makes me look the prettiest, but about what food makes me happy when I eat it, and which book brings me joy when I read it.”

“…….”

“There’s no reason not to have positive feelings for the only person in this world who sees me as a human being.”

With that, Casalyn ended her speech and poured the wine not into Challen’s glass, but directly onto his hand.

Her gaze, cold enough to chill upon touch, resembled that of a spy pouring poison into an enemy’s cup.

As the sweet yet tart aroma faintly rose and the dark red liquid stained half of the tablecloth,

Challen, who had been silently gripping his knife, suddenly swept the plates and utensils to the floor and roughly pulled Casalyn onto his lap.

“Casalyn.”

“Wait, what is this……!”

“Become my concubine.”