The expression “flowers blooming” is commonly used in the Etsheim Empire, so Aisha was not entirely sure. His silver eyes stared at Aisha.

“If it’s not too impolite, would you grant me the honor of kissing the back of Bannet’s hand?”

“…What?”

Aisha was greatly taken aback by the sudden request. However, Daart, with his excellent gray eyes, was gazing at her with earnestness. Meeting his earnest gaze, Aisha eventually allowed the hand-kiss.

Daart knelt respectfully, took Aisha’s hand, and gently kissed it. In that moment, a fragrant floral scent, like ‘Hwajang,’ spread through the space they occupied.

Externally, he wore the face of an ascetic priest, but meeting the Bannetsa he had admired made him appear genuinely pleased.

Aisha asked him cautiously, “I heard that you’ve been living here since infancy under the guidance of the High Priest.”

Daart, still on one knee, smiled modestly and replied, “Yes, this monastery is my home and everything I have.”

Aisha looked at the priest with a touch of nostalgia in her eyes. Though he couldn’t ascend to the throne, he seemed to be quietly cultivating his own flower in this place.

She had a sense of why the minority tribeswoman had argued that this man should be made emperor.

If this man were to become emperor, he might be a benevolent ruler, embracing all people without discrimination and violence.

“You must have had difficult early years…”

To Aisha’s words, Daart responded gently, “The wind makes the grass strong.”

“…What?”

“I believe that facing hardships brought me to where I am now. I heard Bannet also experienced various difficulties before hatching into a butterfly. People say that’s the destiny of those who will become butterflies.”

Looking at Aisha, he earnestly continued, “I think every living being has its own inherent value, even mere insects, or even pests. It shouldn’t be judged arbitrarily by human standards. I, too, intend to fulfill the mission given to me by God in this place.”

Aisha felt a profound resonance in her heart. Suddenly, she recalled the words of Etsheim, the god, from her dream.

While praying to Etsheim, she had intended to ask about the path she would walk. However, in her conversation with Daart, she felt as though she had found all the answers.

The answer was already within her.

“…Those are wonderful words. I sincerely hope you become an excellent High Priest, following in the footsteps of the current High Priest.”

Rather than wishing him to become an emperor, Aisha earnestly blessed him to become a great High Priest.
Now, by her side, there was a frail flower in need of her. A man capable of forging his own destiny and a man cursed, becoming unable to stand alone without the help of a butterfly. Aisha chose the latter, and no matter what happened, she intended to cultivate the ailing Kharaf into a benevolent emperor. It was a choice she made as a butterfly. Therefore, if both the monastery and the palace were to have steadfast leaders, she believed the Etsheim Empire would maintain even greater peace and prosperity. Daart, after gazing at her for a moment, bowed his head and said, “Thank you, Bannetssam. May the blessings of the gods always be with you.” He walked to a table, picked up a book, and reappeared. “This book will be helpful to you, Bannetssam.” Aisha, surprised, asked, “Did you know that I had just come back from the library?” Daart smiled again with modesty. “I am not a butterfly, nor do I possess a precious ability like prophecy. I just vaguely knew that you would visit the temple someday. So, when the time came, I prepared this book to give to you. I am pleased that you came to me so quickly, Bannetssam.” Aisha discreetly swallowed her saliva and accepted the book.
“I am not a butterfly, and I don’t possess a precious ability like prophecy. I just vaguely knew that Bannetssam would visit the temple someday. So, when the time came, I prepared this book to give to you. I am pleased that Bannetssam came to me so quickly.” Aisha, swallowing her saliva unnoticed, accepted the book.

Seeing the title of the book, it seemed as if he knew that she had come here to find a way to enlighten the emperor. Suddenly, a chill ran down her spine.

“Thank you. It seems like it will be a great help.”

“May the answers you earnestly seek be contained in that book.”

Daart placed one hand on his chest, politely greeted once again, and then left the temple.

Aisha stood still for a moment, watching his retreating figure. His footsteps made no sound, and he appeared somewhere devout.

Alone in the temple, Aisha soon found herself looking up at the large statue of the Etsheim god in front of the altar. The Etsheim god looked down at everyone praying with a benevolent face. Aisha kneeled on the floor, looking at the god.