Asha wanted to show this narrative to everyone through her dance.

As soon as the music ended, Asha struck an enchanting finishing pose, one hand raised and the other pointing down.

A thunderous roar of cheers and applause filled the hall at her graceful figure, as if ready to fly at any moment.

Asha slowly caught her ragged breath.

A slight sweat had formed on her forehead, but a faint smile played on her lips, alive with vitality.

Ella was wiping her eyes with her white lacegloved hands, her face full of emotion, standing by a pillar.

Soon after, Karaf stood up from his seat and spoke.

“I thank the butterfly candidates who have graced this banquet today. You are honored guests officially invited to the imperial palace, so lay down all your worries and enjoy the banquet to your heart’s content.”

He glanced briefly at Asha as he finished speaking.

But Asha deliberately avoided his eyes, looking elsewhere with an indifferent expression.

The corner of his eye twitched slightly, and one side of his mouth quirked up.

“A real butterfly has flown into this banquet today.”

At those words, all eyes were again simultaneously fixed on Asha.

Without specifically addressing anyone, everyone knew that he referred to her, as Asha was the implicit star of today’s masquerade.

“Asha Camellia.”

“……Yes, Your Majesty.”

Asha lowered her eyes and curtsied gracefully, holding the hem of her dress.

“Come to my side.”

Everyone in the banquet hall was taken aback by the emperor’s words.

During several blooming ceremonies, this was the first time he had called a woman so close to him.

However, Asha walked toward Karaf without a hint of embarrassment, holding her dress hem, her footsteps a delicate shuffle.

Her audacious approach deepened Karaf’s smile.

Her very footsteps seemed to emit a fragrance, mesmerizing.

There were already noble men in the ballroom who had fallen in love with her.

As Asha came closer, Karaf patted the seat beside him, which he had kept empty.

As she took her seat, the royal orchestra began to play cheerful music suitable for a social event.

Karaf turned to her with an intense look in his eyes and said,

“Today, you look very beautiful.”

At his words, Asha inwardly flinched.

He had never openly called her beautiful in the past.

Although he had once sent her a compliment from hell, saying, ‘Is your good looks all you have?’…

Seeing Asha’s startled face, Karaf gave a sly smile, then leaned in close and asked,

“So, have you considered my proposal well?”
Asha didn’t look at him but stared straight ahead, answering calmly.

“……Butterflies approach flowers using their body language when choosing them.”

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

“I like it.”

He spoke, concealing a look that seemed like he had the world in his hands, but excitement was evident in his voice.

“There’s still time until the official butterfly coronation. On the last day of the festival, Vanessa will finally be introduced to the people of the empire as my empress. Relax and enjoy the festival until then.”

“……Yes, Your Majesty.”

Asha seemed to ignore his longing gaze and looked at the ballroom.

The ceiling of the ballroom, where the flower’s banquet was held, was adorned with a splendid mural.

It was a sacred painting of Etsuheim, the god in a flower garden where flowers bloomed luxuriantly, holding a single rose with a butterfly on it and smelling the fragrance.

The Etsuheim god in the mural was dressed in a white robe, embracing everything, eyes closed with a compassionate smile.

The empire of flowers, Etsuheim, had the meaning of “tree of life,” named after the god that distant ancestors worshipped. He was a god ruling over all plants.

Although it was known that butterflies had a close relationship with the god as chosen beings, Asha had never had a true connection with the god, despite resenting him both in her previous life and now.

Asha looked at the painting and then turned her eyes to the people.

As the party began, the women invited to the palace began socializing with excitement.

Although not chosen by the emperor, it was only natural to want to fully enjoy this onceinalifetime banquet.

Just as butterflies excitedly fly around the garden, finding a flower they like, the women energetically laughed and chatted.

Although Asha found this spectacle somewhat fresh, as it was a situation she hadn’t experienced before, she soon focused on finding someone.

The time for the assassin to appear was drawing near.

There was only one chance.

She had to prevent Karaf from danger while ensuring that she herself didn’t lose her life, not letting her guard down.

After her last words earlier, Asha didn’t say a single word by Karaf’s side.

Karaf looked at her face, absorbed in thought, as she sat by his side, frowning.

Earlier, she had danced exuberantly, but the moment she sat down, she became very quiet.

However, her upright posture in the chair and her calm gaze surveying the hall looked dignified, fitting for an empress. The slightly loose side hair, delicate neck, collarbone, long eyelashes looked truly elegant from the side.

He felt it when he first saw her, but up close, she was even more beautiful and mysterious.

He didn’t understand why he had been so spiteful to such a beautiful woman.

Gradually, a desire to captivate her blossomed like a red rose in Karaf’s heart.

It was like the hunting instinct of a beast, but originally, flowers attract butterflies with their fragrance.

It was about letting the other party know first that there was sweet nectar in him.

Soon, a strong rose scent that could make one dizzy burst from his body.

It was a deep pheromone that could make an ordinary woman unconsciously infatuated, even lose her mind.