Asha and Karaf had many stories yet to unfold, but time was not on their side, and Karaf could not help but feel regretful.

However, today was truly an important day, so he quickly returned to his dignified demeanor and said,

“Let’s go now. All the people are eagerly waiting for the Empire’s butterfly.”

When he extended his hand for an escort, Asha silently took it.

She had felt it before, but unlike Jackal, his hand was cold as ice.

They went outside and rode in a bright and antiquated carriage to the monastery.

The monastery was already bustling and noisy with numerous spectators before they arrived.

The two dismounted at the entrance, ready to change horses and parade directly among the imperial citizens.

Then, from a distance, a familiar horse led by a servant walked up.

Asha’s purple eyes, which had been calm until then, slowly grew wider and sparkled with life.

“Shephy…!”

When she quickly ran over to stroke its mane, Jackal also lifted and lowered his head, showing his pleasure.

She looked all over the smoothly groomed bluegray fur and the silver saddle and bridle that were splendidly adorned that day.

Behind her, Karaf spoke gently,

“I brought your horse because I thought you would be very nervous. It seems you are less tense with it. Today is a most special and joyous day for both of us, so ride the horse you cherish most in the procession.”

Asha looked back at him, somewhat moved. Karaf’s face was serene.

Whether it had been bothering him that he had locked her and her horse away and not allowed them to meet, it was he who had brought Shephy here.

It was the first truly sincere apology he had extended to her.

Asha slightly bowed her head to him.

“……Thank you for caring, Your Majesty.”

At her words, Karaf’s tense expression relaxed a bit.

Asha looked at Shephy, who was watching her with strong eyes, and steeled herself once again.

Once she walked this path, she would be embarking on a road of no return.

She had chosen to become the Emperor’s butterfly again, as before, but the outcome of that choice was still unknown.

Would today be remembered as the most special and joyous day, or the most painful and sad day…?

But she would never regret that choice.

Seeing Shephy reminded her that the Liakons could enjoy a free life, and her mind calmed.

As before, she was not alone in this imperial palace.

Now she had Sonya by her side, and kind servants, and above all, Shephy.

She was no longer afraid of anything.

Asha lightly climbed onto Shephy’s back and, with her thin, white hand, gently stroked its mane and said,

“Let’s go, Shephy.”

Shephy moved forward, looking only ahead, with grave steps.

As the two entered the monastery, the imperial citizens lining the road on both sides erupted into cheers at once.

“Long live Emperor Karaf! Long live Lady Vanessa!”

The people participating in the flower festival were all dressed in the empire’s traditional clothing.

The women wore dresses with transparent shawls symbolizing butterfly wings over their shoulders, and the men wore garments whose hems were plump like flower buds above their ankles.

Today was a joyous day for the imperial citizens when the butterfly descended.

Asha smiled gracefully at them and slowly waved her hand.

Karaf, too, showed himself before the imperial citizens today with the dignity of an emperor.

With his hair neatly swept back, he looked down at his subjects with red eyes, wearing a languid yet confident smile.

Rose petals swirled around, and the cheers seemed to tear at one’s eardrums.

In that space, the two truly made a perfect pair as Emperor and Empress.

Far off, at the end of the procession on a hill, there was a magnificent silver altar with an open roof.

There, Asha was to light the fire at the flower bud torch stand and perform the ceremony of bonding the Empire’s flower and their marriage.
But that was when they were entering the narrow path to the altar.

Just a moment ago, Shephy, who had been walking obediently with a clipclop, suddenly started acting out.

Shephy suddenly changed direction, and began to run madly somewhere. Asha’s eyes widened, and she screamed.

“Ah, Shephy…!”

Asha pulled the reins hard in panic, but still, Shephy didn’t listen and ran roughly.

“Vanessa…!”

When she looked behind, she saw Karaf with a surprised face, reaching out towards her.

“Shephy, stop…!”

Asha again put strength into the reins to hold her back, but Shephy still didn’t listen.

Jackal ran at full speed, jumped into the dense crowd, pushing and shoving.

The citizens were all startled and quickly moved out of the way.

Barely avoiding collision with the people, Shephy began to run more recklessly.

The surrounding servants and knights realized that something had gone seriously wrong as they saw the excited horse.

“Stop the horse!”

At Duran’s shout, the knights quickly took up their weapons and began chasing after Shephy.

But at that moment, a deafening explosion sounded from all around, and smoke billowed.

It was a smoke bomb.