Episode 5:
The Beginning of a Dangerous Game
The morning after the garden banquet, Seraphina was absorbed in perfume-making in her workshop at the East Palace.
Morning sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating her worktable as she carefully mixed various fragrances.
The imperial perfume for Kairus.
She still couldn’t get the conversation from yesterday’s banquet out of her mind.
“A long time ago, I remember meeting a girl in this very garden…”
Kairus’s words were clear proof that he still remembered her.
But he believed she was dead.
“Why does Kairus think I didn’t survive?”
Seraphina was confused.
Even now, she couldn’t understand why Kairus hadn’t come to save her on that fateful night eight years ago when her family fell from grace.
“There must be something I don’t know.”
She murmured as she picked up a vial.
Perfume-making was her comfort, a process that brought clarity to her thoughts.
She wanted to create a fragrance for Kairus—one that held a special meaning for him alone.
“What kind of reaction will this scent awaken in his heart?”
A knock broke her concentration.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and a palace attendant entered.
“Lady Myst, the Grand Duke Vitian requests an audience.”
Seraphina’s hand froze.
“Grand Duke Vitian?”
She tried to steady her voice.
“Yes, he wishes to meet you in the East Palace reception room this afternoon.”
Seraphina slowly nodded.
“Understood. What time shall I see him?”
“Two o’clock. I will escort you then.”
After the attendant left, Seraphina exhaled deeply.
A meeting with Vitian.
This would be dangerous.
He clearly suspected her and would try to gather more information.
But it was also a chance for her to observe him up close—and learn.
Seraphina pulled a small golden vial from the table.
It wouldn’t make anyone confess the truth, but it was enough to subtly observe emotional shifts.
“Perhaps this will help in the conversation with Vitian.”
She dabbed a bit of the perfume on her wrist.
Right now, she needed every advantage.
—
At two o’clock, Seraphina was escorted to the reception room of the East Palace.
The space was small but elegantly arranged.
Velvet blue curtains, walnut furniture, and landscape paintings adorned the room.
Vitian was already there, standing by the window and gazing out at the garden.
“Lady Myst, you’ve arrived.”
He turned and greeted her slowly.
“It is an honor to meet you, Your Grace.”
Seraphina offered a courteous bow.
Vitian gestured for her to sit.
“I regretted how short our conversation was at the banquet. I wished to know more about your perfume, hence this invitation.”
Seraphina sat gracefully.
“I’m honored by your interest, Your Grace.”
Vitian observed her carefully.
His sharp eyes seemed to peer beneath her mask.
“I’ve heard your perfumes are more than simple fragrances—that they can influence memory and emotion?”
Seraphina nodded.
“Yes. My perfumes are crafted with attention not only to scent but also the emotional responses they evoke.”
Vitian looked intrigued.
“Fascinating. And where did you learn such a skill?”
Seraphina recited her prepared story.
“From my mother. She was a renowned perfumer in a coastal village to the south. She found these techniques in ancient texts and passed them on to me.”
Vitian was silent for a moment.
His gaze lingered on her wrist.
“What perfume are you wearing now?”
Seraphina was caught off guard but remained composed.
“It’s called Transparency. It makes conversations feel more comfortable.”
A faint smile curled on Vitian’s lips.
“You anticipated discomfort in our conversation?”
Seraphina smiled gently.
“Not at all. I simply thought this was the most subtle and elegant scent among those I’ve made.”
Vitian nodded, though suspicion remained in his eyes.
“It seems His Majesty holds you in very high regard. I hear he’s granted you a workshop in the East Palace?”
“Yes, I’m deeply grateful for His Majesty’s generosity.”
Vitian began pacing slowly.
“You may not be aware, but the empire is at a pivotal moment—particularly regarding His Majesty’s marriage.”
Seraphina felt her heart race.
“His Majesty’s marriage?”
Vitian nodded.
“Yes. Though he is over thirty, His Majesty has yet to take an empress. A marriage alliance with Princess Meridia is currently being considered.”
Seraphina tried to keep her composure.
“I see. That’s indeed an important matter for the empire.”
Vitian watched her reaction closely.
“The princess will visit our capital in a month. That will be their first meeting.”
The visit of Princess Meridia.
A future empress candidate for Kairus.
Something deep inside Seraphina cracked, but she kept her expression calm.
“Would you be able to create a special perfume for the occasion?”
Vitian suddenly asked.
“A version of your ‘First Encounter’ fragrance—slightly adjusted—to ensure a smooth first meeting between the two.”
Seraphina felt conflicted.
Vitian was asking her to assist in Kairus and Meridia’s union.
“Of course… it can be done, Your Grace.”
She answered mechanically.
Vitian looked satisfied.
“Excellent. One more thing—make a perfume for me as well. One that can awaken old memories.”
Seraphina nodded slowly.
“What memories would you like to recall, Your Grace?”
Vitian’s gaze suddenly sharpened.
“Eight years ago.”
A chill ran through Seraphina’s veins.
“Eight years ago…?”
Vitian smiled slowly.
“Yes. That was when great changes occurred in the empire. Some traitors were purged, and His Majesty ascended the throne.”
Seraphina fought to remain composed.
“Understood. I will prepare a fragrance to your liking.”
Vitian nodded approvingly.
“And that mask… You seem to always wear it. One day, you’ll take it off—won’t you?”
Seraphina smiled despite the tension.
“Someday, that day will come, Your Grace.”
Vitian gave her a slight bow and exited the room.
As the door shut behind him, Seraphina exhaled deeply.
Her fears were confirmed.
Vitian was suspicious of her.
His reference to “eight years ago” was a clear test.
He was trying to determine whether she was the surviving daughter of House Aldemir.
Seraphina walked to the window and stared outside.
Things were becoming more dangerous.
Kairus’s upcoming marriage, Vitian’s suspicion, and now she had to create two conflicting perfumes.
One for Kairus, the other to support his marriage.
“What should I do?”
She fell into thought.
As evening shadows grew long, Seraphina remained at her worktable, focused on the perfumes.
She now understood she must act with greater caution.
Her immediate task was to ease Vitian’s doubts.
On the table were two bottles.
One for Princess Meridia’s visit, the other for Vitian.
Both concealed her true intentions.
The one for Meridia was designed not to evoke excitement of a first meeting, but rather comfort and familiarity.
Vitian’s perfume would bring forth memories—not of eight years ago, but of something entirely different.
“This should buy me some time.”
Just then, another knock came.
“Come in.”
Elena entered, her face worried.
“Lady Myst, are you alright? I heard you had a meeting with Grand Duke Vitian.”
Seraphina smiled.
“I’m fine. His Grace was merely interested in my perfumes.”
Elena closed the door and lowered her voice.
“You need to be careful. The Grand Duke… he’s the most political figure in the empire.”
Seraphina listened intently.
“Though he’s the Emperor’s uncle by marriage, he’s practically at the center of the imperial court. And he’s deeply involved in the marriage issue.”
Seraphina grew curious.
“You mean the marriage to Princess Meridia?”
Elena nodded.
“Yes, but not everyone agrees with it. Even His Majesty isn’t particularly eager.”
A glimmer of hope sparked in Seraphina’s heart.
“His Majesty opposes it?”
Elena sighed.
“He has rejected every marriage proposal so far. People wonder why.”
Seraphina felt her heartbeat quicken.
“Do you know why?”
Elena shrugged.
“No one knows for sure. But there’s an old rumor… That when he was young, he loved someone dearly. After her death, he lost all interest in marriage.”
Seraphina took a deep breath.
“I see…”
Elena snapped back to attention and smiled.
“But it’s probably just palace gossip. I’ve said too much already.”
She handed Seraphina a small note.
“This is a message from His Majesty. He wishes to meet you tomorrow morning in the East Palace garden.”
Seraphina accepted the note.
“Thank you, Elena.”
After Elena left, Seraphina opened the note.
“Let’s meet tomorrow morning by the Starflower Fountain. –K”
Her hand trembled.
The Starflower Fountain.
It was the secret place they often met eight years ago.
Seraphina gazed out at the darkening sky.
Her plans were becoming more tangled.
On one side, she had to avoid Vitian’s suspicions.
On the other, she had to navigate her relationship with Kairus.
And now, there was Princess Meridia.
Seraphina took a long breath.
“The dangerous game has begun…”
She whispered.
Tomorrow’s meeting could change her fate entirely.
Lying in bed, she stared at the ceiling.
“Kairus… do you truly remember me?”
[To be continued in the next episode]
