Chapter 23

My confusion only lasted a moment.

I immediately rejected his words without hesitation.

“No.”

My firm answer seemed to disappoint him quite a bit.

“Why not?”

He asked with a dejected expression.

“Well… I have my own important reasons.”

I nodded resolutely.

I wasn’t sure exactly how far his request to “stay away” extended, but I couldn’t avoid the First Prince completely. I had to continue interacting with him to uncover clues about the rebellion.

But then, something unexpected happened.

For the first time ever, Thea showed a cold expression.

“…Right. I forgot for a moment.”

“…What do you mean?”

“You love the First Prince too, don’t you?”

I was at a loss for words.

No way… Could it be…?

Could there be a rumor spreading through the Imperial Palace that Laila is in love with the First Prince?

If not, there’s no reason I’d be asked something like that.

“…Isn’t that kind of a rude question?”

“Sorry.”

When I frowned, he nodded apologetically.

“….”

But Thea stood silently, looking deeply saddened.

Why…? Could it be that he once lost someone he liked to the First Prince?

I hesitated. It wasn’t something to say openly.

But Thea looked so heartbroken—like someone holding a sword that pierced both himself and others. So I made up my mind.

After checking that no one was around, I stepped closer to him and whispered:

“This is a secret, but… you know I lost my memory, right?”

“…Of course.”

“The truth is… after that, I stopped loving the First Prince.”

His eyes trembled. I smiled brightly.

“Whether I once loved him or not, that’s all in the past now. I can’t believe you made a girl say something like this—you’re so mean.”

“…Really?”

He looked visibly relieved. He must have had a painful past—maybe he really did lose someone to the Prince. He smiled beautifully.

“….”

I almost blushed. I didn’t know whose son he was, but he was so handsome. Whoever marries him will be one lucky person.

I took a step back from him.

“Well, anyway, that’s how it is. But you said you came to see me—did you have something to say?”

“No.”

Thea shook his head.

“I just wanted to see you.”

“….”

This time I really did blush, so I needed a moment to cool down. I averted my gaze and spoke.

“Th-then, should we go somewhere to hang out?”

He took me to an unexpected place.

In front of us was a very old garden.

I hadn’t been expecting anything grand, but the flowers had withered away, leaving only tangled vines, and the stone paths were covered in moss. It didn’t seem like a proper place for an outing.

I looked at the overgrown bushes, wondering how many years had passed since they were last trimmed—but then gave up. Instead, I turned to ask Thea.

“Where is this?”

“…It used to be the former Empress’s garden. No one maintains it anymore, but it used to be beautiful.”

“I see…”

Even if its owner was gone, this was still part of the Imperial Palace. How could it be so neglected?

I blinked and walked along the mossy path.

“By the way, where is your home, Thea?”

He paused.

“If you gave me your address, I could send you an invitation for tea. You’ve never formally visited my house, have you?”

He didn’t answer. I teased him.

“Though, knowing how mysterious you are, I doubt you’ll tell me easily.”

He smiled faintly.

“That’s exactly right.”

“Ugh, you’re so unfair. You know everything about me, even where I live, but you won’t tell me anything.”

I grumbled.

“Sorry.”

“….”

His sincere apology made me feel a little shy.

“Well, it’s fine. I’m sure you have your reasons.”

“…Yeah.”

He nodded.

He was kind of suspicious, but for some reason, I trusted him. I felt comfortable around him, wanted to joke and talk. Why?

Even as we wandered deeper into the palace grounds, I didn’t feel at all threatened by him.

We walked a little longer.

And then, the path abruptly ended.

“…Ah.”

I gasped.

Before us was a gentle hill. Gathering up the hem of my dress, I climbed it, and the central palace and the Imperial Garden came into view—where the Emperor resided.

The colorful autumn leaves made the trees look like they were in bloom, and the area was peaceful and quiet, with no people in sight. When I looked down, shiny acorns and hazelnuts were scattered on the ground.

“This place is really beautiful.”

I plopped down onto the ground. Thea sat beside me with a smile.

“I’m glad you like it. In spring, white and red flowers bloom—it’s even more beautiful.”

“Really…”

I gazed at Thea. He tilted his head.

“…Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You know such a hidden spot in the palace… Don’t tell me… Thea, are you…”

“….”

He flinched slightly. I leaned in closer.

“Don’t tell me…”

“….”

“Are you a magician working for the Imperial Palace?”

“….”

He looked at me in disbelief. I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“I’m kidding, I’m kidding.”

“Right…”

“You’ve looked really tired since earlier.”

“….”

I rested my chin in my hand and looked down at the palace. Unlike the bustling people below, this place was so quiet.

“You know… I don’t really get it, but… Thea, are you really here?”

“Am I here?”

“You always seem like you’re looking far away.”

He didn’t respond.

After a long silence, he finally spoke.

“In winter, I lived in rooms as cold as ice. In summer, they were like boiling pots.”

I flinched. It felt like he was talking about my own past. His eyes darkened with memories.

“I had parents, but they weren’t really there. I think I understand better than anyone what it feels like not to be loved. You’re right—I always wanted to leave, ever since I was young. I wanted to go somewhere beautiful, somewhere that would accept me.”

“….”

“Now I could leave if I wanted… but I haven’t. Why? Am I scared?”

He tilted his head slightly.

“It’s a silly thing to say, huh.”

“….”

I looked at him.

I couldn’t say a word.

Because I felt like I truly, deeply understood a corner of his heart.

That hopeless kind of dream. Wanting to leave my aunt’s house, to go somewhere new.

But I couldn’t. The world was too harsh on someone young and poor. Even if I wanted to go, it wasn’t realistic.

Still, deep down in my heart—

“But, Thea.”

“…?”

The truth was something else entirely.

“Maybe it’s not that you want to leave. Maybe… you just want to be loved.”

I wanted to be loved by my aunt and uncle. I wanted to become family. More than leaving—I wanted to be accepted.

The wounds ran deep and bitter. I was only starting to heal after meeting my current family. But the scars would never disappear.

I didn’t know much about Thea. I hadn’t been in this world long. I knew even less about his circumstances.

But I knew the heart of someone who felt alone.

“I don’t know you that well… but I hope you are here, Thea.”

I looked him in the eye. His dark eyes trembled.

“What I mean is… I hope you’re loved. Because everyone—no matter who they are—deserves to be loved.”

I smiled warmly.

“And you, Thea, are more than worthy of love.”

The wind blew.

The gorgeous scene of falling leaves made me forget to speak for a moment. Amid that beauty, I heard Thea’s soft voice in my ear.

“You’re right, Lala.”

I turned to him.

“This place is so beautiful.”

He didn’t say more, but somehow, I felt like I understood his heart.

A single tear slid down his cheek, making it glisten. Tears welled in his long lashes.

“….”

I suddenly stood up and began gathering a pile of fallen leaves in both arms—red, brown, yellow, and green. Then I tossed them all at Thea.

“…?!”

Thea looked stunned. I placed my hands on my hips with confidence.

“Smile, Thea! You look way better when you smile.”

“….”

A red leaf perched on his head fell down across his confused face. Then, finally, he laughed.

“Ah… Ahaha!”

“Yes! That’s it!”

I laughed brightly and gathered more leaves to throw at him. Unfortunately, a little dirt was mixed in, and his clothes started to get messy.

Thea didn’t hold back either—he began tossing leaves at me too.

Soon, using our feet, we kicked piles of leaves at each other.

The colorful leaves flew around us. I even lifted the hem of my dress to kick them better. The swirling leaves looked like they’d never stop. It was beautiful.

Our leaf fight finally ended when we were both exhausted. I collapsed onto a tree stump. Thea did the same.

“Hey…”

I said between gasping breaths.

“I want to come back here when the flowers are blooming too.”

He nodded.

“Yeah. Let’s come back.”

We looked at each other and laughed.

The sun was setting.

As it started getting dark, we hurried down the hill.

“Get home safely.”

“You too. Bye.”

“Contact me again soon.”

I lifted my skirt slightly and gave him a proper courtly farewell. After walking a bit, I turned to peek—he was still standing there, watching me leave.

I got into the carriage parked in the central garden and returned home.

When I got out in front of the mansion, I found myself humming a little tune as I walked in.

“…?”

But the house was strangely chaotic.

Servants were rushing about, shouting loudly. It was very rare for the dignified Rosha Hill family estate to be in such a state.

Puzzled, I stopped one of the maids passing by and asked,

“Did something happen at home?”

“W-well, Lady…”

The girl hesitated, but answered.

“Y-Young Master Edwin…”

“Brother Edwin?”

I repeated the name in confusion.

A strange sense of unease began to grow.