A young man with the same black hair as Nadia was approaching the greenhouse pavilion. I gestured to the guard to let him in.
“Nadia!”
“B-Brother? Why are you here…?”
The young man, dressed as if attending a ball, feigned delight at seeing Nadia. Then, with a pretense of urgency, he greeted me. “Raval of the Gawain family greets Princess Silver Bird. There has been a significant matter in our family, and I must urgently take my sister with me, so I apologize for the intrusion.”
“Ah, Count Gawain.”
Glancing to the side, Nadia’s gaze at her brother and family head was far from pleasant. It was clear she was questioning his motives and why he was interrupting.
“If it’s a family matter, there’s no helping it. Go ahead, Count.”
“To make up for today’s discourtesy, I will send a formal invitation from my family later, Your Highness.”
“There’s no need for that.”
Raval Gawain, having been rejected, hesitated in the middle of his exaggerated courtesy and awkwardly lifted his head. He had tried to use his sister as an excuse to form a connection with me, but things hadn’t gone as planned, leaving him flustered. Thanks to her unimpressive brother, Nadia was forced to leave the tea party early.
I could see Nadia trembling with anger and Annemarie subtly pleased. I decided to use this situation to my advantage.
“It’s a shame that Lady Nadia has to leave early. Let’s conclude today’s tea party here.” I elevated Nadia’s status.
The oblivious Mebril Osbond stood up with a simple “Yes” while Annemarie Arondit’s expression hardened, feeling her rank threatened.
“Take care, everyone.” Even after gently dismissing them, I remained seated at the table, sipping tea. Then, at some point, I spoke. “You can come out now.”
A woman with hair as red as camellias stepped forward. It was my new maid, Sione Belpha. As she gracefully settled her dress and greeted me, I asked her, “How does it feel to hear the voices of those who ruined your family after so long?”
“I’m happy. I have regained my will to live.” Her green eyes sparkled, filled not only with the will to live but also with a fierce determination that made them beautiful. “Doesn’t it repulse you, Your Highness? How can you tolerate sharing a table with such creatures?”
“If I can endure the blood flowing in my own veins, why should they be any different?”
“Your Highness is nothing like the mad emperor.”
“Thank you for saying so.”
As I extended my right hand, Regen immediately supported it from below, escorting me. Though I wasn’t without my own discomfort, I needed something to calm my unsettled stomach.
“Sione, please handle the cleanup. I need some fresh air.”
✦
I walked along the camellia path where green, red, and white mingled. The snow on the path was completely cleared, making it easy to walk. Camellia flowers have no scent. The air I inhaled was filled only with the crisp smell of winter, which quickly soothed my unsettled stomach.
When we reached a place devoid of any presence, Regen, who had been walking half a step behind, asked, “I heard Your Highness plan to hold these gatherings regularly. What is your reason for meeting the ladies of families known for treachery?”
“It’s not about me meeting them—it’s about letting them meet each other.”
“What do you mean?”
“When people with inherently bad natures are put together, conflict arises naturally.”
Arondit, Osbond, Gawain. If even a small spark of discord could be ignited among these three families, that would be ideal. If not, so be it.
“Introducing the Gawain family today was quite fruitful. They’re truly people with the heart of beasts.”
“I understand them to be scoundrels who frame innocent people as traitors and execute them. The Belpha family was one of their victims.”
“That’s right. From Sione’s perspective, it’s very personal. Nadia was her close friend, and Raval was her fiancé. Since it was Nadia who arranged the engagement, her betrayal must have been particularly painful.”
“A friend’s betrayal…”
Regen’s voice was subdued as he repeated the words, prompting me to ask. “Have you experienced it yourself?”
“Yes.”
It was a straightforward answer. Yet, his gaze was as cold as ice.
“There was a close friend who betrayed me, saying it was the best course of action.”
Suddenly, a conversation from before came to mind.
“When the only woman I must protect is insulted while shielding me, what knight would be pleased by that?”
“You know it was the best option.”
“The best option.”
His usually composed lips had twisted at that moment. The disillusionment I felt was no illusion.
Perhaps regretting his words, he collected his emotions and shifted the topic back to me. “Have you ever been betrayed by a friend, Sasha?”
“No.”
“That’s fortunate.”
“I don’t have friends.”
“…”
His golden eyes wavered. He seemed like a gentleman taken aback by a lady’s candid confession.
I confidently elaborated. “To be friends, one must share the same moral values and political views, but it’s hard to find loyal people in the empire. Besides, if we became close and one of us was executed, it would be sad.”
“I see.”
“So, there’s no need to feel sorry for my lack of friendship.”
“…I never had such a disrespectful thought.”
When I smiled, showing disbelief, Regen reflexively parted his lips to speak but then closed them. It seemed he gave up on explaining.
The atmosphere, which had almost turned somber, was lifted, and that was enough.
I heard the chirping of a warbler. Curious if it was nearby, I approached the camellia tree but couldn’t find it. Leaving behind a sense of regret, I admired the camellia blossoms, brushing snow off a bloom with my fingertips.
Just then, a soft chuckle came from beside me. When I glanced at Regen, he quickly turned his head, realizing his mistake, which prompted me to question him.
“Why are you laughing?”
“My apologies.”
“What were you thinking about?”
“…”
“I won’t get mad, so tell me.” Curious about his thoughts, I pressed him, and he finally spoke.
“Did you know that camellias are bird-pollinated flowers?”
“Yes. Since camellias lack fragrance, they use their vibrant appearance to lure birds, offering nectar for reproduction.”
“Indeed, and so…”
As he hesitated again, I narrowed my eyes. Eventually, he confessed as if giving up.
“When you touched the camellia, I imagined a silver bird had landed on the camellia flower.”
This time, I let out a soft laugh.
“What were you thinking?”
“It’s a secret.”
“…”
Even if he found it unfair, there was nothing he could do. After all, I couldn’t openly admit that the flower I most wanted to sit on was him.
I changed the subject. “By the way, Sir Regen, how is your eye?”
“It’s healing smoothly. At this rate, I should be fully recovered within a month.”
“That’s a relief. Then, the remaining issue is your mana core. I’m worried because it feels like the recovery rate is decreasing day by day.”
“Does Sasha know the recovery rate?” Regen asked, seemingly surprised.
I nodded. “As your mana recovers, I need to exert more control to maintain the dominion. Since the increase in control needed for you is gradually decreasing, I judged based on that.”
“I see.”
“Compared to the initial amount, it seems about 50% recovered now…”
“…”
While I was estimating, Regen suddenly asked without responding. “Do you have enough dominion, Sasha?”
“I’m not sure exactly, but even if Sir Regen fully recovers your core, I don’t think it will completely fill my capacity.”
“So, you think there will be some leeway at the current rate.”
“Yes.”
“Is that really the case?”
“Huh?”
Regen’s attitude has been peculiar for a while now.
“What happens if a knight’s mana surpasses the dominion of the imperial family? Does the imprint break?”
“Once imprinted, it doesn’t break easily. But I understand that it puts a burden on the body of the dominator instead.”
“Is there no way to increase your dominion?”
“…”
I fell silent, suddenly realizing something from our conversation.
“Regen.”
“Yes.”
“Your recovery hasn’t reached even 50%, is it?”
“Yes.”
His typically blunt response was so straightforward. As if I had heard an undeniable truth, I found myself unable to refute it.
