Episode 7:
The Secret Garden
After the fragrance exhibition, Kairos led Seraphina through a quiet corridor in the Imperial Palace.
His steps were swift, and his expression remained clouded with confusion.
“Your Majesty, I’m truly sorry. That perfume was still incomplete,” Seraphina said anxiously.
Kairos stopped and looked at her.
“Lady Mist… Do you know what kind of effect the final layer of that fragrance had on me?”
His voice was quiet but tense.
Seraphina shook her head.
“Not entirely, Your Majesty. The perfume was designed to awaken deep emotions and memories, but the precise effect varies from person to person.”
Kairos fell silent for a moment.
“That scent… It vividly revived a memory I had long buried.”
He turned to gaze out the window.
“It felt as if I had returned to that very moment… the last day I spent with her.”
Seraphina’s heart pounded.
“Are you referring to that girl…?”
Kairos slowly nodded.
“Seraphina… That was her name.”
When he uttered her name aloud, Seraphina held her breath.
“She must have been someone very special to you.”
Sadness flickered in Kairos’s eyes.
“She was the only one in my life who saw me for who I truly was—not as a Crown Prince, but simply as Kairos.”
He resumed walking down the corridor.
“Follow me. There’s something I wish to show you.”
Silently, Seraphina followed.
They passed several halls until they reached a secluded area deep within the palace.
Kairos stopped in front of a small door.
“This is my private garden. Only a very few are permitted to enter.”
As he opened the door, an astonishing sight unfolded.
Though small, the garden was exquisitely arranged—like a world apart.
At its center stood a large starflower tree, casting gentle shade, while vibrant blossoms in various hues bloomed in perfect harmony.
What stood out most was that all the plants were traditional species of the Asterian Empire.
“This place…” she murmured.
“I call it the Aldemir Garden,” Kairos explained.
“After the fall of the Aldemir family, I moved the plants from their manor’s garden here—especially the ones Seraphina loved.”
Her heart tightened.
He had recreated her family’s garden in this hidden place.
“Why… did you do all this, Your Majesty?”
Kairos began to stroll through the garden slowly.
“It was the only way I could keep her memory alive. When her family was branded traitors, everything was destroyed—even their ancestral portraits.”
He walked toward a small bench under the starflower tree.
“I wanted to preserve at least this one space for her.”
Without a word, Seraphina followed and sat beside him.
The moment felt unreal.
To sit in a secret garden built by Kairos—for her.
“You may use this place anytime for inspiration in crafting my perfume,” he said.
“Especially for the final layer… the one that holds the deepest emotion.”
Seraphina nodded.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. This place is… truly special.”
Kairos looked at her for a moment.
“Lady Mist… Do you know that sometimes you remind me of her?”
Her heart nearly stopped.
Cautiously, she replied, “That is… an honor, Your Majesty. But I wonder, in what way do I remind you of her?”
Kairos seemed to ponder.
“Your passion for perfumes… and your voice, when you speak—it’s similar.”
Suddenly, he shook his head.
“I understand, Your Majesty. The grief of losing someone so dear…”
Kairos’s expression shifted, and he stood.
“Let’s end it here for today. You may use this garden freely, for your inspiration.”
Seraphina stood respectfully.
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for sharing such a special place with me.”
Kairos nodded.
“And… beware of Grand Duke Vitian. At today’s exhibition, I noticed him watching you closely.”
Seraphina felt her heart race.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I’ll be careful.”
Kairos escorted her to the garden door.
“Let’s talk again tomorrow. I’d like to discuss the perfume further.”
Seraphina bowed and left the garden.
As she walked through the palace corridors, her mind was a whirlwind.
Kairos still missed Seraphina—her true self.
He had even preserved her garden.
And yet, he was convinced she had died.
Could I tell him the truth?
But not yet.
Vitian’s suspicions, and the still-hidden truth behind her family’s downfall—
She had to keep her identity hidden until everything became clear.
When Seraphina returned to her workshop, she noticed signs of intrusion.
Perfume bottles slightly out of place, drawers slightly misaligned.
She examined the room carefully, staying calm.
Someone searched my workshop.
There was no doubt.
And she had a good idea who it was.
Duke Vitian—or his spies.
She quickly checked her most important belongings.
Thankfully, she always kept her most precious item—the starflower brooch Kairos had given her—close to her body.
Sitting at her worktable, she fell deep into thought.
Things were becoming increasingly dangerous.
Vitian was clearly suspicious and actively investigating her identity.
I need to be more careful. And I must find evidence—soon.
She began planning her next moves.
She would find proof against Vitian, complete Kairos’s perfume,
And most importantly—protect her secret.
A knock interrupted her thoughts.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and Eleni entered.
“Lady Mist, are you all right? What happened at the fragrance exhibition has spread across the entire palace.”
Seraphina smiled faintly.
“I’m fine. It was… just a bit overwhelming.”
Eleni closed the door and lowered her voice.
“You must be careful. Duke Vitian has been asking a lot of questions about you.”
Seraphina raised an eyebrow.
“What kind of questions?”
“About your origins, your past… especially your mask.”
Eleni looked concerned as she continued.
“He doesn’t like how close you’ve gotten to His Majesty—especially with Princess Meridia’s visit approaching.”
Seraphina nodded.
“Thank you, Eleni. I’ll be careful.”
As if remembering something, Eleni added,
“Oh, and tomorrow afternoon, Duke Vitian is hosting a small banquet for nobles within the palace. You’ve been invited.”
Seraphina was surprised.
“Me?”
“Yes. He personally invited you. He said it’s a chance to introduce your perfumes to the nobility.”
Seraphina instinctively felt it was a trap.
Vitian was setting the stage to test her.
“I understand. I’ll attend.”
Eleni looked relieved.
“And one more thing… I heard His Majesty brought you to the secret garden today?”
Seraphina nodded.
“Yes, he did.”
Eleni’s eyes widened.
“That’s… truly surprising. His Majesty rarely lets anyone enter that place.”
She hesitated, then said quietly,
“That garden… it was created for Lady Seraphina.”
Seraphina asked carefully, “Do you know more about her?”
Eleni’s eyes turned nostalgic.
“Perhaps it’s just my imagination. After all, it’s been eight years.”
Seraphina tensed but maintained her composure.
“Your Majesty, may I ask a question?”
Kairos nodded.
“What made you so sure Lady Seraphina had died? Was her body ever found?”
It was a risky question, but she had to ask.
Kairos’s expression darkened.
“No. Her body was never recovered. But that night, the Aldemir manor was completely burned down. There was no sign of escape.”
He sighed deeply.
“I searched for her… I tried everything. But not a single trace was ever found.”
“She was a wonderful girl. Wise and kind. His Majesty truly loved her.”
Eleni’s face grew somber.
“When her family was accused of treason, His Majesty changed. The warmth and laughter in him disappeared. He became cold, distant.”
Seraphina’s heart ached.
Her supposed death had scarred him deeply.
“Do you know exactly what happened back then?”
Eleni sighed.
“Not all the details. It was so chaotic. Evidence surfaced suggesting the Aldemir family plotted the emperor’s assassination. And overnight, everything ended.”
She paused.
“But… something felt off. His Majesty never believed that evidence. He tried desperately to save her and her family. But it was already too late.”
Seraphina’s eyes widened.
“He didn’t believe it?”
Eleni nodded.
“No. He even claimed the evidence was fabricated. But the former emperor—his father—refused to listen.”
This revelation stirred new questions within Seraphina.
Kairos had believed her family was innocent. He had tried to save her.
Then… why hadn’t he come that night?
“Eleni, do you know anything else about that night?”
Eleni glanced around nervously.
“This isn’t a safe place to talk. Even the walls have ears.”
She leaned in and whispered,
“But remember this—Duke Vitian was the one who orchestrated everything. He was the most trusted advisor to the emperor.”
Suddenly remembering something, Eleni straightened up.
“I should go. I’ll help you prepare for the banquet tomorrow.”
After she left, Seraphina stood in thought.
New information was falling into place like puzzle pieces.
Vitian had been deeply involved in her family’s downfall.
Kairos hadn’t believed the accusations—and had tried to save her.
But many questions remained.
Seraphina moved to the window and looked up at the night sky.
“I will uncover the truth… and reclaim my family’s honor.”
She returned to her worktable and resumed crafting Kairos’s perfume.
This fragrance was more than just a gift.
It was a message to Kairos—a bridge between their past and present.
As the night deepened, Seraphina worked on the final layer once more.
This time, more delicately, more carefully.
And within that scent—she poured her true feelings.
