Chapter 12

While Asha and Alesto were lost in their own world, Cedric felt heat rush to his head until he could no longer stay seated.

He stood abruptly and left the building, his throat dry and burning.

When his eyes had met Asha’s on the balcony for the first time, he learned something new. A heart could actually beat that fast.

He even felt a flicker of hope.

Maybe she would recognize him.

After all, she was supposed to meet him for a formal match. If she had seen his portrait in advance, she might realize who he was.

But that faint hope was crushed the moment she turned to the Crown Prince and smiled, saying this was her first romance.

The world turned dark before his eyes.

He thought the heavens were truly cruel.

Born into a southern land plagued by pirates, he had lived a life of endless hardship and exploitation.

And now, even the woman he was supposed to meet had been taken from him right before his eyes.

Cedric felt anger and injustice rise in his chest, yet reality was merciless.

The man beside her was none other than his benefactor, the Crown Prince.

Benefactor, and more.

If he wanted to survive within the Empire, he could never stand against Alesto.

Everyone in the aristocracy knew just how powerful the Crown Prince was. Rumor had it that even the Emperor was little more than his puppet.

How could it not be true?

To see His Majesty, one first had to receive the Crown Prince’s approval.

And to harbor feelings for the Crown Prince’s woman?

That was no different from digging one’s own grave.

But there was an even bigger problem.

Asha had no idea who he was.

That was right.

They were strangers.

Whether by a narrow miss or a small twist of fate, the truth was simple.

They had never met.

He had to let go.

No matter how he thought about it, there was no way out.

The fire in his heart had to be buried in dirt until it went out, and he had to force his eyes to look elsewhere.

He knew that.

He knew he should, but why did his chest still feel so heavy?

As he sat there, sunk in gloom, his aide and long-time friend approached.

“Marquis.”

Cedric inhaled deeply, then released a long sigh instead of answering.

His thoughts were too tangled to sort out.

After a long silence, he slowly stood and turned his back to the lake.

Then, as if he had come to a decision, he spoke softly to Steward, his assistant and friend.

“I will delay my return to Dalbert.”

Steward’s voice sank low, as if sensing something.

“Marquis…”

Cedric patted his friend’s shoulder and replied with forced brightness.

“What are you thinking? The pirates are gone now, so I should start preparing for maritime trade. It would be good to gather some information while we are in the capital.”

Steward’s face lit up immediately.

“Oh, is that it? Then, how about attending a ball to expand your connections?”

“A good idea.”

“I will prepare your formal attire!”

Steward clapped his hands together in excitement, while Cedric hid the guilt in his chest.

He knew.

He knew he could not spend his life pining for someone else’s woman.

The best plan was to meet another lady and return home as soon as possible.

But.

Though his mind understood that, his heart kept suggesting other choices.

In this state, he could not return home yet.

He needed time.

Just a little longer, until the fire inside him faded.

* * *

Inside the carriage returning to the Blossom Palace, Alesto sat with his eyes closed.

He had asked the Saintess if she preferred he not check who the man was, but the moment she shouted “Wait!” in panic, he had already seen the man behind her out of the corner of his eye.

He had not seen the face clearly, but the white suit with gold embroidery was unmistakable. It was the traditional attire of the southern nobility.

The fact that she had been so easily distracted already displeased him, and to make matters worse, the man was Cedric Dalbert.

Her arranged partner.

If he was not mistaken, it was the same Marquis who had been at the Lavender Garden near the temple, the man the Saintess had almost followed that day.

That talk about allowing herself to be confined must have been for that man.

‘Does she still have feelings for him?’

It was quite possible.

She had tried to escape just the night before.

If not for her lack of stamina, she probably would have run straight to Dalbert.

She must have turned back time more than once, and it was likely that she was fond of Cedric Dalbert.

If not that, then she had some other reason to seek him out.

Either way, she clearly wanted to go to him.

‘The Marquis is a lucky man.’

When she had cried “Wait” at the restaurant, he had faced two options.

One was to turn and challenge the Marquis to a duel.

Any excuse would have done.

He could easily have claimed that the Marquis had insulted his honor by casting impure eyes upon the Crown Prince’s lady.

The Marquis would not have been able to deny it.

Honestly, Alesto himself was not particularly interested in her as a woman, but objectively speaking, the Saintess was beautiful.

Even without her ability to turn back time, she was the kind of woman any man would look at at least once.

And then there was that messy look.

Even dressed neatly for an outing, she still carried that faint air of clumsiness.

Maybe it was because she was small.

It made others want to take care of her, stirring a quiet sense of protectiveness in men.

So yes, it was entirely possible that the Marquis had taken an interest in her at first sight.

The other option was what he had chosen now.

He accepted her plea and turned away, gaining something different in return.

He had given up a chance to cut off the Marquis’s leg, so to speak, in exchange for the chance to confine her properly.

‘Not a bad trade.’

The Saintess did not seem to resent the idea of being confined, so for now, he would keep her close and continue their little romance.

Meanwhile, Asha was thinking something very different.

‘How did it come to this?’

All she had wanted was a peaceful imperial confinement.

Sure, she was on her way to be confined right now, but the important word “peaceful” had been left out.

She had hoped for confinement where she could still enjoy a sunny walk or two.

While she nervously glanced at Alesto sitting across from her, he spoke.

“You said it was your dream to be taken by a handsome man and loved, and you gave permission to keep you confined. I can assume you have no complaints then, correct?”

His voice was calm, which only made it more terrifying.

“Yes, well…”

And that was how the two of them returned to the Almond Chamber.

Alesto politely opened the door for her.

“Please go inside.”

His voice was so gentle it almost sounded kind.

But confinement was confinement all the same.

Asha forced her reluctant feet forward and stepped into the room, then quickly turned around and caught the door before it could close.

“May I ask how long you intend to keep me confined?”

He met her eyes and replied slowly.

“Until I can trust you.”

The words with no promise of an end made her shoulders sink.

“I will visit again tomorrow.”

The door to the Almond Chamber closed with a dull thud.

Thump.

* * *

The next day, in the Emperor’s palace, the Forest.

The corridors were silent and still.

A crimson carpet stretched along the floor, and the walls were lined with famous paintings and golden candelabras that filled the hall with light.

In that stillness, the sound of footsteps began to echo.

Step. Step.

When the man reached the open space that separated the corridor from the dining hall, the waiting maids all bowed deeply in unison.

Alesto passed them without a glance and took his seat at the head of the long table where a grand meal was already laid out.

As always, he arrived a little late, and as always, the Emperor was waiting for him.

The Emperor could not touch his food until Alesto spoke the words “Please, begin.”

It was a strange scene, but no one in the hall showed any sign of surprise.

The meal proceeded in silence until the Emperor cleared his throat softly and spoke in a careful voice.

“I would like to go out for a while…”

Alesto calmly finished chewing his food and swallowed. Then he took a sip of wine.

“The aroma is pleasant.”

At his quiet comment, a servant standing nearby quickly provided the answer.

“It is Wiphon, vintage year 607.”

Alesto glanced at the servant in mild surprise.

Wiphon wine had long ceased production, its rarity unmatched. And a 607 vintage was considered royal among royals, said to be all but extinct.

“There was still some Wiphon left?”

The servant lowered his gaze and replied softly.

“His Majesty the Emperor prepared it for you.”

Understanding dawned, and Alesto smiled gently.

It seemed the Emperor had prepared a gift in advance, hoping for permission to make a request.

That was the right way to do it.

To ask for something, one had to show sincerity first.