"Woah, this is so delicious!" Lucia beamed, her eyes sparkling as she savored the meal.
"I know, right? It's made by the top palace chef," Prince Felix replied, clearly pleased with her reaction.
"Oh right," Felix continued, glancing at the quiet Carmila beside him. "Isn't Lady Elestia your sister, Carmila?"
The moment her name slipped from his lips, Kiel's hand paused midair. A faint, uncomfortable tightness coiled inside his chest.
"Yep," Carmila answered lightly at first, twirling her spoon. "But I'm not close with her. Father told me to stay away from her. I don't know why, really. He only said that being close to her will—"
Carmila's eyes suddenly lifted and locked on Kiel.
"Hm?" Kiel met her gaze, offering a polite smile.
"Don't mind me," Carmila said quickly, looking away — but that single look had already stirred something uneasy in him.
Kiel remembered the night Elestia was nearly assassinated — the fear in her eyes, the blood on her cloak. If she was really that dangerous, why did she look so broken then?
"I really don't want to say this, but since Prince Felix asked…" Carmila's voice softened, tears glimmering in her eyes. "Elestia is Father's lost daughter. When she was brought home, she hated me and Mother. Because of her, my mother was grounded by Father. She's always been unruly… jealous, even. I think she hates me for the affection Father gives me."
The table fell silent. Kiel's fork clinked against his plate.
'Is that really true…? Then what about the scars on her body?'
Lucia suddenly leaned in, her tone light but careless. "Eh? Then Prince Kiel should stay away from her! A person like that could be a bad influence."
"Haha…" Kiel forced a laugh, unsure how to respond to her bluntness.
Prince Felix sighed. "I know it's impolite, but… from what Carmila said, it's better to be cautious. A fox in human skin can still wear a pretty smile."
Kiel said nothing. But under the candlelight, his eyes darkened — not with agreement, but with doubt.
Meanwhile, Elestia was completely unaware of the rumors blooming like poison in the palace.
"I really enjoyed today," Claude said with a rare, gentle smile as they strolled under the evening glow.
"Me too. Even though you were scary at first, you're actually kind." Elestia laughed softly. Her laughter seemed to reach somewhere deep in Claude's heart.
"I'll take that as a compliment," he said, chuckling as their fingers brushed. They continued walking, their conversation flowing naturally — childhood stories, small regrets, fragments of pasts half-remembered.
"I grew up in the slums before being taken in by the Ronins," Elestia said absently, her eyes distant.
Claude noticed her expression darken. "You should go home and rest. You look tired."
"I will. My house is just around that corner," she smiled faintly.
Claude's gaze lingered. The moonlight framed her silver hair and pale skin, and before he could stop himself, his hand lifted — gently cupping her face.
"Claude?"
Her eyes widened, but before she could say anything, his lips met hers. The kiss was soft — hesitant — but full of warmth that stole her breath. Her heart fluttered violently as she unconsciously leaned closer.
And then — realization struck her like thunder.
"I… I'm sorry."
She broke away, turned, and ran.
When she reached the front of her house, Elestia froze.
Kiel was standing there, his back to her, staring quietly at the night sky.
"E-Elestia?" He turned, his voice laced with relief — and something else she couldn't name.
Her heart pounded harder than before, guilt and confusion swirling inside her.
"H-Hi. You're… not asleep yet?"
Kiel stepped closer. "Did you catch a cold? Your face is red."
"Huh? N-no, it's—"
Before she could finish, he leaned in and pressed his forehead gently against hers.
"K-Kiel?"
His sudden tenderness caught her off guard. The warmth from his skin made her heart race again — for a very different reason.
"Nah…" he murmured softly, his voice low. "Let's go inside."
Without another word, he took her hand and led her in. His grip was warm, steady — but in his mind, one thought lingered.
One day, she'll tell me everything. Until then… I'll just wait.
Elestia glanced sideways at him. The feeling in her chest was confusing, fragile, and dangerous all at once.
He's smiling again… but why does it feel like there's something behind it?
And somewhere in the distance, under the same moon, a pair of eyes — dark and cold — watched their silhouettes fade into the house.