---
The lake estate glittered under morning light, casting long shadows through the trees. Aiden sat on a sun-dappled bench in the garden, trimming a flower crown with delicate fingers. His hair was half-pinned, wisps fluttering over his cheeks, and his robe sleeves pooled gracefully over his wrists. He hummed softly to himself, unaware that a pair of calculating eyes were watching from the balcony above.
Celestia, dressed in silk as gold as her pride, stood behind a marble column, lips pressed into a thin line. She wasn't watching the flowers. She wasn't even watching the innocent smile on Ren's face.
She was watching Shinomi.
Shinomi stood a short distance from Aiden, not saying a word, not moving—just watching. His usually rigid posture was slightly relaxed, his arms folded but without tension. His eyes, often cold and unreadable, had softened.
Celestia recognized that look.
She had seen it once, years ago, when they were children and she had nearly fallen off her horse during sword training. Shinomi had leapt off his own saddle to catch her. He hadn't said anything back then, either—but his eyes had looked exactly like they did now.
Warm.
Protective.
Tender.
She felt her jaw clench.
Later that afternoon, Celestia entered the sitting room where Shinomi had just finished reviewing estate reports. Aiden had gone to help in the kitchen garden, ever curious and unable to sit still.
"Is something wrong?" Shinomi asked without looking up.
"I was going to ask you the same," Celestia said smoothly, circling behind him. "You've been distant."
"I'm busy."
"With Ren?"
That made him glance up.
Celestia tilted her head. "You watch him like a falcon. You never used to care what your servants did."
Shinomi sighed and returned to his scrolls. "He's not like others."
Celestia leaned forward slightly. "Do you love him?"
He froze.
She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I wonder what the council would say if they knew their future king might choose a boy raised as a doll rather than a queen trained for the throne."
"Enough," Shinomi said, voice quiet but sharp.
Celestia leaned down beside him, her lips almost brushing his ear. "You've always been mine, Shinomi. I won't let him take you."
She left the room without another word, leaving the chill behind her.
---
That evening, Aiden returned to his room humming, unaware of any of this. A new flower crown sat on his head, and his fingers were stained with dirt. One of the soldiers had praised his planting technique and ruffled his hair, making him grin like a child.
He didn't notice the way Celestia passed him in the corridor, her hand grazing his shoulder just a second too long.
Or the look in her eyes as she whispered with syrupy sweetness, "Be careful, little flower. Sometimes, bees bite."
---