Relia smiled at Rosalyn's innocent sweetness,
then turned her gaze toward the imperial palace, which looked more decorated than ever. Today was the crown prince's birthday.
The empress herself had chosen the deep crimson decorations, symbolizing the young heir…
"Let's go to the nobles' garden for children before the main event begins."
"Yes, let's!"
The two girls headed to the small nobles' garden inside the imperial palace, while Relia carried a quiet worry about whether her plan would succeed.
---
"Rosalyn… listen," Relia whispered once they arrived.
"Hm? What is it?" Rosalyn tilted her head curiously.
"There's a place I want to go… could you cover for me?" Relia said, pressing a finger to her lips.
"B-but why?? And how am I supposed to do that?" Rosalyn stammered nervously.
"If anyone asks where I am, just tell them I went to the restroom, alright?" she spoke with a gentle smile before adding, "As for the reason… it's a secret I can't tell you now. But I promise I'll spend the rest of the day with you alone, so don't be sad."
"…Fine," Rosalyn muttered, though her face showed a hint of sadness.
---
Relia went off, searching for the place where she had seen Regis before.
She must be upset… but I can't just leave that boy alone like this, she thought as she walked.
Finally, she stopped at the familiar tree she had sat under last time. Her eyes scanned the area—until she spotted him.
"There he is," she whispered under her breath, noticing the boy with the shining black hair, reading a book while leaning against the tree.
"Hello!" Relia waved cheerfully from a distance.
"You…" Regis's cold voice carried no emotion, his eyes holding the same detached look as before.
"Yes, it's me. Do you remember me?" Relia asked brightly.
"Of course. I've never seen anyone as strange as you."
"What? I'm one hundred percent normal! You're the strange one here," Relia pouted, questioning whether she should've come at all.
But instead of replying, Regis stepped closer and glanced at her wrist.
"What—?!"
"Your wrist," he said.
"What about it?" Relia asked, startled.
"It looks like it's almost completely healed." His tone was calm as he studied her hand. Relia froze, surprised he even remembered what had happened that day. Her cheeks warmed with embarrassment.
"This…"
"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to," Regis added, his voice softer this time. Relia smiled slightly at his unexpected warmth.
"So… why did you come here?" he asked.
"Oh right, I almost forgot!" she said, digging into her bag before pulling out pieces of mint-chocolate cake.
"I brought these for you."
"Why would you bring me that?" Regis frowned.
"Well, it's just—"
"If it's out of pity, I don't want it," he cut her off firmly.
Relia tensed, but then an idea struck her.
"No, it's a gift. To celebrate the start of our friendship," she said calmly.
"Friendship? Why would you want to be friends with someone like me?"
"What do you mean, 'someone like you'?"
"Don't you understand? I'm the unwanted prince… and you're a rising noble."
"That has nothing to do with friendship."
"…What…" Regis was taken aback by her straightforward answer, momentarily speechless.
"But I can't stay long today. Let's play another time, my new friend," Relia said with a cheerful wave as she walked away.
"New… friend…" Regis murmured, his eyes following her retreating figure—eyes that had never shown such an expression to anyone else before.
---
"Phew, finally done," Relia sighed as she headed back to the nobles' gathering place—when a familiar voice stopped her.
"Lady Relia?" A boy with bright red eyes and matching crimson hair approached. His sharp features stood out against his smooth, tanned skin, the very image of his viscount father.
"Lord Bernard…? What are you doing here?" Relia asked, surprised to see him outside the hall.
"Oh, that? I just needed some fresh air. The hall feels suffocating… What about you, my lady?"
"I came out for the same reason," she replied with a wide smile, masking her anxiety.
"Haha, it seems we're alike then," Bernard chuckled softly.
"Y-yes, I suppose so. But we should return to the grand hall now—the crown prince's birthday celebration is about to begin," she urged, quickly changing the subject.
"You're right. Let's go… Ah, by the way, Rosalyn is still waiting for you in the children's garden," Bernard added.
Relia felt a pang of guilt but promised herself to spend the rest of the party with Rosalyn to make it up to her.
---
The three—Relia, Bernard, and Rosalyn—entered the grand imperial hall. Its towering ceilings glittered with crystal chandeliers, the vast room filled with nobles' laughter, elegant music, and the constant whisper of gossip.
"It's beautiful! Truly perfect!" Rosalyn gasped in awe.
High-ranking nobles had seen the hall many times before, but for someone of Rosalyn's status, this was her first glimpse of such splendor. Bernard, too, must have been impressed—but unlike Rosalyn, he remained calm and composed.
---