Weeks passed, and the Preparatory Gathering and the Foundation Anniversary were only two weeks away.
It was a bright morning when Elara prepared herself for their weekly ritual, the tea time with the Crown Prince.
She arrived at the palace wearing a pastel blue off-shoulder gown, perfect for the sunny weather.
The soft hue complemented her calm composure, though beneath it was a quiet hint of boredom. Upon reaching the pavilion where their tea was usually held, she saw Adrienne already seated, the sunlight glinting faintly on his pale hair.
Before she could even greet him, Adrienne stood from his chair, approached her, and pressed a delicate kiss to the back of her hand. With a charming smile, he gestured toward the seat beside him.
Elara froze, caught off guard. In all her lives—especially this tenth one—Adrienne had never done such a gesture before.
"I'm a little sad and disappointed in you, Crown Princess Elara," Adrienne said, his tone sulky yet soft.
Elara blinked, startled not because he was sulking, but because of the words Crown Princess. Her thoughts raced: What? Since when does Adrienne act like this? Are you even hearing yourself right now, Your Highness?
Suppressing her irritation, she answered gracefully, masking the swirl of surprise within her chest.
"What part disappointed you, Your Highness? Did I do something that displeased you? If I did, please help me remember."
Adrienne looked at her with quiet reproach.
He couldn't believe she had forgotten. ''You've missed our tea time twice. Two sessions, once each week. And not even a single letter to inform me beforehand. You even promised that you would reach out first, as you had a favor you wished to ask of me.''
Since when has tea time been so important to you, Your Highness? Elara thought but kept the words locked behind a polite smile. "I apologize, Your Highness. I got caught up in something, and my hands were full. I thought it would be alright, since you never really seemed to care much about our tea time sessions together, ever since we were young."
Her words struck him like a knife. Adrienne's expression faltered, but he quickly looked away, changing the subject to brush off the sting of her tone.
"It's alright. Nothing serious. So… what's this favor you mentioned before?"
"Nothing special," Elara replied, lifting her cup with refined grace. "I only wanted you to keep Darien away from me. Ever since our engagement, he's been persistently following me around, despite knowing I'm already spoken for. But I suppose that's too much to ask."
Adrienne's gaze lingered on her. The way she held her cup with poise, her every motion elegant and composed.
"On one condition," he said suddenly.
Elara's eyes lifted to meet his, curiosity flickering in them.
"This is no big deal," he continued with a faint smile. "Just call me by my name. I want you to start calling me Adrienne, from today onward."
Elara set down her teacup gently, her eyes unreadable. "I think my request was already too much for you to handle, Your Highness. Pardon my impudence." She dabbed her lips delicately with a handkerchief.
"Fine," Adrienne said, trying again, softer this time. "Then at least, call me by my name during the two upcoming events—the Preparatory Gathering and the Foundation Anniversary. Just for those two."
"You're quite greedy, Your Highness,"Elara replied coolly. "Must I really call you by your name? Does being betrothed require such familiarity, even when there's no closeness between us? Since when have we become close? And besides, you're the Crown Prince. It's only right that I call you by your proper title, as a sign of respect."
Elara rarely explained herself to anyone, but Adrienne wasn't just anyone. He was the Crown Prince, and she had to tread carefully.
If it were before, Your Highness, I would have gladly called you by your name, she thought silently. But that was all in my past lives. How happy I would have been if you had shown me such attention back then.
Adrienne noticed the fleeting sorrow in her gaze—a quiet resignation, as if she had given up all hope.
"Alright,"he murmured, defeated. "I won't push it anymore."
Elara simply nodded.
"Instead," Adrienne continued, "just wear the dresses I sent to your home. Did you receive them?"
"I did,"Elara replied smoothly. "My sister Seraphine seemed rather… speechless. We were all quite shocked, actually. After all, in all the years we've been engaged, this is the first time you've ever sent me something so thoughtful."
Adrienne's lips parted slightly, unable to respond. He didn't like the sharpness in her words, yet he couldn't deny their truth.
Later that afternoon, Elara returned to their estate, slightly irritated and exhausted.
She went straight to her room, opening her walk-in closet filled with gowns. At the far end stood the dresses Adrienne had sent, right beside the one she had ordered from Maison Lysandra.
"Elara."
She turned, startled. Ashen stood by inside her room, calm as ever.
"How did you get in here? I didn't even open the balcony,"she said, frowning.
"I have no superpowers," he replied dryly, pointing toward the unlocked latch. "Your balcony door wasn't locked."
Elara sighed. "So, why are you here?"
"I'll be gone for one to two months," Ashen said. "My family needs me. They sent word."
"Well, I can't stand in the way of family matters," Elara replied. "Go, then. I'll give you some money to use while you're away."
"Thank you,"he said. "But give it instead to whoever you'll hire to replace me temporarily."
It was the first time Elara had met a mercenary who refused compensation.
"If that's what you wish, I'll respect it," she said softly.
"Just like that? You're not curious where I'm from? Who I really am?"
Elara's brows furrowed. "And why should I be?"
Ashen smiled faintly, stepping closer. Startled, Elara took a step back, but before she could react further, he took her hand and pressed a gentle kiss to its back.
"Take care, until then, my lady."
For a fleeting moment, Elara caught a glint of gold in his eyes before they returned to their usual gray.
"What are y—"she began, but Ashen was already gone.
"See you later, my lady,"his voice echoed faintly before vanishing altogether.
After Ashen's departure, Elara decided to visit the Mercenary Guild to hire a temporary shadow in his absence.
Her chambers, left quiet and fragrant with lavender, were not as empty as they appeared.
Behind the silken drapes, Seraphine slipped silently into the room. Her eyes darted around. Over the vanity, the untouched tea set, the faint shimmer of sealed letters. But it was the grand walk-in closet that drew her in, the place Elara guarded most.
"Let's see what the perfect Crown Princess hides…"she whispered with a sly smile.
Inside, rows of elegant gowns shimmered faintly. At the far end hung three dresses, each distinct, the middle one bearing a golden imperial tag.
Seraphine's smile faded, her jealousy simmering beneath the surface.
"So these are the ones he sent you," she murmured, her fingers tracing the fine embroidery. "Always so favored, aren't you?"
In a rush of envy, she pulled the imperial-tagged gown down and tore it apart, ripping through the delicate seams.
"Not so perfect now, are we?"she hissed softly.
Her gaze then landed on the silver gown Elara had ordered from Maison Lysandra. Simple, understated, and far less radiant. Seraphine smirked.
"No need to touch this one. You'll wear this instead," she whispered. "It suits you… less."
She left the room with a small, satisfied smile. Her silent victory lingered in the perfumed air.
Meanwhile, in the Crown Prince's office, Adrienne sat alone, tracing the rim of his teacup absently.
"She'll wear the dresses I sent her,"he murmured. "After all, she's my fiancée… and my partner for the event."
But the thought brought him no peace. His dreams had been hauntingly vivid these past nights, Elara, in a silver silk, collapsing beneath the chandeliers… poisoned wine on her lips, her breath fading in his arms.
He had chosen blue for a reason. To change the future he'd seen.
"She should wear the dresses I sent her,"he whispered again, almost pleading with fate. "If she wears them… maybe the dream won't come true."
The cup trembled slightly in his hand.
Beyond the borders of the Aurelthar Empire, trumpets sounded across a distant stronghold. Soldiers lined the marble steps, saluting the man who had just returned.
"Welcome back, Your Highness," the herald called, voice ringing with respect.
The figure removed his cloak, revealing the dull dress he used for his disguise. His expression was calm and distant. His eyes were sharp with quiet purpose.
He entered the throne room, where the Emperor and Empress awaited him.
"My son,"the Emperor greeted with a faint smile. "How fares your journey?"
The young man bowed slightly. "Fruitful, Father. I've gathered quite the information I needed."
"Good," the Emperor replied. "Now that you've finally heeded my summons, quite the miracle, I must say. Begin your preparations. In seven days, we depart as part of the delegation to the Aurelthar Empire. Their Foundation Anniversary awaits us."
The prince nodded once. "Understood."
As the Emperor turned to leave, curiosity softened his tone. "Tell me, what made you heed my call this time?"
A quiet pause lingered before the prince smiled faintly. "Well… perhaps I wish to meet someone. Officially."
The Emperor stopped, and the Empress's curiosity sparked. "Someone?"she asked gently.
The young man's smile deepened, eyes distant with thought. "You'll see soon enough."
And as twilight fell beyond the empire's walls, a quiet storm began to stir.
One destined to reach Aurelthar.