"Lun, let's run away together!"
It was a dark and silent night.
Only the moonlight, as if holding its breath, illuminated Dahlia and Gwynnslun.
Dahlia, with long hair as red as wine, let it sway as she pressed the man, far taller than herself, against the wall with both hands.
"Your highness...."
"Gwynnslun! Do you want me to marry the Emperor of the Empire - someone I don't even love?"
At his hesitation, emotion surged within Dahlia, and she ended up calling out his full name loudly.
"Y-Your Highness... others may hear us."
Gwynnslun hurriedly grabbed her hands.
Dahlia understood why he held her hands instead of covering her mouth, which would have quieted her.
He could not bring himself to place his hand over her lips.
That was how much he treasured her, and how careful he always was with her.
"....!"
A sudden flush crept over Dahlia's cheeks.
'He's already handsome... so why are his hands so handsome too?!'
Just like his sculpted face, even his hands were beautiful.
And those hands were holding hers.
While Dahlia's mind was filled with nothing but other thoughts, Gwynnslun was right.
They were in a secluded spot behind the castle where Dahlia stays, carefully chosen to avoid prying eyes. Even the slightest sound could be heard by the patrolling knights.
As she pulled herself together, Dahlia gripped his hands tighter.
Then she looked at Gwynnslun with pleading eyes.
Gwynnslun's face flushed red, and he confessed.
"Your Highness... I would do anything for you. But if you were to run away with someone like me, who is nothing more than a knight, there is far too much that Your Highness would lose."
"I don't care!"
Dahlia answered quickly, before he could change his mind.
"I've already made up my mind. If you feel the same way I do.... then tomorrow evening, during the royal party, meet me at the place where we first met."
"Y-Your Highnes, I—"
Afraid that he might hesitate or change his mind, she continued speaking, almost as if giving him a notice.
"I have to go now. I'll be waiting until you come tomorrow."
Dahlia interrupted him urgently.
She realized she was acting like a ten-year-old child, pleading desperately.
Even so, she couldn't stop.
She believed that Gwynnslun would come.
But at the same time, she was afraid.
She knew that he loved her.
Yet she also knew that, because of who he was, he might willingly abandon his own feelings for her sake.
Hoping that he would make the same choice she had, Dahlia stepped out of sight, and the night grew deeper around her.