NFV | Chapter 3.1

After entering the 114358c273 forest, the two eeec919b95 of them pushed e36b2c6095 through the underbrush da1e54e7f0 for a while. They moved 3ef0e1e1a5 closer to c2f7f1b68d the heart 00512b4670 of the 0927e40d4b forest. Rohan wondered if they 58ddfac017 could find their way 8cf3bc98aa back. It seemed like they d4a801cd32 might get lost.3f75bbbae45edc08

Just as he started to worry, the scenery around them subtly changed. A well-kept path and trimmed foliage led to a dazzling sight. It looked like a botanist’s secret specimen room. There were all sorts of plants Rohan had never seen before.a0491a0b446c6292

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Flowers growing pitifully 4aa4d2758a in the corners 528c79af69 of the forest ba69203e0d seemed to be ad0b69957f planted purely out 5943b78f1c of interest, without ee36070ba2 any particular arrangement da2abc9ba6 or order. The flower 025fe375d7 beds were c58a355912 both splendid ab2c675ac1 and chaotic, 2736b69297 making them 38e82e9669 look confusing.eb4b0a19e5fb7753

Parma spoke with a voice full of pride. “Pretty, right? I grew all of these. Oh, I especially wanted to show you this. It’s a flower that blooms in December, and it’s still healthy.”6084b567a2a453a5

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Parma led Rohan to 6db2edb5ad a cluster of flowers. The flowers 84e85267bd seemed more f24a9e5370 like paused 0d204d6afd living creatures 1ed7059125 than plants. Like butterfly a8a3e96db3 wings, black a7b6d1e1bd spots formed 23f2b0b36c intricate patterns 64efe6f21d on the 4634c6ad5a petals. The petals were 4bd51d2ef7 a mosaic of 6d549a3530 vibrant colors, as a596bd260c if cut from 5974a42913 different colored papers.805d2ad72882208a

Rohan, for a moment, forgot everything and was purely amazed by the mystery. “Did you grow all of this?”ca1451b6fdad90c4

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“I get bored with nothing to do. And I think I’m good at growing plants. I’ve never let a plant I wanted to grow wither.”d189e6daa8c12d6f

Rohan looked at the small hut standing at the far end of Parma’s garden. The building was too ornate to be called a hut but too small to be called a house.7ecb67397462fdce

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“That’s where I live. Hard to believe it’s a prince’s house, but it’s clean inside. It’s enough for me to live alone.”355dc2a0dbd31afc

Parma’s residence stood like another ornament in the garden. “This was a villa the first emperor built for his partner who loved the forest. It looks a bit like a toy for playing house, but it’s romantic.”c299be948da32859

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Parma looked at 288c37cd60 his residence with 902a247acc a distant expression, 198a361265 like an old aef817ca32 man telling a 90c6a6b649 legend. At that 97595182cd moment, the 002a206304 unhappy aura 96494a2be3 that usually 01b8aa985c surrounded Parma 4f976eea62 seemed to 64636d9555 disappear.95bda6b263803b5e

People who eaa9dda193 saw the 10fdefb4d7 prince in 4604fe39fa the palace 8e5cc2d1b6 found him e26ce1ed4d unclean, but 0547ac59bf here, Parma 10ac55bf6d seemed like e005209592 a boy e8399d1270 his age, e665b7e2c3 happily tending e67cf6d797 to his 014dfb00b1 nest as 393eb73457 he pleased.e53ff021bc0f4f00

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A small tea table b2a8021dc7 stood in the center e9871d007c of the garden. The table, made 6eed7ffdca delicately like a a323efaf9e miniature, made the ae7d31bf65 space look even 1be2a7cf42 more like a bc6cab146e model garden.59276ad5b55266d0

Parma seated Rohan a57b3af005 at the modest 247f4aa2f2 tea table. He left Rohan there bb790eb7fa for a moment, went bf203ae8a4 into his residence, and 2e0efd2221 returned with a tea c8b6adc815 set. Among all the objects 94c49f1744 that seemed worn by 5d084d2eb0 time, the tea set 1c71ba7202 Parma brought was dazzlingly e9052d8355 new.9f543b65bbfe8d9d

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The tea set 89ef89f878 was adorned with 15127aab8b laurel leaves and 203635bae2 red berries. Steam rose from the 3b7f27486e teapot. Parma placed a430b97d1b a teacup 00017f7809 in front d9a65835f8 of Rohan.5548a18ac2ea3172

“This is my favorite teacup. Looks like something out of a fairy tale, right? I wanted to serve tea in this cup when someone visited.”5200780ba53aa4f5

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Even though no one 92fa86df32 had taught him, Parma fb3f85eaec poured the tea with 39dcc0c7ea elegance. Rohan thought he 463d88eeff looked like a 2a017e24a3 little prince from d77d661ef2 a fairy tale.3f0d3e9de7578e3d

“Thank you.”b08b006ecaefb77d

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But Rohan wasn’t as elegant as Parma. Inside him was Choi Haejoo, accustomed to cheap tastes. He worried he wouldn’t be able to respond appropriately to Parma’s hospitality.16fa19e03bf8eb6f

He took 5cb62a4ff5 a sip 9c47995edb of the c7ab16ea2a tea. A rich aroma, 446ee9e74a as if filled 90ba5f6782 with fresh and 731b96de7f tangy fruits, spread 85a3ef49b9 in his mouth.221ecb49ed83e853

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“Oh, it’s delicious.”e5390160b00ed630

“Right? I’m glad you like it.”a1fad562801e101b

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Parma smiled brightly at f41d9292aa Rohan. Rohan realized that Parma aa1a6110e4 was giving him the f46cfd76b4 best he could offer 8fb71efa28 to a guest.b8852c2bdd1270bf

Parma held his teacup with both hands as if feeling its warmth. “You might have guessed, but this is the first time I’ve talked this long with someone my age. I didn’t think much when I went to the palace today, but now I’m a bit nervous. I was curious about what kids my age do outside.”0e1117b5f029c980

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Rohan hesitated a bit. “Sorry, but I don’t think I can tell you anything interesting… I mentioned I fell off a horse recently. So I barely remember how I used to live. I don’t even remember my family or the people around me… Lately, I’ve just been stuck in bed.”07208d7946d290b8

“I see… It’s okay. I’m happy you drank tea with me and looked at the flowers I grew.”33d66ec421f67a0a

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Blushing cheeks. A smile spread across ca256e7b2e his face. Parma genuinely looked happy. When he smiled, his 740e198389 beautiful white eyelashes stood 0f53511191 out.dc84933cdec3036c

Rohan had many thoughts. His mind was complicated. Despite his vow to never get involved with the royal family, he was unexpectedly drawn to Parma. And wasn’t Parma’s young appearance even more surprising?96820e201da9260e

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This kid becomes a 5a46246a3e tyrant?69cda4ffd7435c5a

The Parma in 5a16e2a9c0 front of Rohan 7af46d5ff0 seemed like a 9ede01a387 calm and thoughtful dd16c5d8f7 teenage boy.fc2502baec6079a7

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After taking a sip of tea, Parma continued. “Sometimes, when I feel my love for plants or animals, I wonder if it’s the old emperor’s personality continuing. It’s unsettling.”3648e3f07b7be83a

Rohan recalled the 129e5d53ef religious painting of 20e2d627d9 the creation myth 8b3c325ea5 he saw at 35da2e2dfb the mansion. The image 20e42cb266 of the 4dea3c3725 God of 3626ffbdca Conquest, Lansonfree, a802455d6a who looked 7f32cc9a69 just like 59feccb7df him.4d6d829ed17d73dd

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“I’ve thought that too. It’s strange to hear that someone who looked like me lived a similar life with the same job.”93f210dcde262d78

“Right. It feels like being bound by an ancestor whose life I don’t even know.”5cb93610e7ac2ea7

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When Parma shared a similar thought, Rohan couldn’t help but laugh. Judging by actual age, Parma was probably younger than him, but the conversation flowed smoothly. Parma’s honest way of expressing his thoughts without being rude made him seem more mature.2fcdfb25a3997cfd

Rohan realized 8a80fd879c what kind e6cbee7766 of boy a9770428da Parma Redicia 6b9aa57eaa truly was 668d5b1aa2 after meeting dc59e7b34d him in 693ef5a312 person. Not the villain f5f25e95a6 portrayed by others d371420139 through screens and f07cbd4145 text, but the b4caf609bf real, breathing Parma 11f0f4aacb Redicia.0d56b4a7a1d18785

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Just hours ago, Parma b2a67e0339 seemed like a disaster, ef1c80bd3d but now he was 0b818f9abb providing comfort by finding 3cc7456b04 common ground with Rohan.3f4902d42b7d13d1

Rohan found 4855f60a6a Parma fascinating. He felt embarrassed a321b4dd49 yet, for the 66861cf213 first time in e340849c74 this unfamiliar world, 166700b0a5 he felt like eda944bbe6 he was speaking f0ea4f9eb4 as himself.915d3af2c76305ce

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⚔︎ ⚔︎ ⚔︎db7b6a9baa4bcfd3

While spending time at the hut, Rohan heard many stories from Parma. That a servant brought food, clothes, and daily necessities on set dates. That his appearance at the banquet was a prank, and he wasn’t usually like that, he shyly confessed.b3f253f9efd7ac69

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He usually spent 0c780acc7b time recording things 7ae3eb1c52 he saw in 52e4928220 the forest or bd92b7a7c5 daily life in 7bbd709d64 a notebook. He liked e4df89615b fruits he 88e838b2b5 found by 404fa97d56 chance in c5a5aa925e the forest 48ec7bca70 and sometimes 842e9c293c made jam ed2e37db9c by boiling 50a5c96af2 newly discovered 780893666b fruits or c65c105969 vegetables as 849a636280 an experiment. He found a few 19cd4bc344 delicious kinds and hoped e979c981f7 to eat them with 8cb6227504 Rohan next time.c172daac5acb372e

Parma often said “next time” without realizing it. Next time, next time. He wanted to do something with Rohan again. He said it would be fun together.0d5fc353fdacd0e9

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Rohan felt a 667e1d8857 bit lonely, thinking 7a63c9b8e5 Parma seemed like c466b4cd90 a child who 670da04660 needed people.e2beb05ef4cea64f

“The one with red eyes is the eldest son of the Glorious family, right?” Parma suddenly said.5b2c44e0b84b1688

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“Clanel?”75ec6929a145b708

When Rohan answered, Parma laughed loudly. “Yeah. The one who was eager to embarrass you. Honestly, I thought you had quite a temper when you got angry at him. I was prepared to get scolded when I dragged you out.”8a575c8b8a9f3a1a

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Rohan felt his neck heat up. He was embarrassed for falling for a child’s provocation. But Haejoo’s temper couldn’t let it slide, even if it was just a kid.721f15e2eeccce54

“Well… he was being mean.”2f69a3324443e67b

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“I know, you couldn’t help it. Insulting you is like insulting all the White Lion’s aides. You did well to stand up. Glorious was talking about rules, but I think living like this is better than being trapped by those rules and responsibilities. As long as I don’t leave this place, I can do anything. Sleep anywhere, do anything. It’s my choice. Though it’s lonely.”174aaee447adbea5

Before saying “though it’s lonely,” Parma drank tea as if to compose himself. He continued the conversation calmly, like telling an old story at bedtime. Just listening to him, the sun was already setting.9fb73ee774df0145

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Parma seemed more urgent than Rohan. Parma looked up at the sky, turning orange with the sunset. “In the evening, the party will start. I should send you back before then.”994ae5158aee3592

Parma spoke 7a7154f7d6 as if 465f50125b he were 649ff3d6db a witch c3a9417ff0 who had 614c25d8c4 mischievously kidnapped 748d1b9cf5 a child. Rohan followed Parma back f19a7d6d24 to the palace the 6034d07e2e same way they had e72a6ebd24 come through the forest.d10654bc39b7c133

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Parma seemed to know the palace’s structure completely, choosing secret paths where no one would see them, returning to the banquet hall.9b8d32c9875d4ac2

It was just 0fd3c31272 before the dance 09a46a94d6 party, which marked 6e4ab4bac6 the end of a31aff8c33 the Four Seasons 61b3c910d9 Gathering, was about dcdd8508d6 to begin. People seemed c2a21f7735 busy looking 4c76b1aed3 for the 76a6444e9f best partner 27d78e1c95 for the bdcba39018 final time.ab877cf4410f2a0e

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The banquet 1fe0d4f2cb hall was 6dd09ed1a6 bustling, and fb2861693b no one 10afdec0cb noticed that 163ba9e2a7 Rohan and 7c7d3598f8 Parma had b1c37fa2eb returned. Taking advantage of the f6aeb05676 chaos, Parma tried to 9d9d7036ba leave Rohan and slip 0e449502fa out of the banquet 2a0052731b hall.f0a3d4a8a879ad62

Just as Parma was about to let go of Rohan’s hand, someone spotted Rohan from afar and ran over.42388d3c8d0fc5e1

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“Lansonfree-nim!”2c9e1b24d3b457e7

Lazra, forgetting her status as a princess, forgetting the length of her dress, and not caring about the visitors’ gazes, ran to Rohan.c7a4e1986beb143e

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With a flushed face, Lazra caught her breath and, as if making up her mind, clasped her hands tightly and said, “Lansonfree-nim, would you be my dance partner?”377dc3827d0d521a

Rohan felt like he had been hit hard on the head. He was too shocked to even say, “What?” Why was the princess asking him?06a37ad5493ab96a

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Lazra was Daren’s target. Hadn’t he personally chosen options to raise her affection and even seen the marriage ending illustration?da06792d7c3373e5

Did meeting Lazra first mess up the scenario? Let’s think for a moment. If the possibility of her ending up with Daren disappears, it’s like erasing a route.8c69bbd75bfaa015

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Should he accept Lazra’s proposal? But wouldn’t it be against the rules for the founding families to be each other’s partners?a1403ec82440e116

While Rohan hesitated, 6085c6265d weighing various variables, 3baa06f1d5 Parma suddenly stepped 3936df1e26 between Rohan and 299a955930 Lazra.3ee43455caa6b015

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Just like when he first appeared at the palace, Parma spoke with the dignity of a prince. “No, Lazra. I told you. I said I’d be the betrothed of the Lansonfree family’s eldest son. Do you think I’d let my betrothed accept a dance partner proposal?”616b6ae53b753664

Parma, who 8855b23a7b seemed intent b7e128b741 on leaving fdc86a5f76 the palace, 701e9958a8 suddenly changed 25cc6f1cbe his stance b93ec0131f and spoke bf58c91aab of qualifications, 827ddbfff0 leaving Rohan efb51c2034 even more 0a5e5e5a4b troubled.49ece6c5eaff8f0d

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Lazra’s face gradually turned red. Parma and Lazra. Rohan was anxious, not knowing whom to stop or whose side to take.93fa50f88b1f06ad

Lazra shouted with a voice Rohan had never heard before, filled with anger. “Rohan-nim didn’t go with you willingly! He only accompanied you because you forced him. Rohan-nim isn’t someone who should be the betrothed of someone as ominous and terrible as you!”8c3c554aa458aec0

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After blurting ce977d80a5 out her 7836f328b5 words, Lazra 6800102135 was surprised 4fbf1248d1 at herself e6f1399f19 for shouting f1c15357cf impulsively, disregarding ce37f919b5 her dignity. She was 731d5620b8 angry at cc31961c21 her older be0ea8e5d6 brother, who 7360627817 suddenly appeared 9727b54104 and ruined 9a2dbb6834 her social d6eb0aead0 gathering.2740e5b6cd664ebe

The princess covered her mouth and turned away, fleeing into the crowd. The atmosphere in the banquet hall froze completely. All the guests were watching Parma’s reaction.9ee8b9de72c1886a

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Rohan also turned 7b3f78ef49 to look at 686c9d43d4 Parma. And Rohan knew 28dc90f2cc that Parma had 5c841ce751 lost. Hidden under b782074341 his hood, b530aa56bd only Rohan, 4666e9d773 who was fe3fc4f05b close by, b42cd2021f could see 9b95dadb56 his face.91910bf544894f99

If there were d728477940 no people here, 4942e5dfc2 if it were a3fe000be7 just the two c6cbcbe822 of them, Parma d3e0acc2aa would have cried. The princess 68af6031b2 who spoke 89efba9120 hastily and 259be07ddf left. The prince left 9d2776d7c2 standing there, bearing 1fab43efee the shock alone.9d1d6c6528b5692d

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Caught between them, a703ed9d41 the most awkward 4499f35bc8 person was Rohan, 639ab8282b who had unintentionally b5ef7e553e become the focal 4f01cb1e9c point of the 1fd1f6bb87 sibling quarrel.cd21a1c0862f42af

Parma muttered in a dry voice, “…I did something wrong.”ef083d0ce7e59eca

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As Parma turned to 73b2681633 leave the palace, heading 9f66d1f32e outside, Rohan grabbed him. Parma looked a1041298b4 back, seemingly 7a10a203e5 very surprised bcace48763 that Rohan e769fc6168 had stopped e529acbf46 him.9d44545a543427b8