[Chapter 4] The Boy in the Imperial Palace’s Indoor Garden

f6ab90bb8e73344c269b“…Nyx.”

8db9bdad50dd054719d4“……?”

d75191944d65195e0944“My daughter, it’s time to wake up now.”

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df04cba8791857be3aceAt some point, I had fallen asleep. The carriage had stopped, and I could hear the noisy chatter outside.

7da3c797d3eec5d05cd3‘Gasp! Did I drool? Dad’s wearing his uniform…’

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2e5a59b666a023823a81I quickly touched the area around my mouth with my hand. Luckily, it was clean.

b5d2f2ce0e80288bc50a“We’ve arrived at the Imperial Palace.”

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95dd3713c31f0d8c82dbDad adjusted my clothes and then opened the carriage door. In front of the palace gates, nobles and attendants stood in neat rows, welcoming the guests.

88ccf24ea866f48b5ee4“Marquis Elach and Lady Elach, welcome.”

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eec61b330ac7fe081b62A waiting attendant greeted us at the entrance.

bc9e9038e69048d18a66I accepted the attendant’s escort and stepped down from the carriage.

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3369f7c31895305f7615“Thank you for welcoming us. Please, lead the way.”

35189d1087bf81c3267d“Yes, this way, please.”

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ecb571e4b8ea53e92cbaBefore long, we passed through the lavishly gilded main gates.

574dd07b14bd9446b34bAfter walking for about seven minutes, the main palace came into view.

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8805c09fe783ae35e6d1With its marble arches, golden embellishments, and intricate sculptures, it was the pinnacle of grandeur.

f417eb6d9c903561fc63Soon, the palace doorman opened the doors, and we stepped into the imperial palace lobby, proceeding down an extended corridor.

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08c4decd7d82189f7f61“This is the guest room.”

a2602fee21709e27e061After some time, the attendant leading us stopped and gestured toward a room.

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99d1d93b8414ded16188“Thank you for your hard work.”

23f82b0c149abe2be066“You’re too kind. Please rest comfortably until the main assembly begins.”

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b6519b542c0d8f8d0f84With that, the attendant finished his duty and disappeared.

3253f77507f34f025227“My daughter, I need to meet with the other nobles. Stay here and keep yourself entertained.”

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9bef4de8e58c7c483a2bYes! This was music to my ears.

c56cdbfe165816a01a5b“Yes, Dad.”

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09cfb74bd56abe6db351Dad gently patted my head and then left the room.

d533e7ac9de19ea30dd7‘Perfect!’

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8bebd50ea98738f86171The moment I confirmed he was gone, I slipped out of the room and began my exploration of the imperial palace.

9fd4c5492e4ddfe152e3The corridors were lined with elegant and extravagant sculptures.

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ffbed17f45c55deb500a‘Wow, even Michelangelo would cry at this.’

7847241c3911cce47528As I ventured deeper inside, I spotted trees.

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26e498b9d5f8eb73c50c‘An indoor garden?’

3d607269c16083cd0eedPushing aside a blossoming spirea curtain, I was met with a breathtaking sight—a vibrant array of flowers, each accentuating the lush green backdrop of the trees.

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7d6c17ee0da2e978f211“Wow, it’s beautiful.”

5f4729c1232c037ac642A gasp of awe escaped me at the enchanting view.

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3846777fc3cdd343d331I followed the stone-tiled path deeper into the garden.

80010ce0502693ad04e0Usually, in an enclosed space like this, there would be a damp, musty smell from stagnant water. But here, there was none of that. Instead, a fresh, woodsy scent filled the air, as if the entire place was brimming with phytoncides.

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347772afbaf94bb0b3db‘This would be the perfect place for forest bathing.’

29ce9e967e3a1bd57bc2As I ventured further, I spotted a cluster of yellow flowers blooming beautifully. Wanting a closer look, I made my way toward them.

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ad6fc4c14939ad150c49And that’s when it happened.

16a375f7c32142d19fdaMy foot caught on an awkwardly protruding stone, throwing off my balance.

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786dc5e4bb1ed07dc9d0‘Ah, I’m going to fall.’

86a42711caba1ff6ba34Thud!

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cd20bde44c2aa39d23e2Expecting the hard impact of stone tiles, I instead felt something warm and soft.

bc321d9fe512f02ae64cAnd then, a calm male voice spoke above me.

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084178aa871dc3f00c10“…Are you alright?”

0c7123c4a69540fb2577Regaining my senses, I realized that I had tripped—and landed in the arms of an unknown young man.

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3acf070522bb80492e61‘Is this… that classic novel cliché? Did I really just experience it firsthand?’

138306bcf4c741c55f72Wow. Life sure is full of surprises.

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88445e59ce47f244579fThe man who had asked if I was okay carried a fresh, grassy scent.

9198e15f594d5927e916Sniff, sniff.

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b2bff22cdf75c4a78cf8‘Refreshing.’

0d02d5b73b20bc460e25Without thinking, I instinctively took in his scent. Then, as warmth spread through my body from where our clothes met, I suddenly felt the firm yet soft muscles beneath.

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aa04f9190ff1b2cc6715‘…Oh.’

3908e694948d996dfc14Startled, I hurriedly straightened myself.

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4701363223a8804c7060“Thank you for your help.”

cf0ecce94865363444d1My noble upbringing took over as I naturally performed a proper etiquette bow before looking up.

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2e0c436d87660856f436“……!”

02a516d82854808124e9His hair was styled in a 6:4 ironed ash perm, and his golden-blond locks shimmered as if dipped in honey, exuding a brilliance that seemed to declare, I was born to be the empire’s sun.

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121c848a66a61ff9a646Beneath his long, perfectly shaped eyebrows, his peridot-green eyes, filled with the fresh color of thriving nature, exuded a peaceful aura.

7a46a1f6004f1302a2f9He wore a white uniform adorned with golden embroidery, bearing the imperial crest. His height seemed to be around 175 cm, but he looked like he still had a lot of growing left to do.

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f63eb26c837913e10d11“You don’t seem to be hurt. That’s a relief, Lady.”

46113a7db42b5d143bdbHis voice, now past puberty, had a calm yet gentle charm—the kind of voice that would sound even more mesmerizing at night.

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0da4d6a0781d246d9de1Only two people in the empire were allowed to wear the imperial crest—the Emperor and the Crown Prince. And judging by the description from the novel, there was no doubt.

34971e1f347909756632This was Nocturne Dominique.

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8fbdee628367776093eaMy favorite’s rival in love.

36403bdb59413b72cf98But with four years left until the main story began, he was only fifteen right now.

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b7c0f1e02026803d73e4I still vividly remembered all the scenes from the novel, but there was no reason to be emotional over something that hadn’t happened yet.

f3e95656990378f2200e‘For now… I’ll just observe.’

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617e7099dc02c33db8ec“I greet Your Highness, the Crown Prince. Please forgive my carelessness.”

c058dbe23f3f3d27212cI once again performed a formal royal bow. The etiquette lessons I had rushed to learn from the head maid were finally paying off.

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18650475a2be36cc0294“No need to apologize, Lady. Given the situation, it was understandable.”

67c478d980c3e01139e3The Crown Prince responded graciously, his voice carrying a natural warmth.

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3cf2d6b639b9e383649a“I’d like to know your name, if you don’t mind.”

8b9b51816c23393c2cdd“I am Nyx Elach, from the West.”

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533d4dd383784d26d816‘Yes, remember it well. I’m the one who will take the princess away from you and hand her over to my favorite.’

774fa58478dc28395abfThe Crown Prince had everything.

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be5dd3a4093d3495b17bHis mother, the Empress, had died from illness, but while she was alive, he had been cherished beyond measure.

bdd38b9e6afe91912616The imperial court, the citizens of the empire, even those from the Kingdom of Embrace, and most importantly, Princess Ovard—all of them adored him.

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88bc7cecc6a2e4ee7595Men, women, young, old—everyone loved and followed him. And since he was an only child, he never had to fight for power. He naturally became the Emperor of Dominique without opposition.

1e6258ff46fda09027e8On top of that, he was extremely capable.

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7a0501b9f480204bb7b1With his charismatic warmth, he excelled in politics and diplomacy, and he was even a Sword Master.

35a403b6f76ac15d3b2d‘His looks go without saying.’

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96e31f42b3788461a4a4If Leon was the epitome of beauty, then the Crown Prince was the definition of handsomeness.

06e1527c4c96d9e93141Unlike my baby, who had lost his parents to monsters and had to worry about survival since he was four years old, the Crown Prince had never known hardship. And in the end, he was the reason my baby vanished without a trace at the conclusion of the novel.

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c89bc4931e17a091a50e‘So at the very least, give up the princess. My baby deserves that much. You already have everything.’

840bd7af1ca693fd01a5Even though I told myself not to get worked up, my resolve crumbled the moment it involved my favorite character.

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8fd1169db7c8993576b3“The Marquisate of Elach lies close to a monster-inhabited region and is a crucial military stronghold for the empire. Thank you for holding your position so steadfastly.”

d8ec2be787df2983949cAs my emotions swayed, the Crown Prince smoothly continued the conversation.

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5e8f401c4df4b875aad0I felt embarrassed—I was mentally an adult, yet it felt like I was losing to a mere fifteen-year-old.

9c2687fcedf591da0badRegaining my composure, I responded.

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0d253daf29c1e7a24587“Thank you for your kind words, Your Highness.”

d4b9f4c2d0aeef45c54c“I heard that due to poor health, you spent most of your time confined to the estate. How is your condition now?”

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21035e441c139f9d0de0“Yes, I’ve improved significantly, which is why I was able to visit the capital.”

2976789904fc439923afThe Crown Prince was known to be warm and considerate, but he rarely asked personal questions. Yet, he seemed unusually interested in me.

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6a7d75337b3641e45f2d“You were staring at something for quite a while earlier. What caught your attention?”

9602d5eb9076c055b019‘Wait… since when has he been watching me?’

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8a0492db65fd4ec608b3Caught off guard, I answered calmly.

bf30b55de0f9e2ede7c2“I was admiring the yellow flowers. I tried to get a closer look but tripped on a stone.”

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f36fcc1b4016e9eb31c1“You must mean the evening primroses. Allow me to escort you.”

68509b9b98a3c7db0113The Crown Prince extended his hand, guiding me deeper into the garden.

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b67364aabebf62c1df75The bright yellow flowers had eight large petals, each bursting with vibrant energy.

263e80e52ef29e9d7c03‘Wow. The bigger it is, the prettier it looks.’

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7ecfadac290fa3a64b8b“They’re stunning.”

a73dc2c5c5836543441f“The evening primrose blooms at night and withers in the morning. Thanks to the magic in this garden, it remains preserved. It also has a symbolic meaning—would you like to know?”

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b8ac6b32527524ac3e31“Yes, I’m curious.”

0aaba4b7b9305ab0836f“It means unspoken love.”

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b56ca1c47fc276a0c69b“…That’s quite a heartfelt meaning.”

ed8814df4f429a1865c7“If you like it, I’ll have it magically preserved and sent to your townhouse.”

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778c60b89f5b96753688“Oh, there’s really no need for that.”

0d5554bc015c86b88b7f‘…What’s up with him?’

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f83cbcf038ae09dfbcf2“No, please accept it. Consider it a gift to commemorate our first meeting.”

2e7bd441136571549920“…I understand. Thank you, Your Highness.”

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9bba2849e99c05e1b156‘The Crown Prince is a natural-born gentleman.’

1a6fc5d32ad66b9a4d63At that moment, Leon came to mind.

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dcd344bd7d6f730b3c94‘If Leon wants to hold his own against the Crown Prince, I need to teach him to be gentle—at least with the woman he loves.’

8541fd892d3b3c88a16bAnd then—

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8d071795ec8b6bb7404bGrowl—

63208fa477444a201ae9“…….”

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6f23da40a731969a7f7a“…….”

0228a54aeeaf4acbed6b‘…This is so embarrassing.’

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293583d4a2ed6bbb2544There was no mistaking it. The culprit was my stomach.

f8564cabda9855371dc4“…I was in a rush this morning to get to the palace…”

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111e8f339ff768c5e100The Crown Prince retrieved a pocket watch from his coat, checking the time before speaking.

c70dd9894b852b328a30“It’s already lunchtime. No wonder you’re hungry. I am as well.”

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60996951810caedb5eabSensing my embarrassment, he smoothly reassured me.

e49e9ea52e458da582ed“Would you like to have lunch together?”

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fe214489f8a51397c819With a soft smile, he extended the invitation.

2f9aef7087c64b221b43“My father might be waiting for me.”

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003b22130b141b6c7bef“He is likely dining with His Majesty as we speak, so you needn’t worry. Also, seeing that you are not present, he will assume you’re having lunch. The palace ensures that all honored guests are provided with a meal.”

6f711f5e0886f941a3bbBefore responding, I considered my options.

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6fbacd3de51ff65e66f3As a dedicated reader of the novel, I had already altered the original story by possessing Nyx. Even though the main plot hadn’t started yet, gathering information about the palace could be crucial.

1a87e3b3c7eb035345cc‘This is an opportunity. I should talk to him and learn what I can.’

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cb1e10155626cc63ff80“It would be an honor, Your Highness.”

975b4e9cd54763a72067 

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