Edited by “Freya”
Chapter 07
There was a brief disturbance when the chandelier broke. However, the maids quickly took care of it, and Julienne had to leave to attend to another guest. Xavier wrapped his arm around Aira’s shoulders and led her outside.
“I haven’t seen a chandelier break like that since I was seven,” he remarked.
Aira said nothing, but Xavier continued, his voice softer now.
“Aira, is something wrong today? Your expression doesn’t look good.”
With that, he reached out and lightly touched her cheek. But as she looked into his eyes, she couldn’t help but recall another side of him—his cold, monstrous face as he struck her down mercilessly in her past life.
Flinching, Aira instinctively slapped his hand away. Xavier raised his eyebrows in surprise at her unexpected reaction.
After a moment, Aira finally spoke.
“Sorry. I didn’t sleep well last night, and I’m feeling dizzy.”
Xavier looked at her with even more concern.
“Really? What kind of nightmare did you have?”
Aira looked at him—his warm brown hair, the worry in his dark eyes, his tall frame that once made her feel safe. He was kind, caring, and gentle to everyone around him. She had once fallen deeply in love with him when he pledged his eternal love to her.
“My eternal love, seeing you unwell pains my heart,” he said tenderly.
When Xavier spoke of eternity, Aira had once believed his love would last forever.
She smiled faintly, looking at him as if moved. “Your Highness…”
But inside, her thoughts whispered:
‘But now I know your true nature.’
As her emotions calmed down, the red glow she had been sensing slowly disappeared. She realized that this energy was closely tied to her state of mind.
“I’d like to see the white Octanius you mentioned before,” she said.
Xavier immediately nodded. “Of course. I told you I’d show you the white Octanius when you came to Juliene Palace. I’ve already instructed the gardener to prepare the path.”
The white Octanius was a rare flower from the southern empire, valued at 10,000 Berks per root. The emperor had gifted a garden of these flowers to the empress for her birthday, making it the pride of Juliene Palace.
With Xavier escorting her, Aira walked toward the garden. Along the way, all the servants bowed their heads as they passed.
As they reached a turn into the garden, Ayra suddenly felt a jolt.
“Ah!”
She had collided with a maid rushing out of the garden. The impact was so strong that Ayra spun slightly, but Xavier quickly supported her.
“I-I’m so sorry!” she stammered, trembling.
The maid was young, maybe 17 or 18, with freckles on her chubby face, which had turned pale. Xavier, still holding Aira, yelled at the maid in anger.
“You idiot! Where are your eyes? You almost made her fall!”
The maid trembled and begged.
“I’m so sorry, Your Highness! I’ve committed a terrible sin. Please, forgive me!”
Still holding Aira, Xavier’s voice grew colder.
“You useless pig! You deserve to be punished. Guards, take this careless maid to the dungeons—”
“Your Highness,” Aira interrupted, looking into his eyes and shaking her head gently.
Xavier hesitated, his brow twitching.
“But Aira, she almost hurt you.”
“I’m fine,” she said softly. “Please, let her go. I don’t want a scene.”
Xavier stared at her for a long moment before sighing and softening his tone.
“You’re too kind.”
He kissed her forehead, then turned to the trembling maid with an icy glare.
“Get out of my sight.”
The maid quickly bowed and fled.
A bitter smile appeared on Aira’s lips as she watched Xavier.
‘I used to think his anger was because he loved me’, she thought.
Xavier never tolerated any mistakes from servants around Aira. He would punish them harshly for even the smallest errors, and Aira had once believed it was because of his love for her.
But now, she understood. His kindness was just a mask hiding his true nature. The way he treated the weak was his real self.
‘Why did I ever think he was a kind man?’
Xavier was always warm and sweet to nobles, important figures, and her. But his cruelty to the powerless revealed who he truly was.
She had seen his cold, detached gaze during her final moments, and it was a sight she could never forget.
“Let’s go, Aira,” Xavier said with a smile.
Xavier gently escorted Aira again, but to her, he now seemed like a monster. A monster hiding his true nature behind a mask of kindness.
“The flowers… they’re so beautiful,” Aira said, her gaze settling on the white Octanius flowers. She had seen these flowers before, in her past life. Back then, as Julienne’s daughter-in-law, she had personally cared for these flowers.
Looking at the tender young stems, Aira’s heart clenched as she was reminded again that she had traveled back in time.
“Aira…”
Xavier gently cupped her cheek, guiding her gaze to meet his. The two of them were alone in the garden, with no one else around.
The warm sunlight spilled over them like a blessing, and Xavier leaned closer, his voice filled with longing.
“I want to kiss you.” Xavier whispered as he leaned in closer.
Unaware of the Aira’s feelings, she felt toward him.
Just as his lips almost touched hers, a sudden sound broke the moment—a sharp, bouncing noise.
Xavier froze, annoyed by the interruption. He slowly looked around, his eyes cold with irritation. Aira followed his gaze and saw a woman entering the garden.
“Ah!”
The intruder, pretending to be startled, widened her eyes and covered her mouth with her hand. It was none other than Luna, her younger sister.
When Xavier realized Luna was Aira’s sister, his irritation quickly faded. Unlike with the servant earlier, his emotions shifted instantly.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were both here…” Luna said, her voice apologetic. But even as she spoke, she walked towards them.
Aira smiled faintly at the sight. She knew Luna’s interruption wasn’t an accident; it was intentional.
“We were just admiring the flowers,” Xavier said with a gentle smile, his voice was polite and warm.
Luna gave him a sweet, dazzling smile before turning to Aira, Then, with exaggerated concern, she said, “Aira, I’ve been looking for you. I was so worried when I saw you looked unwell.”
As Luna’s gaze flickered over to Xavier, Aira felt a second wave of discomfort. She knew Luna’s tone was higher than usual, and her actions seemed overly dramatic, trying to show off her delicate feelings for Xavier.
“You’ve liked my husband for a long time, haven’t you?” Aira thought to herself. “You’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to steal him away.”
“Luna,” Aira said coldly, her gaze sharp.
“Don’t worry. As you know, the Prince truly loves me and cares for me,” she continued smoothly. “He brought me here to show me these flowers to lift my spirits and help me recover.”
At that, Aira caught a flash of something in Luna’s pink eyes—something sharp and bitter. Luna couldn’t hide her jealousy and resentment at the mention of Xavier’s affection. Yet, she still wore the mask of a caring friend.
“Oh, by the way, Luna,” Aira said, as if suddenly remembering something.
“That… person you’re writing letters to—have you met him yet?”
Luna’s expression froze, her face twisting slightly in discomfort.
“W-What person?” she stammered.
Aira smiled innocently, her tone light and unbothered.
“Your secret lover. The one you’ve been exchanging letters with.”
