Chapter 6

The spring night was still chilly. I put on a light jacket and walked through the palace’s back garden.

After listening to the conversation between the royal couple, the night had grown late. Feeling it would be rude to send me home at such an hour, the queen suggested I stay overnight at the palace. Not wanting to see my father, I decided to take her kind offer.

“...sigh”

While gazing at the flower beds planted with seasonal flowers, I thought about the future.

It was already past the time when even insects would be quiet, yet I was out walking because I couldn’t sleep, unable to get today’s events out of my mind.

I remembered the queen from earlier.

“That child, she once severely injured her nursemaid.”

Queen Gabria looked down sadly.

“She threw a tantrum over a trivial matter and lashed out at the nursemaid who tried to reason with her, saying, ‘Shut up.’ It happened over five years ago, when Lotus was only four or five years old. For a normal child, it might not have been a big deal, but for that special child, it was different. The curse was activated unintentionally, unconsciously.”

I was surprised. To be honest, I had heard rumors similar to what the queen was saying.

That Prince Lotus could curse and kill people he didn’t like. At the time, I had dismissed these rumors as unverified. Upon reflection, it’s not uncommon for stories to be exaggerated based on past events. The rumors about the prince probably spread in a similar way, becoming more sensational.

“The nursemaid survived but lost her voice and left the palace. Lotus deeply regretted it. The sight of her at that time was unbearable... and as a result, no one dared to reason with her anymore—us included.”

The queen laughed self-deprecatingly.

King Reinhardt, who was standing beside her, gently embraced Queen Gabria’s shoulder.

“Fortunately, Lotus is a morally upright son. Thanks to that, no tragedy like the nursemaid’s has occurred since. But that won’t last forever. As a person and as a king, when he strays from the right path, we need someone who can bring him back, even if it means hitting him—

We were looking for such a woman.”

To the king’s words, I shook my head, thinking, “You’re overestimating me.”

I am not such a noble person.

In my previous life, I was a completely useless empress.

I hated the emperor, but he was a noble person, and I knew what he wanted to protect. Yet, after his death, I couldn’t protect anything. I could only watch as everything fell apart.

I, of all people, am not capable of reasoning with Prince Lotus, let alone being a queen.

“Please, Miss Azalea,”

Queen Gabria said with tears in her eyes.

“You are the only one who can help.”

—The only one who dared to scold her.

“Ah! Enough!”

I squatted down and clutched my head.

Powerful people are so self-centered in every world! I’m not the kind of woman who can scold someone for the sake of others!

I only did it for myself back then!

“Why does this happen to me!”

As I shouted out of frustration, I heard footsteps behind me.

Huh? Who would be out at this hour of the night? A ghost!?

I turned around with a pale face, and there stood Prince Lotus.

“—Ah”

Prince Lotus, who had been about to pat my shoulder, withdrew his hand awkwardly and asked nervously,

“...Are you feeling unwell?”

“Eh!? No, I’m completely fine! Look!”

I stood up quickly and spread my arms to show that nothing was wrong.

The prince sighed in relief. His relieved expression seemed somewhat lonely, and I couldn’t help but feel a bit concerned.

“That’s good. If you feel unwell at any time, let me know immediately, alright?”

As he turned to leave, I impulsively grabbed his arm.

He turned back, surprised.

“What is it? Is there something else?”

“Eh, well, it’s not that...”

Oh no, I stopped him reflexively.

I scratched my cheek and laughed awkwardly.

“I can’t sleep yet, so would you mind accompanying me for a walk?”

＊＊＊＊＊

Why do I always dig my own grave?

As I walked through the garden with the prince in the middle of the night, I deeply regretted my decision.

Prince Lotus was silent. Unable to bear the silence, I tried to find a topic to start a conversation.

“S-Speaking of which! Why are you out here so late at night, Your Highness?”

“...I just wanted to get some fresh air.”

“Oh, I see. I was out here too, thinking about some things. What a coincidence.”

I laughed, drawing out the words, but the prince didn’t respond.

Silence fell again. The night wind blew between us.

Awkward...!

I wiped the sweat from my palms and searched for a topic to keep the conversation going.

“Do you often take walks at night, Your Highness?”

“No, not at all.”

You don’t!?

“Well, then today must be a rare occasion, huh?”

“Yes.”

Don’t try to end the conversation! Show more reaction, Your Highness!

As I fumbled for the next topic, Prince Lotus spoke softly.

“I’ve been thinking about what you said earlier.”

I fell silent at his words.

“—What does honesty really mean?”

The prince continued, more to himself than to me.

“I prided myself on working for the country and the people. But from what you said today, I realized that my thoughts haven’t reached everyone... until then, no one had ever contradicted me.”

Then, as if remembering something, he chuckled.

“No, but being slapped on the cheek was a first for me! It was quite a shock!”

Prince Lotus stepped in front of me and took my hand.

“To be honest, I still don’t have an answer to what you called honesty.”

His burning red eyes fixed on me intently.

“So—will you, Azalea, teach me?”

His eyes were serious, unlike earlier.

“If I’m wrong, I want you to tell me. I want you to correct me. I am too different from others, and that’s why such a gap has arisen. So, before the hearts of the people drift away—

I want you, Azalea, to scold me.”

Prince Lotus tightened his grip on my hand.

Looking at his serious expression, I sighed.

Ah, really. Power-hungry people are so self-centered. They only think about their own convenience. I hate them, I hate them.

That’s why my answer was already decided. It was decided from the start.

I smiled, showing my teeth, and said to the prince with a bit of malice.

“Next time, don’t cry, okay?”

The prince was surprised by my words and then looked down, embarrassed.

“That’s not fair...”

Prince Lotus, with his ears red, looked so cute that I couldn’t help but smile.

The spring night wind was still cold, perfect for cooling my flushed cheeks.

It was a sweet and refreshing night, filled with the scent of flowers.