Chapter 11: The garden of secrets

The next day, I found myself in his office again.

Just like yesterday, I sat on the cushioned chair beside him, my tiny hands clutching a crayon, paper spread across the polished desk that separated us from the world. A dozen plates. Neatly arranged and filled with delicate pastries, sat nearby like colorful jewels on a silver trays. Flaky fruit tarts, sweet cream puff, buttery croissants, all lined up as if they were meant to bride a child into forgetting something.

Not that I was complaining.

Still… why was he doing this?

I mean, I could pretend it was just a kind gesture. But I wasn't naïve enough to believe the emperor of the entire Castillo empire was personally hosting daily tea sessions just because he missed me. I doubted this was merely a gesture to make up for his absences, as infrequent as they were. There had to be another reason. Something else was going on beneath that unreadable, regal mask.

I glanced up.

There he was—emperor Alderic del Castillo himself—his quill scratching across paper, the faint light from the massive window behind us casting a holden halo across his white hair. Even from here, I could hear nothing but the sound of his pen on his paper.

He didn't notice me watching. He was so busy again.

I sighed, grabbed one of the pastries, something soft with strawberry cream, and took a bite, letting the sweet flavor melt on my tongue. Leaning back in the chair, I let my feet swing freely, my legs too short to touch the floor. Boredom settled in like a lazy cat on my shoulders.

Then, suddenly, he spoke.

"I have something to discuss with you." his voice—deep, smooth, authoritative—cut through the air like a blade. Not unkind, but firm enough to make my heart leap in surprise. I sat up straight immediately, almost choking on my pastry.

"Y-Yes, papa!" I chirped, masking the jolt in my chest with an overly bright smile.

He turned his head, eyes meeting mine, sharp and golden, like a hawk appraising something fragile.

Then, without a word, he leaned closer. My breath caught as his hand reached out. My body froze, eyes squeezing shut, expecting, what exactly? A slap? A flick to the forehead? I did not know. All I knew was the instinctual dread clawing at my chest, born from a life I no longer lived. The life before this one.

My body froze, eyes squeezing shut, expecting—what exactly? A slap? A flick to the forehead? I did not know. But instead of pain, I felt something soft.

A thumb brushing against my cheek.

I opened one eye slowly, blinking in confusion. He was gently wiping the crumbs from my face, his expression unreadable, yet strangely tender. I stared at him, unsure of what to do or say. His gaze lingered from a moment longer before he pulled away.

"Your birthday is coming," he said simply.

I blinked again. "Birthday?" it took me a second to register what he meant.

Oh right…

Honestly, I had forgotten about it. birthdays had never meant much to me, neither in my past life, where I spent most of them alone, nor in this one, where celebrations were non-existent. When no one celebrates you, you stop counting.

"Yes, papa! I'm turning five! I'm a big girl now, aren't i?" I replied cheerfully, puffing out my chest in an attempt to steer the mood into lighter territory.

He nodded slowly. "Yes, do you know when?"

I froze, my smile twitched.

"Hehe… I forgot!" I admitted, laughing nervously

The room fell silent. Even the ever-composed butler at the corner stiffened. The maids looked at each other with wide eyes, as if I had said something terribly wrong. I swallowed hard.

Was this… and?

Was being a princess supposed to mean knowing your birthday like a sacred scripture?

"I'm sorry, papa," I said quickly, forcing a grin. "I thought birthdays didn't matter! I promise to start remembering it now."

Silence. Thick as fog.

Then, slowly, he raised a hand and placed it on my head. I stiffened again, but his touch was gentle, his palm large and warm as it rested there.

"As you should," he said quietly. "Because from now on, we will celebrate it every year. April 15, the entire empire will celebrate it."

I stared at him. My fingers loosened, and the half-eaten pastry dropped onto my lap, forgotten.

Wait, what?

Celebrate my birthday… with the whole empire?

That sounded completely insane. Like declaring a national holiday for a stray cat someone happened to adopt.

"on that day," he continued, unfazed by my shocked silence, "you will be permitted to choose your own personal knight,"

I blinked rapidly. "a… knight?"

"Yes. Someone to protect you."

Of course, I'd choose Theo That kid had talent. A little too much talent, maybe, for someone his age, but still, he was sharp. Strong, and if I made him my knight, maybe, just maybe, he would not kill me in the future. Surely that would change the outcome, right? If I gave him a position of honor?

Because the alternative, choosing someone I did not know, seemed like a death sentence wrapped in a silver bow.

"The useless princess must die," I imagined them saying, dramatic and cruel, as they ran ,e through with a sword.

I shivered.

No thank you.

"Papa, can I go out and play now?" I asked, looking up at him with the brightest, most innocent sparkle I could manage in my eyes.

He gave a small nod, rising his chair to help me down. His hands were steady, strong yet gentle, as he lifted me and placed me back on the floor.

"Hehe! Thank you for the sweets, papa!" I spoke. "They are very tasty! I hope I get to spend more time with you, papa!"

I ran out the room with a happy bounce in my step.

Of course, I was hoping for the opposite.

Let's be real. Who wants to spend more time with their future killer?

I ran out of the emperor's office, my shoes clacking softly against the polished marble floor before the sound was swallowed by the quiet breeze outside. The palace walls, adorned with carved ivy and golden embellishment, gave way to wide archways that left to what it called the prince's paradise, the royal garden tucked deep within the palace grounds.

I slowed as I entered the garden.

Despite the many times I had visited this place, it never failed to take my breath away. A gentle hush blanketed the space like a lullaby, no chirping birds, no bustling footsteps, just wind rustling through the endless white daisies.

The garden was… surreal.

The flowers bloomed in neat rows around the ancient tree in the center. That tree, so enormous it looked as though it had been there since the world was born, towered over everything, its trunk was cracked and gray, thick roots coiling beneath the earth like resting serpents. Its canopy cast a dappled shade that made the flowers simmer like pearl under sunlight and moonlight.

And the strange part?

Not a single flower had ever withered.

I blinked slowly, stepping into the grass. I had come here every day before, as a child wandering with a maid or by myself. And not once, not even once had I seen a single petal fall.

I am guessing these flowers are around thousands.

Was it all enchanted?

Protected by magic?

That would make sense, considering the imperial family had access to things most people could only dream of. And this garden, despite being breathtaking, felt unnatural. Too perfect. Too still.

As if nature had been commanded to be beautiful.

I took another step forward, the air cool and floral. A soft weight settled on my shoulder.

I turned my head slightly and smiled

"you're back." I spoke.

The butterfly rested delicately on me. the same one from before. the one that had shown me flashes of the possible futures.

"I thought you wouldn't come back anymore," I pouted, lowering my voice into a sulky whisper. "It's been two days. You didn't show up once!"

I huffed and crouched down in front of one of the white flowers.

They were mesmerizing up close. Thin, snow-colored petals. And its center is… a crystal like. Its scent is sweet, faint but soothing. And yet, even though I'd been here for years, I had never dared to touch one.

I hesitated.

Why had I never thought to touched them before? maybe I'd been scared, or maybe some part of me instinctively knew they were too perfect. But now, curiosity nibbled at my thoughts like a mouse.

I reached out.

But just as my fingertips was about to touch their petal.

"don't"

I flinched, turning quickly on my heel, already knowing who it was.

Theo.

He stood there, arms crossed, shadows clinging to his figure like loyal pets. His raven-black hair was tousled as usual, his eyes, those piercing storm-gray eyes, narrowed in silent warning. He looked too serious for someone a few years older than me.

Honestly, why does he always show up like some ghost?

I stood up, brushing off my dress.

"Why not?' I asked out of curiosity. "it's just a flower."

"They are enchanted," he replied. His tone was calm, but something cold and sharp threaded through it. "If you touch them directly, the magic will react."

I frowned. "React how?"

"They are laced with a protection spell. One that acts as poison to anyone not authorized."

My eyes widened, and I took a step back away from the flowers.

"w-what? poison?

Theo nodded once. "You would've collapsed before even calling for help. Not instantly fatal… but painful enough to leave you bedridden for days."

I swallowed, heart racing. "Then… why are they even here? In a garden where anyone can walk around?"

"This garden wasn't meant for anyone. This place is protected by the prince, only bloodlines and other person could enter without consequence." I looked back at the flowers with a new kind of awe and fear.

"So, you are also allowed here?" I asked.

Theo's eyes lingered on me, unreadable.

"Perhaps I am." He admitted.

My mind raced. Could it really be poisonous? I can't seem to think why these flowers are so special that it had to be protected with a dangerous spell.

Hmph how would I know if its really true. Maybe… just a little tiny bity touch would not hurt right?

I reached out again—slowly— to touch it.

"I said don't touch anything," Theo added, a little colder this time. "Next time, I might not make it in time to stop you with your stupidness."

I gasp dramatically, looking so offended. "Stupidness? you act like some guardian angel or something."

His lips twitched. Almost… almost a smirk.

"Hardly. Just trying to prevent unnecessary funeral, especially an imperial princess like you."

My cheeks puffed in irritation, and I looked away. "How dare you! since when did you even talk this much?!"

"If it's needed," Theo said colly, his voice clipped as ever, not a hint of hesitation or emotion in his tone.

Typical Theo

But something stirred something in me, like a bell ringing softly in the back of my mind. It reminded me…

Oh, right!

I suddenly remembered what the emperor had told me earlier. About choosing a personal knight on my birthday, my fifth birthday, which he apparently wanted the entire empire to celebrate as a national event. Which was still crazy, by the way. Absolutely insane.

But still…

I looked at Theo with a mischievous glint forming in my eyes. I stood up straighter and crosse my arms, one foot tapping confidently against the grass.

"well then," I began with an exaggerated huff, "since you've clearly proven that you care for me, I shall bestow upon you the highest of honors."

Theo blinked, unimpressed.

I smirk.

"I have decided to choose you as my personal knight on my birthday!"

I declared. My smile grew so wide it nearly split my face in half. I even close my eyes dramatically, imagining the applause that would surely follow if I had an audience.

Surely this would get a reaction out of him, right?

I peeked, cracking one eye open to see how Theo was taking the news.

…nothing.

He stood there, as expressionless as ever, his arms folded, his dark blue eyes neutral, cool as steel. Like I had just told him the sky was blue. Not even a twitch. Not even a blink of surprise, just the usually "stone-faced statue" expression that made me want to scream into a pillow.

Seriously, what is his face made of? Marble?

"Come on," I groaned, deflating a little. "Not even a smile?"

Theo lifted one shoulder in the smallest of shrugs. "I don't see why that requires a reaction."

I huffed, placing my hands on my hips. "You are impossible, Theo" I muttered, cheeks puffing up like a pouting squirrel. "But still, I thought you'd at least say something like 'It's an honor to be chosen' or anything."

He tilted his head slightly. "You haven't actually chosen me yet. Your birthday isn't until like next week I think."

"I'm just saying," I continued. "That choosing you is a very wise decision. You are skilled, silent, and—uh—whatever. Besides, if I picked some other random knight, they might secretly hate and stab me in my sleep."

"that's impossible," Theo replied flatly.

"Possible," I corrected.

He said nothing, but his gaze lingered on me a little longer than usual. Not cold. Just… observing. And I couldn't quite read what was behind those dark blue eyes.

I sighed and looked away. "I trust you even just a little," I said, quitter this time. "Even if you are always emotionless and we just met like 4 days ago."

Theo blinked, clearly caught off guard. For just a second—just one second—I thought I saw something flicker across his face. A trace of emotion. Maybe surprise. Maybe something else.

But it vanished as quickly as it came.

"You overthink and worry too much for just a kid like you," Theo said suddenly.

I froze, not knowing to react.

Maybe because he is right, but I am not a kid anymore. Even if I wanted to act like one, just play all day without any problems.

"As if you're any different."