Chapter 17: The garden we once shared

The morning sun filtered gently through the curtains of my chamber, casting golden streaks over the marbled floor. But I did not have the luxury to admire its warmth today. I crept toward the door, careful not to make a sound. The last thing I wanted was for Amy to find me and remind me—yet again—that his majesty had summoned me to his office.

No thank you.

I slipped out, heart pounding with every step, and bolted toward the farthest corner of the castle ground—the place where old stones crumbled, and nature had quietly reclaimed the edges. I ran past the outer eastern wing. My breaths came hard and fast, my slippers muddied slightly from the dew-kissed grass, until I finally reached the place where no one would think to look.

There, hidden beneath the arching boughs of an ancient tree, I dropped to the ground and let out a groan of embarrassment.

Ugh. How am I supposed to look him in the eyes again?

I buried my face in my hands. The memory from last night burned hot in my chest—me, trembling like a child, sobbing uncontrollably in his arms until exhaustion claimed me. why? why did I let myself break like that?

"Stupid," I muttered, kicking at a patch of dandelions. "So stupid."

Why couldn't the earth just open up and swallow me whole?

I flopped back onto the soft grass, staring up at the pale blue sky as leaves fluttered lazily above me. my hair fanned around my shoulders, and the breeze cooled my flushed cheeks.

Did he think I trusted him now? that just because I cried, I'd forgotten everything?

Ha! Not a chance.

I clenched my fist in the grass. My plan hadn't changed. I would grow up, grow strong and escape this suffocating palace once and for all. No one here could be trusted, not the kind words, not the warm hands, not even the sad eyes of an emperor who held me like I was something fragile. I had trust only myself… and the butterfly. As long as my nightmares of changed of me being alive then I am not trusting anyone.

The only one who somehow help me here is the butterfly… and maybe Theo too.

And then my thoughts shifted.

The prince.

I paused. I had not seen him since the incident. Since after the kidnapping and since I woke up yesterday.

How was he? Was his alright?

I could not exactly blame him for what happened. He did not ask for it. it was not like he wanted me to get hurt, right? I shook my head. Still, a part of me felt twisted inside, uneasy.

I wandered through the side path, my footsteps light over the cobblestone. Vines curled around the garden gates as I stepped inside and went further the ground slowly becoming grasses. The familiar scent of the daisies enveloped me. I took a deep breath, trying to relax myself for just a moment.

Then I saw him.

Sitting beneath the old tree—the very same tree I used to climb as a child—was the prince Laurent. His posture was still, back resting against the bark, one knees raised, his eyes, shadowed by sunlight, stared into the distance as if looking at something far beyond the garden walls. He looked… somehow sad, or maybe tired? I couldn't tell.

Why was he here? Shouldn't he be studying or training or doing whatever crown prince supposed to do?

Maybe today was his rest day?

Either way, I had no intention of being seen. I turned to slip away quietly—but fate, cruel as ever, had other plans.

I turned around to leave.

Crack.

My foot landed on a dry branch.

I froze. Internally screaming.

Of course. Of course, I would step on the only twig in the entire garden. Luck has never been my side!! Eve just now!

I did not move. Did not even breathe. Maybe he had not heard it? maybe he was too lost in thought?

Just when I was about to resume tiptoeing away, a low voice cut through the stillness.

"…Lyunette."

My heart stopped.

I turned slowly, unsure if I imagined it.

He wasn't looking at me, not directly, but I could feel the shift in the air—like he knew I was there all along.

My name on his lips sent a ripple through my chest. He hadn't said it in days. Not since—I swallowed hard.

What now?

"Where are you going?"

His voice called out behind me—calm yet carrying something unreadable beneath it. I froze, his words anchoring me to the spot like invisible chains. Slowly, I turned around, forcing the most innocent, sweet smile I could muster onto my face, through my cheeks twitched from the strain.

With a soft giggle, I tilted my head, clasping my hands behind my back like a playful child. "Hehe… I'm just playing around, big brother, "I chirped, my voice as sugar-sweet and naïve as I could make it.

Inside, my stomach churned.

What was I doing? He might think I am stalking him?!

"I was thinking," I continued, inching forward with a forced bounce in my step, "maybe big brother would like to join me? you look kind of lonely, you know!"

I let out another awkward laugh, glancing sideways as my forehead began to sweat beneath the sun's warmth—and the weight of his unreadable gaze.

"Oh, Haha… that is a great idea, right? I am lonely playing by myself, too!"

There. perfectly rehearsed. Perfectly fake.

I started walking toward him, hesitating at every step. But what was the point of resisting anymore? I did not have a choice. No. there—rigid, awkward, unsure what to do with my hands. He looked up at me and smiled. A soft, bright smile. the kind that could fool anyone.

He patted the patch of grass beside him, beckoning me without words. I hesitated again, just for a breath, then slowly lowered myself beside him. My knees folded stiffly, and my hands clutched the fabric of my dress as I settled onto the grass. The scent of crushed leaves filled the silence between us.

Uncomfortable did not even begin to describe it.

My shoulders were tight. My throat dry. The quiet stretched on endlessly, thick and heavy like a fog I couldn't breathe through. I sat there, unsure of what to say or do. The silence grew louder with every second. I could almost hear my heartbeat echoing against the bark of the tree.

Say something, anythingggg….

My eyes darted around, too tense to even more my head. And then—something green caught my attention in the corner of my eye. A small clump of grass swaying gently in the breeze, completely ordinary and perfectly useless.

Before I could stop myself, the words flew out of my mouth.

"oh wow… some grasses."

…

There was a beat of silence.

Then, as if the entire world paused to process my idiocy, I wanted nothing more than to melt into the ground.

Ugh, why did I even say that?!

I internally slapped myself the moment the words. "Oh wow, some grasses." Left my mouth. Embarrassment flooded my face. What was I thinking? that's not how normal conversation go! Now the air between us was even thicker with awkwardness.

I sank further into myself, silently wishing I could rewind time, or better yet, vanish completely. My fingers picked nervously at a stray thread on my dress as I stared down, too mortified to speak.

But then, he broke the silence.

"Lyunette," he said gently, his voice deeper than before, carrying with it the weight of something unspoken. "About what happened…"

My heart slowed.

"I am… very sorry."

There was sadness, guilt, and shame. He was not even looking at me—his gaze was fixed far ahead, to the open field of flowers swaying in the breeze. Something about the way the wind tousled his hair, the way his expression remained still, made the moment feel heavy. Too heavy for a child's shoulders.

"I said I'd take full responsibility to protect you, as your big brother…" he continued, his tone pained. "And yet, I failed. Failed so greatly. How could I not even notice… that you were taken from right under my nose?"

The awkwardness dissolved like fog beneath the morning sun. I felt a strange twist in my chest. Pity? Sympathy? I was not sure. But I knew one thing, It hadn't been his fault. Not even a little.

He only ever wanted to make me smile. I guess.

"Big brother…" I whispered softly, finally lifting my gaze to look at him. "None of it was your fault. I was careless, too. I should have been more alert…"

The words hung between us, warm and honest.

He let out a small breath—like he had been holding it in for far too long. "you're more mature than I am," he said with a quiet chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck.

The corners of my lips curved into the smallest smile.

"I also want to apologize," he added, voice lowering, "for all those years I was not around. I should have been there to care for you. to be the brother you needed."

I quickly shook my head. "No… papa already explained everything," I said gently. "It must have been so hard, having to carry the whole empire alone. And if I had been added to your responsibilities back then…" I gave a nervous laugh, trying to lift the mood, "well, that would have been too much for anyone to handle."

He laughed softly, sincerely this time, and I felt the last remnants of discomfort begin to fade away.

Then, without a word, he stood and walked a few steps toward the flowers. I watched him curiously as he bent down and plucked one, its petals delicate and pale. My eyes widened in alarm the moment I remembered what Theo had told,

"W-Wait! That is poisonous!" I yelped, half rising from my seat.

He paused, blinking in surprise before turning to me with an amused smile. "Poisonous?" he asked.

I nodded quickly. "Theo said… Theo said that flower was cursed! That it had magic in it, something dangerous!!"

For a second, he stares at the bloom in his fingers. Then, he laughed.

"Daisies are never poisonous, Lyunette," he said, shaking his head in amusement. "Whoever told you that must have a mischievous streak."

My cheeks burned.

Theo! That liar! He must have said that just to embarrass me! he probably knew I'd fall for it. I puffed my cheeks in frustration. Just wait until I see him again. I will make sure he eats a spoonful of mustard jam!!

Still chuckling, my brother returned to his side. He knelt slightly, then reached up and gently tucked the daisy behind my ear. His fingers were careful, as though I might shatter if he touched me too roughly.

But then—

A sharp, sudden ache pierced through my temple.

I gasped quietly, wincing as the world spun and my vision blurred. My hands gripped the grass beneath me, heart thudding wildly as the pain flared and faded into something else entirely

"Father! Help! I'm about to fall!"

The sound of my own voice echoed in my ears—desperate, panicked. I saw it, felt it. I stood a the edge of a towering cliff, the wind howling around me like a beast. Below were jagged rocks, sharp and merciless, waiting to devour me. my fingers slipped from the edge, dirt crumbling beneath my nails as I screamed.

then—

the vison shattered like glass, and I blinked rapidly, my breath caught in my throat. The garden came back into focus. The flowers, the tree, and the prince.

And his worried face.

"Lyunette?" he asked, voice filled with concern. "Are you alright? Did I… touch you too roughly?"

His hand was halfway reaching toward me, then hesitated midair. He looked genuinely shaken,

I blinked at him, trying to steady my breathing. I glance around in a panic, searching for the butterfly—but it was nowhere in sight.

Gone… or hiding.

Even when I am fully awake, its still showing me visions?

I turned to the prince still so concerned. I could not let him know. Not now, not ever. So, I forced a small giggles, one that sounded horribly off in my own ears.

"Hehe… I was just… stunned by the daisy's scent," I said sweetly, touching the flower behind, my ear with exaggerated fondness. "It smells really nice, don't you think?"

He blinked, unsure. His eyes lingered on mine for a moment longer than I liked—searching, perhaps, for something beneath my smile.

Then he relaxed, smiling softly again. "You scared me for a moment there."

"Sorry," I murmured.

I turned my gaze to the horizon, pretending to admire the field of blooms, but my mind was racing.

Why that vision?

Why now?

suddenly—

"Oh, how I remember this," the prince said with a soft smile. "I used to make flower crowns and place them on your head. You were so small, so bright. You were so… adorable."

I blinked. The warmth in his eyes made my chest tighten. He looked like he was recalling a dream he longed to return to.

"I wish," he added, "You could remember those moments we had together."

I reached up, touching the petals behind my ear. Still, my thoughts are fully occupied with the vision just now.