The shade beneath the old tree was familiar.
Comforting.
Esmeralda lay on the soft grass, one arm tucked under her head as she stared lazily at the gaps between the leaves above. Sunlight filtered through in uneven patches, shifting every time the wind stirred the branches.
It was one of her favorite spots in the main house.
Perfect.
"...Finally."
She let out a quiet breath, closing her eyes.
For the first time in days-no, weeks-there was nothing urgent demanding her attention. No unexpected changes. No strange turns in events. No need to think ten steps ahead just to keep herself from walking into disaster.
Just silence.
And she intended to enjoy it.
Even if it was just for a little while.
Her thoughts slowed... then, inevitably-
Her brows furrowed slightly as she opened her eyes again.
A memory surfaced. Clear. Familiar. Annoyingly well-timed.
"This was the day, wasn't it?"
In the original story, there had been a scene.
A simple one.
Amaria, had grown restless from staying inside the palace for too long. So she asked to walk around the capital-curious, bright, eager to see everything.
And of course-
She hadn't gone alone.
Esmeralda shifted slightly on the grass, turning her head to the side.
Rael going to the capital streets with Amaria...
He had to.
The emperor had ordered him to observe Amaria closely. To make sure the so-called blessed child of the Goddess was exactly as harmless as she seemed.
Esmeralda stared at the swaying leaves.
She could almost picture it.
Amaria smiling at everything.
Rael trailing behind.
A quiet, harmless scene that eventually builds into something more important later in the story.
She exhaled.
She turned slightly, pressing her cheek against her arm.
"...I'm tired."
The words came out softer than she expected.
And for once-
She didn't argue with herself about it.
Nothing catastrophic had happened yet.
Nothing that needed immediate fixing.
So just this once-
She would let the story move on its own.
"...I'll deal with any aftermath later," she muttered lazily to no one in particular.
With that, she closed her eyes again.
And let the world continue without her.
---
The capital was lively, as always.
Streets filled with people, merchants calling out their wares, the faint clatter of carriage wheels against stone roads blending into the usual noise of the city.
Amaria walked ahead, her steps light, her gaze wandering from one stall to another with clear curiosity.
"It's so different from the palace at the same time, so different from where I came from," she said, turning slightly as if to share the moment.
Rael followed a few steps behind.
Not too close.
Not too far.
Just enough to keep her within reach if necessary.
"That's because it is," he replied simply.
Amaria smiled, undeterred by his lack of enthusiasm.
"I've never seen so many shops in one place before," she continued. "Everything feels so lively."
Rael hummed faintly in response.
His attention wasn't entirely on the streets.
Or rather-
It was, but not in the way it should have been.
Every now and then, his gaze would linger somewhere just a second too long.
A passing reflection.
A color.
A detail that reminded him of-
He exhaled quietly.
"...I need to focus," he muttered under his breath.
Amaria didn't seem to notice.
They continued walking until she paused in front of a jewelry store, her eyes lighting up slightly.
"May we go inside?" she asked.
Rael glanced at the shop briefly.
"...If you want."
That was enough.
Amaria stepped inside first, her curiosity immediately drawn to the displays.
The shopkeeper greeted them quickly, clearly recognizing their status, and began presenting various pieces with careful enthusiasm.
Amaria moved from one case to another, admiring the craftsmanship.
"These are beautiful..." she murmured.
Rael stood off to the side.
Watching.
Waiting.
"Purchase anything you like," he said after a moment. "It'll be billed to the royal treasury."
Amaria blinked, then smiled brightly.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
She seemed pleased by that.
Soon enough, she was selecting items-not excessive, but thoughtful.
A piece for the Emperor.
Something elegant for the Empress.
Small, delicate accessories for her maids.
Rael let the shopkeeper handle everything.
His attention had already drifted elsewhere.
Toward a smaller display tucked slightly apart from the rest.
Something green caught his eye.
He stepped closer.
A pair of earrings.
Emerald.
Simple-but not plain.
The color was deep, almost vivid, catching the light in a way that made it stand out without being overly extravagant.
"...This one, your Highness," the shopkeeper said, noticing his interest. "is a unique piece. Only one pair was ever made."
Rael picked it up slightly, examining it.
"The only one?"
"Yes, Your Highness. There is no other like it."
Rael was quiet for a moment.
Then, almost absentmindedly-
"...I see."
The only one.
For some reason, that thought lingered.
He looked at the earrings again.
"...I'll take this," he said.
"Should I also send it to the palace along with the others, you Highness?"
"No need."
Rael closed his hand lightly around the small box.
"I'll carry it."
The shopkeeper nodded quickly.
Meanwhile, Amaria glanced over, catching sight of the exchange.
Her smile softened.
Ah. Perhaps they are for me?
Her thoughts concluded but no words came out of her lips.
Just turned back to her selections, a small, satisfied look settling on her face.
---
By the time they stepped out of the shop, the purchases had been arranged to be sent directly to the palace.
All except one.
Rael still held the small box.
Amaria noticed.
Of course she did.
As they approached the carriage, Rael stopped.
"You can go ahead," he said.
Amaria turned to him.
"...You're not coming?"
"I have somewhere to be."
A brief pause.
Something shifted in her expression.
Small.
Almost unnoticeable.
"...I see."
Her gaze flickered briefly-to the box in his hand. She had assumed Rael would give the small box he held so dearly to her.
And just for a moment-
Her smile faded.
It wasn't dramatic.
It wasn't obvious.
But it was there.
A sharpness.
A flicker of something unpleasant.
Gone as quickly as it appeared.
Rael saw it.
And that alone was enough.
He didn't comment.
Didn't react.
Just noted it quietly.
"...Take care on your way back," Amaria said, her tone returning to its usual softness.
He gave a short nod.
Then turned away.
---
The garden was quiet.
Peaceful.
Rael stepped onto the familiar path, his pace slowing slightly as he approached the large tree near the far end.
And there she was.
Asleep.
Exactly where he expected her to be.
Esmeralda lay beneath the shade, her breathing even, her expression relaxed in a way that was... rare.
For once-
She wasn't thinking.
Not planning.
Not guarding herself against something unseen.
Just... resting.
Rael stood there for a moment.
Watching.
Quiet.
Looking at you like this... I find myself wishing your dreams were of me.
He thought.
Belle approached from a distance, lowering her voice as she noticed him.
"Your Highness," she greeted softly. "Should I wake Lady Esmeralda?"
Rael shook his head.
"No need."
He glanced at Esmeralda once more.
"...I'll come back tomorrow."
Belle nodded.
"Understood."
Rael turned, leaving as quietly as he arrived.
The small box remained in his hand.
Unopened.
---
The carriage ride back to the palace was uneventful.
Silent.
But his thoughts weren't.
For a brief moment-
He recalled it.
That look.
The one Amaria had shown when she realized.
It had been quick.
Subtle.
Easy to miss.
But he didn't.
"...Odd."
Rael leaned back slightly, his gaze drifting to the window.
The reflection stared back at him, calm as ever.
His grip on the small box tightened just slightly.
"...the blessed child isn't as innocent as she looks."
And just like that-
The thought settled.
Not urgent.
Not alarming.
But definitely something he wanted to look into deeper.