“Your Highness, good day to you.”
“Oh, my granddaughter is doing wonderfully! How could she not, with her remarkable little grandfather by her side?” Capile declared proudly.
“Oh, is that why you arranged a jousting match for rookies on her birthday?” Gelbart shot back.
“You little—!”
“Oh, forgive me, Your Highness,” Capile quickly apologized, flustered. “I didn’t mean any offense…”

I smiled serenely. “It’s fine. You’re right, though. A jousting tournament was held to commemorate my coming-of-age ceremony.”
Capile seized the opportunity to shift the focus. “Well, at least I’ve trained my pupil well!”
“Indeed,” I replied warmly. “Thank you, Marquis Capile, and thank you, Sir Mihail.” Mihail gave a small nod, his modest acknowledgment contrasting with Capile’s evident pride as he nudged Gelbart.
“See? You don’t have a pupil like that, do you?”
“What do you mean I don’t?!” Gelbart grumbled. “Not only did my pupil win the jousting tournament, but they sent me a whole diamond mine as a gift!”
“Is it even a pupil if you haven’t seen them in years?”
“Bah! I laid the groundwork for their success, and that’s why they’re renowned today!”
“Ridiculous.”

Their banter grew more heated, though the genuine camaraderie of their rivalry shone through. Gelbart, despite his usual sternness, only displayed such familiarity with Capile, his lifelong rival.

As I observed their antics, the air filled with the soothing aroma of lemon balm and rose tea. The gentle scent softened even their argumentative expressions, and the refreshments began to arrive. Soft sponge cake, nut-topped tarts, croque monsieur sandwiches, and cranberry-studded mille-feuille graced the table. My eyes lit up with delight at the sight of the desserts, drawing amused smiles from both Gelbart and Capile.

“Her Highness grows more radiant by the day,” Capile remarked admiringly. “No wonder my pupil swore a knightly vow without so much as a hint beforehand.”

Today, I wore a light, layered home dress with an off-shoulder design. The outer fabric draped like a veil, while the inner white gown shimmered faintly in the light. It complemented my silver hair perfectly. Even without jewelry, the natural glow of my skin and the deep violet hue of my eyes created an ethereal, almost otherworldly impression. My smile seemed to brighten the entire room, eliciting smiles from the two dukes as well.

Mihail, however, remained steadfastly stoic, though I noticed his gaze lingered on me. When our eyes met, he quickly averted his, his composure faltering slightly. His dark blue hair, cut just above his shoulders, framed his face elegantly. His soft blue eyelashes and matching eyes were striking, and I could see why people would mistake him for a woman when he removed his helmet.
“Handsome,” I thought, recalling the same admiration I’d felt when I first met him as a child.

I found myself staring at him, and as I did, a faint redness crept across his usually impassive face.
“Adorable.”
As expected of the novel’s destined love interest—he was captivating, even if we were fated to die together.

Before I could speak, he addressed me first.
“Your Highness, may I request a moment for a stroll?”
His low, resonant voice cut through the air, causing Gelbart to scowl fiercely.
“You’d better not try anything reckless, boy!”
“Why would I hurt him?!” Capile shot back.
“I wouldn’t mind if he got hurt a little! Who gave him permission to kiss my granddaughter’s hand?!”
“Calm down, you fool!”

Ignoring their argument, I nodded lightly and turned to Orjet, who was watching with equal parts awe and suspicion.
“I’ll be back shortly for a walk.”
“Yes, Your Highness! Please don’t stay out too long!”

I smiled and led Mihail out to the gardens. At the edge of the pond, gothic-style fences rose like gates, encircling the garden. Between them grew clusters of white and pink flowers amidst lush green foliage, their reflections shimmering in the pond’s surface. A light mist hovered over the water, creating an enchanting scene.

Out of sight of the tea room, I walked ahead, clasped my hands behind my back, and turned to face him with a cheerful smile. He flinched slightly, clearly unprepared for my approach.
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” I said playfully.
“…You remember?” he asked softly.
“I’m more surprised that you do,” I replied.
“How could I forget? It was an unforgettable day.”

A faint smile flickered across Mihail’s face, and even that brief gesture felt like a flower blooming.
“His beauty is truly remarkable.”

He continued, “Do you remember my counterfeit gold coin? I had stolen it from a traveling circus. It was all I had to barter with back then.”

The counterfeit gold coin—how could I forget?
“Stealing bread buys you a meal for a day. Gathering crumbs feeds others. But if someone takes your counterfeit gold, you might lose your life.”
Such was the plight of the impoverished in this country.

“And whenever someone discovered the coin was fake, I’d get beaten and spat on, then fall ill for days,” he added, his voice calm but tinged with bitterness.

I remained silent, unsure how to respond. His face, elegant and composed, betrayed no sign of his troubled past. It struck me then how little the original novel had delved into his history.