The Emperor descended the stairs to meet Kirona at eye level. Kirona, as if entranced, gazed at her mother, who shared the same eye colour. The Emperor was telling her that she hadn’t been abandoned, and those words were irresistibly sweet. 

The shimmering *Nadaline’s* flower in front of her was just as enticing. Kirona slowly reached out towards the pot on the golden tray. 

At that moment, she was yanked down to the floor by her collar. A dust-covered mercenary grabbed Kirona by the waist and pulled her back. Kirona struggled wildly. The flower was wilting, and she needed to pluck it before it was too late, but this wretched mercenary was getting in her way. 

“Snap out of it! It’s an illusion! An illusion!” 

Kirona was aware that she had fallen into a *trap of desire*, but how could she know which side was the illusion? She might not have another chance. And she didn’t have much time or many opportunities left. Kirona sneered at the mercenary who was desperately holding her back. 

“You’re telling me to trust you instead of my mother?” 

“You must trust me!” 

“You’re the one who told me not to trust a mercenary.” 

Jade finally grabbed Kirona by the shoulders and turned her around. 

“Trust me now! Damn it, if you don’t want to, then trust in the name of Eclipse! Would Eclipse ever lie to Theresia?” 

“You’re the one who said you hated the name Eclipse.” 

Her mouth moved on its own. Kirona tried to push him away and return to the Emperor. But at that moment, Jade wrapped his arms tightly around her from behind and uttered something unbelievable—something a mercenary would never, ever say. 

“I’ll help you find it together. Not an illusion, but the real flower!” 

“…….” 

“So please, come this way. Please!” 

“How can I trust your words…” 

“I swear on the name of Eclipse! On the name of my damned ancestor!” 

Jade’s voice echoed in Kirona’s mind, as though cold water had splashed onto her foggy thoughts. Kirona froze for a moment, withdrawing her hand that had been reaching for the pot. The Emperor’s face twisted in frustration. The last petal of the yellow flower was falling. 

The magnificent imperial palace collapsed. It crumbled into a pit of darkness, as pitiful and empty as a stage after the play ends. Kirona found herself back in the dark temple. 

The pit beneath her, leading to an unknown destination, was quickly disappearing. If she had taken just one more step, Kirona would have fallen into it. 

Kirona collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. Jade, drenched in sweat, was panting and glaring at her. He roughly pulled her close and shouted. 

“You really are the most stubborn person in the Empire.” 

“…So you were real.” 

Kirona laughed inappropriately, given the situation. 

“We almost died, and you’re laughing?” 

“Don’t get angry. We made it out okay in the end.” 

“Yeah, thanks a lot for trusting a lowly mercenary.” 

Jade replied sarcastically, then slumped to the floor as his legs gave out. Kirona, still staring at the burning temple hearth, spoke to Jade, who looked utterly exhausted. 

“It was the first time I saw you so desperate. You even swore an oath.” 

“Yes, I swore an oath. Is that why you trusted me?” 

“No, that’s not why.” 

Kirona shook her head. She hadn’t trusted him. While breaking an oath sworn on the family name wasn’t easy, what meaning did the name of a ruined family have? Especially when it was spoken hastily by a descendant who despised that name. 

The real reason she didn’t touch the flower was because of one unbelievable thing Jade had said—something she never expected to hear from him. 

“You were the first person who offered to help me find the real flower, so I hesitated.” 

Kirona lifted her head and gazed at Jade Eclipse’s face. His face was bathed in the firelight, glowing like the dawn sky. 

Kirona couldn’t resist teasing him. 

“Will you really help me find it?” 

“…If the Princess commands it, what choice do I have?” 

“Forget it. I won’t force you.” 

* * * 

By Theresia’s grace, Kirona and Jade managed to return to Sonia’s cabin within half a day, without being detected by the basilisk. Before Kirona could even open the door, someone came running out. It was a young woman with black hair tied up in a single braid. 

She sneered the moment she saw Jade.