"You're taking the day off today?"
Lily asked as she tidied Mia's room. It was a bright, sunny morning.
For the first time since arriving in Sibareth, Mia had no scheduled tasks. The rite of passage was still two days away. Part of her felt she should be practicing magic, but…
No. Just for today—I need to rest.
There was still time until the full moon, and they wouldn't reveal the details of the rite until the morning of. She stretched lazily and replied with a bright smile,
"That's the plan."
"It must feel nice to finally have a break. Is there anything you'd like to do today?"
"Hmm… nothing comes to mind."
"Well then, just relax. But if you get bored, feel free to come by the rose garden. I'll be there all day harvesting blooms."
"The rose garden… the one just past the courtyard?"
"Yes! I'll be waiting!"
With that, Lily left.
Mia had her breakfast, thinking she might nap again afterward—but her body, now used to constant activity, wouldn't cooperate. She considered going to the library but lost interest just as quickly.
Maybe I'll visit Lily. Rose harvesting might actually be fun.
She made her way to the garden, where Lily and a few other maids were working diligently. The girls around Lily's age were picking roses, while the younger ones sorted them nearby.
"Oh, Lady Mia! You're here already."
Lily beamed brightly.
Mia looked closely at the roses they were harvesting. Their colors were extraordinary—white petals with pale green edges.
She had seen gradient roses before, but never with that minty hue.
"…These are really unusual. Are they common here?"
"No, these roses only bloom in this garden. Not just in Sibareth—nowhere in Naizman or Muria either. That's why they're sold at such high prices."
"How do they even get this color?"
Mia leaned in and inhaled the scent of one bloom.
…Familiar.
A fragrance she had smelled many times before—on someone in particular.
"It's thanks to Lord Julius. It's his magic that gives them this color."
Of course. Julius.
Come to think of it, the first time she met him had been here, in this very garden…
"He seems to enjoy cultivating roses."
"That's right. Some women in Sibareth even call him the Knight of Roses. Heehee…"
Then—
The ground trembled slightly. A deep step.
And a rich, enchanting fragrance stronger than the roses filled Mia's senses.
"Not a bad nickname."
"Oh—Your Grace!"
The startled voices of the maids rang out. Mia turned around.
There he was—Julius, dressed in simple white attire. His translucent garments fluttered lightly in the breeze.
"How is the harvest coming along?"
"Very well, Your Grace! As you can see—"
Another maid began to answer, but Lily quickly stepped in with a cheery laugh.
"Of course, Your Highness. We'll leave you two now. Please enjoy your time."
What the—?
Before Mia could say anything, Lily whisked the others away, leaving her alone with Julius. He chuckled deeply.
"She's quick on the uptake. I suppose that's how she manages to serve someone as slow-witted as you."
"Excuse me? Slow-witted?!"
"Did I say anything untrue?"
He plucked a rose, inhaled its scent, then tossed it into the air. In midair, the rose shimmered—transformed into a ring—and fell gently into his hand.
He took Mia's hand and slipped the ring onto her finger.
"…!"
Mia stared in shock. The ring was slender, gold, with a gemstone at its center. Just like the rose—transparent in the middle, with pale green edges.
"Even someone as dense as you must understand what it means when a man does something like this."
Mia couldn't speak. Julius gave a soft sigh.
"Don't tell me—does your world not have this kind of custom?"
"…Well, I mean… this is…"
"It's not an official proposal. Just think of it as a gift."
A proposal?
Mia's chest tightened.
"Do you still not understand? I intend to marry you. No one else—you."
"B-but… I have to pass the rite of passage to become queen, don't I?"
Mia stammered.
"That's just a formality. Even if you fail, it won't change anything. You'll still be mine."
Mia's eyes widened.
She hadn't expected this. Julius, who she had pegged as a flirt, was now looking at her with serious intent.
Is there even any benefit to making me queen?
"Judging by your reaction…"
Julius turned to stand beside her, no longer facing her directly. He didn't want to keep looking at her confused and uncomfortable expression.
"You don't seem all that eager to marry me."
Ugh. He noticed.
"Can I ask you something?"
Julius's voice dropped low—so low, it seemed out of place under the bright morning sun. It was heavy. And dark.
"…Yes."
"Is it me you don't like, or the idea of becoming queen?"
"…!"
"Be honest."
As he spoke, he plucked another rose and crushed it in his fist. The torn petals fluttered to the ground, bruised and crumpled.
"Depending on your answer… I might even give you what you want."
Mia swallowed hard.
If she answered honestly, it could eventually lead back to her secret deal with Mithys.
Would Julius still be on her side once he knew that?
"But whichever it is—you'll need to give a proper reason. If it's me you hate…"
He stepped closer and grabbed her shoulders firmly. Mia flinched, her wide, startled eyes reflecting in his.
At least… she reacted.
Unlike the siren girl Neria, who had drifted like a ghost and eventually fled, Mia still had fire.
But even so—
"Say it. If it's me you dislike, why?"
Mia tried to twist away, but he didn't let go. His grip tightened. Furious, she glared at him.
"Because you're arrogant and overbearing! I like people who are kind. And humble!"
A name flashed through Julius's mind.
And just like that, jealousy surged through him like a tidal wave.
"Kind and humble? Is that what you call a coward too afraid to say he wants you?"
"Just let go already! If you really care, maybe try being nice, Your Grace!"
Mia shoved him away and ran.
Enraged, Julius stormed to the stables, mounted a horse, and rode toward the royal hunting grounds.
There, he unleashed his fury. He shot anything that moved—animals, beasts, monsters alike.
No matter how many fell, his rage didn't subside.
Then—
A fairy appeared in his line of sight. Likely a flower spirit. It flinched at the sight of him.
But Julius didn't hesitate.
—Thud.
The tiny creature was impaled by a massive arrow, falling limp to the ground.
Only then did Julius pause, breathing heavily.
"…Leca Parvati. This is all your fault.
If we'd never met back then—none of this would've happened…"
"Hey Jules, look! There's a kid over there I've never seen before."
"Huh?"
Ten-year-old Julius was crouched near a tree trunk in the palace rose garden, searching for beetles with some of the younger servants. Shamanaz, as always, trailed behind him, watching.
"Who is it?"
Julius didn't even look up—he was too focused.
"No idea. But he's watching us."
"Young master, I found a larva!"
One of the servants brought him a rhinoceros beetle grub. Julius lit up with excitement.
"Let's take this one home. Adult beetles are way too hard to find."
"Let's go talk to that kid. He looks our age."
Julius placed the larva into his insect case and stood up.
That's when he saw him.
A little boy with fiery red hair stood a short distance away, staring at them.
Shamanaz had already skipped over to him.
She said something to the boy, then called out loudly,
"Jules! He's a new fire spirit! I've never seen a human-shaped fire spirit before!"
Julius sighed.
He wasn't really in the mood, but since Shamanaz had called, he walked over.
"…You're new here?"
The boy didn't answer. He just stared. So Shamanaz answered for him.
"He is. But I think he's really shy."
Finally, the boy spoke in a clear, careful voice.
"My name is Leca Parvati. Thank you for being my friend."
"Friend? The young master doesn't befriend spirits like you," one of the servants sneered.
But Leca didn't flinch. He blinked, calm and steady.
"I saw it."
"Saw what?" Julius asked.
Leca looked him straight in the eye and said slowly—
"I saw… the scene in your mind. The one where you kept thinking about me."