“Weren’t you asleep…?”
Elsez quickly came up with an excuse.
“I just wanted some fresh air. I thought I’d take a walk in the back garden.”
“I told you not to leave my sight.”
“I thought you were asleep.”
“Whether I’m awake or not, stay where I can see you.”
His voice was commanding, almost oppressive, but for a fleeting moment, a memory overlapped with reality.
“…Don’t go. Stay with me.”
A desperate young boy, clutching her hand.
Elsez hesitated.
She didn’t want to ignore that memory.
And besides, she had no real reason to refuse his orders.
So, she returned to her seat without another word.
But this time, Rashiel stood up.
“Get up.”
“…Excuse me?”
Hadn’t he just told her to stay put?
She looked at him, confused, but Rashiel simply tilted his head toward the balcony.
“Didn’t you say you wanted to see the garden?”
With that, he threw on a coat and stepped out.
Still bewildered, Elsez followed.
As soon as she stepped outside, her eyes widened.
The back garden stretched far and wide, blooming with vibrant roses in every shade imaginable.
She wandered through the well-kept flower beds—then, a particular bloom caught her eye.
“Blue roses? I heard they’re rare.”
For the first time since stepping into the garden, Rashiel’s expression faltered.
“…Is that so?”
“I always thought blue didn’t suit roses. But seeing them here, they’re beautiful. They go well with the mansion’s white walls.”
Rashiel’s gaze swept over the flowers.
But instead of looking at the roses she pointed out—
His eyes had been on her the entire time.
‘Why is he looking at me instead of the flowers…?’
Before she could dwell on it, Rashiel spoke again.
“Take some if you want. Consider it a gift.”
He walked ahead without waiting for a response.
Elsez stared at his retreating figure.
‘Sometimes, he still reminds me of who he used to be.’
Three years had changed Rashiel.
She wasn’t Ruel anymore, so of course his attitude toward her had changed.
But even beyond that—he was different.
The leisurely, carefree Rashiel was gone.
What remained was someone who felt dangerous, unstable, and on edge.
It reminded her of the first time she had met him as a child.
‘Rashiel… what happened to you?’
What had occurred in those three years she had been gone?
To find out, she first had to confirm—
“Sir Rashiel.”
He stopped and turned.
Elsez met his gaze head-on.
“Are you involved in this case?”
A breeze swept between them.
Rashiel studied her for a moment before replying—not with an answer, but with a question.
“What do you think?”
“I think you aren’t.”
“And what makes you so sure?”
“Three years ago, you risked your life to save this world. For the sake of countless people.”
“……”
“I believe in that conviction.”
His gaze was unwavering.
“If you believe I’m innocent, why ask?”
“You already know this—outside these walls, people are calling you a traitor. If those rumors are false, aren’t you frustrated?”
“……”
“Then say it. Tell me you aren’t.”
Elsez knew it was wishful thinking.
But she wanted to hear him deny it with his own mouth.
Instead of a denial or confirmation, Rashiel asked another question.
“What if the rumors are true?”
Elsez held his gaze and answered without hesitation.
“Then I’ll listen to your reasons first.”
She had considered the possibility that the masked man was Rashiel.
She had prepared herself for the truth.
If he truly had done those things—
She would never be able to justify his actions.
But even so—
She still wanted to understand.
“And after that?”
Elsez exhaled.
“I’d make sure you were punished.”
No reason, no justification—nothing could excuse endangering innocent people.
If Rashiel really was the one responsible, he would face the death penalty.
But she had no intention of letting him die.
Even if he had to live the rest of his life as a fugitive, she would save him.
Because for someone like him—
That kind of existence would be the harshest punishment of all.
Elsez searched Rashiel’s face for a reaction.
She wanted to gauge his response—see if his expression gave anything away.
But then, unexpectedly—
“It doesn’t matter.”
His voice was quiet.
Not angry at being questioned.
Not nervous, like a guilty man caught in the act.
“No, it didn’t matter.”
His next words made Elsez stiffen.
“Whether the truth or a lie, whether people talk behind my back—I didn’t care.”
Slowly, he reached out.
His fingertips brushed against the loose strands of hair near her temple, tucking them behind her ear.
In that moment—
The only thing reflected in his amethyst eyes was her.
“But now, I think I’m starting to care.”
Elsez’s breath hitched.
Her brow furrowed slightly.
His fingers, cool against her skin, lingered for a second longer than necessary.
****
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the empty streets.
Elsez, still in her disguise as Anna Ritz, slipped into an abandoned house in a secluded alley.
Moments later, she emerged—back to her true self.
The house had been provided by Tracia, a safe place to change before returning home.
As she stepped out onto the main road, her thoughts drifted back to her earlier conversation with Rashiel.
“Whether it’s the truth or a lie, I never cared what people said behind my back…”
“But now, I think I’m starting to care.”
He had left her with those words and disappeared into the mansion with his butler before she could ask what he meant.
‘So, was that a confession? Or a roundabout way of admitting he’s behind all this?’
Elsez frowned as she crossed the town square, lost in thought—until something caught her eye.
She halted in front of the public bulletin board.
A single sentence sent a chill down her spine.
“A bounty of 100,000 Luks will be awarded to anyone who brings back the head of Rashiel Celeste, the Tower Master.”
Below it, the Imperial Seal gleamed under the lamplight.
‘Of course. Even those greedy bastards in the royal family wouldn’t just sit back and let someone impersonate them.’
Sure enough, Imperial knights had been stationed near the Mage Tower’s entrances, keeping watch on everyone who entered or left.
But that was all.
No raids. No immediate action. Just… watching.
‘For a crime this serious, their response seems oddly restrained.’
Despite the allegations against Rashiel, the Empire itself remained eerily peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Like a hunter lying in wait, trap set, biding time until the prey walked into it.
‘I don’t know what the Crown Prince is planning, but I can’t afford to waste any more time.’
Elsez exhaled, pressing her fingers against her temple.
She had tried pushing Rashiel for answers, but he had only left her with more questions.
The longer this dragged on, the less time she had.
By the time she reached her estate, a carriage was already parked out front.
Her steps slowed.
The Rittenhouse crest gleamed on its side.
‘…Rittenhouse?’
As she knocked on the door, her maid Lenny greeted her, looking slightly flustered.
“Welcome home, my lady.”
Elsez nodded in greeting, then glanced over Lenny’s shoulder—
A young man stood in the entrance hall.
She didn’t recognize him, but judging by his posture and presence, he had to be one of Tezette’s men.
Their eyes met.
He gave a polite bow in greeting.
Elsez returned the gesture and moved toward the drawing room, where she was certain Tezette was waiting.
‘Tezette has no reason to seek me out. So what is this about?’
Despite herself, unease settled in her chest.
He was unpredictable at the best of times, and an unpredictable Tezette was never a good thing.
When she stepped into the room, she found him staring out the window, waiting.
A cup of untouched tea sat on the table before him—completely full, long since gone cold.
The sight made Elsez smile without thinking.
‘He hasn’t changed at all.’
Tezette had always hated bitter things.
Coffee, alcohol—even medicine.
He had once refused treatment for a fever, suffering for days just to avoid taking a bitter tonic.
Even though he had grown into a man, some part of him still remained the same.
For some reason, that realization softened her tension.
Tezette’s gaze shifted toward her.
Realizing she had been smiling, Elsez quickly erased the expression and approached.
“Sorry, I just remembered an old friend.”
A knock interrupted the moment.
Lenny entered, setting a fresh cup of tea before Elsez.
Elsez looked up at her maid.
“Lenny, could you bring me some grape juice instead? Something cold.”
Lenny hesitated, then nodded.
“Of course, my lady.”
“Bring some for the Duke as well.”
At that, Lenny stole a glance at Tezette—then immediately flushed red before hurrying out.
Elsez turned back to him.
“To what do I owe the visit? I thought you were busy hunting down the Tower Master.”
Tezette didn’t answer right away.
Instead, he said—
“Are you free on Friday?”
Elsez narrowed her eyes.
Friday.
That was a workday—she was supposed to be with Rashiel.
But rather than answer immediately, she hesitated.
‘Why is he asking me this?’
“Why do you ask?”
“I want you to attend the royal banquet with me.”
Elsez blinked.
Then, she sighed.
“That might be a problem.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m no longer your fiancée. We agreed to break off our engagement, remember?”
Tezette’s response was immediate.
“I changed my mind.”
Before she could react, his hand caught hers, and his lips pressed against her skin.
Warm breath ghosted over her knuckles.
Elsez froze.
Her heart lurched.
His emerald eyes locked onto hers—
And in a quiet, commanding voice, he said—
“Fall in love with me again.”
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