Chapter 9
The Flower of Apology
His words were sharp, but what really terrified me was the killing intent I could feel from so close.
He had lived on battlefields since he was a boy, and the weight of that experience pressed down on me like a blade.
Even though he spoke quietly, his cold voice froze me in place.
“I don’t know what you’re planning, but go back to the palace while I’m still willing to let you.”
With that, the Duke turned away without hesitation.
I stood frozen, staring after his retreating back, my heart pounding.
I was still trembling, but at the same time, I couldn’t help thinking how ridiculous this all was.
“No wonder people think you’re a murderer — you talk like one!”
I had actually felt sorry for him before, thinking he’d been falsely accused. But now, I wasn’t so sure he didn’t deserve it.
He might not have had the chance yet, but I was certain of it — those eyes were cold enough to kill Eve without a second thought.
When I glanced at his attendants, they stood silently with blank faces. It was clear this kind of threat was nothing new to them.
Ignoring me completely, the Duke began to walk away again.
“Unbelievable. How can anyone treat his fiancée like this?”
I didn’t even like him, but the way he dismissed me made my anger boil.
And now, my pride was on the line.
Fine. I’ll make him take this flower no matter what.
Even though his aura had crushed me for a moment, I reminded myself there was no reason to fear him.
Eve was the Emperor’s daughter — and his fiancée.
He could threaten to kill me all he wanted, but he couldn’t actually harm me.
At least not here, in public.
I lifted the bouquet and stepped forward again, my voice sharp and steady.
“Stop, Your Grace. That’s an order from a Princess.”
At once, his attendants turned pale, staring at me as if I’d gone insane.
Everyone knew the Princess chased the Duke around and caused endless trouble, so they probably saw me as a delusional stalker.
Still, no matter what they thought, I was the Emperor’s daughter.
Technically, our ranks weren’t that far apart — his house was treated almost like royalty — but the Imperial Princess still outranked him.
At least in theory, that gives me some power.
And sure enough, my words had an effect.
The Duke stopped and slowly turned back toward me.
“Did I hear you correctly? Was that… an order?”
He didn’t stop because of my command — it was pure anger. But at least he stopped. That was what mattered.
Ignoring the fierce look in his eyes, I spoke calmly.
“Our conversation isn’t over yet. Isn’t it improper to leave before a lady does?”
The Duke stared down at me in disbelief — like I was a lunatic.
“You’re lecturing me on manners, Your Highness?”
His low voice dripped with sarcasm, clearly mocking me for daring to speak of etiquette after all my supposed stalking.
But I only smiled gracefully and answered sweetly,
“We’re going to be married soon, aren’t we? A wife should correct her husband’s flaws — it’s part of her duty.”
At my words — husband, flaws, correct — the Duke’s attendants turned even paler.
The Duke, however, simply raised one eyebrow and stared hard at me.
Surprisingly calm.
Wait… did he notice something different about me?
“I’m sorry if I offended you,” I said quickly. “But you wouldn’t listen, so I had no choice. Please, just a moment more of your time.”
I watched him carefully, hoping he wouldn’t explode.
“…Fine.”
He spoke carelessly, stepping a little closer.
“Since you insist, I’ll listen. I’m curious to know what could be so important.”
His expression was unreadable, but the dark light in his violet eyes warned me that one wrong word might get me killed.
“….”
If I say something meaningless, I’m done for.
But I couldn’t back down now.
Ignoring his cold gaze, I touched the white petals of the flower in my hands.
“I brought this flower to apologize, but it also has another meaning.”
Even after being taken from the snowy garden, the pure white flower looked fresh and untouched.
I looked straight into his violet eyes.
“It’s only two weeks until the anniversary of the late Duchess’s death, isn’t it?”
The Duke’s expression hardened instantly.
His mother — the previous Duchess — had died young from illness.
“What does that have to do with you, Your Highness?” he asked coldly.
“Well,” I said lightly, “the Duchess was my godmother. And I’m about to marry her son.”
His icy tone brought out a touch of sarcasm in my own.
Taking a breath, I continued more softly.
“Other than that, not much. But I still wanted to pay my respects. She was very kind to me when I was little.”
The late Duchess had been close to Eve’s mother, the former Empress, and had become Eve’s godmother. They’d shared a warm relationship.
I lowered my head, pretending to be lost in fond memories.
“That’s why I asked the High Priest for permission to take a few flowers from the Sacred Tree. The Duchess loved them, didn’t she? Whenever she visited the temple, she would stop to admire them in the garden.”
I knew that from the original story — the Duke himself had once told Sorel about it.
He frowned slightly but said nothing.
I gently brushed the petals.
“Originally, this flower was used to honor the dead,” I said quietly.
Long ago, it was a symbol of remembrance for lost souls. Only later did people start giving it as a token of love.
Gathering my courage, I held the bouquet out toward him.
“Please take it. I know you dislike me visiting your estate, so instead, could you place this on the Duchess’s grave for me?”
Surely, he wouldn’t refuse a flower meant to honor his late mother.
Or so I hoped.
“….”
But he gave no answer.
The Duke simply stared at me, expressionless — so still that it was more frightening than anger.
Why won’t he say anything?
I hesitated, my confidence faltering.
“I—I promise,” I said quickly, “if you accept this, I won’t bother you again. I swear it.”
I looked up at him desperately, like a poor girl begging someone to buy her last box of matches.
In truth, my situation was even worse.
If this failed, I’d be dead in forty days.
But even as I pleaded, he remained silent.
The tension in the corridor was suffocating.
I wasn’t asking for money — just for him to take the flower!
Then, finally, his low voice broke the silence.
“…Very well.”
He reached out his hand.
“If it means that much to you, I’ll accept it.”
His tone was calm, but his violet eyes clearly said, Now go away and never come back.
“Thank you!” I said quickly.
I didn’t care how irritated he was — as long as he took it.
Relieved, I smiled and handed him the bouquet.
As he took it, his fingers brushed mine.
Leaning closer, I whispered softly so only he could hear,
“Please… keep this flower close and take good care of it.”
For a brief moment, his sharp violet eyes flickered with confusion, as if something felt strange about my voice.
He looked at me for a long second, then turned away without a word, still holding the flower.
I watched him leave the temple grounds, silently praying.
Please… find the note hidden inside those petals.
If he didn’t, both of us were doomed.
Well — mostly me. He’d suffer for a while, but he’d recover.
Still, I didn’t want him to live branded as a murderer.
A few steps away, Nell, who had been waiting anxiously, ran to my side.
“Your Highness! Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” I said, though my legs were shaking from exhaustion.
Nell quickly helped me stand.
I leaned on her shoulder and turned toward the palace.
“Let’s go back,” I murmured. “We’ve done everything we could.”
At last, I could rest — at least for a little while.
