Chapter : 24
A week later.
The morning of the banquet day, the Empress’s Palace was in complete chaos.
The palace was already full of lively maids, but with the addition of the newcomers, Rena and Joan, the commotion had multiplied several times over.
“Your Majesty, you must soak in the bath a bit longer!”
“If you just sit there like that, the fragrance won’t seep into your skin properly.”
“…Alright.”
“Your Majesty, I believe a red dress would suit you beautifully. How about this one?”
“…Yes, it’s lovely. Let’s go with that.”
Cassielope’s voice was utterly drained of energy.
It was because ever since she had opened her eyes that morning, Rena and Joan had been chirping non-stop beside her, completely wearing her out.
Nearby, Tesha and Lady Mardia watched the scene with fascination.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Her Majesty look so resigned before.”
“Perhaps it’s because they’re young and full of energy… but Her Majesty seems completely helpless against them.”
Cassielope—who normally would have firmly dismissed anything she disliked—was now at a total loss, flustered and unsure of what to do. Tesha and Lady Mardia couldn’t hold back their laughter.
“This sight is rather refreshing, isn’t it?”
“It’s all thanks to Joan and Rena. I’d been worried since Her Majesty hadn’t been sleeping well for a while, but lately she’s been resting quite soundly. Though I suppose that’s because she’s exhausted all day from dealing with those two.”
“Ha ha, is that so?”
Just as they were laughing at this rare scene, both women suddenly felt a piercing gaze on them and stopped.
The gaze belonged, of course, to Cassielope herself.
‘Help. Me.’
She mouthed the words silently, unable to say them aloud.
“Your Majesty, I told you not to move!”
“…Ah, yes. I’ll stay still from now on.”
At Joan’s sharp scolding, Cassielope’s head turned back to face forward. Tesha and Lady Mardia burst into laughter again, unable to hold it in any longer.
Once her hair was done, all that was left was to choose her accessories.
Rena frowned thoughtfully as she studied the array of jewelry before finally picking two hairpins and presenting them to Cassielope.
“They were all so pretty that it was hard to choose, but I think these two will suit you best today. Which one would you like, Your Majesty?”
“Let’s see…”
The moment Cassielope saw the hairpins Rena was holding out, her lips stiffened slightly.
“Of all things… those.”
Noticing the smile vanish from Cassielope’s face, Tesha hurried over to Rena in alarm.
Cassielope stared silently at the two hairpins.
One was made of Lumeriaite, a rare gem that shimmered with silvery aurora hues—known as the stone of the Moon Fairy.
The other was taaffeite, a precious violet-and-purple gemstone so rare that only a few existed in the world.
Both had been gifts from Regis—the very first presents he had ever given her as a child, when she’d envied the other noble girls her age.
“I picked them out myself, Rope. Ones that would look good on you.”
They were so precious that she had never dared use them, afraid they might wear out. She had kept them carefully stored away all this time.
“Your Majesty, shall I bring a different hairpin instead…?”
“Why? I really think these suit you the best today…”
Seeing Joan’s oblivious comment, Tesha glared at her sharply, shaking her head as if to say, Don’t say another word.
Thankfully, Rena caught on quickly and pulled Joan back.
“They do suit me best, don’t they, Tesha? Let’s use those today.”
“Excellent choice! Honestly, nothing else could match better!”
At Cassielope’s response, Joan beamed and hopped up and down happily.
Tesha started to stop her, but Cassielope subtly shook her head, silently telling her not to.
“Then would you finish up the rest for me?”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
As Joan moved to complete the styling, Cassielope gently closed her eyes.
Memories from that day resurfaced—bright and vivid.
* * *
It was a spring day when green light covered the earth and the wind carried the scent of flowers.
Cassielope sat under the shade of a great tree, gazing blankly into the distance.
It must have been a pleasant day for an outing—noble young ladies in elegant dresses were laughing brightly, reveling in the beauty of spring.
“Hey, Regis. Do you think I’d look a little prettier if I dressed up like that too?”
“You’re already the prettiest, Rope, even without dressing up.”
“Liar.”
“I’m not lying.”
She knew he was just saying that to comfort her. Still, Cassielope couldn’t help but chuckle softly—Regis always had such a smooth tongue.
Her violet eyes turned back toward the laughing young ladies. The sunlight caught on their jeweled accessories, scattering dazzling reflections.
Without realizing it, Cassielope reached up to touch her own hair—the spot where a hairpin would go.
Regis, who had been quietly watching her, suddenly stood up.
“I should get going now. See you later, Rope.”
He turned and left abruptly. Cassielope blinked after him, muttering under her breath.
“…What was that about?”
Two weeks passed, and the fields were now in full bloom with all kinds of flowers.
“I have something for you, Rope.”
“What is it?”
“Close your eyes for a moment.”
Cassielope simply watched him, so Regis reached out and covered her eyes with his hand himself.
“What are you doing?”
She felt something touch her hair—click—and then Regis pulled his hand away.
“It’s a gift.”
Cassielope touched the spot in her hair and murmured,
“…A hairpin?”
“Right.”
“Why a hairpin, all of a sudden?”
“I just wanted to give you one. I picked it out myself—something that would suit you.”
Cassielope walked over to the lakeside and looked down at her reflection in the water. A bright, violet hairpin sparkled beautifully in her hair.
“There’s another one.”
Regis gently took her hand and placed another hairpin in her palm—this one set with a silvery gemstone that gleamed with aurora light.
“I thought both would suit you, so I couldn’t choose just one.”
“….”
“You’re beautiful, Rope. They look perfect on you.”
“…It’s not like I’ll even wear them anywhere. What’s the point of giving me these?”
“Because I wanted to. You can just keep them—it’s enough for me.”
She gazed silently at the hairpins resting in her hands.
She had received countless gifts before, but this was the first time anyone had given her jewelry.
“…Regis.”
“Yeah, Rope?”
“Lean down a little.”
“Like this?”
As he lowered himself slightly, the familiar scent of him drifted over her.
Cassielope brushed a lock of his silvery hair aside and softly kissed his cheek.
“Thank you, Regis.”
“Ah—uh…”
His face turned bright red, as if it might burst, completely flustered by the unexpected kiss.
Watching him awkwardly touch his cheek in confusion, Cassielope burst into a fresh, bright laugh.
“I’m the one who kissed you, so why is your face the one turning red?”
A pleasant breeze danced around them.
“Wait here a second… I’ll be right back.”
“What? Where are you going all of a sudden, Regis?”
Her confusion only lasted a moment. Just as he’d said, Regis returned rather quickly.
He was out of breath, clearly from running, and his hands were full of small boxes.
Cassielope accepted them blankly and peeked inside—then let out a small gasp.
“What is all this?”
“…Gifts.”
“I can see that. I mean, why did you suddenly go and buy all this?”
At her question, Regis’s eyes darted nervously side to side. His cheeks, neck, and even his ears were flushed red.
After clearing his throat awkwardly a few times, he bent down slightly until his face was level with hers.
Then, with an expression full of hopeful anticipation, he glanced at her from the corner of his eyes.
“Regis, you really…”
Cassielope started to say something, but laughter bubbled out instead.
Regis laughed too—perhaps because the situation itself was so ridiculous.
And in that moment, the warm scent of spring quietly settled between the two of them.
