Chapter 7
“It’s rewarding to hear you say that. I did a lot of preparation in various ways.”
Prince Joshua smoothly guided me toward the entrance of the botanical garden.
He looked genuinely cheerful and relaxed.
‘Preparation, did he say?’
My mind, however, was anything but simple.
Alisha Blante, you’ve really crawled straight into a trap!
‘It’s fine, as long as I stay sharp…!’
I steeled myself with the resolve not to be deceived.
Perhaps because it was late afternoon, or maybe because this botanical garden was located somewhat remotely even within the capital, it was breathtaking.
The garden, housed under a beautiful crystal dome, wasn’t enormous, but it was truly beautiful—so much so that I grudgingly agreed with what Prince Joshua had said yesterday.
‘…I like it.’
Regardless of his intentions, it was true that I liked places like this.
I preferred quiet spots filled with fresh greenery over bustling, overly extravagant locations.
Even in the duchy, I hadn’t been fond of strolling through the marketplace.
I liked the forested paths scattered throughout the estate and the duchy much more.
Lucas, observing me on such days, would always say:
‘Alisha, are you going to spend your days like this? What good is staring at a lake? You should refine your sense of taste.’
He would urge me to go to the marketplace, especially when there were rumors about new goods arriving in the capital.
‘You promised to sharpen your eyes for my sake. Besides, you’ll be going to the capital eventually, and everyone will laugh at you in your current state.’
So, reluctantly, I would put down the book I was reading or the letter paper I was cutting neatly and accompany him.
‘…Not that I hated it entirely, since it was with Lucas.’
Lost in this memory, Joshua lightly touched my fingertips with a faint smile.
“Was coming to the botanical garden not very pleasant for you?”
At the thought of him…!
I realized I had completely forgotten that Prince Joshua was right next to me.
Hastily shaking my head to signal my embarrassment, I noticed he didn’t scold me. Instead, he guided me gently along the path with a soft smile.
“I hoped this place would be comfortable for you, Miss Blante.”
“This place?”
He nodded quietly.
Only then did the details of the botanical garden come into focus.
It was filled with countless colorful flowers.
Some I had seen in the duchy, but many were entirely new to me, even over the course of my previous life.
I had always enjoyed zoning out while observing nature, so I quickly became absorbed in the garden.
Prince Joshua didn’t attempt to drive the conversation with anecdotes or chatter; he let me simply enjoy the atmosphere in silence.
It felt natural, not awkward. I found it especially remarkable near a red berry tree.
The vivid crimson fruits stood out against the green foliage.
Soft sunlight filtering through the crystal dome gently caressed the berries, making them sparkle, and the violet light in Prince Joshua’s eyes was equally gentle.
As if observing me, he met my gaze when I looked up.
Without avoiding my eyes, he met them naturally and spoke quietly.
“I find my mind calms when I come here.”
“Do you, Your Highness?”
“Don’t you ever have days when your daily life feels suffocating, when your body feels unbearably heavy?”
I responded with a wry smile. Somehow, I felt this was enough for Prince Joshua.
“I come here on such days. Flowers and trees don’t speak to me or demand anything.”
A small laugh escaped me, not in mockery, but because it reminded me of thoughts I had in childhood.
‘I feel like I’ve told someone this before.’
He seemed relieved by my smile, exhaling softly.
The relief he felt was ironic to me.
‘No one has ever said something like this before.’
Suddenly, my mind felt tangled, chaotic, then calm again in an instant.
My thoughts were conflicted. Could he have some ulterior motive in saying this? Yet part of me simply wanted to take his words at face value.
Even if I tried to twist it, it was difficult to find any hidden intent.
‘Does he just want to tell me he understands how hard it’s been?’
I reached out to touch the red berries.
The touch of the fruit felt oddly comforting.
‘…Yes, it’s been overwhelming and exhausting.’
The fact that it was Prince Joshua who reminded me of this made my heart flutter uncontrollably.
Not Lucas, not the others who had accompanied me to the capital, not even my maids—no one had ever said anything like that.
Because it was all assumed I would handle it.
Leaving the Blante duchy for the capital was a long journey, filled with incidents and accidents.
Whether it was someone targeting me for money or someone attempting to attack Lucas…
Sometimes, even the party members would bicker over trivial matters when things were calm.
Although the knights were fine, Lucas’ aides and immature attendants occasionally complained or quarreled.
In those moments, I always had to mediate.
I had the highest external status in the party, but more importantly…
‘Lucas is just hopeless at these things.’
It was beyond his nature. And I would cover for him.
If he spoke carelessly as he sometimes did, the reputation of ‘Luca Delic’ might be tarnished.
I had to put in great effort to safely escort him into the capital.
‘Annoying little things… I wish you wouldn’t waste your energy on them, Alisha.’
Even Lucas, like a child, would sulk when distracted.
Yet I carried out my duties diligently. Running here and there, waiting for their emotions to settle, and ensuring Lucas would comfort them outwardly.
‘Ah, Lucas… we’ve been selfish.’
‘Indeed. Yet he watches us silently.’
It was my role to make him shine brighter than anyone.
Still, I couldn’t ignore the gradual wear on myself. I was human, after all.
‘I don’t understand. Why do I even do this?’
Especially when Lucas refused to be satisfied no matter how much I explained.
When an audience with the emperor was scheduled, my tension made my body feel foreign.
What if he acted on a whim and ruined everything!
No matter how carefully I reasoned, he would often be displeased and impatient.
Even as he trusted me, I could see him worry that his own misstep might ruin the mission this time.
‘Well, it can’t be helped. I chose to trust Alisha. I chose you, after all.’
Even as my spirit grew weary, Lucas’ words would drive me forward, reminding me it wasn’t yet time to rest.
So, here I was…
Absurdly, the space without him felt… freeing.
I laughed quietly, realizing it.
Comfortable, I allowed myself to admit it honestly.
‘Yes, I feel relaxed and happy. Even just for a moment.’
No matter how much I cared for Lucas, no matter how precious he was to me, I was human too.
‘…It’s just strange that this calm comes with Prince Joshua.’
Acknowledging this, I felt a genuine urge to convey gratitude rather than sharp words.
Wasting all energy misinterpreting everything would be foolish.
“Am I disturbing your precious rest, Your Highness?”
There was no one else in the botanical garden.
Perhaps, knowing his meticulous nature, he had reserved it entirely to ensure privacy.
But at this moment…
‘I want to let go of all calculations.’
It would be rude to these beautiful flowers and trees.
“Not at all. I invited you here.”
In front of the berry tree, as he guided me toward other plants, Prince Joshua replied with grace.
“Thank you. As you said, Your Highness.”
I looked at him and smiled faintly.
“This is truly a wonderful place for me.”
His expression became extremely gentle.
Unlike Lucas, whose smile would be instantly apparent, his lips curved ever so slightly in a refined line.
Even without a dramatic expression, I could clearly feel that he was in a good mood.
And yet, my heart tensed even more.
‘As expected, the perfect prince.’
That was Prince Joshua’s reputation.
Unshakable in his work, never revealing extreme emotion, composed in all things.
The soft, cozy atmosphere of the garden reflected his own nature, making him someone I had to be wary of.
‘Not a single bad rumor about him… that’s even more suspicious.’
