After Bitian’s visit, Seraphina couldn’t sleep all night.
Under the moonlight streaming through the window, she sat at her worktable, lost in thought.
The fact that Kyirus had learned her true identity.
That he had come to rescue her eight years ago.
Bitian’s increasingly blatant suspicions.
Everything was changing rapidly.
“We don’t have much time left,”
she murmured to herself.
Now, she and Kyirus had to work together to find evidence against Bitian.
And with the visit of Princess Meridia just two weeks away, they had to hurry.
Seraphina let out a deep sigh.
Dawn was breaking.
She walked to the window and gazed at the rising sun.
“What kind of day awaits us today…?”
—
After breakfast, Seraphina headed to Kyirus’s garden—
they had agreed to meet there.
On the way, she ran into Bitian in the corridor.
“Lady Mist, good morning.”
Bitian’s gaze was still sharp.
“Good morning, Your Grace,”
Seraphina replied calmly.
“Where are you off to today?”
Bitian asked.
“I’m headed to the Emperor’s steward—to examine herbs for a perfume I’m developing.”
Bitian nodded slowly.
“I see… You must mean what is also known as the ‘Aldemir Garden,’ yes?”
Seraphina’s heart skipped a beat.
He knew the name of the garden. He had said it deliberately.
“I… I’ve only heard it called the garden.”
she replied cautiously.
Bitian smiled slowly.
“There are many secrets in the palace, but all secrets are revealed in time, don’t you think, Lady Mist?”
Seraphina struggled to keep her composure.
“Perhaps so. If you’ll excuse me.”
She bowed politely and walked away.
She could feel Bitian’s piercing gaze on her back.
—
When she arrived at the garden, she was still shaken.
Kyirus was already there.
“What happened? You look pale,”
he said with concern.
Seraphina told him everything.
Kyirus’s expression darkened.
“If Bitian knows the name of that garden… he’s monitoring us.”
He fell into deep thought.
“We have to be more careful. And act faster.”
Seraphina nodded.
“Where should we start looking for evidence?”
Kyirus sat on a bench.
“I thought about it last night. There might be secret correspondence between Bitian and my father. Those letters were likely kept in the royal archive’s restricted section.”
Seraphina’s interest was piqued.
“The secret archive… can we get access?”
Kyirus nodded.
“I’m the emperor—I can enter. But Bitian may be watching it closely. We need to plan carefully.”
Seraphina considered it.
“Going at night might be best. And… my perfume might help.”
Kyirus looked curious.
“What do you mean?”
Seraphina took out a small vial.
“This is called Whispers of the Shadow. It clouds one’s focus and causes temporary confusion.”
Kyirus’s eyes widened.
“A perfume that powerful?”
Seraphina nodded.
“It’s one of the Aldemir family’s secret formulas. Most perfumes influence emotions and memory, but this one affects perception itself.”
Kyirus was amazed.
“Incredible. Then let’s go tonight. Meet me in my private office at midnight.”
Their plan was set.
Suddenly, they heard footsteps.
Kyirus and Seraphina tensed, scanning their surroundings.
“Who’s there?”
Kyirus called out quietly.
A figure emerged from behind a tree.
“Your Majesty, it’s me.”
Kyirus relaxed.
“Roan. What is it?”
Roan approached, looking anxious.
“Duke Bitian has assembled a special envoy. Officially, it’s to prepare for Princess Meridia’s visit… but…”
He paused and glanced at Seraphina.
“In truth, it’s to investigate Lady Mist’s past.”
Seraphina turned pale.
“How?”
Kyirus asked.
“He sent people to the southern coastal villages to trace her origins. And…”
Roan hesitated.
“He’s trying to locate surviving servants of the Aldemir family.”
Seraphina’s chest tightened.
If Bitian found the loyal servant who helped her escape that night, her identity would be fully exposed.
“How much does he know?”
Kyirus asked.
“There’s no hard evidence yet. But after finding nothing during the search of Lady Mist’s workshop yesterday, he’s become more certain.”
Seraphina fell silent, deep in thought.
“If he finds my servant…”
Kyirus took her hand.
“Don’t worry. We’ll find him first.”
Roan asked,
“What is the servant’s name?”
Seraphina searched her memory.
“Berne… We called him Grandpa Berne. He was a long-time butler in our household.”
Roan nodded.
“I’ll look into it. I’m confident I can find him before Bitian does.”
Kyirus gave his thanks.
“Thank you, Roan. Be careful.”
After Roan left, Kyirus and Seraphina continued their discussion.
“Now we have two missions,”
Seraphina said.
“To find evidence in the secret archive and to locate Berne.”
Kyirus nodded.
“We’ll have to move quickly.”
He sighed deeply.
“And with Princess Meridia’s visit approaching…”
Seraphina asked cautiously,
“Will the engagement really proceed?”
Kyirus’s eyes hardened with resolve.
“No. I won’t accept it. But for now, Bitian must believe I will.”
He squeezed her hand.
“My feelings haven’t changed, Seraphina—not in eight years. And they never will.”
Tears welled in her eyes.
“But if it’s for the Empire…”
Kyirus shook his head.
“The Empire needs a ruler who speaks the truth. How could marrying someone I don’t love help anyone?”
Seraphina smiled faintly.
But her smile quickly faded.
“Kyirus, if we fail to find the evidence… if I can’t restore my family’s honor…”
Kyirus cut her off.
“We will succeed. I promise.”
They looked at each other.
Though eight years had passed, their hearts had remained the same.
Kyirus slowly stepped closer to her.
His hand gently cupped her face. His touch was warm, and the warmth spread to her chest.
“I won’t lose you again.”
he whispered. His breath brushed her lips.
Seraphina’s heart pounded like it had the first time they met.
It was as if the past eight years vanished in an instant.
Their lips met.
Soft and cautious at first—
then deeper, more desperate.
Kyirus’s hand wrapped around her waist. Seraphina instinctively placed her hand on his shoulder.
Lost in his embrace and scent, she felt herself melt.
Their kiss held eight years of longing, sorrow, and the promise of a new beginning.
Like the vow made under a starlit sky so long ago—
Time itself seemed to stop.
Suddenly, a voice rang from beyond the garden.
“Your Majesty! Are you there?”
They broke apart abruptly.
“I’m here!”
Kyirus called.
A courtier entered the garden.
“Your Majesty, Duke Bitian requests your immediate presence. Princess Meridia’s visit has been rescheduled.”
Kyirus’s face hardened.
“When?”
“A week from now, Your Majesty.”
Seraphina and Kyirus exchanged startled glances.
Their time had just been cut in half.
“Understood. I’ll be there shortly.”
After the courtier left, Kyirus turned to Seraphina.
“Bitian is speeding things up. We have to hurry too.”
Seraphina nodded.
“Let’s meet at the archive tonight.”
Kyirus squeezed her hand one last time.
“Be careful, Seraphina. Bitian is becoming more dangerous.”
He left the garden, and Seraphina remained alone.
She slowly sat on a bench.
Princess Meridia’s visit had been moved forward.
This was surely Bitian’s doing—
Trying to pressure Kyirus into rushing, to make mistakes.
Seraphina took a deep breath.
‘There’s really no time now.’
She had to return to her workshop and prepare for tonight.
They had to find the evidence in the secret archive.
—
That evening, Seraphina was preparing her perfumes in the workshop.
In addition to Whispers of the Shadow, she had created another:
Key of Memory.
This one enhanced old memories, bringing them vividly to the surface.
If they found related documents in the archive, this might help Kyirus remember key details.
There was a knock at the door.
Seraphina tensed.
“Come in.”
Elena entered.
“Lady Mist, are you alright? I was worried—you weren’t seen all day.”
Seraphina smiled.
“I’m fine, Elena. Just focused on perfume-making.”
Elena glanced around.
“You seem different—more alive.”
Seraphina kept her tone casual.
“Really? Maybe it’s the new perfume. Scents can affect mood, you know.”
Elena smiled faintly, but her eyes still held suspicion.
“I see. Oh, and His Majesty asked me to give you this.”
She handed Seraphina a small box.
“Thank you.”
Elena glanced around once more, then lowered her voice.
“Be careful, Lady Mist. Duke Bitian is asking a lot of questions about you… especially—”
She leaned in.
“—about your past and your mask.”
Seraphina remained composed.
“Thank you for the warning, Elena. I’ll be careful.”
After Elena left, Seraphina opened the box.
Inside was a small key and a note.
> “Key to the secret archive.
Come at midnight—through the passage behind the east fireplace. —K”
Seraphina gripped the key tightly.
As she waited for nightfall, she sank into thought.
If they succeeded tonight, Bitian’s plot would be exposed.
And her family’s honor could finally be restored.
But if they failed…
She pushed the thought away.
Failure was not an option.
Darkness deepened outside the window.
Seraphina packed the necessary perfumes in her bag and made final preparations.
Midnight was approaching.
Midnight was approaching.
The time to uncover the truth had come.
[To be continued…]
