TEFF02

Chapter  2:

Memories from Eight Years Ago

After the visit, Seraphina returned to her room and sat at her desk.

The lights of the imperial palace outside the window sparkled like stars in the night sky.

Her heart beat anxiously at the thought that she would be entering that place tomorrow.

“Cairos… did he truly not recognize me?”

Seraphina took out a small, old box from her drawer.

It was something she had cherished most dearly for the past eight years.

With trembling hands, she opened the box, revealing a small, silver brooch in the shape of a flower.

It was a piece of jewelry modeled after the “Starflower of the Night Sky,” the symbol of the Astiria royal family.

Clutching the brooch to her chest, she closed her eyes—slowly returning to the memories of the past…

—

Eight years ago, in the imperial palace of the Astiria Empire.

“Seraphina, what are you doing here?”

Seventeen-year-old Seraphina was in a hidden corner of the palace garden, mixing herbs at her secret spot.

She smiled warmly at the sound of Crown Prince Cairos’s voice.

“Your Highness, you’re here.”

Cairos, as always, seemed displeased by her formal address.

“When it’s just us, can’t you call me ‘Cai’? Hearing ‘Your Highness’ from you always feels like there’s a wall between us.”

Though only twenty-two, Cairos was already the most likely successor to the throne.

He bore the heavy burden of high expectations and responsibility, but when he was with Seraphina, he could be his true self.

“All right, Cai,” Seraphina said shyly with a smile.

“I was making a new fragrance. Using the method my mother taught me.”

The House of Aldemir had passed down knowledge of perfumes and herbs for generations.

Especially Seraphina’s mother, who was famed as the greatest perfumer in the empire.

Cairos sat beside her, watching her work with great interest.

He had always shown a deep curiosity in what she did.

“What kind of scent is this one?”

“I haven’t named it yet. But I want it to evoke someone’s most precious memory when they smell it.”

Cairos smiled.

“Your perfumes are always special. They don’t just smell nice—they move the heart.”

Because the Aldemir family was close to the royal family, Seraphina often visited the palace.

What began as simple childhood friendship gradually blossomed into something deeper as they grew older.

“Seraphina,” Cairos called softly, his tone serious.

“There’s something I want to show you.”

He pulled a small box from his pocket.

When he opened it, a silver starflower brooch glittered inside.

Seraphina gasped.

“This is…”

“It’s the symbol of the Astiria royal family. I made it myself—for you.”

She looked stunned.

“You made it… yourself?”

Cairos nodded.

“I wanted to learn how to create something too. Watching you pour your heart into making perfumes inspired me.”

He took the brooch and pinned it to her dress.

As his fingers brushed her shoulder, Seraphina felt her heart race.

“This brooch is a promise, Seraphina.”

His voice lowered.

“When I become emperor, I want you by my side.”

Seraphina didn’t immediately grasp the meaning behind his words.

“As the royal perfumer?” she asked innocently.

Cairos chuckled softly and shook his head.

“No… as my empress.”

Her eyes widened, and she was left speechless.

“I can’t formally propose yet. My father has strong opinions about whom I should marry. But I’ve made up my mind. My heart will not change.”

He gently took her hand in his.

It was warm and firm.

“Think of this as a secret engagement for now. This brooch is our promise.”

Still in shock, Seraphina slowly nodded.

Tears of joy welled up in her eyes.

“I promise, Cai. I’ll always support you—by your side.”

Cairos leaned in slowly and kissed her softly.

It was Seraphina’s first kiss.

In that moment, she believed she would treasure the memory for the rest of her life.

But happiness didn’t last long.

Only a week after their engagement, Seraphina’s world crumbled.

In the deep of night, screams and flames engulfed the Aldemir estate.

The imperial guards stormed in without warning, arresting the entire family on charges of treason.

“House Aldemir is hereby charged with conspiracy to assassinate His Majesty the Emperor!”

At the commander’s declaration, Seraphina looked on in disbelief.

Her parents had always been loyal to the throne.

Especially her father, who was the emperor’s longtime friend and advisor.

“This is a mistake! Our family would never plot such a thing!”

Her desperate cries went unheard.

She could only watch helplessly as her parents were dragged away.

In the chaos, only one person filled her mind.

Cairos… Cairos will set things right.

But that night, she never saw him.

Instead, from a distance, she caught the cold gaze of Grand Duke Vitian, Cairos’s uncle.

His faint smile seemed to take delight in the unfolding tragedy.

In the turmoil of the arrest, only Seraphina managed to escape—thanks to the help of a loyal servant.

“My lady, you must flee! This is clearly a conspiracy. But for now, survival is all that matters!”

The servant handed her a small bag.

Inside were a few gold coins and simple tools to conceal her identity.

Seraphina took one last look at her room.

With trembling hands, she tucked the brooch Cairos had given her into her chest.

“Cai…” her lips trembled.

“Why didn’t you come?”

That night, Seraphina left the empire.

The next morning, her parents and family were publicly executed as traitors.

Rumors said Crown Prince Cairos had watched the execution among the crowd.

Afterward, the Aldemir family’s assets were seized, and their name erased from imperial history.

A week ago, they had been close to the throne—an esteemed noble house.

In a single night, they became enemies of the state.

Seraphina fled to the outskirts of the empire and began a new life.

Using the perfume-making skills taught by her mother, she slowly rebuilt her reputation.

She created a new identity for herself: Lady Mist.

For eight years, she prepared to uncover the truth.

And now, she had returned to Astiria—for justice and revenge.

“Even after eight years… that night remains crystal clear.”