Chapter 25: I took away Yeju's first love.
When Father didn't get up easily, Mother pinched his arm slightly.
'That must have hurt quite a bit.'
Despite that, Father tried to sit up reluctantly. He only got up after Mother poked his back.
Once they left, Aster burst out laughing.
"You two really have a good relationship."
"Right? I think so too. It seems like it would be nice if they lived together again."
"Huh? Ah... I can't help it."
I knew that the reason for my parents' divorce wasn't entirely my fault.
But the fact that it all started with me gave me a strange sense of guilt.
"Princess, you think a lot and worry a lot."
"Seems like my innate personality can't be changed."
We've only met a few times, but for some reason, I feel more relaxed in front of him.
Maybe it's because he's not a target in the game like others.
I turned my gaze to hide my easily stirred heart.
"By the way, when did you learn magic?"
"Ah... Mother just taught me the basics to protect myself."
"Even with just the basics, your talent is really remarkable."
Aster, who said this, was also a powerful magic user. His words made my cheeks puff up, as if he was teasing me.
"Do you make this face when you're angry?"
He looked at me with a playful smile.
The moment I met his deep purple eyes, I remembered the day of the accident.
"Thank you for coming to save me that day. Aster."
"If it weren't for you, Nivea and I would have died."
At my words, Aster's expression changed strangely.
He was silent for a moment before asking me.
"Didn't the princess escape using magic?"
"I hadn't even set out when the incident happened, and when I arrived, the mage had already put out the fire."
"But I remember someone waking me up."
"Did you see their face?"
I shook my head at Aster's question.
"All I remember is that they had eyes the same color as yours."
After a moment of silence, he spoke.
"I found you unconscious in the alley next to the shop."
I stared blankly at Aster.
Perhaps, in my dazed state, I had mixed my memories and dreams, seeing Aster.
But I still had no idea who had saved me from the flames.
Aster gently took my hand.
"Magic, in essence, is a power that grants the caster's deepest desire. Perhaps you moved the magic because you desperately wanted to live."
Seeing his worried expression, I finally snapped out of it.
It was rude to be thinking about other things in front of someone who had come to visit me.
"Yes, I must have been mistaken."
I could investigate the truth of that day later. For now, I needed to focus on Aster.
I shook my head and got up from my seat.
"Let's go for a walk to help with digestion? There's something I want to show you besides the gift from Aster."
To change the mood, I led Aster outside.
When we reached the garden, I showed him the greenhouse I had been tending with Mother.
"You mastered magic with this?"
Aster seemed to find it hard to believe. I understood his skepticism because I had been doubtful at first too.
"Of course, I actually did it."
"Perhaps the princess has an incredible talent."
It wasn't a compliment. Aster's face was full of mischief.
Throughout my explanation of how I planned to tend the greenhouse, Aster kept joking around.
We walked through the garden as the sun stretched and the sky turned red.
His blond hair fluttered in the orange-tinged air every time he laughed.
At that moment, I was certain.
I would remember this moment, filled with the fresh scent of grass after last night's rain, for the rest of my life.
Andrew was on edge due to the Emperor's sudden summons.
He was worried that the defense budget he had barely secured a while ago might be canceled.
Andrew walked down the ornate corridor, trying to clear his mind.
"Welcome, Your Highness."
"Princess Pionea is here, so please wait a moment."
Andrew tried to maintain his composure, pulling at the corners of his mouth.
How much time had passed?
It felt like hours, though it was a short wait.
He could clearly hear Karina's laughter from inside, feeling how happy she was.
He had experienced such days too.
Times when just being together made him happy and joyful.
He shook his head to clear his thoughts.
Soon, the door opened, and Karina came out.
She didn't seem surprised to see him.
Andrew gave a light greeting and watched her leave for a long time.
"His Majesty has summoned you."
Andrew tensed his muscles.
Showing any weakness in front of the Emperor could cost him his head.
"I will enter, Your Majesty."
With a calm voice, Andrew opened the door and entered.
Aster was looking out the window, silent. Andrew waited until he was offered a seat.
'He must be watching Karina leave.'
He didn't need to see to know.
He remembered seeing young Aster running down that road, crying, from his father's lap.
Andrew moistened his lips to erase the bitter feeling.
"Ah, I'm sorry for keeping you waiting."
"Not at all, Your Majesty."
The Emperor finally offered him a seat.
Andrew felt a bit relieved.
If Aster had summoned him to reprimand him, he wouldn't have offered a seat.
He would have stood there for hours, waiting for Andrew to confess his wrongdoings.
"Why did you summon me so urgently?"
"Ah, I think I owe you a debt of gratitude."
It was a good sign that the Emperor was giving him credit.
Andrew loosened his grip slightly.
But he couldn't think of anything he had done that the Emperor would be grateful for.
"I heard you went to Veris Street a few weeks ago."
"Yes? Ah... I went because there was a problem with the boutique run by the Grand Duke's family."
"Right, that day. There was a fire at a dilapidated boutique on your way. Do you remember?"
Andrew clenched his hands again.
He remembered what had happened that day.
He had made sure no one was around and quietly slipped away.
If so, the only possibility was that Karina, the witness, had told the story. Andrew bowed his head to hide his strange excitement.
"Thank you for saving my fiancée. That's why I summoned you."
Aster leaned back in his chair and continued.
"Karina thought the person who helped her was me. But I wasn't there."
The Emperor paused, stroking his chin.
Andrew moistened his dry mouth, watching where his fingers would point.
In the end, he decided to tell the truth first.
"I just helped those in danger on my way."
The Emperor had a strong sense of possession.
Since childhood, the only things he could truly call his own were his body and the position of Crown Prince.
He had shed so much blood and tears to protect that position from countless threats.
Andrew instinctively understood that the Emperor had a strong sense of possession over Karina.
"Yes, yes. I summoned you to praise you, so don't be so tense. I want to give you a reward."
"No, Your Majesty. It was just something I had to do, not a reward."
"Accept it. I will give you jewels and seasonal stones."
Andrew finally accepted his offer, knowing how rare it was to obtain seasonal stones in the empire.
"Then, go. I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but I'm busy."
Andrew stood up and headed for the door.
It felt like walking with my back to a lion.
Just as he grabbed the doorknob, Aster's voice rang out.
"By the way, isn't the boutique run by the Grand Duke's family on the opposite side of the street from where the fire happened?"