After everything that happened, Cess noticed a change in her mistress. Princess Zuleika seemed to smile more often now—even when she thought no one was watching. But Cess wasn't the only one who noticed. Even Captain Rhys had caught on.
"Do you think our Highness has gone crazy?" Cess whispered.
"Wasn't she already crazy from the start?" Captain Rhys whispered back.
"I can hear the both of you!" Zuleika shot back, glaring at them.
But her attendants only laughed, unbothered. And truthfully, Zuleika didn't deny it. Ever since Aquila had apologized, her days felt lighter, easier… almost peaceful.
"Your Highness, we'll leave three days from now. Would you like to buy another souvenir before we go?" Rhys asked.
"No need, I think we already have enough," Zuleika said calmly.
"Ah… Your Highness," Cess added softly, "the Crown Prince has sent another invitation for tea time."
At that, both Rhys and Zuleika frowned.
"He never stops," Rhys muttered, arms tucked behind his back.
Zuleika only sighed.
...…
The tea was served as usual, the fragrance soft in the quiet air. Across from her, Crown Prince Matthew picked up his cup, staring into the brew before taking a sip.
"Time flies so quickly," he murmured.
"I agree," Zuleika replied simply.
Matthew's gaze sharpened on her. "Still haven't changed your mind?"
"I apologize, Your Highness," she answered. That was all she gave him.
His eye twitched—barely, but it was there. He exhaled audibly, trying to restrain his irritation. "Understood."
He looked calm, but Zuleika could see the frustration simmering beneath. After all, for three long months, he had been trying—relentlessly—to win her over. His charms, his efforts, his persistence… none of it had worked. It was only natural that he felt bitter, especially with the Emperor waiting to scold him for every failure.
"Well, I suppose that's it," Matthew finally said, a smile pulling at his lips though his eyes did not match.
"Yes… thank you for your time and effort," Zuleika replied softly.
He only hummed in return, and the two of them sat in silence, sipping tea that felt far colder than it should.
When the tea was done, Zuleika followed her usual routine—wandering the palace grounds as though something new might appear. Inevitably, her steps carried her to the same garden, the one she always found herself drawn to.
Because here, she always found Aquila.
The thought made her smile before she even saw her. And sure enough, there she was: Princess Aquila, sleeves rolled up, hair tied back, wearing gardener's gloves as she crouched in the soil, planting a seed with steady hands.
Zuleika tiptoed closer, hoping to catch her off guard. But before she could—
"What."
Zuleika jumped. "Urgh! How'd you know?" she pouted.
"Because you're already noisy even when you're still a few paces away," Aquila replied flatly, not bothering to glance at her, eyes fixed on the seedling.
Zuleika crouched beside her, curious. "What is that?"
"Sunflower seeds," Aquila muttered.
"Oh, you like them?"
"Not really."
"Then what's your favorite flower?"
Aquila paused mid-movement, then finally turned her gaze toward Zuleika. Those crimson eyes were wide with innocent curiosity, waiting.
"Scarlet sage."
Zuleika frowned. "What the hell is that?"
Aquila sighed and finally set the trowel down, brushing dirt from her gloved hands.
"Scarlet sage," she repeated, almost as if testing whether Zuleika would even care to hear it. Her voice carried that usual bluntness, yet beneath it was something softer.
Zuleika leaned in, waiting.
"It's a flower that burns red like fire," Aquila explained at last. "Fragile, small, yet it grows stubbornly in the wild. Even in poor soil, even under harsh sun, it keeps blooming. It doesn't care who looks at it—it just keeps standing tall."
Zuleika blinked at her, then tilted her head. "So… it's stubborn like you?"
Aquila's brow twitched. "Idiot. I'm saying it's a flower that survives where others wither."
Zuleika grinned, biting back a laugh. "Mm, still sounds like you."
Aquila ignored her teasing, picking up her tools again. But her words lingered, hanging in the warm air like an aftertaste.
"Ah…" Zuleika finally nodded, pretending to understand though her crimson eyes sparkled mischievously.
Then Aquila shot her a side glance.
"What about you?"
"Me?" Zuleika blinked, confused.
"What's your favorite flower, idiot."
"Oh. A blue lily," she said casually.
Aquila froze. Completely.
Zuleika tilted her head. "What? What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Aquila muttered quickly. She shoved herself to her feet, glaring down at Zuleika as if to cover her slip. "If you have time to disturb me, then make yourself useful. Here."
She tossed a spare pair of gloves at Zuleika.
Zuleika caught them with ease, still pouting. "Urgh." But despite her groan, she slipped the gloves on anyway.
Aquila crouched again, patting the soil firmly around the stem. She handed Zuleika a small spade.
"Hold it steady," Aquila instructed, her tone clipped but careful. "You dig just enough for the seed, not too deep or it'll suffocate. Then cover it gently, let the soil breathe. Plants are stubborn, but they still need air."
Zuleika mimicked her movements, tongue peeking out in concentration as she tried. The seed slipped once from her fingers, rolling onto the dirt.
"Clumsy," Aquila muttered, scooping it back and pressing it into Zuleika's palm. "Again. Careful this time."
Zuleika puffed her cheeks, pouting. "You're bossy."
"And you suck." But Aquila's lips twitched faintly, betraying amusement.
They worked in silence for a few moments until Zuleika spoke again, curiosity soft in her voice.
"Where did you even learn all this?"
Aquila paused. The spade in her hand stilled mid-turn, her gaze locked on the soil as though the answer were buried there. For a moment, Zuleika thought she wouldn't reply.
Then, quietly—"My mother."
The air shifted, heavier. Zuleika felt it immediately. Her eyes softened, but she did not press further. Instead, she lowered her gaze to her hands, pretending to focus on the soil.
Aquila noticed. She glanced sideways at Zuleika, at the slight slump in her shoulders, the hesitation in her fingers. And for once, Aquila let herself smile—small, secretive.
"She used to say gardening was like raising a child," Aquila continued suddenly, her voice lighter now, as if to chase away the weight. "You give them room to grow, but you still keep watch so they don't wither."
Zuleika blinked, then let out a small laugh. "That… actually sounds sweet."
Aquila huffed, looking away. "It was annoying. She would drag me out to the garden at dawn. Said the morning sun was the best for seedlings. I hated it back then."
Zuleika giggled softly, covering her mouth. "But now you're the one dragging me into it."
Aquila's ears burned faintly red. "Tch. Don't misunderstand. I just don't want you messing it up."
Zuleika tilted her head, smiling knowingly. "Sure, sure. You sound exactly like her."
For a heartbeat, Aquila stilled. Then she exhaled through her nose, a half-sigh, half-laugh. She didn't argue.
The two of them stayed like that—knees brushing the earth, hands dirtied, laughter mingling softly in the summer air. And though no one said it aloud, the memory of Athena, the Empress, lingered between them—woven not in grief, but in the gentle rhythm of planting seeds together.
Now that they were done planting, the two of them sat on the bench in the garden.
Zuleika immediately slumped down, throwing her head back with a loud groan as if she were some weary adult after a long day's labor.
"Ugh… I'm exhausted," she muttered dramatically.
Aquila, in stark contrast, sat perfectly upright—back straight, shoulders poised, hands resting neatly on her lap. Not a hair out of place, as if she hadn't just been working in the dirt.
"In three days, I will go back to Nexus," Zuleika said suddenly, her eyes fixed on the bright stretch of sky above them.
Aquila's lips parted, her gaze sliding toward her. "…Right. It's only a matter of time," she murmured.
"You'll miss me, won't ya?" Zuleika teased, shifting her head just enough to glance at Aquila.
That earned her an immediate glare, Aquila's lips curling into an expression of pure disgust.
Zuleika pouted. "Okay, probably not…" she muttered, voice dropping like a sulky child. Then, brightening again, she added, "But it was fun though! Even when your attitude pissed me off sometimes."
Aquila said nothing. Her eyes remained fixed on the few blooming flowers in front of them, expression unreadable.
"Before you leave…" Aquila finally broke the silence, her tone quiet but firm.
Zuleika turned toward her at once, curious.
"You should come to my chamber."
Zuleika blinked. Once. Twice. Then very slowly, in exaggerated theatrics, she clutched the front of her clothes tightly against her chest.
Aquila turned fully to face her, her eyes narrowing in utter disgust. "There is something I want to give you," she clarified, voice dry with irritation.
"Ohh, a gift?" Zuleika perked up instantly, leaning forward like an eager child.
"Hmm. Could be," Aquila replied vaguely, her face betraying nothing.
"Urgh, you're so secretive," Zuleika complained, frowning and puffing her cheeks.
"And you're so childish. Need I remind you—you are two years older than me," Aquila retorted, one brow arching high.
"Who cares?" Zuleika shot back, sticking her tongue out like a child.
Aquila pinched the bridge of her nose and rolled her eyes skyward. "Infuriating…"
Zuleika smirked, clearly enjoying herself. "Admit it—you like me this way. It keeps you from being a boring, uptight flower pot."
Aquila snapped her head toward her, scandalized. "A flower pot?!"
"Mmhm." Zuleika nodded innocently. "Stiff, still, and only looks nice when someone else puts effort into it."
Aquila's jaw dropped slightly, her pride wounded. "You—! Do you ever hear yourself speak?"
"All the time." Zuleika grinned. "And honestly, I sound delightful."
Aquila exhaled sharply through her nose, muttering, "Delusional."
"And you're grumpy," Zuleika teased, leaning closer until their shoulders brushed.
Aquila stiffened, glaring sidelong at her. "Stop that."
"Stop what?" Zuleika asked innocently, widening her eyes in mock confusion.
"Getting too close," Aquila hissed, shifting away.
Zuleika only leaned in further, her grin widening. "Why? Afraid I'll bite?"
"Afraid you'll never shut up," Aquila shot back coldly, though the faintest twitch of her lips betrayed her restraint from smiling.
Zuleika gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. "Cold! Heartless! And here I was, thinking we were bonding."
Aquila finally allowed the smallest smirk to appear. "If this is your idea of bonding, I'd rather be left alone."
"Too bad," Zuleika said cheerfully. "You're stuck with me until I leave."
Zuleika suddenly sat up straighter, her eyes widening as though she'd just remembered something important.
"Oh—Aquila," she blurted out, turning to face her. "Why did you kiss me back then in the dressing room?"
Aquila froze. Her back stiffened, her head snapped forward, and for a second, even her breath seemed caught in her throat. Then, slowly, she turned her gaze away, biting her lower lip.
I can't tell her I was just… finding out how it felt to kiss a girl… right?
She exhaled, pretending to be unbothered. "…Why are you suddenly bringing that up?"
"Because!" Zuleika pouted, folding her arms. "It's been bugging me. You—you kissed me first! Don't think I forgot!"
Aquila narrowed her eyes, smirking faintly. "And? You didn't exactly pull away."
Zuleika gasped. "That's—that's not the point!"
"Sounds like it is the point." Aquila's smirk widened ever so slightly.
"I—I was just too shocked to move!" Zuleika insisted, her cheeks heating up.
"Shocked, hmm?" Aquila murmured thoughtfully, tilting her head. Then she suddenly leaned in, her face closing the space between them until Zuleika froze like a deer caught in torchlight.
Her voice dropped, laced with teasing mischief. "Why? Do you want me to do it again?"
Zuleika's lips pursed tight, her eyes going wide as her face turned crimson—so red she looked like she might combust.
"You—you—you—!" she stammered, hands flying up as if to push Aquila away but finding no courage to actually touch her.
Aquila leaned back casually, utterly amused, and for the first time in a while, a genuine laugh slipped past her lips. Low, warm, and unrestrained.
Zuleika buried her face in her hands, groaning. "Urrgh! You're so annoying!"
Aquila chuckled again, still watching her with that rare light in her eyes. "And you're too easy to tease. You look like a tomato."
Zuleika peeked between her fingers, pouting furiously. "A very pretty tomato!"
That only made Aquila laugh harder, much to Zuleika's flustered despair.