The evening air remained calm, yet a strange tension lingered within the royal garden.
Prince Alraic's sharp gaze remained fixed on Emma. Though his expression appeared unchanged, there was clear suspicion hidden behind his ocean-blue eyes.
Noticing this, Rosélyn sighed softly.
"Don't worry, Alraic. Emma only tripped. It's nothing serious."
She shot him a warning glance.
Alraic raised an eyebrow.
"Stop giving me that look."
"What look?"
"Those old cat-eye glares of yours." A teasing smile appeared on his lips. "It doesn't work when your eyes still look more like a frightened deer."
Rosélyn's eyes widened.
"You—! Who gave you the right to call me—"
She suddenly stopped mid-sentence after remembering Emma was standing nearby.
A faint blush appeared on her face.
"Sorry. It's just an old habit. We aren't arguing."
Emma let out a soft chuckle.
"It's alright. It actually seems like the two of you are very close."
Her blue eyes flickered between them.
"I heard you've known each other since childhood?"
Her voice remained sweet and innocent.
Yet for some reason, something about it felt strangely unsettling.
Rosélyn smiled politely.
"Well, yes, but—"
"That's none of your business."
Alraic's cold voice cut through the conversation before she could finish.
The atmosphere instantly grew awkward.
Emma visibly stiffened beneath the prince's gaze.
"O-Oh... I understand."
For a moment, silence settled between them.
Emma lowered her eyes and offered a small smile.
"I should return now. I hope we'll meet again tomorrow at the banquet."
Alraic didn't bother responding.
Rosélyn, however, nodded politely.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
Emma curtsied gracefully before leaving the garden path.
Rosélyn watched her disappear among the rose bushes before turning back toward Alraic.
"I should go as well."
She picked up her journal.
"See you tomorrow."
Before she could take another step, Alraic reached out and gently patted her head.
Rosélyn froze.
"Whatever," he said casually. "Just don't get lost in the garden again."
Her face immediately darkened.
"I got lost one time."
"It was three times."
"It was not."
"It was."
Rosélyn glared at him one final time before turning around and walking away.
Alraic watched her leave until her figure disappeared beyond the palace gates.
Only then did his relaxed expression vanish.
He lifted a hand slightly.
A shadow emerged from behind the nearby hedges.
Moments later, a young knight stepped into the fading sunlight.
It was Enzo Etman, the Crown Prince's personal knight.
His neatly kept brown hair reflected the golden evening light, while his light-brown eyes carried their usual calm expression. Dressed in a perfectly tailored black uniform, he stood with quiet confidence, his sword resting neatly at his side.
Despite his professional appearance, there was a gentle warmth about him that made him seem approachable.
Enzo bowed respectfully.
"Good evening, Your Highness."
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"Lady Rosélyn seems rather upset with you."
"I'll deal with that later."
Alraic's gaze shifted toward the direction Emma had gone.
His expression turned serious.
"Find out everything you can about Lady Emma."
Enzo blinked.
"Everything?"
"Everything."
The prince's voice was calm.
Cold.
Certain.
"I want a full report by tomorrow."
Enzo straightened immediately.
"As you wish, Your Highness."
Without another word, he disappeared back into the shadows.
The garden slowly fell silent.
White rose petals drifted across the empty stone pathways as the last rays of sunlight disappeared beyond the horizon.
Somewhere within the palace walls, a girl named Emma smiled.
And without anyone realizing it—
The tragedy had already begun.
To Be Continued...