I was in the carriage on my way to the imperial palace. Today is the day I have to meet the emperor.

Today I decided to wear something light colored.. When I said that all my maids were surprised cause Salvarina always wore dark colored dresses as it made her look more matured and dignified. I too have been wearing them for the past days so I decided to change into light colored now. I can just switch between them after all. Besides it's quite sunny today so a light colored dress would be more comfortable.

But I'm quite nervous on meeting the emperor.

The emperor, Reynold Remere Rultaz. As I have told before there's nothing significant about the emperor. His face is quite blurry from Salvarina's memories. His description is quite vague. It seems like he's an unimportant character.

"Hey master, look outside it's so pretty" Iglo spoke.

I took him with me since he insisted that he wanted to see the human world.

"The human world is quite amazing" He said with sparkling eyes.

"Hmmm.. I guess so". I didn't explore this world much so I really want to see what else is here. It isn't every day that you get trapped in a fictional world.

The scenery changed and we were just about to enter the palace gates.

"Iglo, you can leave now. I'll summon you after I visit his majesty"

"Alright master"

Just like that Iglo vanished into thin air.

"My lady, we've reached" The coachman said.

I got out of the carriage and saw the imperial palace. Though I have already seen it from Salvarina's memories, I can't help but admire this huge palace. It's really pretty even breathtaking than the Salvair mansion.

I saw a few sculptures which seem to be made of gold.

I was on my way to the palace when the maids told me that the emperor was waiting in the garden. They were going to escort me but I told them off since I wanted to admire this place.

I was walking through the garden admiring it's beauty. As expected of a garden in the imperial palace. The gardener should be paid more.

Around ten minutes had passed and guess what... I'm lost.

I should've let those maids escort me. This damn garden is like a maze!

I heard some ruffling sounds from a bush nearby and I went there to see what it is...

I saw a handsome man with white hair and red eyes.. He had long eyelashes. His face looked so smooth.. He was so beautiful.. He was wearing knight's uniform. I ended up staring at him.

He seems really familiar....

Could it be?

Yes he is....

One of the male leads and harem members! Ronin Castria , the son of the current captain of the imperial knights as well as the next captain. A rare prodigy and a talented swordsman.

The real question is why is he sulking in a corner like that?

Hmmmmm.. It seems that Mirabel rejected him but did he really confess his feelings to her?

Ugh!

Headche... What's with this headache so suddenly!

I felt like my head is about to burst and then an image flashes before my eyes.

It was Ronin covered in blood.. He was dead and the empire was in flames and ruins. Destruction and chaos everywhere.

What is this?

"Lady Salvair?" I heard a voice and looked up to see Ronin.

"Ah.. Sir Ronin" He was looking at me surprised.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

"Yes I am fine" I got up real quickly and patted dust off my dress. Ronin and Salvarina don't hate each other or anything. I don't exactly have any memories of him either. It seems Salvarina didn't even bother conversing with him. Also Salvarina didn't bully Mirabel she threatened her not to be close to that trash prince. There isn't any evidence of that either. Salvarina is surrounded by false accusations spread by the 'one and only crown prince'. So maybe that's why he doesn't hate me or maybe he's just a duty bound knight.

"May I know why you're here, lady Salvair?" Although he's a bit cautious.

"I'm here to meet his majesty" I replied politely.

"Then perhaps are you lost?" He asked.

"Well actually.. yes..." I said while averting my eyes.

"Then I'll escort the lady to his highness" He said in a declared tone.

"If it isn't too troublesome for you" I replied politely.

That's how I ended up walking with Sir Ronin.

The image I saw earlier.. it felt real. I can't shake it up from my mind.

"Lady Salvair?"

"Y-yes?" I got surprised.

"Can I ask you something?" He said while looking down and having a sour expression.

Ask me? What could it be?

"Sure. Go ahead"

"......" For a moment he tried to speak up but was hesitating. I was staring at him.

"It's just that... how did you manage to get over his highness?"

Ah.. I see.. Love advice huh?

I'm not much of a love expert.. I mean in case of that trash prince only the real Salvarina can say something.

But... I got dumped as well.. That bastard Sung Ho! Now that I think about it both of our circumstances are quite similar. I'll give advice to him based on my own personal experience.

"Well.. there are two ways to get over the person you loved" I said while pointing up my two fingers.

"One way is hate. Hate works fast and is quite efficient as well. Hate and love are two sides of the same coin. You can hate the person you love as well as love the person you hate. Quite the irony isn't it?"

When I glanced at him he was looking at me bewildered.

" Eventhough hate worked in my case. I'm not sure if it'll work in yours. "cause buddy you are destined to love her forever.

" Lady Salvair, does that mean you hate his highness? " He asked curiously.

Does Salvarina hate him?... I don't know.... But one for sure I hate him... My feelings for that bastard Sung Ho turned into hate real quick and it seems to be lashing at that trash prince.

"Yes... I spend all those years trying to be perfect for him. I worked hard so that we could be with each other forever and that annoying scum of a prince left me in the dust when he found his true love. Not even caring about what I did for him. Not even bothering to talk to me. Ditching all of his work on to me while he can have fun all day. That useless piece of trash deserves to burn in - "

As I was rambling on I stopped mid sentence as I remembered where I was... I was in fact bad mouthing the crown prince in front of his imperial knight and that too in the imperial palace.

F*ck

I gulped as I slowly glanced at Ronin.

"pft -" His red eyes lit up while he was chuckling.

Damn. It's my first time seeing a handsome man laugh and gosh it looks heavenly. Too bad he belongs to the heroine's harem.

"Lady Salvair, I apologize for laughing out like that" He said while coughing a little.

"Ah.. You don't have to worry about that" I said while trying to smile.

Thank God he didn't arrest me for blasphemy.

"So, what do you think I should do ?" He became all serious.. He was looking down and clenching his fists. His red eyes showing extreme pain.

Ack! Why must a handsome man make such an expression! It's too much for my heart to bear. Such a sad expression doesn't suit his handsome face at all.

Focus... I tried to compose myself.

Should I help him? I mean it would change the plot so.....

Hmmmm... Well... to hell with the plot!

Let's just help this sad puppy.

"So, have you ever confessed your feeling to her?" I asked while glancing at him.

"Uh - well.. I -"He became uneasy..

" You didn't? " I raised my eyebrow.

" Y-yes "He replied being all droopy.

Aww.. A droopy puppy.

"Alright then I know what you have to do... Confess!" I exclaimed.

"But I don't want to burden her with my feelings" He said dejected.

"You know what? You're burdening yourself right now with your feelings. Sir Ronin, if you confess then you'll feel better... you'll feel relieved and you will finally be able to move on"

"R-really?"

"Yes" I said while smiling brightly.

"Even if I know that she will reject me?" He said sadly.

"yes even if she rejects you!"

"I'll try" He muttered.

"What was that Sir Ronin?.. I couldn't hear it well" I said while folding my hands.

"I said I will try" He said confidently.

That's right my lad.. I'm here helping you fight destiny so you better try!

"We're here my lady" Sir Ronin said as I looked around.

Wow time really flies.... I didn't realize when we got here.

"His majesty is waiting for you at the pleasure pavilion near the fountain" He said.

"Thank you for escorting me Sir Ronin"

"No, thank you mylady" He said while bowing a bit.

"I feel a lot relieved when I talked to you" He added.

"I enjoyed conversing with you as well Sir Ronin" I said while smiling.

"I hope to see you again mylady"

"me too and.... don't forget about confession" I whispered the last part.

"Yes, I won't" He said while chuckling a bit.

"Good luck" I said while waving back to him.

Now... It's time to meet his majesty!

♠️