By Zephyria 
The weather was good, as if it had never rained. I walked among the verdant plants and various flowers. The spring flowers, blooming according to the season, were a riot of color, each busy showing off its fragrance.
The shape and form of the greenhouses remained the same, but while I was gone after graduating, the shape of the botanical garden’s lighting and the form of some statues made from blades of grass had changed. Ruben explained the meaning of each topiary and the artist’s biography, which I found interesting.
That wasn’t the only thing that had changed.
Beyond the flower stalks filling a wide open space, a low blue wall snaked around. From the curvilinear walls, which looked like a maze, occasional giggles could be heard. I waved to the Undines who peeked out to watch Ikyun.
The excited Spirits flew around, bouncing water droplets. The droplets, which shone like all sorts of brilliant jewels, soon merged with the wall and sank. They might be cute during the day, but quite eerie at night.
“Wasn’t there originally a fountain here?”
“Yes, that’s right. It was originally where the fountain was. Now that there are more Spirit Masters in the capital, we decided to create a Spirit playground instead of a fountain to create jobs and save Mana Stone energy. There are also claims that children’s affinity with Spirits increases when they run around in this maze.”
“Ah…”
The reason was about three to four times more productive than I had expected.
As I chuckled, Ruben gently took my hand, looking shy.
“The bench where you sat while I went to buy drinks is still there. Do you want to rest for a bit?”
“…Here?”
“Yes.”
I sat down, my face not much different from Ruben’s.
We placed our hands on the seat, overlapping them, and gazed at the fresh sky and the rustling wildflowers. The green, moist with water, looked so deep in color that it seemed closer.
We paused our conversation to listen to the gentle string music.
After laughing and chatting so much, Ruben must be quite thirsty, even if I wasn’t. Concerned, I opened the water bottle the cook had packed with the lunchbox and offered it to him, but Ruben only took the bottle without drinking.
Instead, he whispered in a sweet, dreamlike tone.
“Back then, I never imagined we could be in this kind of relationship.”
“Why?”
“You didn’t seem interested in people. You seemed like you would vanish if the sun shone even a little too brightly. Like morning dew, or a flower that only blooms at night…”
“Even though I liked you from then on.”
“Huh?”
Now I understood why I had laughed so much and been particularly happy while with Ruben.
Before Ruben, startled, could spill the water bottle, I clasped his hand with mine. I found him endearingly cute and pleasant, even as he flinched at my trivial words.
I learned something new again. I liked people who required a lot of attention.
“Of course, I didn’t know it then either. But thinking about it now, I think it’s right that I liked Ruben. I’ve never felt my heart flutter like that when looking at someone.”
“…Even in a past life?”
“Yes. Even if I added up every moment I remember.”
“…”
“You were also the first person whose hands reached out before words.”
Wanting to tease him, I gently tapped his cheek, then tucked his hair behind his ear. I wrapped a few turns of his still-silky hair around my index finger, rolled it, and let go. Then, the child buried himself in my embrace again.
He still couldn’t hold my waist tightly, only clutching the hem of my clothes.
I let him, and draped my arm over Ruben’s shoulder. Then, the child squirmed and moved a little closer into my embrace. Like the spring sunlight pouring from above, the child in my arms also warmed up.
Even though I now possessed skills that far surpassed the Hwagyeong realm and could rival a god, the thrill and flutter in my heart hadn’t changed. Rather, I worried it was getting worse. I could hear my own chest pounding, and Ruben could too. As the child grinned, I let out an embarrassed cough.
Ruben asked.
“How are your classes? Are they manageable?”
“Yes. Lady Kiadris is a better teacher than I expected. I only just realized I’ve been bowing incorrectly all this time. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“Even within the Imperial Palace, there are few people who observe such things meticulously now, Mika. It’s enough if a knight bows properly.”
“Still.”
“To be more honest… I wouldn’t have been able to point out any of your actions, no matter what you did. Because everything seemed fine.”
Even though I, who found everything Ruben did endearing, could immediately spot him using incorrect swordplay or footwork, it was a flimsy excuse. But there was a separate teacher for that, so it was fine.
Speaking of etiquette, a person naturally came to mind.
“Is my mother-in-law… currently in the palace?”
“Yes? She’s in the Sapphire Palace now. The Ruby Palace, where she originally resided, is now meant for my spouse.”
“Sapphire Palace?”
“It’s southwest of the Pearl Palace. The flowers planted last year have bloomed again this year, so it should be quite splendid by the time you visit. Mother likes deep blue flowers.”
Come to think of it, didn’t Ruben say the place he lived in as the Second Prince was the Jade Palace?
“How many buildings are there in the Imperial Palace?”
“It’s not really ‘how many buildings’… The Crystal Palace, where I am now, and the Emperor’s Palace, are collective terms for a cluster of twelve buildings. Single-story buildings are often temporarily constructed for holidays or other events and then removed, so it’s always fluid.”
Twelve? I thought there were about eight.
Ruben looked as if he expected another question, so I quickly asked again.
“All the palaces are named after gemstones. Is there a rule I should know?”
“Not really. They just named them according to the meaning of the gemstones when the Empire established its capital and built the Imperial Palace. The Crystal Palace, where the Emperor resides, signifies eternity, and the Ruby Palace, where the Empress resides, signifies benevolence.”
“And the Jade Palace?”
“The palaces for Princes and Princesses are usually named after gemstones that signify courage, happiness, truth, sincerity… and so on. The place I lived in has also had its name changed a couple of times throughout the generations.”
“Hmm.”
“Why? Why that expression?”
“Well…”
I looked at Ruben, who was pressed close to my shoulder. His smile, lingering on his lips, was so cute that I idly massaged his upper arm a couple of times.
After letting out a shallow sigh, I finally replied.
“I’m curious about how often you and the former Empress meet.”
“…Me and her?”
“Yes.”
“I think I saw her once or twice months ago. Hmm, no, it’s been about three months. I visited her to ask her to give a congratulatory speech at the Academy graduation ceremony.”
“…”
“I should probably go pay my respects soon… Shall we go together after Mika’s etiquette class?”
Living within the same compound, how could they be so distant?
I felt a pang of sympathy for Ruben, who must not have received proper affection from either his father or mother, and my breath caught.
I couldn’t imagine how Ruben would treat his mother. Still, I would have to show proper respect. I worried she might make snide remarks upon seeing her well-raised son taking a husband. What if she objected?
If my father-in-law were alive, I would have offered him a drink and charmed him, but I had no idea how to approach my mother-in-law.
Ruben, with his bright smile, lowered his voice shyly. Ruben’s amiable voice and breath tickled under my chin.
“Once I pay my respects to Mother, we can start preparing for the wedding. The Emperor handles matters of the Empire, but the Empress usually presides over imperial events. Since I had my enthronement ceremony before my wedding, it’s proper for Mother to assist.”
“…Mm.”
“I was thinking of deciding on your wedding attire with Mother, but I wanted to ask her when she visits this time. No, perhaps it would be better if you asked? The ceremony will likely be in the summer, but I’m still debating because I want to use thicker fabric.”
As someone who knew nothing about fabric types, what could I possibly know about thickness?
I simply nodded, but then my fingertips suddenly stiffened. The Empress presides over imperial events. It would be the same even if I became the consort. The thought made me feel distant again.
When I remained silent, Ruben’s eyes widened again, and he made a cute “Why?” sound. I gently stroked his cheek and replied calmly.
“Would it be better to learn how to be a consort from my mother-in-law?”
“Ah.”
Ruben, who could read all my thoughts even with just a hint, smiled even more deeply.
“There’s nothing you can’t do if you set your mind to it, but well…”
Ruben’s hand rested on my thigh. He tapped it as if asking me to hold it, so I willingly intertwined my fingers with his. As I dug deep between his cool, dry fingers and squeezed tightly, a faint blush reappeared on Ruben’s cheeks.
I watched him, thinking he might remain so prettily flushed all day.
Ruben asked.
“Do you want to lead the social parties, Mika?”
“If it’s something I must do, I don’t want to leave it to others.”
“Even though you have other strengths?”
“…The former Emperor wanted a capable Empress, and…”
“That was Beneto, not me. I’ll ask again, Mika. Do you want to lead the social parties yourself?”
“…”
I slowly shook my head.
Even after receiving the memories of the Ninth God, I still couldn’t understand how different patterns of lace evoked different emotions. I paid more attention to the form and color of the Mana flowing through a person’s body than to the names of the gems on their buttons.
Ruben, who had been observing my reaction, whispered kindly.
“I believe the Empire will change quite a bit in the next ten years. New etiquette, new customs will emerge. Countless talented individuals will line up wanting to contribute, so you don’t need to worry in advance.”
“Then what about me?”
“Well… Originally, after granting you the Grimsbein Territory, I planned to court you by traveling between my ducal territory and the capital.”
“Mm.”
“Now… I don’t know. Can’t you just stay by my side?”
As his consort?
That’s a cute joke. As I laughed, something suddenly came to mind.
“Come to think of it, I’ve become able to copy down the spell formulas of the magic the Ninth God used.”
“…Hm?”
“May I use them?”