Chapter 198

Although the banquet had been planned on short notice, no one questioned it.

After all, when Saint Isis said the banquet must be held tomorrow, it simply had to be held tomorrow.

As expected—no one could resist divine-level brainwashing.

Anyway, everyone in the Winter Palace except the users had thrown themselves into preparations.

“Wow, I was already impressed when I saw your handwriting on the community board, but it’s even more beautiful in person.”

“Oh, no, I just write a little…”

“You’re too modest.”

Tethys, a noble lady who’d volunteered to decorate the outdoor banquet hall, smiled as she passed by and complimented me. Whether due to her buff or just talent, she effortlessly orchestrated the stage setup, delegating like a seasoned general.

My job was simple: write name cards and place them on the tables she assigned.

Easy work—especially considering the servants were outside tearing up floorboards and constructing a stage from scratch. I wasn’t built for physical labor. This was perfect.

I sat at a table, took a deep breath, and started copying names from Tethys’s guest list.

Ding.

[Character Buff “Masterful Copyist” activated.]

I blinked at the system message. It was probably the last time I’d see it.

I bit back a twinge of emotion and focused on my task.

With seventy-nine Young-ae bringing partners, acquaintances, and half the nobility of the continent already quartered at the palace, there were a lot of cards to write.

As I scribbled, the sky dimmed slightly.

Odd. It wasn’t supposed to be evening yet.

Angelica had already set up ambient lighting with her fire ability. The shadows shouldn’t be this deep—

Someone pulled out the chair across from me.

allen.

“…Why are you here, Your Highness?”

“You didn’t come to me, so I had no choice but to come.”

“What?”

What did my not visiting have to do with anything?

allen gave a sigh and a faint, almost teasing smile.

“I told you, if you want me to be jealous, I’ll oblige. But there’s no need for dramatics.”

“What? I wasn’t—just say what you mean.”

I was busy enough without decoding cryptic aristocrat talk.

“I know you’re busy. But let’s talk later.”

She picked up an unused pen.

“Ah—I’ll do it. You don’t have to.”

“Your wrist is sore.”

She made me crazy and then made me feel comforted. I should’ve been annoyed. But I wasn’t.

Maybe because I knew it would be the last time.

I watched her as she quietly helped with the name cards.

Strangely, she was good at it. Efficient. Graceful. It made me smile.

“…Excuse me, Your Highness.”

“Hm?”

“Thank you.”

allen looked up, pen hovering midair.

“…What?”

“For everything.”

I gave her a vague smile.

She blinked, as if unsure how to react. I expected her usual smug smirk, but she just… stared.

It was unfamiliar. Gentle. Unreadable.

Then—

“Miss Daisy.”

Tethys was approaching with a sketch in hand.

“I want to wrap the pillars with vines like this, arrange shrubs here, roses there—oh, but I don’t think it’s possible in two hours.”

Two hours? It’d take days.

She gave a sweet smile.

“Daisy, you’re close to Crown Prince Alex, right? Could you ask him to help?”

Alex.

Lately, I’d been avoiding him—not because he’d done anything wrong, but because I didn’t know how to face him.

Every conversation left me feeling… heavy.

As I hesitated, allen spoke.

“I’ll ask.”

“He wouldn’t listen to you.”

Alex rarely used his ability. Especially not for allen, who had no political weight.

She didn’t argue.

“Still. I’ll try. You’re uncomfortable, so let me help.”

The kindness in her voice caught me off guard.

Apparently, I’d once picked allen as my male lead. I think… I finally understood why.

“No. I’ll go.”

“You really believe he’d use his power for you.”

The way she said it—soft, skeptical—made me pause.

And I realized: I did believe that.

I didn’t reply. allen reached out and brushed my forehead lightly.

“I get it. Just… don’t say things that might cause misunderstandings.”

Cancel that understanding.

Why did past-me pick this guy?

I stood up.

“I’m going.”

She didn’t stop me. Just watched with narrowed, blood-tinged eyes.

“Don’t worry about the name cards. I’ll finish them. Save your time.”

Somehow, that only made me feel more bittersweet.

---

The castle Alex was staying in had clearly been reserved for Autumn Kingdom royalty.

Sap.

My footsteps crunched gently through the grass as I approached. Every step made my chest ache.

My hands clenched. My breath felt tight.

It was just a request.

So why was I so scared?

“You look like someone marching to her execution.”

I jumped.

Alex leaned lazily on the windowsill, his arms folded. His eyes sparkled.

“First time you’ve come to me.”

Then he paused.

“No. You came like this the first time too.”

“…Why are you on the first floor?”

Wait.

I looked around.

No. I wasn’t on the first floor. The earth had risen, sloping upward like a ramp, carrying me to the third-floor window.

“Put me down! No—don’t put me down! Just don’t move!”

I clung to the wall. Alex extended a hand.

“Come in.”

“No!”

“Why not?”

“I’m in a hurry. I just need to ask something.”

He sighed and leaned against the frame, visibly displeased.

“Is that how you ask someone for a favor?”

I didn’t answer.

He didn’t push.

He stepped away from the window.

“Come on.”

“…Where?”

“You came to ask for my ability, didn’t you?”

“How did you—?”

“You need help finishing the banquet decorations. I figured someone smart would send you.”

He smirked.

“Like a guard dog, I waited.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“What for?”

“I took your kindness for granted. But I always appreciated it. Truly.”

Alex looked at me, unreadable.

I continued.

“I want you to be happy.”

“What are you suddenly—?”

I pressed on.

“Be healthy. Be safe. Have a peaceful life. I mean it.”

A part of me was saying goodbye. I knew he couldn’t understand. But I needed to say it.

Alex leaned his head against the pillar.

“If you came with me to the Autumn Palace, I could live like that.”

“That’s why I couldn’t say it.”

I laughed faintly.

“I’m scared you’ll misunderstand. Scared you’ll wait.”

He listened quietly.

“I care about you, Alex. But not the way you want.”

I hesitated, then said the words.

“I can support you as a friend. But I can’t stay.”

Alex nodded slowly.

“Then let me say something too.”

He touched my cheek, gently.

“I’m happy.”

He smiled.

“So don’t worry.”

His voice was soft.

“Just as you wish for me to be happy—I want the same for you.”

He looked away.

“I hope you don’t regret our time together.”

My breath caught.

“I don’t.”

“There were times it scared me… but also times I was happy.”

A breeze stirred the air.

I took a deep breath and added:

“And if you’re happy… then every memory of you will be something I can smile about.”

A silence passed.

My throat tightened.

“I really…”

I didn’t want to leave.

But I had to.

And he let me.