They arrived at the Imperial Palace
without a single incident.
Yet neither the Emperor nor the Empress came down to greet their son,
or even to ask about him.
After I looked at them in surprise, it all felt strangely ordinary.
They were calm—too calm—and everyone simply went where they pleased.
Yes… I should have noticed their coldness toward him,
especially when they hadn't congratulated him for the celebration a few days ago.
"Follow me."
Raphael's voice rang out as he walked ahead,
ordering Haniul and Mariana to follow him,
while Rora and I carried their luggage.
It wasn't fair, but it was practical—
and the vacation wouldn't last long anyway.
Raphael began by showing them the palace.
"The top floor belongs to the Emperor.
No one enters without an invitation.
The stairs on the right lead to the servants' quarters.
The stairs on the left lead to the library, my office,
and other rooms I'll assign to Mariana for her work.
Seongjin will guide you to the knights' quarters, Haniul.
Downstairs is the kitchen—obvious enough.
My office will be two rooms away from yours, Mariana.
If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
"Your Highness, may I ask something?"
Haniul spoke politely. Raphael nodded.
"My sister will clearly be useful to you,
but why exactly did you choose me?
I'm not opposed—just curious."
Raphael turned with a half-smile.
"I felt you would be useful.
And that you'd serve me in a way that benefits the Empire."
"So you made your decision based on a feeling?"
Mariana interrupted, surprised.
Raphael nodded.
"It's natural to question that,
but trusting my intuition has always paid off.
I see potential worth cultivating."
He bowed slightly, pride clear in his smile.
Mariana let out a quiet laugh, and Raphael smiled back.
"Good.
The siblings get along well—this will work."
Two weeks later—
His days were sweet and bitter at once.
Work and rest.
Play and seriousness.
Nothing particularly important happened—
except Jin-ho's constant attempts to remember.
Small fragments flickered in his mind,
lighting up briefly like stars, then vanishing again
in a black sky.
Meanwhile, Seongjin helped Haniul adapt.
He was remarkably introverted here—
quiet, observant—
unlike at home, where he was loud and sarcastic.
Still, he adjusted.
He spoke more comfortably with Seongjin,
and blended better with the other knights.
…
The Duke's arrival drew near.
Everything was proceeding according to Jin-ho's plan.
With his polite demeanor,
he won everyone over.
He became the kind man
no one could easily suspect.
A new day dawned,
its warmth settling gently into people's souls.
Mariana finally decided to leave the palace.
She went to Raphael for permission.
After knocking and entering—
"Oh, Mari. What do you need?"
"I'd like to go out today."
Raphael frowned slightly.
"You may do as you wish. Just don't be late."
"May I take them with me again, please?"
She asked softly, knowing she meant Rora and Jin-ho.
Raphael wasn't opposed—
the nearby areas were safe.
"You may.
Just don't get into trouble."
He opened a drawer and handed her a silver ring
engraved with the imperial crest.
"If you wish to buy anything, show this to the merchant."
She hesitated.
"I have my own money…"
"Take it. Use it if needed."
She sighed, slipped it into her pocket, thanked him, and left
She dressed—wearing the clothes Raphael had made for her from the bear's hide.
Wide brown trousers,
a white shirt reaching mid-thigh,
and a matching jacket.
She descended the stairs.
Everyone saw her—
stunning.
"Rora, can you come with me?"
"Coming, my lady!"
Rora hurried over, happy to escape kitchen duties.
Jin-ho was bent over, scrubbing the stairs—
more torture than cleaning.
She stopped before him.
"Do you want to come wi—"
Before she finished,
he ripped the cleaning cloth off his chest
and bolted to his room to change.
Like a prisoner told he'd be released today.
Rora stifled a laugh.
Mariana smiled and waited.
He returned faster than her, visibly energized.
"Servant life really is unbearable," she thought.
"Perhaps being born as a duke's daughter is a blessing."
They left together.
Seongjin turned at the sound of footsteps.
Jin-ho's eyes softened.
Behind him appeared Haniul,
clearly judging Jin-ho's sudden enthusiasm.
"Where are you headed?" Seongjin asked, bowing.
"To shop and relax," Mariana replied.
"Want company?" Haniul called.
"No. Stay where you are," Jin-ho muttered.
Haniul cursed under his breath.
"You'll be late?" Seongjin asked.
She shook her head apologetically and continued on
"Feed Rodo with you," Jin-ho whispered as he passed.
"Is that an order?" Seongjin replied.
"If you take it as one, I'd be proud."
Jin-ho laughed crookedly and exited.
Seongjin sighed dramatically—
then realized Haniul had vanished.
"…Damn you both."
Their walk among the people felt like a red carpet parade for celebrities.
No one could take their eyes off them—neither Mariana, Jinho, nor Rora
It was as if they were a music band moving through a crowd,
or even a naked person deciding to stroll boldly in public.
It was suffocating, but they decided to stay calm and hide any irritation, ignoring the rudeness of some uncultured onlookers.
A long time passed until they reached their destination: a neighborhood filled with some stores selling clothes and other goods.
The streets were clean, the shops were large and painted in soft colors that were easy on the eyes.
Some trees and shrubs lined the edges of the streets, adding beauty,
and at the end of the path, a flower shop gave off a subtle fragrant aroma, even without approaching it.
As they began walking through the neighborhood, they saw a child running to cling to Mariana's feet.
He was short, and some cloths wrapped around him barely shielded him from the cold.
A bandage was wrapped around his left eye, stained with dirt to hide what he thought were disfiguring wounds.
He lifted his head to look at her with pleading eyes, not wanting to be left alone.
He was too beautiful to be found wandering in the streets.
His hair was short and white, his eyes yellow, glistening with tears, and his pale skin marked with bruises and cuts.
Rora picked him up to move him away from Mariana.
But he buried his head into her neck, refusing to separate from them
He wanted to stay with them, assuming that since they wore fine clothes, they could help him.
"Hey little one, can you tell me what happened?" Mariana asked, approaching him.
Jinho sighed and stepped closer, whispering quietly,
"You can go if you want—I'll take care of him."
"Do you know where I'm going?
Mariana asked, puzzled, and Jinho added,
" I'll wait in front of this bakery, and when you're finished, send Rora to me."
He reached out to Rora, letting her hand the boy to him.
"Take care of yourself," Jinho whispered softly as he moved past them with Rora, holding the boy in his arms.
They settled on a chair near a small bakery.
"Show me your face, little one," he said gently.
The boy lowered his head, clinging to Jinho's clothes, shivering uncontrollably.
He trembled slightly before stammering,
"I… I'm… sorry…""