"Well, Miss Riri, since you don't remember anything, let's create new memories… Memories that will make you remember me forever."

But Riri wasn't in the mood for his games. She shot him a sharp glare, her eyes burning with anger at his audacity, then turned away and said coldly:

"No, I'm going home."

But Ripht wasn't about to let her escape that easily.

"This is your first time going out alone. Don't be so stubborn."

He didn't give her a chance to argue. He took her hand firmly yet gently, pulling her along as he casually grabbed her bag, as if it were something he had done countless times before. She looked at him in surprise, but his expression remained calm, as if the matter wasn't up for discussion.

"I'll show you the beauty of the empire."

And though she wanted to resist, she simply didn't have the energy to fight him.

The White Rose Square

When they arrived at the square, Riri felt as if she had stepped into another world—a world unlike anything she had ever seen before. The vast plaza was blanketed in a natural carpet of scattered white roses, their soft hues glowing under the gentle sunlight.

At the center stood a grand fountain, its cascading water shimmering like silver threads, surrounded by elegant marble benches.

On the outskirts of the square, artists displayed their paintings, while a violinist played a soft melody that intertwined with the market's hum and the hushed whispers of passing visitors.

Riri stared at the scene in awe. It was like a paradise crafted by a masterful novelist—one who had left not a single detail short of perfection.

"It's breathtaking…" she whispered without realizing it.

Ripht glanced at her with a small smile, as if he had expected this reaction from her.

"There are still many places you haven't seen yet, but we have one last stop before we end today's tour."

She looked at him questioningly, but he didn't reveal anything more.

The Crown Rose Restaurant

"It's already three o'clock… How about we have lunch?" Ripht said, checking his watch.

Riri, who hadn't noticed how quickly time had passed, finally smiled.

"Why not?"

"What do you feel like eating?"

"Anything delicious."

Ripht chuckled lightly. "There's a fine restaurant nearby. I think you'll like it."

When they arrived at The Crown Rose restaurant, Riri felt, for a moment, like a princess stepping into her own private palace.

The place was stunning—the crystal chandeliers hung elegantly from the ceiling, their soft glow reflecting off the velvet-red floral walls. The tables were meticulously arranged, draped with luxurious linens.

"Well… I guess I really am a princess today." Riri murmured, admiring her surroundings.

Ripht glanced at her from the corner of his eye and smirked before the waiter approached them.

"What would the gentleman and lady like to order?"

Ripht glanced at Riri before deciding,

"We'll have the veal with truffle sauce and a wild mushroom salad."

Riri turned to him in surprise.

"You're ordering for me?"

He shrugged nonchalantly. "You said 'anything delicious,' and I guarantee you, this is the best."

This time, Riri couldn't hold back her smile.

Maybe it wasn't so bad to just go with the flow for once.

Maybe—just maybe—this was the beginning of memories she would never want to forget.

The warm aroma of food seeped into my senses like a song whispered by hunger in my ear. The scent of grilled meat mixed with the richness of truffle stirred my appetite, so I reached out and picked up a piece.

The moment I placed it in my mouth, flavors danced on my tongue—tender juices blending seamlessly with the truffle, as if the taste itself was weaving a story, a tale unlike anything I had ever known.

Unconsciously, I smiled and murmured:

— "Delicious…"

I hadn't realized I had finished the entire dish until I lifted my head, only to find Ripht staring at me in silence. He wasn't eating—he was simply watching me, as if I were a puzzle he had yet to solve, as if every movement I made stole his breath away.

His eyes followed every bite, every sip, every unintentional sigh that escaped me.

Raising an eyebrow in question, I teased,

— "Why aren't you eating, Mr. Ripht?"

He flinched as if my words had slapped him. For a moment, he looked like a child caught red-handed in mischief, then hurriedly fumbled for his fork, stammering,

— "I—I'm eating now!"

I watched as he took a bite, but he barely chewed it. I smiled, about to comment—

But suddenly…

The table jolted violently under the weight of an unfamiliar hand.

The air froze around me. I looked up immediately.

A tall man stood there, his features sharp as shards of ice, his eyes blazing with seething fury. He was like a storm that had torn through the restaurant, his gaze devoid of mercy or hesitation.

I didn't need to ask who he was.

— "How dare you, you bastard?!"

His voice sliced through the air like a sharpened blade.

He grabbed Ripht by the collar, yanking him out of his seat as if he were a rat caught in a trap. I gasped, frozen in shock for a moment, while Ripht struggled to speak steadily.

— "Your Grace, please… I had her father's permission."

But Elias wasn't listening. His grip tightened, his eyes blazing with fury. In an instant, he released Ripht and turned to me, seizing my wrist with a force I hadn't thought possible.

— "What do you think you're doing?!" I snapped in anger.

But he didn't answer. Instead, he pulled me from my seat as if I were nothing more than a powerless rag doll. I protested, tried to break free, but his grip was ironclad—stronger than I had ever imagined.

This wasn't just anger. It was something else… something I didn't yet understand.

He dragged me out of the restaurant, ignoring my shouts and the terrified gazes of the onlookers. Before I could even process what was happening, the door of a sleek black car swung open, and I was shoved inside without a word.

The door slammed shut behind me with a resounding thud, just as his sharp voice cut through the air:

— "To the estate."

I gasped, my breath quickening, my hands trembling within his grasp—he still hadn't let go.

— "Estate?!"

I turned to him, to the unwavering expression on his face, as if what he had done was completely normal. As if abducting me like this needed no explanation.

But the real question wasn't about the estate…

It was about the way he looked at me—like I belonged to him.

Like I was… a missing piece of a war that had yet to begin.