The third day of negotiations proved especially exhausting. Yujin sat at the table, listening to endless debates about taxes and trade routes, stealing glances at Errol, who seemed equally bored. Dozens of advisors and treasurers separated them, making even a shared glance impossible.

When a break was announced before the banquet, Yujin retreated to his chambers with relief. He had a light snack—salad, fruit, a piece of fish—but couldn't bear to stay within four walls. Outside the window beckoned the royal garden, lush with greenery and flowers.

"May I take a walk?" he asked the senior treasurer timidly.

The man reluctantly agreed, assigning two guards.

The garden was even more beautiful than he'd imagined. Gravel paths wound between rose and jasmine bushes, their scent mingling with the smell of freshly cut grass. Yujin, engrossed, examined unfamiliar plants, chased butterflies, watched diligent beetles—and at some point realized he had lost sight of his guards.

"Oh..."

He looked around and suddenly noticed a woman in the shade of an old oak. She sat in a wicker chair, a book in her hands. A steaming teapot sat on a small table beside her, with cookies on an ornate plate.

The lady was neither young nor old—wisdom shone in her eyes, and her smile held a kindness that immediately calmed Yujin. And he suddenly realized he was disturbing her.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bother you!" he blushed and took a step back.

"It's quite alright," the woman smiled softly. "You're no bother."

Her voice sounded warm, like sunlight after a long winter. Yujin noticed one of her legs was resting on a cushion, as if it were uncomfortable.

"Are you... alright?" he cautiously indicated the leg.

"An old injury," the lady sighed. "Sometimes it acts up."

Without thinking, Yujin knelt and adjusted the cushion to make her more comfortable.

"Is that better?"

The lady raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"You... are a prince. Should you be kneeling before anyone?"

Yujin looked at her with sincere confusion.

"Why should status prevent kindness?"

The woman's beautiful brown eyes shone even warmer. She slowly extended a hand and placed her palm on his head, gently stroking his hair as mothers do with children.

"You're a good boy. Very kind."

And suddenly, Yujin felt a lump form in his throat. His eyes blinked rapidly, treacherously filling with tears. His own mother had never stroked his head like that. He stood up abruptly, barely suppressing a tremor.

"Forgive me... I must go..."

And before the lady could say another word, he turned and almost ran away, leaving her alone in the garden. His heart hammered wildly, and treacherous tears stung his eyes. Why? Why had such simple words moved him so deeply? He didn't know who the woman was. But in her gentle touch, he had felt something he had lacked his entire life.

Meanwhile, in the garden, the lady watched him go, lost in thought as she leaned back in her wicker chair.

Queen Margaret was very curious about this prince who had made her son, always so cold to romance, lose his head. She had positioned herself in the garden not far from the delegation's guesthouse precisely to observe. And now, having seen the young man up close, everything fell into place. Golden hair, bright green eyes, rosy cheeks—he was like an adorable little hamster one just wanted to stuff with nuts and seeds!

The wind rustled the pages of the book on the table and brushed away cookie crumbs. Margaret poured herself some tea but didn't drink it. Instead, she closed her eyes, remembering how he had instantly dropped to his knees to adjust her cushion. Without hesitation. Without pretense.

"He didn't even ask who I was."

Had he known she was the queen, his impulse could have been dismissed as mere courtesy. But he had acted as if she were simply a woman in pain. A kind boy.

Unlike Errol and Moe, forever immersed in politics and military strategy, the Prince of Fitasentia seemed the embodiment of everything she found lacking in her own child: gentleness, simple joy, the ability to enjoy the world's quiet beauty. The thought that now they could drink tea together in the garden, talk about light and trivial things, filled her with a warm sense of satisfaction.

Margaret was proud of herself for having raised her son to bring home not some flighty girl, but such a sunny little bunny! Perhaps she had finally found someone she could not only call her son's chosen one but also—in a way—her own long-awaited second child.

Yujin walked on, wiping the corners of his damp eyes with the sleeve of his soft blue shirt. Thankfully, he didn't burst into tears in front of that lovely lady. He strode through the park, desperately searching for an exit and the palace—the sky was already turning pink, the sun was settling down to sleep, and a banquet awaited him ahead.

And then a mischievous, pleasant voice rang out:

"Who, pray tell, has offended my rosy little bun?"

Yujin flinched, spun around sharply—and froze.

From the bushes, framed by dense foliage, peered a slender young man in a green cloak that blended with the leaves. The form-fitting black clothing beneath accentuated his lithe figure, and his long black hair was tied back in a careless ponytail. But what struck Yujin most were his features: sharp, handsome, with a predatory grace, and those golden eyes, gleaming like those of a wild forest cat.

Yujin gasped. It was his dear friend, Aselet!

"Asi?!" escaped his lips in a half-whisper, and he immediately surged forward, forgetting all caution. But no sooner had he taken a step than his reason caught up with his emotions. He halted abruptly, glancing around.

"What are you doing here?!" he whispered, grabbing his friend by the sleeve. "This is a foreign kingdom!"

Aselet merely chuckled softly—that same carefree laugh that always made Yujin feel warm inside. Long fingers pinched Yujin's cheeks, stretching them into a silly grin, tousling his hair.

"My sweet bun..."

Yujin batted his hands away but couldn't suppress a smile. He truly was happy to see him! Yet, alongside the joy, Yujin felt a frantic fear for his friend.

"You've completely lost your mind! If they catch you..."

"Oh, come now, come now!" Aselet waved a hand dismissively. "I'll be quick!"

Deftly, he pulled a small glass vial of darkish liquid from the folds of his cloak and quietly popped the cork.

"Drink!"

"What is this?" Yujin was bewildered, raising the small bottle to his face. It smelled pleasant.

"Just in case," Aselet smiled, clapping him on the shoulder, and quickly helped him tip the vial's contents into his mouth. A slightly viscous, sweetish liquid flowed down his throat.

"Aselet!" Yujin protested between swallows, coughing a little. Aselet patted his back solicitously, swiftly tucking away the empty vial.

"All's well, my little baked bun. I'll come to your kingdom later, and we'll discuss everything, but for now..."

He didn't finish, abruptly retreating into the bushes.

And in the very next instant, a loud call made Yujin flinch.

"Your Highness, there you are!" came the voice of one of the guards approaching on the garden path. "The Head Treasurer lost you! He ordered us to find you and escort you to prepare for the banquet!"

"Yes, of course," Yujin smiled slightly, trying to compose his face into an impassive expression. He stole a glance at the spot where Aselet had been and prayed silently that his dear friend would make it home safely.