The celebration continued long after the formal ceremony had ended.

Laughter echoed beneath the towering crystal chandeliers as musicians filled the Grand Hall with elegant melodies. Nobles drifted from one conversation to another, their jeweled goblets reflecting the warm golden light that bathed the palace.

To everyone else…

It was a night of celebration.

To Aries…

It was exhausting.

He quietly stood near one of the marble pillars, holding a crystal goblet in one hand while silently observing the countless interactions unfolding before him.

“…Congratulations on your son’s engagement.”

“Oh? I heard your daughter was rejected.”

“What unfortunate news.”

The smile on the speaker’s face never faded.

Neither did the smile of the man receiving the insult.

“How kind of you to ask.”

“My daughter simply deserves someone of higher standing.”

Several nobles nearby laughed politely.

Not because the remark was amusing…

But because etiquette demanded they do so.

Aries took another sip from his wine.

“…”

A surprisingly pleasant taste.

Smooth.

Slightly sweet.

With a lingering floral aroma.

He wasn’t much of a drinker in his previous life, but he could admit…

The Empire certainly knew how to make wine.

“…Did you hear?”

Another group of nobles began whispering nearby.

“They say House Corven has lost nearly half its territory.”

“What a disgrace.”

“I heard their heir is already seeking a political marriage to recover their influence.”

“How shameless.”

Again…

Polite laughter.

Again…

Smiles that concealed sharpened knives.

Aries watched them for several moments before quietly looking away.

How tiring…

They never spoke honestly.

Every compliment hid another intention.

Every greeting was carefully calculated.

Every smile felt rehearsed.

To them…

People weren’t people.

They were stepping stones.

Political tools.

Bargaining chips.

“…Politics really is terrifying.”

His quiet murmur disappeared beneath the music.

Without another word, he decided to relocate.

Perhaps somewhere…

Farther from the nobles.

As he walked through the ballroom, several young ladies secretly glanced in his direction before quickly hiding behind their fans.

“So that’s Lord Aries…”

“He’s much more handsome than the rumors described.”

“I heard he recovered.”

“He looks completely different now.”

Aries pretended not to hear them.

His attention remained fixed ahead.

A servant happened to pass by carrying a silver tray filled with wine.

Aries exchanged his empty glass for another.

“…Thank you.”

The servant bowed respectfully before disappearing into the crowd.

He took another sip.

“…Not bad.”

This body seemed to possess a surprisingly high tolerance for alcohol.

Back in his previous life…

A single glass had usually been enough.

This one…

Barely affected him at all.

Perhaps noble blood came with unexpected advantages.

Just then—

A familiar voice called from behind him.

“Lord Aries.”

Aries turned.

Standing before him was the Second Prince himself.

Kaelith Raven de Nocthar.

The surrounding nobles immediately stepped aside, lowering their heads respectfully.

Aries followed suit with a proper bow.

“Your Highness.”

Kaelith offered him a warm smile.

“There is no need to be so formal.”

“I’m simply glad to see you here tonight.”

Aries straightened himself.

“I appreciate Your Highness’ concern.”

Kaelith’s expression softened.

“Lord Kaius informed me about your condition earlier today.”

“I was worried you might not be able to attend.”

“But seeing you here now…”

“…is truly a relief.”

Aries blinked for a brief moment.

Kaius?

“I apologize for causing Your Highness unnecessary concern.”

“It was merely a minor illness.”

“I’m feeling much better now.”

“I’m relieved to hear that.”

For a brief moment…

The conversation flowed naturally.

Unlike the surrounding nobles, Kaelith carried none of the artificial smiles Aries had grown tired of seeing throughout the evening.

His kindness felt…

Genuine.

Or perhaps…

He was simply an excellent politician.

Just as Kaelith seemed about to continue—

A sudden commotion erupted nearby.

“My Lady!”

A young noblewoman lost her footing as the heel of her shoe caught the edge of her dress.

Her body tilted forward.

Several nobles gasped.

Before anyone else could react—

Aries moved.

Almost instinctively.

He caught her wrist firmly before she struck the polished marble floor.

The momentum carried her forward, but Aries steadied her without the slightest difficulty.

“…Are you alright?”

His calm voice finally brought the young lady back to her senses.

She looked up.

Silver-white hair.

Crystal-blue eyes.

For a brief moment…

She completely forgot how to breathe.

“I…”

“Y-Yes…”

“Thank you…”

Her cheeks turned bright red as she hurriedly withdrew her hand before curtsying awkwardly.

“T-Thank you again, Lord Aries.”

She quickly retreated toward her companions.

Around them…

Soft whispers immediately spread once more.

“Did you see that?”

“He moved so quickly…”

“Perhaps the rumors really were false.”

“Lord Aries…”

“…has changed.”

Aries simply dusted off the sleeve of his coat as though nothing unusual had happened.

To him…

He had merely stopped someone from falling.

Nothing more.

Kaelith chuckled softly.

“That was rather admirable.”

Aries shrugged.

“It would’ve been troublesome if she had been injured.”

Kaelith smiled.

“…You’re kinder than the rumors suggest.”

Before Aries could answer—

Another voice interrupted.

“Your Highness.”

Both men turned simultaneously.

A young man stood several steps away before respectfully lowering his head.

Soft chestnut-colored hair rested neatly above gentle violet eyes.

His noble attire lacked excessive decoration, yet every movement carried quiet elegance.

Count Verin’s son.

Evelis Verin.

The original protagonist of Thorn of Crowns.

Aries immediately recognized him from the fragments of memory as Mikhail had recovered.

“…”

So that’s him…

The story’s true protagonist.

For a brief moment, Aries simply observed him.

Evelis Verin carried himself with quiet grace, his every movement refined yet unassuming. There was nothing particularly overwhelming about his appearance.

And perhaps…

That was precisely why he stood out.

Unlike the nobles surrounding him, Evelis didn’t seem interested in displaying wealth or influence.

He simply looked…

Comfortable.

Kaelith smiled warmly.

“Lord Evelis.”

“I was beginning to wonder where you had gone.”

“My apologies, Your Highness.”

Evelis lowered his head politely.

“I was greeting several acquaintances.”

“I seem to have lost track of time.”

“I see.”

Kaelith chuckled.

“I’m glad you made it.”

Aries quietly took another sip of his wine.

Right…

This is where the original story truly begins.

According to the fragments Mikhail remembered…

The Coming-of-Age Ceremony marked the first meeting between the Second Prince and Evelis Verin.

Everything that happened after tonight…

Would eventually shape the fate of the Empire.

Which means…

I should stay as far away from them as possible.

Without another word, Aries gave a respectful nod toward Kaelith.

“Your Highness.”

“If you’ll excuse me.”

Kaelith looked slightly surprised.

“So soon?”

“There are simply too many people.”

“I was hoping for somewhere quieter.”

Kaelith smiled knowingly.

“…Then I believe I know the perfect place.”

He gestured toward one of the palace corridors.

“The Imperial Garden.”

“Few guests wander there during celebrations.”

“It should provide the peace you’re looking for.”

“…Thank you.”

Aries offered a slight bow before quietly leaving the ballroom.

Neither Kaelith nor Evelis attempted to stop him.

As the grand doors closed behind him…

The music gradually faded.

Each step carried him farther away from the suffocating atmosphere of the banquet.

The palace corridors were almost empty.

Only an occasional servant passed by, bowing respectfully before continuing their duties.

Eventually…

Large glass doors appeared before him.

Beyond them…

Moonlight.

Aries stepped outside.

Cool evening air immediately greeted him.

“…”

His shoulders relaxed almost instantly.

The Imperial Garden stretched endlessly beneath the silver glow of the moon.

White marble pathways wound gracefully through carefully maintained flowerbeds bursting with white roses, lilies, and blooming jasmine.

Elegant stone archways disappeared beneath climbing vines covered in blossoms.

Crystal-clear streams flowed gently beneath small marble bridges carved with dragons, their waters reflecting countless stars.

Towering trees swayed softly in the breeze, while marble statues of former emperors stood silently among the flowers as though watching over the garden.

The distant sounds of the banquet became little more than a faint melody carried by the wind.

“…Much better.”

For the first time that evening…

Aries could finally breathe.

He wandered without any particular destination.

Simply enjoying the silence.

The peaceful scenery reminded him of hospital gardens from his previous life.

Places patients often visited to escape the scent of medicine and the constant noise of machines.

“…Funny.”

“I never thought I’d miss a hospital.”

A quiet laugh escaped him.

He eventually stopped beside a small pond.

Moonlight shimmered across its surface like scattered silver.

The only sounds were flowing water…

And the rustling leaves overhead.

It was almost enough to make him forget where he was.

Almost.

A twig snapped somewhere behind the rose hedges.

“…”

Aries glanced over his shoulder.

Nothing.

Perhaps…

Only the wind.

He dismissed the thought and turned back toward the pond.

Then—

Every instinct in his body screamed.

Before he could react—

A gloved hand seized the back of his collar and pulled him backward.

Cold steel pressed against the side of his neck.

A sharp sting followed.

Warm blood slowly traced a line down his pale skin.

“…”

Aries didn’t struggle.

Instead…

His breathing slowed.

Single-edged blade.

Approximately five inches.

Right-handed.

Firm grip.

Controlled pressure…

Experienced.

Interesting…

The moonlight barely reached beneath the thick canopy of vines.

Darkness concealed both their faces.

Neither of them could clearly see the other.

Only silhouettes.

Only breathing.

Only silence.

The stranger tightened his grip ever so slightly.

Several long seconds passed.

Finally…

A low voice broke the silence.

“…Who are you?”

Aries remained perfectly calm.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

“…Shouldn’t I be the one asking that?”

The stranger fell silent once more.

Neither moved.

Neither lowered their guard.

Far behind them…

The music from the palace continued without interruption.

Completely unaware…

That beneath the moonlit roses…

Two strangers had just met—

Neither realizing that this chance encounter would quietly alter the course of both their lives.

TO BE CONTINUED..