Prologue

Silver rays penetrate her skin like cold silk after being worn. Taking in such a view gave one the impression that everything was peaceful.

The large, ancient tree beneath which she had played as a child was already in full bloom with blossoms as the breeze rustled its leaves. The lady's pond, which was tastefully designed by the person she believed would never leave her, was one of the only sounds that could be heard throughout the entire home where she resided.

The woman's eyes began to tear up once more after hearing these sounds. When she first felt water falling from the grasses where she was lying, she didn't even understand that she was crying; her eyes widened in surprise. She used the handkerchief the Crown Prince had given her to gently wipe her tears.

Why is she crying out of nowhere? Did she experience any presence? Or perhaps it was a significant individual who was a part of her life but has since been gone. She is unsure of why she is experiencing these emotions. Perhaps there is a problem with her?

Her whole head was filled with thoughts. She was not even conscious of the shadow that was already following her. Only as she felt something warm move down on both of her shoulders and arms, turning to see who it was, did her thoughts get distracted.

She only grinned at the familiar face she could never get rid of. He held her still with a sweet smile that could melt anyone's heart even though he already had her in both arms.

"When you can just glance out your balcony, Charlotte, why do you keep wanting to look at this garden?"

She even closed her eyes as she felt the warm breath contact her ears as a deep, soothing, and gentle sound reached her ears, producing such delightful harmonics.

Instead of reacting right away, Charlotte leaned with him at the moment and cuddled up next to him. She gently opened her eyes and smiled at the moon as he hugged her again as her head dropped on his other shoulder.

"I don't even know why every time - every night my feet carried me here, it's like they have a mind of their own," Charlotte said. "And whenever I hear the water flowing out of our pond, I don't understand why it aches so deeply."

After giving a long sigh, the hands that had been holding her remained there even after she had spoken the words she is questioning Cheston about.

"..."

Charlotte waited a few moments to turn her head in Cheston's direction after not hearing his response, only to discover that he was staring directly at her instead of looking back or even at the moon.

As soon as she realized how intense his look was, her eyes opened wide. She didn't even tell him that something was happening to her, but it seemed to him as though his eyes were piercing right into her soul.

His eyes met hers now softly, but after a little minute, they softened; his brows relaxed as he did so, briefly raising her brow.

"Chest, did I say something incorrectly? It appears that I erred in saying something and offended you previously."

"..."

Charlotte looked back at Cheston expecting an explanation, but all she saw was him shake his head and smile before tightening his grip on her. This made Charlotte laugh briefly.

"Cheston, whatever you are contemplating, always keep in mind that I am right here by your side."

But as soon as Charlotte whispered those words, she also felt as though she had said them to someone else before; she isn't even sure if it was in a dream.

This time, after saying so, her hands tightened as she was only yanking Cheston from his grasp, leading him to give her a quick kiss on the head.

"I will always have faith in you, and if you are unable to recall your past, then perhaps it is best to just accept that instead, you will suffer every time you attempt to do so. Keeping your history is pointless because all it does is cause you grief."

Charlotte can't help but close her eyes once more for the time being and take in the cool, fresh breeze that caresses both his and her body at night with those wonderful words in her ears.

"I suppose that the past should only be forgotten. Furthermore, what you stated is exactly what father meant; I am at a loss for words given that I know you simply care about my well-being. The individuals who have taken such good care of you, Charlotte, should be obeyed when it comes to your health."

"Hmmm."

She didn't say anything in return, only hummed at the stunning night sky illuminated by the sole light that is visible above.

"If a person can travel to the moon, I can only recall my past. However, I believe that such a person does not exist, therefore I have already decided to let go of the memories that the passage of time has given me. It's easier to let go of the things I can't remember if they simply cause me pain."

With a kind grin, she eventually spoke the words that made Cheston, want to continue hugging her. He raised the sides of his lips as he approached Charlotte with his face.

"I believe I can now let go of the past, Chest. I'm appreciative that you were there for me whenever I needed someone."

Cheston felt as though he had just tasted cotton candy when he heard Charlotte's sweet words, which he heard out of the blue from her supple and gentle voice.

Charlotte was unaware of the impact of the words she had just said to him since he maintained his composure and turned to face Charlotte with a kiss on the forehead. However, on the inside, his heart was pounding so loudly and abnormally that only he could see what was happening inside of him.

His grip grew tighter, and the woman shook her head and said something that gave him enough cause to laugh. He feels like his heart is about to leap out of his chest.

"You can relax, Cheston. I won't flee the house or try to avoid you."

"Just making sure you keep clear of anyone who could attempt to elude my grip once more, Charlotte. What happened in the past cannot happen again, in my opinion. Never will I allow that."

Most of the time, his heart overrode his head, which wanted to utter the things he was thinking.

Even though he always knows the solution, the way it beats made it more difficult for him to speak to her as though he was already admitting his feelings to her.

"As Crown Prince of this Empire, Charlotte, I - Cheston Elfinia - will dedicate myself to all of you for the welfare of this Empire; consequently, Charlotte Carlile, will you assist me in achieving my objectives?"

The woman couldn't believe what she was hearing as the man cuddling her from behind moved directly in front of her while carrying the woman's other arm. He had previously given her his coat to wear on both shoulders.

He took a second to press his lips to the back of her kind hand, which was fragrant with strawberries. But after a little period of stillness, Cheston decided to release Charlotte, who was nearly red-faced and whose eyebrows were already overlapping.

After a minute had passed, though, Cheston was still holding Charlotte's hands tenderly and staring deeply into her eyes.

He only needed a few moments to finally decide what he was going to say before someone cut them off from behind.

"Please enter the house right now, Charlotte; it appears to be late at night."

"I like talking to my best friend, Lady Charlotte, so it's good Duke Fred."

Cheston adjusted his posture, still holding Charlotte's hand, and replied in a low, polite voice, grinning at the Duke's stern expression, as soon as he heard that deep voice, which seemed like a warning to him.

Fred even glanced at the two people's hands as Charlotte released her grip right away.

"Father is correct; Your Highness, we should enter straight now."

"Well, Lady Charlotte, it's always my honor."

The view of the garden was still exquisitely arranged when they entered the home, but the person who had planned it had already left a memento of the lady's passing.