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Countess Dora had kept her word. A mysterious letter appeared at Lobelia’s doorstep, its origins easily recognizable as none other than the empress herself.

With a flick of her practiced hand, Lobelia sliced open the envelope and withdrew the card within. The simple yet cryptic message, “Two days hence, the Rose Palace Trail,” left her heart aflutter with excitement and nervous anticipation.

Rose Palace, the only palace open to the public, was renowned for its beautiful gardens and ornate architecture. All one needed was an invitation and appropriate attire to wander its grand halls and lush landscapes.

“She’s asking for a secret rendezvous,” Jade whispered as the two shared a long-awaited meal. With only the two of them in the restaurant, the atmosphere was ripe for secrets to be exchanged and plans to be hatched.

“The empress intends to disguise herself as a lower noble, eager to retrieve her stolen diamonds without drawing attention to her former gambling addiction,” Lobelia revealed.

“That’s why she sent this unofficial letter,” Jade chimed in.

“Exactly,” Lobelia confirmed.

“To be chosen by the queen to receive this letter, it’s truly remarkable,” Jade added, his voice tinged with awe.

A long silence hung in the air between them as their conversation trailed off.

Since Lobelia had refused the cake, Jade had felt a strange distance growing between them.

Unbeknownst to Lobelia, she simply continued with her meal, unaffected by the tension in the air.

Jade, on the other hand, barely touched his food, his gaze fixed upon Lobelia’s delicate hands as she gracefully wielded her silverware.

With a gentle touch, her white and slender index finger pressed against the fork while her other hand slowly tightened around the knife. Her wrist bones were prominently visible as she smoothly sliced into the trout steak on her plate.

Watching Lobelia lay down her knife, Jade suddenly felt dizzy. He closed his eyes, shook his head, and struggled to clear the complicated thoughts in his mind.

“The treatment…” Jade muttered, opening his eyes and locking them onto Lobelia.

“How long until the next one?” he asked, unable to conceal the urgency in his voice.

“The Duke’s unconsciousness should be nearly healed by now,” Lobelia replied as she savored a bite of trout. She had been regularly casting spells on the back of Jade’s hand to track his progress and determine when the next treatment was necessary.

“I will proceed with the second round of treatment after I return from meeting with Her Majesty the Empress,” Lobelia continued. By the time she came back, Jade’s unconsciousness would have fully healed on its own.

“Yes,” Jade nodded, though his expression was uncertain.

Lobelia wondered if there was something more Jade wanted to say, but he remained silent until after the meal. Lobelia, noting his dubious demeanor, tilted her head in curiosity, but she didn’t press for an answer.

* * *

Two days later, Lobelia stepped into the waiting carriage, elegantly attired in a dress and hat, chosen for her by her loyal trio of maids. As per usual, her escort was to be Joheim.

However, Lobelia was determined to keep her meeting with the empress a secret, and so she requested that Joheim take a seat across from her, rather than climbing up to the driver’s seat.

“When I arrive at the Rose Palace, I’d like to take a walk by myself,” Lobelia stated firmly.

Joheim looked troubled by this request. “But Miss Lobelia… The Rose Palace can be quite busy. What if you get lost?” he asked, worried.

Lobelia knew that the empress would likely have someone to guide her, even if she was disguised as a low-ranking noble. But she couldn’t reveal this to Joheim. So she decided to come up with a different excuse.

“I’ve been surrounded by so many people lately, between the opera house, the mansion, and the salon parties,” Lobelia said, casting a pathetic smile. “I just need a moment of solitude, to be among people who don’t know me. Can’t I?”

Lobelia felt a flicker of nervousness as she wondered if Joheim would object. He would undoubtedly keep her meeting with the empress a secret, but she didn’t want to explain about the diamonds or the empress’s past gambling addiction.

Joheim’s voice was hesitant as he spoke, his gaze cast downward as if he couldn’t bear to look at her. “You must return within an hour,” he said. “I’ll be waiting for you in front of the carriage.”

Relieved that he had agreed, Lobelia smiled brightly and thanked him. As she leaned back on her seat, she noticed that Joheim’s cheeks were a little hollow. Was he feeling unwell? She wondered. But the moment was fleeting, as she was soon preoccupied with the thought of meeting the empress.

The carriage had come to a stop, and Joheim was already outside, holding the door open for her. She forgot all about her concern for Joheim and stepped out into the cool spring air.

“Come on,” Joheim beckoned, and Lobelia stepped out of the carriage and onto the promenade of the Rose Palace. The cool spring air caused few people to linger outside, their shadows visible as they swayed inside the glass greenhouse. As Lobelia meandered through a small maze of shrubs, she heard a familiar voice call out to her.

“Miss Lobelia.”