Chapter 16
Almost a year had passed.
The palace had changed… and so had she.
The once frail, trembling girl who struggled to stand for long now moved with quiet strength. Her steps were still light, her body still delicate, but her heart—her heart was no longer as weak as before.
And yet…
Some nights, when the palace grew silent, she would sit by the window and whisper to herself:
"I wish… we had spoken more that day in the garden…"
But each time the thought came, she pushed it away.
Because Sky was there.
Always there.
"Hey," Sky's voice broke her thoughts one morning, tossing her an apple. "Don't drift off again. You'll trip and blame me later."
She caught it, smiling. "I don't blame you for everything."
"Everything?" he smirked. "So you admit you blame me sometimes?"
"Only when you overwork me."
"That's called training," he said, stepping closer, lowering his voice. "And you love it."
She rolled her eyes, but didn't deny it.
Across the courtyard, Brian stood watching quietly, hands behind his back.
"Careful," Brian said later during lunch, sitting across from them. "Too much dependence can become a weakness."
Sky chuckled dryly. "And watching from a distance makes you strong?"
Brian's gaze shifted to her. "Strength isn't always loud."
She quickly cut in, sensing the tension. "Can we just eat in peace for once?"
Silence.
Then Sky sighed. "Fine. For you."
Brian gave a faint nod. "Of course."
—
Then it happened.
The palace gates burst open.
A loud announcement echoed through the halls:
"The Seventh Prince has returned!"
Everything… stopped.
Trays dropped.
Servants froze.
Trainees turned.
And then chaos.
"HE'S BACK?!"
"I heard he conquered the northern territory—"
"They said he fought alone—"
"THE SEVENTH PRINCE!!"
Ladies fainted.
Nobles rushed forward.
Knights dropped to one knee.
Even the air felt heavier.
She stood still.
Her fingers tightened around the edge of the table.
"…he's back…" she whispered.
Sky noticed immediately. "Hey…"
But she wasn't listening.
At the entrance, surrounded by guards, he walked in.
The seventh prince.
Cold.
Untouched.
Unchanged.
His dark robes flowed behind him, his expression unreadable, eyes sharp and distant as ever.
The entire palace bowed.
Brian lowered his head slightly.
Sky stood still—but tense.
And her…
She couldn't move.
For a brief moment—
Just a second—
His eyes passed over everyone…
…and stopped on her.
Silence.
Then—
He looked away.
Like she was nothing.
Her chest tightened.
Sky's voice came softly, close to her ear. "Don't let it get to you."
She forced a smile. "It doesn't."
But it did.
—
That evening, the announcement came.
"The Seventh Prince will choose his bride."
The palace exploded again.
"WHO WILL IT BE?!"
"A noble lady?"
"A princess from another kingdom?"
"Someone from the court?!"
She sat quietly in her room.
Sky leaned against the wall. "You're thinking too much."
"I'm not," she replied.
"You are."
"…Do you think he remembers me?" she asked suddenly.
Sky paused.
Then, softly—"Does it matter?"
She didn't answer.
Because deep down…
It did.