If I timed it right, I could meet both the Groom and the Bride.

Although it would be tricky.

According to the schedule, in the next few minutes they would part ways so that the Bride could finish getting ready for the ceremony. Then, the Groom would take a last stroll in the garden before he started greeting the guests.

I planned to meet the Groom on his way to the garden.

“Trench guy will get mad at you.”

What an acute observation from a cute kid.

“Great. I hate that smug face of his.”

“Aren’t you scared of screwing things up? We don’t know what would happen if we fail the conditions of this Trial.”

I almost tripped, my legs missing a few steps before I kept with the fast pace. “I won’t do anything to compromise the success of the Trial, rest assured.”

“How can you be sure you won’t?”

I couldn’t.

So I guess I simply had to foolishly believe in myself.

It didn’t take too long for us to spot the Groom, alongside the Royal Guard. His presence alone was enough to make my steps become hesitant, to make my heart skip a beat.

There was this dominance, this assertiveness to his figure. It made me wonder what I would be able to see in his gaze if his eyes were not hidden among those flames and shadows.

I took a quick breath, moving forward until I was only a few meters away from His Royal Highness. I bowed, avoiding the burning glare of my beloved employer.

“Pardon my insolence, Your Highness. I have something to report.”

[You have received a message]

Even though I could see Kurosawa Touma typing mid-air, I ignored the message.

I could not tell if the Groom was looking at me or through me when he answered.

[The Groom wishes to know what this is about]

“It’s something related to your fiancée. Something I must share with you, and you alone, Your Highness.” Kurosawa took one step forward, his fists clenched.

“You…”

[The Groom asks if it’s related to the Bride.]

Has he heard anything about the incident?

No, that wouldn’t make sense. Then how come it was the first possibility that crossed his mind?

“I’m afraid I can’t provide more details until we have more privacy, Your Majesty. However, you may take one of your guards with you, if that will bring you some peace of mind.”

I glanced at Kurosawa, who kept eying me with pure rage.

Such a temperamental boss, this one.

[The Groom is suspicious.]

[The Groom wishes to know what you want to discuss.]

[The Groom agrees to follow you.]

I bowed once again, concealing my smile. I was not at all surprised when Kurosawa was the one guard who followed us, guiding us to a more isolated area, away from prying eyes and ears.

Only after glancing around a few times, making sure we were definitely alone, did I go straight to the point.

“You were right in your previous assumption, Your Highness. Sometime after her arrival, your bride was kidnapped.”

[The Groom is shocked.]

Even though the Groom’s face was concealed, I saw it clearly. How his body froze, some tension spreading through his muscles.

“Let me rush to say, she is safe. After me and my partner worked together with the Patrol Squad, we managed to track down the responsible party and rescue the Bride.” I pointed at Hal, who was by my side, watching the Groom’s reaction.

His shoulders relaxed, slightly.

“Although the Bride asked us to keep the event concealed from you, I thought it was in her best interest if you were aware of this group’s ill intentions regarding your fiancée, Your Highness.”

[The Groom is deep in thought]

[The Groom is contemplating what to say in response]

In contrast, I felt I could say word by word what my "boss" wanted to say to me, only by the way he was looking at me.

'Park Eun-Woo, what are you doing?'

It was almost as if I could hear his voice in my head.

[The Groom wishes to express his gratitude first]

[He thanks the brave soldiers who rescued his fiancée]

I bowed, glancing briefly toward Hal.

“We were but following our duties, Your Highness. There is no need to thank us. However, I must ask…do you have any idea of who could be responsible for this? Someone or a group that harbors ill intentions toward your fiancée?”

[The Groom is hesitating]

Oh?

[The Groom says he is unaware of such a person]

“I see, that is unfortunate then. But not to worry, we will not let any harm befall the Bride. We shall do our very best to make sure you have a perfect, joyful wedding.”

There was a long pause.

[The Groom is glad to hear that]

[The Groom shall entrust the Bride’s safety to you]

I nodded briefly. “You can count on us, Your Highness.”

[The Groom asks if this is all you wished to discuss]

Repressing a smile, I shifted in my place pretending I was uncomfortable.

“Actually, if you would allow me, Your Highness, I have no means to know when I will have such a privilege again, so I would like to take this chance to ask for some of your wisdom.”

His stance changed, his body becoming a bit more relaxed.

[The Groom is surprised.]

[The Groom asks what ails you.]

I had to suppress a laugh as I saw the frown on Kurosawa’s face. I purposely took a depressed stance, lowering my voice and my gaze.

“Very recently I received news from my hometown, news that brings great distress to my heart. I am being summoned by my family, as they demand I give up my position at your and Your Majesties' side, so I can marry into a prestigious family. I came from a humble upbringing, you see, so our betrothal would bring great peace of mind to my parents.”

[The Groom is silent.]

[The Groom is waiting for your next words.]

I just need a final push.

”Yet my soul and heart belong to you, Your Highness. There are many dreams I aim to accomplish by serving you; being here brings me great joy. To marry someone and not be able to love them with all my heart, I feel I could never forgive myself for such a hideous and disrespectful act. They deserve someone who can love them fully. I am torn about what I should do. Could you grace me with an advice, Your Highness?”

I bowed, my heart beating so fast I thought it would explode out of my chest and run away. Certainly, the Groom couldn’t know I was lying. Yet what if the Court also had abilities? What if they had similar powers to Hal?

If the Groom started to suspect me, not only would I lose his trust but I could put the Trial in jeopardy.

[The Groom asks you to raise your head.]

As I did so, it was my turn to be shocked as he closed our distance and touched my shoulder. As the Groom’s hand touched me, it was as if all worries and anxiety were purged from my body, and for the briefest of moments, I saw the Groom’s eyes.

And I recognized that pair of eyes.

[The Groom admires your raw honesty and passion.]

[He says there is nothing wrong in being truthful with oneself.]

[The Groom states that family is important, but so are your heart’s true desires.]

[If your entire heart cannot be given, then you are doing a disservice to both yourself and your betrothed.]

[The Groom says it’s your choice in the end.]

[Yet he expresses how the heart’s truth should not be doubted.]

For a moment, I felt my eyes burn.

Everything I said, they were but lies to get the information I wanted. A role I was playing. Then why—

…why did it feel like he was talking to me?

Not to my current self, Park Eun-Woo—

But the old self I had forsaken and buried deep within my memories?

I took a deep breath, averting my gaze from the Groom’s and his overwhelming presence.

“I cannot express how grateful I am to hear your words, Your Highness. Thank you for bestowing your wisdom upon me.”

He took a few steps back, and it was almost as if I could feel his eyes staring at me. Burning and scorching all the way through my soul.

[The Groom wishes you a good day.]

I bowed one last time, watching as the Groom left with Kurosawa. Not even five seconds later, my “boss” sent me four messages. I would read them later.

“Hal.”

The boy had his hands in his pockets, his eyes almost telling me the answer for him.

“You already suspected, didn’t you?”

“I did, but I still need you to confirm.”

Hal averted his gaze, looking at the direction the Groom went.

“He lied twice. The first time was when he said he had no idea who could be behind the kidnapping. The second time was—”

“When he said he was glad we would make sure he had a joyful wedding.”

As I finished his sentence, Hal confirmed. His reddish eyes suddenly became darker.

“Do you think the Groom is somewhat responsible?”

Though I shook my head, I could not be sure.

Not yet.

I glanced at the time, checking the schedules again.

“If we want to find the answers, we need to hurry. We need to talk with the Bride while she’s still alone with Kaduna.”

Because she could actually give us just the pieces we needed to get the puzzle right.