Last night, Elios declared his re-engagement in the grand hall of the palace. The commotion had surely spread to every corner of the imperial capital, Philaster, by now. "The prince's renewed approach to the Valmond lady." "What are the prince's true intentions?" — such rumors seemed to be buzzing in the nobles' tea rooms, audible even without opening the windows. Selene Valmond stood before the moonlit jade orchid in the early morning garden. White and pale blue petals mixed together. This flower, imbued with the power of star veins, glowed faintly even in the light of dawn. It was the pride of the Duke's mansion. Only a handful of them could be cultivated throughout the empire. (No one chooses it. But no one lets it go either.) She had decided that about herself last night. Possessing emotions might not be weakness — Ashley's words still drifted through her mind: "Emotions become a catalyst for star veins." Morning dew glistened on the garden's stone pavement. The wind was gentle, and birdsong drifted from somewhere. This peace would last only a few more minutes, Selene thought. She was right. "[serious]I have a status report on the guard situation" A figure with jet-black short hair appeared at the garden entrance. It was Walter. He wore a dark navy coat suited for movement rather than the knight order's uniform. The ring on his right middle finger glinted dully in the morning light. "[sarcastic]Good morning. Might I request the report come after a greeting, at least?" Walter paused for a moment. "……Good morning" Then, from another direction, chestnut-colored hair swayed into view. "[gentle]Good morning, Miss Selene. I had something I'd like to discuss regarding yesterday's senate matter" It was Ashley. The small star-shaped earring on his right ear caught the morning sun and gleamed. His calm green eyes narrowed ever so slightly as he looked at Walter. From yet another direction, soft wavy chestnut hair appeared gently. "[gentle]Lady Selene, I thought we might speak leisurely about last night's events" Kyle smiled, showing his dimples. That smile was perfect — perfectly perfect, and somehow a little frightening. Then, silently, a figure with silvery-white hair emerged from the shadow of a tree at the far end of the garden. Luke. He said nothing. He simply was there. When Selene's gaze swept across all four in turn, a figure with two attendants appeared before the garden gate. Hair with a silvery sheen, pale platinum blonde. Eyes as clear and cold as ice, pale blue. A small old scar above the right eyebrow. Prince Elios Reinhardt bowed quietly. "[cold]I came to offer morning greetings. If I'm intruding, I can return another time" He wasn't intruding. She simply hadn't expected all five to gather in the garden. Selene looked at the moonlit jade orchid once, then at the five men. (Well, this was bound to happen.) "[gentle]Since you're all here, shall we have breakfast? I'll have the servants prepare seats at the garden table. Today, I'm the one inviting all of you" As the servants carried chairs and dishes to the table in the center of the garden, a problem arose. The question of who would sit where. "[gentle]I should sit beside Lady Selene. As her childhood friend, it's been our custom to sit beside each other in this garden since long ago" "A guard must remain closest to their charge. It's a regulation of the Azure Sky Knight Order" "[gentle]Then I shall take the opposite side to maintain balance. Balance is important, after all" Luke had already silently taken the chair directly across from Selene. He hadn't asked anyone. No one could stop him. Elios raised an eyebrow slightly as he looked at the remaining chair. "[cold]You intend to seat the prince at the foot of the table?" "[sarcastic]Then which would the prince prefer? Though I must say, there is no head or foot to a breakfast table" "……That's true" Kyle and Walter ended up arguing side by side over the chair to Selene's right. Kyle said "My history as a childhood friend is only a decade and some years," Walter countered "My duty takes priority," Ashley coolly said "Then please decide between yourselves, I'll take the opposite side" and sat down, and Elios let out a small breath like a stifled curse before settling into the seat next to Kyle. As Selene sat down, she murmured softly. "……Why does my head already hurt this early in the morning?" --- The meal began. Bread and warm soup, an omelet made with herbs from the garden. The servants arranged everything swiftly. Morning sunlight stretched across the stone pavement, casting bright light over the table. It would have been a peaceful scene. If not for the five of them gathered together. Luke rose silently and served the warm omelet to Selene's plate first. Without a word. He simply placed it on her plate first, with certainty. "[gentle]Lady Selene, do you remember this bread? It's the kind with grains that you said you liked so much as a child" Kyle offered the bread with a smile. At the same moment, Ashley moved his right hand gently. Thin steam rose from the teacup on the table—— "[gentle]I adjusted the temperature slightly. You prefer your tea lukewarm, don't you, Miss Selene?" A light use of star vein magic. The tea's temperature adjusted to just right. The headmaster of Starcross Academy possessed S-rank star vein aptitude. Adjusting tea temperature would be child's play. Walter looked at the soup bowl. "[serious]Eating too much will interfere with afternoon training" "There's no training scheduled for today" "You should assume there is" Elios quietly took out a piece of paper. "[serious]I'll introduce you to the palace's pastry chef. If we establish a technical partnership with Starcross Academy's kitchen, quality will improve. I can handle the procedures with princely authority" "You're bringing documents to the breakfast table?" "[cold]It's a proposal. Refuse if you dislike it" All five simultaneously directed something toward Selene. Bread, tea, a comment about the soup, documents, warm omelet — the table became absolute chaos. The moment Selene leaned forward to take the bread, her chair caught on a gap in the stone pavement and tilted. From the left, Walter's hand grabbed her arm. From the right, Kyle's hand grabbed her arm. Perfectly simultaneous. Selene found herself supported from both sides, the two men looking directly at each other across her, their eyes locked. There was silence for about three seconds. "[surprised]……Thank you. Could you both let go for a moment?" Her face felt slightly warm. The temperature of both their hands transmitted from left and right. Walter's hand was slightly firm, Kyle's was soft. Useless information, yet somehow it lingered. Ashley smiled gently. Luke's expression didn't change. Elios narrowed his eyes slightly, then put the documents away. --- The meal ended. Selene stood and looked across all five. "[gentle]I'll speak with each of you individually. Please come one at a time" Before anyone could ask why, Selene turned her gaze to Walter. He was the first to stand. --- In the depths of the garden, where moonlit jade orchids grew densely, the two faced each other. Walter looked at the moonlit jade orchids for a moment. Then he looked at Selene. "[serious]There's something I couldn't say last night" "[gentle]I'm listening" "[serious]I'm not good at putting emotions into words. That hasn't changed. But — my feelings for you are clear. I'll be by your side. Apart from duty" It was clumsy. A very clumsy way of saying it. Yet it reached her properly. Something tightened in Selene's chest. Not calculation. She truly felt it. "[gentle]……I understand" That was all she said in return. But Walter seemed satisfied with those four words. --- By the study window, she faced Ashley. Ashley usually carried a book, but today his hands were empty. Instead, his eyes held a seriousness they didn't usually show. "[serious]There are things I can tell you about your star vein aptitude at the next stage. I cannot speak of them now. But — will you trust me until then?" Selene considered for a moment. "[sarcastic]There's more than one thing you're hiding, isn't there?" Ashley laughed. He didn't deny it. "[laughing]That may be true" "[gentle]But I'll trust you for now" "[gentle]……Thank you" His voice was gentle, but something lay beneath it. Selene decided to leave that untouched for now. --- Before an ancient tree, Kyle was already standing. Leaves rustled. Its roots slightly pushed up the stone pavement — a tree one hundred fifty years old. It had been here since the two were children. Kyle wore a smile. Dimples showed. Speaking with that smile intact, he said: "[gentle]Yesterday's declaration — I should have come before Prince Elios. I've always been by your side, Lady Selene" "[gentle]That's……true" "[gentle]I won't give up. I have no intention of giving up, ever" His voice was gentle. A steady tone. Beneath that voice lay something Selene already knew. "[gentle]……I know that, Kyle" Kyle's twilight-colored eyes gleamed gold for just an instant. Then they returned to their gentle smile. --- At the edge of the garden, by the stone wall, Luke stood alone. A quiet place, distant from the other four. "[serious]You never say anything about yourself, do you?" Luke paused for a moment. "I show what's necessary through action" "[gentle]The next time we meet, I might be able to speak a little" It was rare. Luke rarely continued speaking this much. As they parted, Selene extended her hand. "[gentle]Then, until next time. A handshake should be acceptable" Luke responded without words. The moment their hands touched—— Selene's eyes stopped. On Luke's left hand, a star-shaped mark glowed pale blue for just an instant. It spread like a blooming flower, then vanished. It happened in the span of a single blink. Selene looked at Luke's hand. There was nothing. Just an ordinary hand. "[surprised]……What was that——" Luke's gaze shifted ever so slightly to the side. That was all. "[serious]Don't mind it" Without waiting for a response, he left. Selene stood in that spot for a moment. (There was no such description in the game from my previous life. A star-shaped mark — what was that?) --- Before the Duke's mansion entrance, Elios remained last. His attendants stood at a distance. "[cold]I won't take back yesterday's declaration. But I won't force you either" "[serious]I'll wait for you to give your answer of your own will" Selene considered for a moment, then the corner of her mouth rose. "[sarcastic]……That's not very princely of you" Elios's eyes narrowed slightly. "[cold]Before you, I feel no need to be a prince" A brief silence fell between them. Quiet, but a different kind of quiet than before. Selene laughed softly. Elios didn't laugh, but his expression softened slightly. "[gentle]Until then" "……Yes" --- After all five had left, Selene remained alone in the garden. She returned to the moonlit jade orchid and gently plucked a single flower. White and pale blue petals fit in her palm. Morning dew still clung to them. Selene gazed at the flower and whispered quietly. "[whispers]I thought emotions were weakness. But now — they might become a weapon" In Arc 1's calculations, she'd thought she could explain everything. Walter was an extension of duty. Ashley was intellectual curiosity and other motives. Kyle was a childhood friend with deep attachment. Elios was political re-approach. But Luke alone — he possessed something not in the game's data. That star-shaped mark wasn't written anywhere in her previous life's strategy guide. "Lady Selene" A servant approached at a quick pace. "[serious]A letter has arrived from the Queen's Palace" Selene cut open the seal while still holding the flower. Flowing script. From Queen Irene de Grandciel — the woman who possessed the empire's largest intelligence network, the "Crown