The Moonlit Garden was a sacred space — where only paired students with high enough noble rank could walk during academy festivals.
It was also Kaelion's favorite place.
And Selene remembered that clearly… because in her first life, she was never invited.
But tonight, the system made the decision for both of them.
[System Quest: Enter the Moonlit Garden with Kaelion. Duration: 10 minutes. Event Trigger: Heartbeat Alignment.]
Reward: Skill Unlock – "Whisper of Truth" (Lv.1)
Warning: Unstable memory may surface. Handle with care.
Night — Inside the Garden
Moonlight bathed the white roses in silver. Crystal fountains trickled with quiet grace. Magic fireflies danced along enchanted hedges.
Selene stood beside Kaelion, both cloaked in shadow and silence.
He hadn't spoken since the library.
And yet… he hadn't sent her away either.
"Why did you bring me here?" she asked quietly.
"I didn't," he replied, voice low. "You followed."
"Convenient."
He turned toward her — face unreadable, but his hands were curled tightly behind his back.
"Tell me the truth," he said. "Who are you really?"
Selene's heart twisted.
In the past… she would've begged him to believe her.
This time, she only smiled.
"You already know, don't you?" she whispered. "You just don't want to remember."
He froze.
His golden eyes widened just slightly — barely a flicker — but to Selene, it was enough.
[Heartbeat Alignment Detected. Memory Echo Triggered.]
Visual Replay Initiated: "If you love me, don't let them burn me…"
Kaelion staggered back a step, as if struck.
Selene stepped forward, voice softer now, gentler. "What do you remember, Your Highness?"
He said nothing.
But his breathing deepened. His gaze fell to her lips. His hand—reached, almost without meaning to, toward her cheek—
Just an inch more.
[Warning: Affection Spike Detected. Bond Event Threshold Reached.]
And then—
A loud crack shattered the stillness.
From the hedges, Marienne stepped into the clearing, wide-eyed and furious.
"Your Highness…! I've been looking everywhere for you!"
Kaelion's face hardened instantly. His hand dropped.
Selene stepped back, slow and composed, though her heart thundered.
[System Alert: Event Interrupted. Affection temporarily frozen.]
Marienne walked up, ignoring Selene entirely. "You should return to the ballroom. People are looking."
"I'll decide when I return," Kaelion said flatly, but he didn't look at Selene again.
He turned and walked out without another word.
And for the first time since her rebirth… Selene's smile faltered.
[System Update: Bond Route now partially unlocked. Future quests may involve emotional vulnerability.]
Next Quest: "Jealousy is a Flame — Make Marienne lose composure in front of Kaelion."]
Selene looked up at the moon, her voice like silk.
"If you want a war, little heroine… you'll get one."