"Absolutely not."
Belle lowered the newspaper slightly.
"My lady, this is... good news."
Esmeralda, currently lounging on a velvet chaise with zero intention of moving, didn't even look up.
"Then read it quietly," she said. "Good news should not be loud."
Belle ignored that.
"'Lady Esmeralda Displays Unprecedented Composure at Imperial Tea—'"
"...That already sounds suspicious."
"'—wins quiet favor among noble ladies and Her Majesty herself.'"
A pause.
Esmeralda slowly turned her head.
"...I beg your pardon?"
Belle beamed. "Your reputation is improving, my lady."
"...That's impossible."
"It is written."
"Then the writer must be mistaken."
Belle flipped the page.
"There's more."
Esmeralda groaned softly, dragging a pillow over her face.
"I don't want more."
"'Sources report a noticeable change in temperament—once known for sharp jealousy, the lady now displays restraint, wit, and surprising insight.'"
"...Restraint?" Esmeralda muttered from beneath the pillow. "They clearly haven't met me."
Belle smiled. "People are noticing, my lady."
"...That's exactly the problem."
Across the capital—
Another article circulated.
This one far more carefully written.
Far more... delicate.
"'Their Majesties Seen Walking Together in the Imperial Gardens.'"
"'A Rare Sight: The Emperor and Empress Share a Private Stroll.'"
"'Improved Relations Within the Imperial Household?'"
The court buzzed quietly.
Whispers, not gossip.
Curiosity, not criticism.
Because for those who had been watching closely—
Something had changed.
Subtle.
But undeniable.
"...You're responsible for this."
Esmeralda didn't look up.
"False," she replied immediately. "I refuse responsibility."
The voice beside her sighed softly.
"...That is not how responsibility works."
She finally turned her head.
"...Lord Aziel."
He stood beside the garden path, as composed as ever.
Gentle.
Calm.
Suspiciously present.
"...You appear often, my lord," she noted.
"I have business with your family, my lady," he replied.
"You always say that."
"It is always true."
"...That is inconvenient."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"I heard about the articles," he said.
"Tragic," she replied.
"They speak well of you."
"Even more tragic."
Aziel let out a quiet laugh.
"...Most people would be pleased."
"Most people enjoy attention," she said. "I enjoy peace."
"And yet," he said, glancing at her, "you seem to attract the opposite."
"...I blame fate."
A pause.
Then—
They began walking.
Not planned.
Not discussed.
Just... naturally.
The garden was quiet.
A familiar kind of quiet.
"...Her Majesty," Aziel said after a moment, "seems to be in better spirits."
Esmeralda glanced at him.
"You have heard?"
"I observe things," he replied simply.
"...You observe too much, my lord."
"Perhaps."
A pause.
"...But so do you, my lady."
She didn't respond immediately.
Because that—
Wasn't wrong.
"...People change," she said lightly.
Aziel studied her.
"...Do they?"
"They can."
"And you?"
She smiled faintly.
"I am trying to."
A quiet silence followed.
Comfortable.
But beneath it—
Something thoughtful lingered.
"...You were kidnapped."
Ah.
There it was.
Esmeralda sighed. "Yes. Very inconvenient."
"And yet you escaped."
"Also inconvenient."
Aziel stopped walking.
"...You were injured."
"I was."
"And you speak of it as though it were trivial."
"It was a minor inconvenience."
He looked at her.
Longer this time.
"...You do not act like someone who was in danger."
She tilted her head slightly.
"And you do not act like someone who was worried."
A pause.
Then—
"...I was," he said quietly.
The honesty in his voice was... unexpected.
Esmeralda blinked.
"...I see."
Aziel exhaled softly.
"I do not think you realize," he continued, "how unusual you are."
"That sounds like criticism."
"It is not."
"...Then it is suspicious."
A faint smile returned.
"It is observation."
They resumed walking.
Slower now.
"...You have changed," he said again.
She groaned softly. "Not you as well."
"But unlike others," he continued, "I am not asking how."
She glanced at him.
"...You are not?"
"No."
A pause.
"I am more interested in why."
That—
Caught her off guard.
Just slightly.
"...Does it matter?" she asked.
"It does," he said.
"Why?"
Aziel looked ahead, his expression thoughtful.
"...Because people do not change without reason."
Silence.
Esmeralda looked away.
"...Then I suppose I have one."
He did not press further.
Did not ask.
And somehow—
That was more unsettling than any question.
"...You should be more careful, my lady."
She blinked.
"...Excuse me?"
"With your reputation improving," Aziel said, "more people will take interest."
"...I already dislike where this is going."
"Interest brings expectation."
"I refuse those."
"It does not work that way."
"It should."
A pause.
Then—
"...If something happens again," he added quietly, "you may not be as fortunate."
Esmeralda sighed.
"...You sound like His Highness."
"Is that unfavorable?"
"Yes."
Aziel laughed softly.
They stopped beneath the shade of a tree.
The same one she always used.
"...You favor this place," he noted.
"It allows me to avoid responsibilities," she said.
"A noble goal."
"The noblest."
A pause.
Then—
"...I am glad you are safe."
The words were simple.
But sincere.
Esmeralda blinked.
Then looked away.
"...Thank you, my lord."
A small silence followed.
Soft.
Uncomplicated.
Esmeralda stretched lazily once more.
"...Today is peaceful."
"For now," Aziel said.
She sighed.
"...Do not ruin it."
He smiled faintly.
"I would not dare."
A quiet breeze passed.
The moment lingered—
It was another peaceful day for this, now beloved, villainess.