The air was thick with the soft hum of life around them, the fireflies still twinkling in the distance. The garden, a magical, ethereal place, seemed even more alive in the company of the Silver Knight, who walked ahead of her with a steady pace, as if he belonged to this world.
They reached a small, shallow pool that was tucked away in a corner of the garden. Yulian blinked in surprise as her eyes landed on a school of unusual fish. Their scales shimmered in the moonlight, moving in synchronized circles in the calm waters. They glowed with a faint silver-blue hue, as if they were part of the stars themselves.
"They're beautiful," she murmured, leaning in closer.
The Silver Knight smiled, watching her curiosity grow. "This is one of my favorite things about this garden," he said softly. "They've been here since I built the place. They only move in this pattern when they sense someone pure of heart."
Yulian looked at him in disbelief. "Pure of heart?" she asked, her voice tinged with doubt.
"Put your hand in the middle," he said, nodding toward the center of the pool.
She hesitated. "Are you sure?"
He chuckled softly, his eyes warm but serious. "Yes. Trust me."
With a reluctant but intrigued expression, Yulian stepped forward. She knelt down and cautiously extended her hand into the center of the water. The fish seemed to recognize her presence, their movements slowing as they began to swirl around her fingers. The silver-blue glow grew brighter, illuminating the water like a living ring of light.
Yulian gasped in awe. The fish were glowing faster now, speeding up and creating a perfect circle, a mesmerizing dance that left her speechless.
"Wow…" she breathed, watching in wonder.
The Silver Knight couldn't hide a small laugh at her wide-eyed expression. "I see you're surprised."
Yulian turned to him, her face flushing at his teasing. "It's just… I've never seen anything like this," she said, slightly embarrassed by her awe.
But as she looked at him, that smile — that same warm, gentle smile — caught her off guard again. His grey eyes softened, and there was something about it that made her heart flutter unexpectedly. A strange sensation bloomed in her chest, one she couldn't quite name.
She shook her head, trying to regain her composure, and turned back to the glowing fish. But that sensation didn't go away. It lingered, unsettling and yet strangely comforting.
Before she could speak, a rustling noise broke the tranquility of the moment.
A figure appeared from behind the trees, stepping into the moonlight. A tall man, his presence commanding. He froze for a second when his gaze landed on Yulian, his brows knitting together in surprise.
"You…" the man started, looking from her to the Silver Knight with confusion in his eyes. "You've brought her here?"
The Silver Knight's expression remained stoic, but his eyes darkened slightly. "Yes. What of it?"
The man's gaze flickered to Yulian again, and he opened his mouth as if to say something else, but then paused, perhaps reconsidering his words. He lowered his voice, his tone serious but respectful. "The council has been looking for you, Sir. They're waiting."
The Silver Knight gave a small nod, clearly dismissing him. "I'll be there soon. You may go."
The man hesitated, but when he saw the Silver Knight's unwavering gaze, he bowed and turned to leave, the sound of his boots fading into the night.
Yulian was left alone with the knight again, but now there was an undeniable tension in the air.
"Who was that?" Yulian asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Just someone from the council," he replied curtly. "Nothing to concern yourself with."
There was a brief silence, and then he turned to her again. "It's getting late. You should return to your room. Rest."
Yulian blinked. "But—"
He placed a hand gently on her shoulder. "You're safe here. But the night is still long, and you should have a good night's sleep. You've had a long day."
For reasons she couldn't explain, Yulian felt an odd relief at his words. It was strange — she didn't know him well, but something about him made her feel like things were under control. Maybe she didn't need to understand everything right now.
Nodding slowly, she followed him back through the garden, the path illuminated by the soft glow of fireflies.
They reached the edge of the garden, where a small stone building stood in the distance. The knight opened the door and guided her inside.
"Rest well," he said, his voice softer now. "I'll check on you in the morning."
Yulian stepped inside, feeling an odd sense of gratitude mixed with confusion. The door closed behind her with a soft thud.
---
The next morning, Yulian was woken by the gentle sound of knocking.
She sat up quickly, disoriented for a moment, then remembered where she was. Her room was small but comfortable. The walls were lined with soft drapes, and a single window let in the first light of dawn, casting a warm glow across the stone floor.
The door creaked open, and three women stepped in. They were dressed in simple, elegant clothes, their faces kind yet professional.
"Good morning, Miss Yulian," one of them said, her voice soft but respectful. "We've come to assist you."
Yulian blinked, unsure what to say. "Assist me with what?"
"We've been assigned to you," the woman continued, smiling politely. "We're your maids. Our duty is to make sure you're comfortable."
The second woman stepped forward, holding a towel. "We'll begin by washing you up and preparing you for the day."
Before Yulian could respond, the third woman spoke. "We'll be quick, don't worry."
Yulian stood and let them do as they wished, unsure of how to feel. The idea of being pampered, of being cared for, was still strange to her. She didn't know how to let go of the cold armor she had built around herself, but these women were doing their best to make her feel like she belonged here.
They carefully washed her body, massaging her tired muscles, and brushed through her white hair with delicate strokes. The second woman even offered her a soft, comforting smile as she worked.
Once they finished with her hair and body, the maids dressed her in a beautiful outfit. The fabric was light and flowing, the colors rich, with hints of silver that made her feel like something between a noblewoman and a ghost. The dress fit her perfectly, and for the first time in a long while, she felt something close to normal.
Afterward, they showed her around the place. The building was far more extensive than she had realized, with hidden hallways, courtyards, and gardens she had yet to explore.
As they walked through one of the courtyards, Yulian overheard a conversation between two passing servants. They were talking in hushed tones, but the words caught her attention.
"… the new Empress will be introduced tonight at the ball."
The words hit Yulian like a physical blow. The new Empress?
Her stomach tightened. She had heard rumors about the emperor's new marriage, but hearing it confirmed so casually sent a wave of nausea through her.
She wanted to ask more, but the maids were still leading her through the complex. She bit her lip, trying to keep her emotions in check.
Empress. The title that should have been hers.
The mention of the Emperor made her heart clench. She hadn't been able to escape his memory. But that wasn't all—her thoughts were consumed by the knight. Why hadn't he told her he was going to attend the banquet? Was he leaving her here alone for that reason?
As the maids continued to prepare her, she couldn't stop thinking about it. The Silver Knight, the man who had saved her life, was leaving her alone. Her heart ached with the realization that her life now held no purpose. The very man who had rescued her from the river, from her despair, was the one responsible for trapping her in a different kind of prison. A prison of loneliness. She had no family, no purpose, and now, no reason to live for. Her chest felt heavy with despair, and as the tears began to fall, she buried her face in her hands, letting the sadness wash over her.
Hours passed as she lay in her room, feeling more and more hollow. Her mind kept replaying the scene from the garden. The knight's smile, the way he had looked at her with such gentleness, yet he was leaving her. The world seemed to close in around her.
Then, as if her misery wasn't enough, the door creaked open. One of the maids entered, carrying a tray with fruits on it. She set it down on the small table by the window, but the woman barely noticed. Her eyes were glued to the knife resting beside the plate of fruit. The glint of the steel caught her attention, and for a moment, she stared at it, her heart racing.
The knife…
A thought crossed her mind, dark and dangerous, but just as quickly as it came, she pushed it away. She couldn't go down that path. She couldn't end it all like this, no matter how much the pain hurt.
But the knife remained in her thoughts, a constant reminder of how lost she felt. The Silver Knight's kindness had only brought her closer to this emptiness, this void. If he hadn't saved her, she wouldn't have to feel this way. She wouldn't have to feel like she was nothing.
As she stared at the knife, her heart pounded in her chest, and the darkness within her whispered louder, tempting her. Would anyone care if she disappeared? Would they notice?