They walked beneath the moonlight until, without warning, several men emerged from the darkness and surrounded them. There were six of them, bandits who roamed the roads at night, preying on unsuspecting travelers.
"Who are you?" Amaryllis asked.
"Hand over everything you have," said a long-bearded man.
"We're not giving you anything," Marantaceae said as he stepped in front of Amaryllis and drew his sword.
All six men burst into laughter.
"Do you really think you can stop us?" asked a man dressed in black.
Amaryllis reached into his pocket and took out his money pouch. Marantaceae looked at him in disbelief.
"There's no need."
But Amaryllis stopped him.
"Take this."
He tossed the pouch toward the man who appeared to be their leader.
The leader caught it, stared at Amaryllis for a moment, then tossed the pouch into the air several times, judging its weight.
"There's a lot of money in here."
"Let's go," one of the other men said.
The six bandits turned and left.
Marantaceae glared at Amaryllis.
"Why did you do that?"
"I know you could have defeated them," Amaryllis replied, "but I don't want any news about us reaching the capital."
Marantaceae said nothing and continued walking ahead angrily. Amaryllis hurried after him.
"We're wanted. We need to be careful."
As he followed behind, Amaryllis lowered his head.
You must have gone through so much. You have every right to hate all of us... especially me. Because of me, you lost your family.
After a while, Marantaceae slowed his pace. He knew Amaryllis was right. If they had fought the bandits, word of it could easily spread.
Amaryllis stepped in front of him. Before Marantaceae could ask what he was doing, Amaryllis wrapped his arms around him.
Marantaceae froze in shock. A moment later, he nervously pushed Amaryllis away.
"What are you doing?"
Amaryllis wanted to say so much, but the only words that came out were,
"I'm just happy we met."
Before either of them could speak again, they heard the sound of many footsteps approaching.
They quickly hid behind a tree and waited.
As the group came closer, Amaryllis was shocked to see that they were Thistles.
Curious, he watched them from behind the tree. They walked to an old well and began drawing water.
The sight filled Amaryllis with anger. They were being forced to fetch water in the middle of the night.
He immediately became worried about Marantaceae. If he felt this angry, what must Marantaceae be feeling?
Amaryllis turned to look at him.
Marantaceae stood quietly behind him.
Unable to bear it any longer, Amaryllis stepped forward to help them.
"Wait," Marantaceae whispered, stopping him.
Amaryllis looked at him in surprise.
"I'm going to help them."
"No."
"Why?"
"They're Thistles. No one has ever treated them with kindness. If a stranger suddenly offers to help, they won't believe it. They'll only be scared."
Amaryllis didn't fully understand, but he chose to trust Marantaceae.
After walking for some time, Amaryllis sighed.
"I think we should rest. If we keep walking like this, we'll run into another group of thieves."
"Agreed."
Marantaceae searched for a place where they could spend the night.
Eventually, they found a small abandoned house with only a few horses inside. It looked like it had once belonged to a farmer. They searched for the owner but found no one.
Beside the house was a wooden shed. They gathered some dry wood, lit a fire, and sat beside it.
The night was cold.
Amaryllis removed his coat, intending to give it to Marantaceae.
"I don't need it," Marantaceae interrupted.
Amaryllis quietly put it back on.
"I was only trying to help."
Marantaceae stared into the flames.
"When did you discover my identity?"
"This isn't the right time to discuss that."
"Fine."
Marantaceae looked at him.
"Then tell me this. How are you planning to manage without any money?"
Amaryllis smiled.
"I'm with you. Why should I worry?"
"No."
Amaryllis pouted.
"I know... you're so cruel."
Marantaceae ignored him. He rested his head on a pile of dry grass and watched the fire.
After a moment, Amaryllis asked,
"Is there someone you don't like?"
He wanted to know whether Marantaceae remembered him.
Marantaceae looked at him, confused.
"What do you mean?"
"Is there someone in this world you truly hate?"
"There are many."
"I mean someone you hate so much that you'll never forgive them."
Marantaceae fell silent.
"There is one person. I met him when I was six years old."
His gaze remained fixed on the fire.
"That was the day I lost everything."
"Do you know where he is now?" Amaryllis asked quietly.
"I don't."
Marantaceae lowered his eyes.
Master promised that if I obeyed him, he would help me find that man.
"What will you do if you find him?"
"I've answered enough questions."
Marantaceae turned toward Amaryllis.
"Now tell me about yourself."
"Alright."
Amaryllis forced a smile.
"You already know my name. I used to be a low-ranking guard in the South Palace. Later, I decided to leave the military because I didn't want to spend my life in the forests, far away from my family. So I became a businessman."
At this point, Amaryllis was simply making up a story. Even he no longer knew what he was saying.
"But aren't you still away from your family?" Marantaceae asked.
Amaryllis hesitated.
"They... actually died while I was away in the forest fighting for Gladiolus."
What am I even saying? I just killed off my own family.
Marantaceae looked at him sympathetically.
"I'm sorry."
"It's alright. I'm fine now. It happened a long time ago."
"What about Magnolia? He's always with you."
"He's just my friend."
"And that woman?"
Amaryllis blinked.
"Woman?"
Then he laughed.
"Syring? She's like my sister. What are you even thinking?"
"I don't want to know anymore," Marantaceae said irritably.
He turned away and pretended to sleep.
Yet deep inside, he couldn't stop himself from growing attached to Amaryllis.
He's my first real friend... the first person I've met while not hiding my identity. For the first time, I feel at peace in a friendship. Every friendship I had before was built on a purpose, and none of them knew I was a Thistle.
Amaryllis quietly removed his coat and draped it over Marantaceae before lying down beside him.
Anemone lay awake in his chamber as bright moonlight streamed through the window onto his bed.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't sleep.
Finally, in frustration, he sat up.
"If I don't destroy this woman, people will spit on my name in the future. Before she came, no one ever dared question me. Every previous ruler respected me. They feared me. I know exactly why she's doing this... and I won't let her succeed."
Laurel was walking past Anemone's chamber when he saw that the oil lamp was still burning. Surprised to find Anemone awake at such a late hour, he quietly stepped inside.
"Anemone."
He bowed.
"You're still awake. Is something wrong?"
Anemone composed himself.
"I'm fine. It's just that there are things I must finish before I die—for the sake of Gladiolus."
Laurel nodded.
"But you should get some rest. What if you become sick?"
Anemone looked at Laurel for a moment before a faint smile appeared on his face.
"You've always looked after me."
He walked over to him.
"But why are you still awake at this hour?"
Laurel lowered his head.
"I've been worried ever since the assassination attempt. Until the culprit is caught, I wanted to stand guard outside your chamber."
Anemone gently patted Laurel's head.
"Go and get some sleep."
Laurel quietly bowed and returned to his room.
Queen Violas stood on her balcony, gazing at the bright moon.
The moonlight illuminated her face, making it shine in the darkness.
Princess Syring... I know you're heading south. Once I reach you, neither you nor the South will remain.
Suddenly, the Queen began coughing violently.
She covered her mouth with a handkerchief.
When she lowered it, there was blood on the cloth.
Without saying a word, she walked over and sat quietly beside her plants.