Chapter 150: When Fate Crossed the Garden

Chapter 150: When Fate Crossed the Garden [Osric’s POV] [Imperial Garden, Moments After] The moment I saw her face...my heart stopped. Not in awe. Not in recognition. In rage. Elaenia Valcorin. That name. That face. That shadow stitched into every corner of my nightmares. She stood there, calm as a drifting feather, wrapped in polite smiles and noble grace—but all I could see was blood. The same girl who knelt beside me when the emperor raised his sword to execute me. The same girl whose trembling hands had reached for mine. The same girl who shouldn’t exist here—not in this timeline. Not in this life. My grip tightened around the wine glass. So tight, I felt the crystal creak beneath my fingers. She shouldn’t be here. She wasn’t supposed to be here. She was meant to appear far later—in another region, another city, far from the imperial palace. Somewhere quiet. Somewhere harmless. Where I could have ignored her existence entirely. But now? Now she was standing here, wrapped in silk and borrowed nobility—beside Count Talvan’s daughter of all people? My jaw clenched. Count Talvan. The same man who opposed her becoming Grand Duchess in those nightmares of mine. The same man who detested her involvement with the crown. The man who once called her "a sweet tragedy wrapped in delusion." And now? He’d adopted her? Adopted Elaenia Valcorin? My stomach twisted. This wasn’t supposed to happen. I changed everything. I rewrote fate. I lived through hell to carve out a different path—for her. For Lavinia. And now fate had the audacity to bring her back? Here? To the palace? To her? I looked at the Crown Princess—my Crown Princess. She stood frozen, lips parted, gaze locked on Elaenia like someone staring at a ghost that only they remembered. But she didn’t recognize her. Not the way I did. Not the way someone who’s lived through fire and betrayal and broken timelines would. But Marshi...that divine magical furball knew. He stood between them like a wall—growling, bristling, warning. Like he remembered the end we were both fighting to prevent. And me? I just stared. At her. At the girl who once cried for me. At the woman who would ruin Princess Lavinia. My future... my ruin... Elaenia Valcorin. But not this time.Not again. She will not—cannot—interact with the Princess. I won’t allow it. Not even for a passing word, a polite nod, or a shared breath under the same canopy of roses. I don’t care who she is now. I don’t care whose daughter she pretends to be. I will take my princess away from her.Far.Now. Because if fate dares to twist its claws again, if those prophecies even try to whisper their venom back into her life—I will tear destiny apart with my own hands. So I moved. Across the garden. Swift, calm, composed—but every step burned with urgency beneath my skin.I stopped beside Princess Lavinia. "Oh, Princess," I said with careful ease, "there you are. I’ve been searching." She turned her face toward me, blinking slowly—still dazed, like her thoughts hadn’t caught up to the moment. And then...I felt it. Her eyes. Elaenia’s. Lingering. Watching me. I didn’t need to look to know she was blushing. Blushing. Like she recognized me. Like this was the beginning of something soft. I clenched my jaw. No. No, no, no. This is not your moment, Elaenia and I will not let you begin it. "Greetings to Lord Osric," Lady Sirella spoke suddenly, her voice polite and sunny, pulling me out of my silent storm. I turned and gave her a warm smile—one I didn’t feel. "Ah, Lady Sirella. What a pleasure. You’re looking well today." She gave a graceful curtsy. "You flatter me, my lord. I am doing well, thank you." She turned, gesturing ever so lightly toward her. I already knew what she was about to say. She was about to introduce her to me. "Princess," I interrupted before her lips could shape that cursed name. "His Majesty has been looking for you." Princess Lavinia blinked at me, lips parted. Her eyes searched mine, confused."...Papa?" she whispered, like she’d forgotten he existed in the haze of the encounter. I nodded gently. "Yes, Your Highness. He asked me personally to bring you to him." A lie.But a necessary one. "That’s right. Papa, I need to go to him. I... I’ll go then," she mumbled, still dazed. "I forgot. I was supposed to..." Caelum whispered. "Princess, are you okay?" But I ignored him. Marshi, meanwhile, was still bristling like an enchanted thundercloud in feline form, low growls rumbling in his throat like storm warnings. I bent down slightly and patted his head. "Don’t worry," I whispered only for him to hear. "She won’t harm her. Not this time." He froze. His crimson eyes met mine, glimmering with something ancient. Something far beyond a regular creature’s understanding. And somehow... He knew.He understood. Because maybe—just maybe—he was the one anchoring Princess Lavinia’s fate. The one wrapping her destiny in fur and fire, warding off the ending that once claimed her. I turned back to Lady Sirella with a polite nod. "We shall take our leave now, my lady." She bowed again. "Of course, Lord Osric. Your Highness." We had barely taken a few steps when her voice floated behind us once more— "Um... Princess?" Princess Lavinia turned her head over her shoulder, her brows lifting gently. Lady Sirella stepped forward with a nervous smile. "I... I would like to meet with you again soon. Not just me—many noble ladies and lords have been looking forward to it. We... we’d be honored if you hosted a small gathering. A tea, perhaps?" It was a gentle nudge. A polite invitation.An indirect way of saying—step into your role. Start playing the part of the future Empress. Lavinia smiled faintly. Still a little pale, but regal. "Of course, Lady Sirella. I would be happy to." Another blush bloomed across Sirella’s cheeks, and she bowed again, glowing with delight. But I could still feel her.Not Sirella.Her. Elaenia. Watching us leave. Watching me walk away with the girl I chose to protect. Her gaze was quiet, unreadable, but I felt it drilling into my spine like the ghost of a life I already lived. And I hated it. I hated the way she stood so quietly. I hated the way my memory refused to forget her voice from that night. I hated that even now, she had returned. But most of all—I hated the feeling in my gut. The sense that something was beginning. Again. And this time, it might be worse. *** [Imperial Garden, Afterward] We walked in silence for a moment. Princess Lavinia’s silk sleeves fluttered gently at her sides, her steps light but unfocused—like her mind was still tangled back in that moment. Then she spoke. "Didn’t you say Papa was looking for me?" Her voice was casual, but there was a shadow of something behind it. I turned to her with a smile, gentle and warm. "I did. But... he isn’t." She blinked. "He isn’t?" "No," I admitted calmly. "I said that... because I felt you were uncomfortable, Princess. I wanted to take you away from them." She paused, her eyes meeting mine for a heartbeat—surprised. Maybe even relieved. She didn’t say anything, but I didn’t need her to. I already knew. Caelum, who had been trailing behind with Marshi curled around his ankles, perked up. "Wait—you were uncomfortable?" he asked, blinking. "Why didn’t I notice it? I was right there—why didn’t I feel it?" I ignored him. "His Majesty," I said instead, gently guiding Lavinia forward, "is at the front row of the ceremony. Still cursing Theon under his breath, I imagine. Perhaps go to him for a bit. His presence might... ground you." She hesitated... then nodded. "Alright," she said softly. "I’ll go to him." With a last glance at me, she turned and walked off, her gown sweeping the grass behind her like quiet waves. Caelum sighed beside me. "I wonder why she was feeling uncomfortable," he mumbled, clearly still confused. Marshi let out a deep, disgruntled growl that made Caelum jump two steps away. "Alright, alright! I’ll go get something for our divine, all-knowing, growly guardian," he said quickly, holding his hands up in surrender. "Please don’t claw my shoes again, Marshi, they’re limited edition!" He scurried off toward the dessert table with Marshi watching him leave like a king judging a poorly performing servant. I let out a quiet breath and turned—My eyes immediately caught Aldric. He was standing not far off, hands folded, posture formal, gaze already waiting for mine. And the moment I looked at him— He walked forward. Not a word wasted. He bowed low. "Any orders, my lord?" I didn’t hesitate. "Find out," I said, voice low and clipped, "when and why Count Talvan adopted a daughter." Aldric straightened slightly, brows furrowed. "Adopted a daughter?" he repeated, clearly shocked. "Count Talvan did?" "Yes," I said through gritted teeth. "And he never announced it. Never spoke of it. Never mentioned her existence until today. Not once in any court record." Aldric’s eyes narrowed slightly in thought. "That’s... strange. Very unlike him." Exactly. Count Talvan was the most meticulous man in court. Everything documented. Everything scheduled. Everything announced with full press and protocol. So why... why this? Why her? Why now? I looked past the trees.Past the guests. Back to that girl. "Find out," I said again, my voice quieter this time. "Especially... why her." Because I already knew what the world once planned for Elaenia Valcorin.And I already destroyed it. But now...She’s here again. In another name.Under another banner.With another family. And that means—Something’s changed. Something I don’t understand. And I don’t like mysteries. Not when they come wrapped in old nightmares and familiar eyes. Aldric nodded once, sharp and precise. "As you command, my lord." He turned and vanished into the crowd like a shadow. And I stood there alone—The garden glowing in the late afternoon light, the air thick with perfume, laughter, music... And something else. Something colder. Like fate had just entered the ballroom... Uninvited.