While Daphne was writing in her notebook about her scattered thoughts, her heart quietly wondered: Could what I'm feeling be more than just admiration? Are these feelings of love slowly forming without me even realizing it?
She wandered lightly through the busy streets of the city. Her breath rose in the cold air, and her eyes followed the displays in the Victorian shop windows. Luxurious dresses embroidered with golden threads and lace danced on the mannequins behind the glass, as if they belonged to another world far from her reality. She lifted her hand to touch the glass of one window, imagining herself wearing those exquisite gowns, before the magic was broken by a deep, nostalgic voice behind her:
"So… you've come back again?"
Daphne froze in place, her heart pounding violently. She slowly turned around to see a tall man with a handsome but weary face and brown eyes filled with mystery. He wore a long dark coat and a hat that partially obscured his features.
"Haven't you changed your mind yet about that matter?" the man continued, stepping toward her with confidence but no hostility. "You know I love you."
Daphne was unable to respond. Her hands fumbled as she tried to find her notebook in her pocket, but before she could, he had come close enough to see the expressions on her face clearly.
He stopped suddenly, his features shifting. His brows furrowed in surprise as he stared at her, as though trying to solve a complicated riddle. He spoke in a low voice filled with emotion:
"But… this is strange."
He moved closer, gazing deeply into her eyes, as if they were a gateway to another soul.
"You look like her… like Eva. But you're not her. Your face is kinder… more innocent. Even your clothes are different. And yet… I don't know why I feel like you are her."
He spoke as if in a dream, his words flowing between nostalgia and confusion. Suddenly, his tone changed—warmer now, though still laced with sorrow:
"I loved her. I loved everything about Eva. And now… I find myself loving the new Eva, or whoever you are."
Despite her shock, Daphne felt drawn to the strangeness of the moment. A mysterious feeling, as if his words were connected to something she had yet to understand. She tried to write something in her notebook, her hand trembling, but she stopped when the man gently took hold of her arm.
"Don't run. Not again."
His voice was desperate this time, as if she were a ghost he'd been chasing for years.
"Who are you?" he finally asked, his eyes searching for an answer in her silence.
Before she could respond, heavy footsteps sounded behind them. The man turned quickly, his expression becoming alert, his eyes locking on a tall shadow approaching. It was Adonis, dressed in his black military coat, his face marked with clear impatience.
"Step away from her," Adonis said sternly, his gaze sharp as a blade piercing the man.
The man took a step back, but a small smile played on his lips, a mix of sarcasm and challenge.
"Ah, the great Commander Adonis… Isn't it strange how you always appear where you shouldn't?"
Adonis didn't respond. He simply stepped in front of Daphne, placing his hand in front of her protectively. Daphne looked between them, feeling like part of something larger than herself—a story yet to be fully told.
"I won't repeat myself," Adonis said sharply, his gaze fixed on the man, who smiled again before quietly stepping back.
"As you wish. But we will meet again." Then he gave Daphne one last look and whispered, just barely audible:
"Eva or whoever you are… the ending is the same."
And he vanished into the darkness.
Adonis turned to Daphne, concern clear in his eyes.
"Are you okay?"
She nodded, though she felt this encounter was not the end, but the beginning of a web of mysteries that would reveal her fate and the past of the man who haunted her.
Daphne still stood in place after her bewildering meeting with the mysterious man. Her heart was pounding in her chest, her eyes shifting between the man who had disappeared into the darkness and Adonis, now standing before her, his sharp gaze closely watching the situation.
"Don't worry about him," Adonis said, his voice firm but reassuring. His hand gripped her arm, as if trying to shield her from something invisible. "He won't come back again." Then he added, "Were you looking at the dresses?"
Daphne nodded, her eyes shimmering with admiration toward the window displays. Those luxurious gowns had stirred her curiosity, but what had just happened made her think of other things.
Adonis, noticing her gaze, reached into his pocket and pulled out some money.
"Here," he said, handing it to her. "Buy what you want. These clothes draw attention, and you need to be more careful." Then he looked at her seriously, as though his words carried a hidden warning.
"I have to return to my duties now, but be careful. Don't stay here too long."
His voice was full of confidence, but Daphne sensed something else beneath his words—something she couldn't quite explain. She was touched by what he said and smiled silently, beginning to feel the money he had given her in her hand.
"Is everything alright?" Adonis asked, watching her with a keen eye. He didn't need an answer—she understood more from his eyes than she had expected.
"I won't repeat myself," Adonis said firmly, then walked away, leaving Daphne standing in the middle of the street.
At the palace, the emperor was enjoying a moment of peace in the royal garden, sipping his tea carefully, as if trying to push away heavy thoughts. The atmosphere was calm, with soft sunlight touching the leaves and casting delicate shadows on the ground. Suddenly, Empress Amifira approached with a fabricated smile on her face.
"I see you're doing well. Did you sleep well?" she asked as she drew closer.
The emperor answered in a quiet, emotionless voice, "Yes, I slept well. And you?"
"Of course," Amifira replied in a steady tone before continuing, a glint of anticipation in her eyes:
"But there is something important I must tell you." She paused for a moment, as if the words were heavy on her tongue. Then she said, "The Emperor of Kalistar, the fourth strongest empire in the world, has requested to be your ally through a marriage alliance between our son Hellebore and his daughter."
Silence fell over the place for a few moments, the emperor's eyes reflecting the weight of the news he had just heard. His thoughts raced, trying to read between the lines—for this step was more than just a military or political alliance. It was a matter of power and strategy.
"Hellebore…" the emperor finally whispered, his eyes fixed in the distance. "Is he ready for this responsibility?"
Amifira smiled softly, as if she had expected the question.
"Our son is strong enough. And it's time we prove our strength to the other empires." She added firmly,
"If this alliance happens, our empire will be stronger than they imagine. We must approach this opportunity wisely."
The emperor took a sip of his tea, his gaze steady on Amifira.
"You believe this is the best choice?"
Amifira stopped smiling, her tone serious as she replied,
"Yes. Although I know there are those inside the palace who oppose this, we need this alliance if we want to maintain our prestige. And it's not just about military strength, but our position among the great empires."
The emperor was silent for a while, then said,
"We'll talk more about this later. Let me finish my thoughts."
Amifira smiled again, but this time her smile was full of secrets.
"Of course. I'll be waiting for your decision."