Hina was both appalled and impressed by what she was seeing.

  “What the hell, Han-chan?!”

  “Our class is doing a maid and butler café for the school festival. You know that already.”

  “Yeah, but why are you dressed like that?”

  With her hair slicked back a little, a bit of makeup to give her that extra glow and a butler outfit that hugged her in all the right ways, Hanako was looking like a decidedly beautiful man. Woman? Her fellow classmates were obviously very happy with the transformation, too, as the girls who worked on her make-up were squealing with happiness with a job well done.

  “Oh, we are definitely making sales today.”

  “No doubt about it. Sasaki-san is usually pretty popular as is, but putting her in a butler outfit is just sheer business genius.”

  “Oh, but does she have the manners to match those good looks?”

  The girls looked up to their class representative, who simply chuckled at their pointed expectations. Even Hina was interested to see how her best friend would act in this role she had been given.

  Graceful as a lily, Hanako bowed to everyone present, one arm against her chest and the over folded behind her back. In a huskier than normal voice, she greeted everyone present in a professional, yet playful voice.

  “My name is Sasaki Han and I am happy to be here to serve my princes and princess today.”

  Raising her head, her gaze met Hina’s.

  “Although if you want me to be exclusively yours, I would not mind being bound to a single princess.”

  The expression Hanako wore was earnest and full of hidden meaning, though Hina knew it was just an act. However, she couldn’t help the momentary flutter in her chest.

  Another girl had to elbow her in the side to get her to snap out of it and reply to Hanako, who still held her position, patiently waiting with a billion yen smile. She was really shining in that moment, enjoying herself. Was that a spark of mischief in her eyes! Argh! Meanie Hanako! She knew she was weak to stuff like this!

  Only because it was Hanako, she knew she could act a brat, turning her head away with a harrumph!

  “Wh-who would want someone like you for a butler? Go train for a hundred years and then come back!”

  Everyone saw how embarrassed she was and broke out into laughter. Some teased her for being so harsh on her best friend, while others just giggled, whispering to each other. Making rumors? Saying mean things? Who knew. People will say whatever they want. Looking over at Hanako to see how she was dealing with it, her friend looked as serene as usual. And for that alone, Hina let things go, because if Hanako wasn’t bothered, she shouldn’t be either.

  Hanako’s only reply to her words were: “As you wish, my lady. You are my sun and if my sun does not wish to shine on me, I must accept this and become a better servant to her desires.”

  “You’re such a weirdo, Han-chan. Save it for the customers.”

  The emperor’s birthday was held every year and celebrated for a whole week at the imperial palace in the capital. Fortunately for many involved, his imperial majesty’s birthday fell upon the opening of the social season, so the gala was doubled as a way for young lords and ladies to debut into noble society when they came of age, if they had not yet held their own debutante ball.

  Soleil’s dress, reworked from the one her mother wore years ago, had been adjusted with that in mind as a new dress could not be made with the time constraints they had. Taken in and modified for the current fashion trends. It was a lovely white dress with a bit of a train and plenty of lace and bows. The shoulders were lower than she liked (it originally had full puffy sleeves more popular during her mother’s time), but it was acceptable to wear to attend a grand celebration. The event lasted seven days, with a ball each night, but her and her father need only show up to the first where the emperor would make his appearance, which was also when all the important players would arrive as well. So this one dress was all Soleil needed; everything else that was packed for her was more for casually touring the capital after the first night.

  When they arrived at the capital’s main gates, Soleil was taken aback by how vast the city truly was. While nothing compared to the metropolis that was Tokyo where she had grown up, there were many buildings standing tall and majestically with streets filled with many people going about their daily lives. She could hear the telltale noises of a nearby market used by the commoners, louder than the one found in Lorainne which only had the local wares and an occasional travelling merchant’s wares, here she could hear many different voices and accents, denoting how the capital was a hub for many peoples from all walks of life to meet.

  The imperial palace was impressive as well. With beautiful white walls, a large garden that led the way to the main palace and the other residences on the imperial grounds. Thanks to her father’s status, Soleil would be staying in one of the guest villas with her father, alongside other visiting dignitaries. Most nobles had their own townhouses in the capital, but since Orion rarely needed to visit, there had been no point in keeping one. So he was given provisions for when he did visit.

  They were given a set of suites within the Rose Villa, one of the five buildings found at the palace grounds. It was the furthest from the main palace and still required a carriage to reach the main building where the royal family lived and where the gala would be taking place. Aside from the Rose Villa, there were the main palace (called the Lily Palace), the Dahlia Villa, the Orchid Villa and the Azalea Villa.

  The Rose Villa hosted foreign visitors, like ambassadors, royals and nobles from far away.

  The Lily Palace housed all of the imperial family, which currently included the emperor, the empress, and the crown prince.

  The Dahlia Villa would house the royal concubines, if the emperor had them, and their children, though in the current reign, it sat empty due to the emperor never having eyes for anyone else. This was in part to the previous emperor who was a womanizer and the current emperor having survived an incredible bloodbath where all the women killed each other and their children. He never wished to subject his empress to such a situation nor any of his own children.

  The Orchid Villa held rooms for high ranking noble visitors to the capital, such as Duke Sinclair. It was promised to all members of the duke’s lineage many centuries ago, a place meant for them whenever they needed to visit. Sometimes, it was even reserved entirely just for the duke’s use. Like the Dahlia Villa, it has also been empty for a long time since Duke Sinclair rarely visited from their territory in the north, though it would most likely be used this week for this special occasion. Soleil made a mental note to ask about where it was located, if she needed to make a plea to the duke in the end.

  And the Azalea Villa was used to house the Saint and lesser saints, after the trials were over. During the trials this was where candidates also stayed in order to not be influenced by their families and for their own safety. Soleil will one day stay there among many others, including the female lead, Alperene. She hoped that her stay would be short lived so she could return to her peaceful life in the countryside with her family and her books.

  She could see the Azalea Villa from her own room in the Rose Villa, the lawn that spread out before it was currently bare of any flowers. One spring day in the future, she knew it would appear like a carpet of light purple, tickling the fancy of all the candidates who would eventually come to live in that villa. Getting to see it early made the scene a little underwhelming and she hoped that she would feel a bit more excitement as Soleil actually lived a moment from her favourite novel.

  “It might be fun to see my favourite romance happen in real time.” Could she request a bucket of popcorn as she got herself front row seats? Probably not, it was surely going to be beautiful to witness with her own two eyes.

  “What do you mean, my lady?” Marianne asked, just coming into her room.

  Laughing nervously, Soleil waved off her maid. “Oh, nothing, Marianne. I’m just talking to myself.”

  “As you say, my lady.” The young lady held up a basin and a towel, a little bit of steam wafting visibly into the air from the basin’s contents. “I bought some washing water for you, as you requested.”

  “Oh, you are a godsend, Marianne.”

  “Hee hee. I do my best for you, my lady.”

  They had arrived in the capital on the morning of the first night of the birthday gala, so it was too late to take a full bath and the usual preparations one expected. No experiencing a large wardrobe of dresses, drawers full of jewels or a whole team pampering her and beautifying her, as was the usual trope – they had to make do with what they had. Luckily Soleil was as pragmatic as Hina had been. As long as she was clean and didn’t smell, everything would be all right. It was already afternoon when she and her father settled in their rooms. Her father had a few things to handle before needing to get changed, so he left Soleil behind with Marianne.

  “Isn’t it exciting, my lady? This is my first time in the capital,” Marianne said, making small talk as she helped her mistress get ready for the ball.

  “It’s the same for me as well. I have to say I am a bit nervous,” Soleil replied candidly. The part of her that had Hina’s memories worried about embarrassing herself, recalling a time when she would step on people’s feet. With her prodigious strength, she was liable to not only break someone’s foot, but also the floor. Thankfully, she had learned how to dance, but she had doubts about keeping up with any strangers who may ask her to join them on the ballroom floor. While nowhere near as gorgeous as the female lead, the future Saint of the Empire, Soleil was confident enough in her own looks to know someone may be foolish enough to approach her.

  “There’s no reason to be, because my lady is going to be the prettiest one there!”

  That was the expected answer of a supportive maid. Soleil laughed. “You’re just saying that.”

  “But it’s the truth!”

  There was no arguing a maid servant who was devoted fervently to her mistress, no better a hype man either. Marianne was fired up and ready to knock down any nay-saying about Soleil, even if the words came from her own mistress’s mouth. Honestly, as embarrassing as it was, Soleil really appreciated the support as in both lives she was somewhat timid and a little insecure. In her old life she had Hanako, but she was no longer there.

  She missed Hanako so much and remembering how they were cruelly parted almost made her cry.

  The feel of metal pressing into their bodies, the cut of broken glass and the cold, hard pavement under them both. Hanako’s hands tightly gripping onto her, even in death, so tragically protective in her final moments. There was truly no better friend than Hanako had been. Was she resting in peace now, or had she been reborn, too? Had she come to this world? Who could she be? Could she even have become her loyal and diligent maid, Marianne? Was the one serving her now, possibly her best friend from another world?

  Looking through her memories as Soleil, Marianne had come to their house many years ago to work as her personal attendant, growing up alongside her. She came from a large family that, unfortunately, could not support all the children in it. So she had been hired in order to support herself as well as send some money home to help out her family. She had always been diligent, smart and kind to Soleil, becoming more like a friend than just a mere servant. There were many similarities to Hanako,but so many differences, too. If she was Hanako, she’d remember being her, wouldn’t she?

  Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

  “...Han-chan,” Soleil whispered when Marianne was brushing out her hair. A little test, a hope against hope that maybe, possibly…they’d died at the same time and place and she had been reborn, so there would be a chance her best friend could be here, too…!

  “Pardon? Did you want a ham sandwich? Are you hungry, my lady?” Marianne replied, having caught her words

  “Ah, no, I was mumbling something nonsensical, hahaha.”

  “If you say so, my lady.”

  Even though it was just a mere possibility, the fact that Marianne carried on as normal still disappointed her greatly. Even though she’d had a week to reconcile between her current self and her old self, she supposed it wasn’t enough to hold back her sad feelings. This world, her favourite story, would have been better if Hanako were here.

  It made her feel so intensely lonely.

  Soleil stood up abruptly from her seat, startling her maid.

  “My lady? We need to finish getting you ready…”

  “It’s fine, Marianne. I just need some fresh air. I’ll be back in a bit, all right?”

  “Ah, but my lady –”

  Soleil just left the room, marching outside without a word.

  The last seven days on the carriage had her thinking long and hard about what she was going to do and the anxiety that came with the anticipation. Truly, waiting was worse when you couldn’t do anything more in the meantime. She must have read that guide more times than she could count, which had surprised her father as he knew his daughter could devour a book in a single day before quickly reaching for another. He had also expressed his concern, wondering if the upcoming Saint trials was distressing her more than she let on in the past. She had reassured him that everything would be fine, not wanting to worry him. Coupling that with trying to withstand the long uncomfortable ride, her mind had been going in circles for over a week.

  A good walk might be just what she needed.

  She exited the villa and decided to take a visit to the Azalea Villa grounds. While she couldn’t get inside the building, visitors were allowed to visit the area which had the second best garden on the imperial palace grounds. Soleil had a moment of trying to remember which direction to go, based on her memory of the novel, as she had currently never been there before. She knew she had seen the Azalea Villa from her window, so she went based on what she knew, walking there.

  Soleil had misjudged the distance, because the walk was much longer than expected. She had seen the villa so clearly from her room, she figured it would be an easy enough stroll, but now it felt like a hike. Though instead of turning back right away, she continued forward, as she had already made the choice to go there.

  As she had seen, the grounds were devoid of flowers currently; Azaleas should be covering all the shrubs lining the paths as well as whole areas, in a sea of purple and pink. That was the view described by Alperene when she first arrived at the villa in the novel. Looking closely, Soleil could see the beginning of buds just waiting to open up.

  They’re cute just like this, too, Soleil thought, poking one bud that she was observing. She’d taken to sitting by one of the paths to just take in the atmosphere and a closer look at the buds.

  “You know, it won’t bud if you just stare at it,” called out a smooth, amused voice.

  Hearing someone else took the young lady by surprise. Her face heated up as she slowly faced the person speaking to her, embarrassment at being caught doing something so childish evident in her own expression.

  Standing nearby, further along the path, was a tall woman with long, wild black hair pulled up into a simple ponytail, dressed casually in a simple button up blouse and trousers that accentuated her long, slender legs. On her hip sat a sheathed sword; was she a guard? No, she looked too casual for that, as most of the guards she saw were dressed in uniform. This must be someone’s own personal knight, Soleil assumed. The other woman had a small smile, just a tiny uptick of her lips that was barely noticeable unless you looked.

  And there were those eyes. Sharp, despite how they arched gently in amusement; a deep ruby red that were staring straight at Soleil.

  The other woman let out a small chuckle before approaching, each stride slow and deliberate (not a bit of hurry in her steps), eventually crouching next to Soleil just a few feet away. Having the strange woman so close made her feel nervous for whatever reason, especially so close. How strange; Soleil wasn’t a social butterfly, but could normally handle meeting new people. However, having this armed female knight nearby was giving her strange palpitations. Maybe it was because she wasn’t used to having armed guards everywhere?

  Or maybe it’s because she’s very gorgeous. She could be a popular model. It should be illegal to be so beautiful.

  “It’ll be a week before we see the first flowers of the season,” the woman remarked in that same smooth, husky voice of hers. “But you can see some are just about getting to start opening up.”

  “Is that so?” Soleil replied, unable to come up with anything else to say.

  “Oh, yes. These flowers on these shrubs will pair nicely with the orchids they’ll be planting in the next month.”

  “Is that so?” Soleil repeated awkwardly. But then, something caught her attention. “Wait, did you say ‘orchids’?”

  The woman, looking bemused, cocked her head slightly. Part of her hair slipped down her shoulder from the action. “Yes, I did. This is the Orchid Villa, after all.”

  Soleil gave the other woman a blank stare. “I’m sorry, but you mean the Azalea Villa, don’t you?”

  The other woman just smiled serenely and said, “No, this is most definitely the Orchid Villa. Take a look over there.”

  She gestured over to the front doors of the large manor situated nearby. Aside from the palace, all the separate villas were constructed in the exact same manner. The only thing that differentiated them were the flowers planted in each garden and the crest that sat above each entrance. At the distance she had been when first looking at the building, there was no way to tell, but since she could clearly see the doors, the symbol above them was clearly the one of an orchid.

  Soleil stood up quickly, taking a few steps back in shock at her blunder.

  She went the wrong way!

  “Is there a problem with the Orchid Villa?” the woman asked, standing up now as well. Soleil mentally remarked on their height difference, in awe that a woman could be so tall.

  Her eyes darted downward a second.

  No heels either?! Holy cow! She’s as tall as Hanako! She didn’t think most women could be as tall as her friend was. Hanako just seemed like a mutant anomaly in her old life, as most Japanese women were pretty short. Hell, even women from outside their country, who had more height, weren’t normally as tall as her.

  “My lady?” The knight was calling out to her once more, waiting on an answer to her original question.

  “Oh, er….nothing, I just wanted to visit the Azalea Villa gardens. They say they are some of the most beautiful gardens,” Soleil finally replied, adding in a nervous laugh.

  The knight just looked at her quietly, before accepting the answer with a nod. Once again, she raised a hand to point out the direction of the Azalea Villa – the direct opposite of the direction she had been initially travelling.

  “You can find them on the other side of the Rose Villa. Though, the flowers aren’t quite in bloom just yet.”

  “I…I see….that’s a shame. Since I’m participating in the Saint trials, I thought I could go take a look at my new home.”

  “Oh? Is that right?”

  Just in that moment, the lady knight’s eyes took on a momentarily cold gleam, one that actually sent a shiver down Soleil’s spine. It did not last long, but it had been long enough to make her think twice about staying there. In fact, it was foolish to mention the Saint trials at all.

  She now recalled how in the novel that a few people had disappeared before the first round of qualifications began, which resulted in the low number from the start. There was no detail about how they disappeared, but it was safe to say that they most likely died as those lost candidates were never mentioned again.

  Fear gripped the noblewoman as frightening scenarios spiralled in her mind about already dying before the first death flag even appeared. The knight moved forward in the time it took for her to realize she should leave right away and get back to the safety of the Rose Villa, making it too late. She was within striking distance.

  Tears began to well and panic set in.

  No, I don’t want to die already! I just realized who I am! I already died so young before!

  I haven’t found out if Hanako is here yet–

  A hand was held out to her.

  “You seem to be upset by something. If you are lost, I can take you to where you need to be,” the other woman said calmly, voice soft. Almost a gentle whisper.

  The knight stood there, just a little over an arm’s length away, her gloved hand with the palm upwards. Her face was set into a patient smile and though they were sharp, the edges in her eyes carried a silent worry.

  Oh, so she’s not going to attack her. Soleil suddenly felt foolish.

  “That…would be very kind of you, if you could take me back to the Rose Villa. Thank you,” she said, putting her hand in the knight’s without more fuss. She’d done enough of that already. However, this would be a lesson to Soleil not to speak so carelessly. Who knew what kind of danger would come. This poor woman must think she was mad, bursting into tears out of nowhere. The woman probably thought Soleil was some ditzy girl who got lost easily.

  The knight nodded and began to escort her back.

  Or, at least, that was where she thought they were going.

  They were headed towards the Orchid Villa, or rather one of the side buildings.

  “Um, I thought you were taking me back?”

  “Oh, I am. I promise. However, I assume you are attending the gala tonight, yes? Walking would take too long and, pardon my saying so, but you seem a bit under dressed for the occasion.”

  Looking down at herself, Soleil knew she was still in her travel clothes, which were much plainer than a dress expected of an event meant to celebrate the ruler of their empire. And the amount of time to finish getting ready meant she needed to get back as soon as possible.

  They arrived at a little stable where several horses had been boarded. The knight picked one out and quickly readied it for riding. Once the horse was ready, she went over to Soleil.

  “Pardon my hands, my lady.”

  “Pardon your–?”

  Before she could even finish her sentence, Soleil was hefted up onto the horse’s back. She’d yelped, not expecting this to happen, face going red as the knight sat herself behind her.

  “Have you ever ridden a horse before?”

  “Oh, yes, I have.”

  “All right, then. Please use me as support, if you need it.”

  While Soleil had ridden horses before, it was usually being seated fully in the saddle and not astride with her legs dangling and no support from the saddle on the horse’s back. The lady knight encouraged her to hang onto her arms, or even lean into her, if she wanted, which Soleil did, thankful to be facing away from the woman as they rode quickly to the Rose Villa.

  The wind whipped through her hair and Soleil worried it might be in the way, yet the knight rode on seemingly unbothered, eyes straight ahead as they rode. The few times the noblewoman peeked up at her riding companion, the woman just had this look of focus. Honestly, Soleil couldn’t help admiring her profile as the knight seemed in her element on a horse. It was hard to keep her eyes away in the end.

  There was a time when the other woman looked down at her in the same moment that Soleil had snuck a look up. Amusement danced in the knight’s eyes, which flustered Soleil, forcing her to look away. The ride was silent, but for the wind whistling in their ears and the gallop of hooved feet on the ground.

  The two of them made it safely to the front of the Rose Villa’s doors.

  Slipping down first, the knight helped Soleil dismount safely.

  “Here we are, my lady.”

  “Thank you so much for the ride. I very much appreciate it. I apologize for putting you out of your way.”

  The knight shook her head, her ponytail swishing behind her back as she did so. A gentle smile was given to Soleil. “Not at all. I wouldn’t have felt right letting you go back on your own.”

  Soleil smiled back in turn. “Well, I would like to thank you somehow for getting back so quickly.”

  “Is that so? Then…may I have the name of the young lady whom I have helped?” the knight asked.

  “Oh! I never introduced myself, did I? My name is Soleil. Soleil Lorainne. Thank you so much!”

  Again, there came an odd look on the other woman’s face. Surprise, but for a fleeting moment in those dusk red eyes. And rather than going blank, there came something unfathomable in those eyes. Nothing bad, Soleil realized, but she couldn’t quite figure out what that look meant. If she had to put a word to it, the young woman could compare it to something akin to a mix of sadness and happiness. Nostalgia.

  The knight reached out her hand again, most likely to say her farewells, but before Soleil could react as manners dictated, a lock of her soft pink hair was plucked up and brought to the other woman’s lips for a kiss. The action flustered Soleil again and she actually backed up a step with a little shriek. Her hair fell from the knight’s grasp as she got away.

  Unbothered, the knight chuckled at her reaction, then sketched out a proper bow of farewell.

  “Have a good evening, Lady Soleil. I hope you enjoy the party tonight.”

  With that, the other woman mounted the horse and rode back in the direction of the Orchid Villa, leaving Soleil alone with her thoughts and racing heart.

  Th…that was dangerous, Soleil thought, fighting to bring her heart rate back to normal.

  As Marianne’s voice filled with a whine as she arrived back to her room, hurrying to get Soleil ready for the gala, a thought occurred to her.

  I never got her name in return, she thought as she watched her hair being teased into a formal style. A lock fell down, brushing against the skin of her shoulder, reminding her of the last moments they had before they parted. A soft flush crept up her neck, remembering. She felt supremely silly for reacting so extremely. It was a polite greeting, that’s all it was. And most likely the two of them would never meet again.

  Yes, just think of that knight as an NPC that I will most likely never talk to again.