Chapter 53 

If I had to admit it—I was the fake April.

I let out a deflated laugh at Damian, who was still waiting for my answer.

“Damian… why do you think the April you’re looking for—”

Before I could finish, the door to the parlor burst open.

Perfoné entered, fully dressed and mildly confused.

“Did you two reconcile or something?”

Anyone could see Damian was cornering me, not comforting me. And yet, he asked that with a straight face.

His arrival stopped me from saying something I might’ve regretted.

“Did you have a nice chat?” he asked, too casually.

“Thanks to you,” Damian replied smoothly.

I almost choked.

He lied without blinking.

As we exited, a flash of pink caught our eyes—Rozian.

Everyone knew she and Perfoné weren’t close. She wasn’t here for him. She was passing through, probably headed to the emperor.

With her was Tamitarte.

Our eyes met for a brief second. He pretended not to know me—which was wise, but still unsettling.

Rozian greeted us with a sugary smile.

“Such a pleasant sight, the three of you together. Tea time?”

Perfoné chuckled. “The founding festival is near. I thought I should play the doting fiancé.”

Ah… how far he’s come. I remember how Rozian once terrified him. Now he teased her with polite jabs.

She smiled tightly.

“You remind me of the past. But wouldn’t it be more appropriate for just the two of you to spend time together?”

There it is.

A thorn hidden in petals. Rozian—so graceful, so poisonous.

“Wouldn’t people just talk more with all three of you together?” she said sweetly, casting glances that cut deep.

And then she added something sharper:

“Your Highness, I recall when you went completely silent after the empress’s funeral. Your father and I were so worried…”

The color drained from Perfoné’s face.

Everyone thought he’d gone mute from grief. But I knew better. It wasn’t the death of the empress that had silenced him—it was something tied to Rozian herself.

I reached out, gently taking his hand.

Rozian noticed, of course. Her eyes gleamed with cruel curiosity.

“That reminds me,” I said with an innocent smile. “I first met Lady Rozian when I was around fourteen. Still remember it vividly.”

Her lips curled. “Do you?”

“Yes. You were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. I was in awe.”

Rozian seemed pleased at first—until I added:

“What’s really amazing is how little you’ve changed since then.”

Damian and Perfoné froze.

“Truly, it’s as if time has stopped for you. Like… you’re taking a potion to stay young forever.”

Tamitarte flinched, paling visibly.

Rozian’s expression didn’t change. But she knew—I knew.

“I’ll excuse myself now,” I said gently.

Rozian gave a clipped nod.

As I turned to leave with Damian and Perfoné, I whispered to them:

“Have you ever thought it strange?”

“What is?” Perfoné asked.

“That someone could look exactly the same after ten years… still young, still flawless.”

Neither of them answered. But their silence said enough.

⸻

Later, at the Friele Boutique…

“Oh my! Lady April!”

The boutique owner rushed to greet me, delighted.

The shop had expanded since my last visit—clearly thriving.

I had helped put this boutique on the map. Being seen shopping here had set trends across the Empire.

“You should’ve sent word, Lady April! I would’ve cleared the schedule for you.”

“That’s exactly why I didn’t. I wouldn’t want you to lose business.”

Her laughter was warm. Then she noticed the men behind me.

Perfoné and Damian—two striking figures—stood awkwardly among the racks of jewelry and dresses.

I couldn’t help smiling.

Damian, especially, looked completely out of place.

“It’s been years since the three of you visited together,” the owner said.

“Must’ve been three years,” I replied lightly. “My busy fiancé finally made time for me.”

No one contradicted me.

So it was true. April had never visited with Perfoné once in those three years.

“She insisted we come together today,” Perfoné said smoothly.

I added, “Damian just returned to the capital. I invited him to join.”

The owner gave a short, understanding nod—then bowed deeply to Perfoné.

“An honor to greet the Empire’s young sun.”

Perfoné simply gave a slight nod in return.