On the day of the empress's funeral, I remembered the disastrous ending of the prince, my brother, who would behead the Emperor and the rest of the royal family to claim the throne in cold blood.

In order to avoid my tragic ending, I either must persuade the Emperor to crown the throne to my brother, convince my brother not to hate me, or convince the knight assigned to behead me to pity me—just like the hunter who couldn't bring himself to kill Snow White, and instead helped her escape.

That's how I thought I would gain his sympathy, but...

"Hey, could you meet my eyes when we talk?"

"...Wouldn't you find that be uncomfortable?"

"It isn't uncomfortable. Your eyes are as pretty as a camellia flower."

How come I'm the one who's pitying you?

"If I ever come back... At that time, would you please allow me to stay by your side?"

It was only when I was on the brink of tears, with a lump in my throat was I able to realize it. What these feelings were.

The reason I think of you from time to time, miss the memories we made together, wish so earnestly for your happiness, and why you've become so precious to me.

Because I've fallen in love with you.