“Why are you saying such things? Are you denying the fact that I… that I love you?”

“No. Your sincerity has been conveyed enough. I understand how you feel about me and what you think of me.”

“Then why!”

“Because Your Highness loves something else more than me.”

As Violet’s calm voice continued, Rajaden, who had been revealing his emotions, finally averted his gaze.

I love you.

This was an undeniable fact. Moreover, hadn’t he promised not to look at any other woman and to give her anything she wanted?

Then why?

The man standing at the pinnacle of the empire, commanding the world, was loved by all. Reverence for him was natural, and his future shone brilliantly.

Thus, it was understandable that he wore a look of incomprehension.

Violet smiled as she looked at Rajaden.

“Because what Your Highness loves most is the throne and this country.”

Violet slowly placed the ring back into Rajaden’s hand.

“I do not need a position to command the world, nor gold and silver treasures, nor the most splendid life.”

She had already experienced such things as a duke’s daughter. Even if she gained a higher position, it wouldn’t fill her loneliness.

Violet knew what her loneliness was.

“Your Highness, you are the one and only person who will lead this country in the future. I will cherish and serve you as a loyal subject, but I do not dare to think or hope for anything beyond that.”

As Violet’s words continued, Rajaden couldn’t say anything.

He loved his country deeply.

He was the crown prince. Born as the crown prince, he had lived only to become the emperor.

He had never felt burdened by that position, nor doubted his abilities. And he loved his country just as much.

As a person, here and now, he was merely a man confessing his love to Violet. However, as the crown prince, mere love was not enough.

Thus, tears fell silently from Rajaden’s eyes, unable to say anything.

If he wanted, he could appoint Violet as the crown princess right here. There would be no opposition, given her lineage, manners, and knowledge.

If he did so, Violet would enter an unwanted marriage, and Rajaden would get what he wanted both as an emperor and as a man.

But he couldn’t do that. Violet said she would cherish and serve him with a loyal heart.

She had asked him not to trample others with power.

Finally understanding the meaning of Violet’s words, Rajaden shed the emotions he would have to let go from now on.

Violet slowly approached him and gently wiped away his tears.

Then she cupped his cheek and softly kissed his forehead.

It was not a kiss mixed with romantic emotion, but one of affection. A declaration that she did not dislike him, and a blessing for his future.

The gesture was reverent. Tears continued to fall from Rajaden’s eyes.

“…You are.”

His voice broke.

If only he could become a tyrant, he could take what he wanted.

If only he were not so kind.

“You are truly cruel.”

Lowering his head to hide his tears, Rajaden said so. Violet handed him a handkerchief and left.

Alone, Rajaden held the handkerchief and wept silently.

“…It hurts more than I thought.”

He accepted the fact that he had been rejected.

As Violet turned away from Rajaden, she looked up at the night sky.

The stars, densely packed, flowed like a river.

It was a romantic scene, much like what had just happened to her.

She thought her current self was laughable.

To say that she hadn’t been shaken even a little would be a lie.

Unless one was devoid of emotions, there was no way to remain unshaken by someone of his stature clinging to them.

But Violet had drawn a line. Each time she was shaken, she steadied her heart and calculated the issues between them as he whispered sweet love.

Rajaden loved Violet, but it was ultimately a personal desire.

If he had to sacrifice his love for the greater good, he would willingly do so.

An emperor must be like that, and the love whispered to a woman was ultimately fleeting.

Violet left the garden without any regrets.

She left behind all unfulfilled emotions—in search of what she truly wanted.

Under the same moon, different emotions intersected.