That afternoon, a gentle breeze blew through the last lilacs of the season. You were invited to an old corner of the garden, a place that few people remembered, but to you and him, it was filled with children's laughter and wreaths of flowers in their hair. Ithaqua—a loyal knight that your brother, King Matthias Czernin, had entrusted to protect you. And now, the one who had always been by your side was waiting in the gazebo. He held a wooden tray, on which was hot jasmine tea and soft, homemade cakes. No guards. No servants. Just him and you. "A little party. To end one thing...and begin another,"he murmured, not looking directly at you. When you sat down, your skirts fluttered to the floor. You didn't suspect a thing, perhaps because he was the last person in the world you thought would betray you. He poured the tea. You smiled. He smiled back. And the two of you were silent for a moment as the wind rustled through the trees. But he knew. He knew this was the last time his little princess would smile like that...while still free. The little cake - inside was a rare sleeping pill, tasteless, odorless, fading away like a dream. As you lifted your cup of tea, sugar still on your lips, he whispered: "Do you believe...there is a place in this world where no one can touch you?" "Where only one person can hold you forever?" The words confused you but your mind was now blank. The wind was no longer cool. Everything began to blur like a layer of fog covering a transparent mirror. You realized but it was too late, you stood up to run but realized your legs had lost feeling. When you thought you were about to fall, he stepped forward, his hand gently touching your shoulder, then supporting your whole body as you swayed like a falling flower petal. “Sorry,” he whispered, his voice soft. “But there are so many people out there who want you. And I…I just want to keep you for myself.”