As a child, Nova had followed her master into the palace for an audience with the Emperor.

Without warning, her master’s expression turned grave. “Nova,” he urged, “leave the palace. Run!”

Before she could ask why, she was fleeing in panic through the long corridors.

The next news she received of her master was his death.

She didn’t understand what had happened—she only knew she had to escape this monstrous cage.

Just as the guards were about to seize her, a palace maid she had never met stepped in and hid her away.

When Nova finally resolved to leave on her own, she witnessed that same maid being brutalized and killed in the palace—all for helping her.

With her last breath, the maid mustered her remaining strength to silently form the words: “Stay with Jason…”

That woman was Jason’s mother.

Nova’s heart broke.

That year, she was fourteen. Turning back into the deepest corners of the palace, she assumed the identity of a dead maid and found Jason—a newly orphaned boy of twelve.

She thought, since she had no one left anyway, and this child’s fate was just as bitter, she would stay with him until his grief eased.

Once he was better, she would leave.

But the longer they stayed together, the harder it became to walk away.

Jason’s eyes would often redden as he carefully tugged her sleeve. “Sister,” he would ask, “will you leave me too? Is it because I’m useless that Father, Mother… even you don’t want me?”

Sometimes he’d sneak a piece of candy from somewhere, presenting it to her like a treasure, the back of his hand still marked from the struggle to get it.

Nova, barely more than a child herself, felt her heart soften completely in those moments.

She had matured early, and from her eccentric master she had learned things beyond most people’s reach—strategy, insight, vision.

From then on, she was determined. She would use these skills to protect this boy, to guide him step by step out of the palace’s shadows.

Now, she regretted staying. Yet she couldn’t bring herself to let go. She told herself that once Jason no longer needed her, she would have no reason left to stay.

It happened to be Jason’s birthday—the Crown Prince’s first official celebration, an event every court official was scrambling to attend.

The banquet hall buzzed with toasts and laughter, everyone vying to present rare treasures.

When the crowd called for Nova to present her gift, she stepped forward holding a carefully embroidered sachet, her voice gentle. “Your Highness often reads documents late into the night, straining your eyes. I prepared this sachet with special herbs to soothe the mind and brighten vision. It may offer some relief.”

A chorus of praise rose immediately from the tables. “How thoughtful of Her Ladyship!”

A smile touched Jason’s lips as he reached for it.

Then Kimberly’s clear voice cut through, drawing every eye. “Sister Nova is truly considerate. However, eye strain has complex causes. Relying on fragrance to ease it only treats the symptom, not the root. It might even delay proper treatment.”

Turning to Jason, she spoke with confidence. “Your Highness, from what I understand of my homeland’s methods, your childhood activities in dimly lit places have weakened your eyesight. Using a secret technique from home, I crafted these ‘spectacles’ for you.”

She presented a pair of delicate, gold-rimmed glasses.

Curious, Jason put them on and glanced toward the hall’s entrance. His eyes widened. “It’s so clear! Kimberly, this is remarkable!”

He set Nova’s sachet casually aside, his tone cooling by comparison. “Nova, I appreciate the sentiment. But Kimberly is right. These folk remedies… it’s best not to use them in the future. They’re just a waste of effort.”

The words “waste of effort” pierced Nova’s heart like a needle.

She watched him fiddle with the glasses like a new toy, while the sachet she had poured her heart into lay forgotten beside him—just like her, seemingly unworthy of this grand stage.

Her heart twisted; her fingers trembled faintly within her sleeves.

And at that moment, Jason was smiling as he introduced Kimberly to the assembled ministers. “Miss Kimberly is an exceptional woman. Many of our recent, effective policies have come from her planning.”

An elder minister seized the moment to ask jovially, “Since Your Highness shares such a deep bond with Lady Nova, why not take this auspicious occasion to seek His Majesty’s decree for your marriage?”

Jason paused, his wine cup halfway to his lips. Though his smile remained, a flicker of unease betrayed itself in his eyes. "The half-year deadline has yet to arrive. Matters of state must come first."

His evasive reply sparked an immediate ripple of whispers among the guests.

Sharp-eyed courtiers exchanged meaningful glances. "It seems His Highness's heart truly lies with Miss Kimberly..."

Hearing this, Kimberly could no longer suppress the smile tugging at her mouth. Feigning nonchalance, she raised her voice. "His Highness and I share a bond of loyalty and trust—we are true allies." Her gaze drifted pointedly toward Nova. "Not like some, who waste their days drowning in trivial romance, tying their entire worth to a man."

Every eye in the room shifted between the two women, weighing the unspoken balance.

And Jason remained silent, letting that wordless insult hang in the air like a blade, slowly stripping away her last vestiges of pride.

Nova could no longer keep her composure. She rose abruptly and left the banquet hall.

Cold moonlight bathed the lotus pond in the rear garden. Standing in the wind, she hurled the tightly clutched sachet into the water with all her strength.

As the embroidered silk sank and surfaced, she seemed to see him again—that youth who would turn to ice at the slightest disrespect shown toward her.

Would the Jason of old ever have tolerated anyone diminishing the dignity of the Crown Prince with the casual label of "brother"?

And now he spoke of such nonsense as "treating each other as equals"...

Yes, feelings change with circumstances. Love shifts, affection fades.

Nova was about to leave when Kimberly's laughter sounded behind her.

"Sister Nova, you're not angry with me, are you? I didn't mean to steal your spotlight. If I made you jealous, I apologize right here." Her tone turned lightly mocking. "Honestly, fighting over a man is so pointless."

Nova turned, her gaze fixed on that deliberately innocent face. A chill shot up from the depths of her heart.

"Spare me the act," she said coldly. "I know exactly what you are. Whatever is between you and His Highness is your business. Don't put on this sickening display in front of me."

With that, she turned decisively to leave. Yet Kimberly's voice clung to her like a shadow.

"Is that so? But what if His Highness... just happens to dote on me?"

Before the words had fully faded, a panicked cry and a loud splash erupted from behind!

Nova spun around to see Kimberly already struggling in the icy pond, crying out for help.

"Someone! Help her!"

Jason's furious roar was already at her back. He didn't even wait to understand what had happened before rushing up to Nova, his eyes burning with a rage she had never seen. Every word was a blade.

"Nova! When did you become so vicious?! She merely offered helpful insights to ease my burdens, and you, out of petty jealousy, would try to kill her?!"

Nova stood frozen, staring at this man who had become a complete stranger. She felt the hot prick of tears, her eyes reddening instantly.

In all their years, when had he ever shown her even a hint of such severity?

Now, for the sake of another woman, without even asking for an explanation, he branded her "vicious."

"I did not push her."

Nova's voice trembled, but she kept her spine straight. "She jumped in herself. Your Highness, you know my methods. If I truly wanted to deal with her, would I use such a clumsy way?"

The fire in Jason's eyes intensified. "So this is your revenge for her having your heating removed in the dead of winter? Pushing her into an icy pond—when did your heart become so cruel!"

Nova suddenly began to laugh, a low, bitter sound soaked in sorrow. "Your Highness, do you know why I have never touched her? Only because I feared it would hurt you... But why do you keep hurting me, over and over?"

When she looked up, all warmth had fled her eyes, leaving only a glacial sharpness. A cold smile touched her lips.

"Yes, it was me. I pushed her. I saw Miss Kimberly's room overflowing with extravagant warmth, a sheer waste. Since she advocates for frugality, I thought she could use a chill—good for the constitution, and it saves the Crown Prince's Palace some expenses."

"You...!" Jason was speechless with anger, his pointing finger trembling slightly.

Nova took a step forward, each word dropping like a stone.

"If the very sight of me has become so repugnant to you, just say the words—'I never wish to see you again'—or write a letter of divorce. I, Nova, swear to heaven I will not cling. Otherwise, grant me the respect I deserve."

She looked at him, a thin film of tears rising in her eyes.

"Do you remember? When your headaches struck, it was you who held my hand all night and said, 'Sister, if not for you, I'd have died in pain and no one would have known'... And now, you think the sachets I blended for you are unworthy."

Jason stood stunned, the anger ebbing from his face, replaced by dawning regret. "Nova, I—" he began, his voice uncharacteristically soft.

"Jason... I'm so cold..."