You know, you could stay if you want.

When Prince Eugene said those words, the world before me had become a blur. The memories I made, the sights I saw, the people I met, and even the food I ate—every single thing I did here was wondrous.

I could actually imagine myself being a part of this century. I could hang out at Prince Eugene's office and share jokes with him. I could read books of old and learn more about kingdoms with Prince Nathaniel. I could serve as Prince Jacob's most trusted marksman and let my arrows soar. I could paint to my heart's content at Prince Jacque's atelier. I could have more village trips with Prince Vante.

I could keep annoying the hell out of Prince Agustus and maybe hear more of his laughs. And...I could even spend more moments with the mysterious Prince Tayden.

After the Revolution is over, after all my worries disappear, maybe I can stay.

But then it hit me.

Khaleesi Dulcina Ermengard.

This life was originally hers. She was supposed to be one starting a brand new journey as a painter for the Grand palace. She was supposed to be the one experiencing all the things that I experienced.

I took it all away from her.

We may share the same reincarnating soul, and she may be my past self, but then again, our bodies belonged to different timelines. She doesn't have a birthmark on her chest while I have mine. She belonged here in the 18th century just as how I belonged there in the 21st.

Thus, I have to go back to where I truly belong.

Besides, isn't it what I wanted? To go back?

Then why does it have to hurt me this bad?

"I'm sorry, Eugene." I murmured to the rose bushes. "What did you really wish to tell me?"

The Heir had already left a while ago, so I delivered my message to the flowers instead. Maybe they can express my guilt for him someday...

Someday when I'm not around to be there for him anymore.

I was about to head back to my room when I suddenly overheard a few servants talking amongst themselves. Being the curious person that I am, I tiptoed closer to where their group had huddled.

"I am very fortunate to work here in the palace!" a maid quietly gushed to her friends, and they automatically nodded in agreement.

"Truly!" another swung her duster high up. "We get to see the handsome princes who are hidden from the public! My sisters at home are quite jealous of my privilege!"

They all squealed in low volume.

"Prince Charming is inside the next part of building as we speak!"

I frowned. They actually use that term?!

"The way he plays the piano is always so soothing to the ears!"

My breaths were held. That's when I quickly apprehended the sound of the instrument echoing along the palace walls. Like an iron filling lured by a strong pull of the magnet, I walked towards the source of the tunes.

"Is he in there?" I asked the servants, pointing at the large double doors of the Great Hall.

They were flustered upon my abrupt presence. "Y-Yes, young miss."

I dipped my head as thanks for their answer and proceeded to grab the handles.

"Look at her. She's the most privileged woman out of all of us." Someone muttered from behind me. "Ugh, I wish I was her."

I turned around and gave them a smile, my dress swaying with the movement. I could see the shock on their faces after they realized I can still hear them.

"I wouldn't say that if I were you." I advised. Unless you want to be murdered by an unknown killer and undergo rigorous training for the sake of History's mankind and struggle maintaining relationships with princes who used to ignore one another for the past ten years.

"F-Forgive us, young miss!" they bowed and scurried away in a hurry.

Feeling victorious, I placed my right hand to my hip and chuckled softly. Using my left hand, I reached out for the handles.

However, I felt nothing but air.

Did the double doors open by themselves? I thought. No, you idiot, of course they won't. Someone from the other side must've...

Eventually, my outstretched hand landed onto something, something hard yet soft at the same time. Then, I recognized the texture of cloth. My cheeks were burning so feverishly when I hurriedly spun my heels to look at the person responsible for beckoning me in the first place.

It was, regrettably, Prince Tayden Pharrell.

My hand was on his chest, but his gaze remained fixated on me as he leaned on the doorframe.

My insides were twisting like knots.

"Are you that proud of scaring them off?" he spoke, ashen hair falling according to the manner of his head tilting sideways.

"I, um, well..."

Without warning, he seized my extended arm, pulled me into the entrance of the Great Hall, instantaneously closed the doors, and pinned me against them. He did everything in one swift motion so that it was impossible for me to react.

He had me trapped. It was only the two of us here, judging by the dead silence.

His face was inches away from mine. I resisted the urge to glance at his lips. I looked down and noticed the bruises and cuts underneath his collar.

"Do you still have the apple I gave you?" the prince queried, his hot breath tickling the edge of my neck.

Gulping, I replied. "I... I ate it."

He went quiet, blinking.

I felt awkward all of a sudden. I could hear the cawing of birds outside the tall glass windows, their noise inserting into the emptiness of our surroundings.

Soon enough, Prince Tayden was laughing. He let me go and stepped backward, brushing his fingers along the strands of his hair.

"Of course," he cheekily grinned, "of course you would."

You freaking tease!

"Why did you come here?" he folded his arms and sat on the piano seat. His stare was distracting, resulting to me not being able to think properly.

I bashfully gestured to the instrument at the side.

"Oh, you must've heard me." He said while petting the black and white keys. "Did I sound bad?"

Still too embarrassed to speak, I could only vigorously shake my head with clenched fists. What nonsense! He sounded amazing!

He released a tiny laugh. His gaze then shifted to the instrument in front of him.

"I love the piano. We all do."

The atmosphere shifted. I looked at him with wrinkled brows.

He was opening up to me. Right now. At this moment. This certain individual who I once deemed as the Cruel Prince was currently giving me an expression of melancholy and longing.

I never believed this day would come.

Little by little, I approached him. Little by little, I was closing the gap between the two of us—both physically and emotionally.

"It became my mother's replacement." He continued, not making eye-contact. "Back then, I would always tell her the sentiments that I was unable to express, tell her every bit of truth that I had covered up with lies."

He used to be so distant.

But today, I was sure that I could finally reach out to him.

Maybe it was because of the piano. He could be honest because of it.

"Now that she is not here," he sniffled, rubbing the tip of his nose, "I go to the piano as an alternative. I play the melody she loved most to translate my emotions and the tormenting feelings that spread like fire all over my body."

My chest tightened at the sight of him in pain. "What melody is that?"

"Lent et Douloureux."

I froze.

The time seemed to be non-existent at this fraction of a second. I could feel my head ache like there was a lost memory begging to be remembered. A lump was forming down my throat. I wanted to succumb to my weak knees and collapse to the floor. It almost felt like I already heard this before.

"What does that mean?" I managed to question.

He smiled. It was genuine and sweet. It was like catching Jimin's cute eye-smiles in the middle of class all over again. My heart squeezed.

"The title is a guide on how you play its piece. I find that fact very fascinating." He explained, taking my wrist and inviting me to sit on the piano seat beside him. "You play it..."

Prince Tayden's hands gently hovered on top of mine and guided my fingers above the keys. The vague memory was rushing like a rapid whirlwind in my mind. Then and there, I inaudibly gasped.

I remember it now. The title. How it is played. The melody that I hum each chance I get. The intro of the piano piece that I tried to play when I snuck in the Music Clubroom. I remember it now.

"...Slowly and Painfully." We both stated in complete synchronization.

At last, we gazed into each other's eyes.

He was clearly surprised that I knew what Lent et Douloureux meant, but he simply smiled and didn't bother asking me to any further extent.

And then, like a strange impulse surging through our blood from the fast beating of our peculiar hearts, we began to play it together.

The intro of the piece, which was also the only part I could recall, was brought to life by the delicate unison of our fingertips.

"Your Highness!" a booming voice broke out from the double doors.

I flinched. We stopped playing.

"Your Highness," the soldier informed, "His Majesty, King Eldred, requests for your time and attention."

The prince showed me an apologetic look and sighed. "Duty calls."

He stood up and jumped off the mini stage. He advanced towards the exit, leaving me on my own in the empty Great Hall.

Wait. I watched him go. Stop right there.

He gripped onto the handles, ready to open them.

Wait!

Just as he was about to walk out of the door, I rose from the piano seat and with the bravest voice I could muster, I shouted his name.

"Tayden!" the sound of it reverberated loudly within the hollow hall.

Instead of taking another step, he whirled back to where I was. "Yes, Rosette?"

Hearing him say my name was pure bliss.

I deeply inhaled, clutching my chest due to the wild heart that might come out and break my ribcage. I wanted to cry but it will get in the way so I didn't let it control me or overwhelm me. I held it in. I had to endure the throbbing of my body.

"Let me be your piano."

His eyes widened.

"A lie speaks in flowers. The truth speaks in thorns." I reminded him of the words he told me in the forest back then. "I understand it now! You are afraid that once I know more about you, you wouldn't appear to be as pretty as flowers any longer. You are afraid that I might be disgusted, ashamed, scarred... That's why you keep your distance despite wanting to be with me!"

He looked like he was close to tears.

"But you don't have to suffer all alone anymore! I don't care if it's ugly, dark, or if it hurts! Show me the real you... Talk to me with your real self...just like what happened a few minutes ago."

The Great Hall was hushed. My breaths were shallow and quick.

"Why are you doing all this...just for me?" he uttered with a shaky voice.

My peculiar heart was screaming, pounding so madly. "Because I—"

"Your Highness!" the soldier opened the double doors and saluted when he saw the prince. "The King is waiting!"

Prince Tayden nodded halfheartedly and spared me one last glance.

"When I'm ready," he smiled again, making me weaker than ever, "maybe I will."

And he was gone.

I sank to the ground, my energy drained.

I did it.

I really did it.

Third Person's POV

Prince Eugene Brancen made it to the veranda, and thankfully, his brother was still there. He looked at the view below them and discovered that the Royal Gardens could be seen from this part of the building. But since the location was a few yards away, his brother couldn't have overheard his conversation with the maiden.

The second-born perceived the older one's company, yet he stayed indifferent as though the Heir was a mere gust of wind that had voyaged into the palace.

"You did not hear anything?" the first-born probed, making sure.

Prince Agustus lazily purred in response.

Thank goodness. Prince Eugene exhaled in relief. "What were you doing here then?"

"Watching you two and trying to guess what was going on." The younger sibling honestly replied. "It was like observing Mother and Father from the distance when we were kids."

"And what is your guess?"

"I do not know. You gave her a tour around the gardens and bragged about having new ones planted over that corner where you guys stood."

"Close enough." The Heir chuckled. "I presented her roses as a gift."

"That's nice." Prince Agustus apathetically reacted.

Prince Eugene rolled his eyes and reclined against ledge, his hair of refined pink hues falling into place as he cocked his head. "Will you tell me what's really going on? I can sense if something is offbeat, remember?"

"Yes, that skill of yours helped you become an exceptional musician."

"Agust, I am being serious here."

The second-born groaned. He stared at the Royal Gardens. The plants were blooming splendidly because it was already the season of spring, the season of love.

Ah, love. For a person like Prince Agustus, there would be no such thing as love, only loathing. That was why he was so certain that the passionate bubbling feeling from deep within him when he laid eyes upon the guest of Grand was just unadulterated loathing. Not the other L word.

His stare wandered towards the music fountain that was in the middle of the gardens.

However, there were some predicaments he had that weren't applicable to loathing at all. He wanted to hold her. He wanted to see her each day. He wanted to take care of her. He wanted to protect her. He wanted to comfort her when she's sad and laugh with her when she's happy.

And his heart...his heart would beat louder than bombs when her body is close to him. His heart would strangely ache when he sees her with his brothers, especially Tayden. Especially him.

That isn't loathing anymore.

If it isn't, then what is this feeling?

"There is a flower," said Prince Agustus, blushing, "and I think that she has tamed me."

The Heir listened and calmly nodded along, smiling for he immediately grasped the meaning behind his brother's lines. "It is my turn to guess. Is she a rose?"

Prince Agustus glared at the older sibling, blushing even further.

"Okay, continue." Prince Eugene stifled his windshield laughter.

"She is like all the other common roses," added the second-born, "yet I have become pathetic and foolishly cherish her more than all the other common roses. I must understand why."

"Sometimes the most difficult of questions have the simplest of answers." The Heir started to say, gazing at the clouds looming above them.

The younger prince offered a listless look, tired of listening to his brother's words of wisdom every hour of the clock, "So what?"

"Time," answered Prince Eugene with a grin, "It is the time you have spent with your rose that makes your rose so important."

Prince Agustus' kitten eyes enlarged. "Time..."

He then remembered all their memories together. He remembered when he first met her after he played Lent et Douloureux, when he caught her fainting and held her by the waist, when she expressed her gratitude, when he rescued her from the Black Hood, when he cradled her in his arms, when he escorted her out of the forest, when he gave her the silver whistle, when he found her crying by the Oaktree, the Hunting Game, and even whenever he calls her his little mousey.

He realized that he had done a lot for her, more than what anyone else ever did.

"Go and look again at the roses." The Heir suggested, seeing the shine in his sibling's dilated pupils. "You will understand now that yours is unique in all the world."

The second-born obliged, rotating to sprint down the stairs.

"Oh, and Agust...!"

He looked back. "Yes?"

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." Prince Eugene reminded, beaming supportively. "Listen to what your heart has to say and perhaps you will have your answer."

"Alright," smiled the endearing younger sibling, "thank you, Gin."

He dashed away.

The first-born looked at his disappearing figure fondly, reminiscing to a memory that happened before the incident.

Agust, you don't have to help me. I'm the oldest so I'll handle the responsibilities and carry the burden. 12-year-old Eugene frowned worriedly at the small boy who followed him out the palace.

You don't have to do it all alone, Gin. We must help each other just like what Mother said. There are seven of us. Seven is good. 11-year-old Agustus argued, final with his decision. And besides, with you gone, it's also my responsibility to look after the young ones. I also carry the burden as the person who came after you.

You mean it? Eugene expectantly asked.

Absolutely! If you're king, then I'm assistant king! Agustus proudly raised his head up to the sky. Let's be there for one another until the very end! That's a promise!

Eugene merrily snorted. You really love promises, huh.

Of course! Because they must be kept! Agustus let out a boyish grin.

Prince Eugene chuckled at the memory, wiping the tears running down his face. He felt the cool late afternoon breeze blow past him. He clutched onto the velveteen box and opened it, revealing the beautiful Royal Ring of elegant diamond that sparkled under the sunlight.

His mind was at peace.

"Good luck, little brother." He smiled to himself.

He expected the Throne Room, but Prince Tayden Pharrell was summoned to the King's Chambers instead. It wasn't long until he came to a realization that this was no ordinary discussion.

"Your Majesty, Prince Tayden has arrived." The soldier announced by the double doors made of rich sandalwood.

Loud coughs could be heard inside. "He may now enter."

The instant the prince stepped into the room, he saw his father pale and bedridden. A small number of doctors and maids encircled him, discussing the matters of his health. The burgundy curtains blocked most of the light passing through the windows, so the young man carefully strode in the dark.

"You requested for me, Father?" he clarified, politely bowing.

"Leave us." King Eldred said to the rest of the people, flicking his bulky hand. The rings and jewelries that used to be there were temporarily removed and were placed on the top of his side table.

When everyone else had left, the room became silent.

The king wheezed horribly.

"Are you alright, Father? Must I get the Royal Doctor?" Prince Tayden proposed, reaching out for the doors.

"I am fine, you fool. I am just old." His father grumbled under his breath, pressing stiffly onto the pillows accompanying him. "I shall be better after a couple nights of rest."

"Okay," said the prince leniently, bending one knee to the polished floorboards as he positioned himself next to the enormous canopy bed and carefully kissed the aged man's hand.

The king intently watched his son. It was like staring back at his reflection of youthful times. "I raised you well. You have grown up to be a fine man."

Prince Tayden nodded patiently. "Yes, Father."

While the sixth-born was an exact replica of his deceased wife, his fifth-born had inherited his eyes, his charisma, his behavior, and his talents. His fifth-born reminded him of the early days, of when he was still too naive of power, of when he has yet to make the entire kingdom bow. The minute he was born, the king foreknew the future.

"You are special from the other six, my son." He rasped, gripping resolutely onto the prince's hand. "You are obedient and your perspective of the world is parallel to mine. You have taken good care of me throughout the years. You have served me quite impeccably. Under my wing, you have persevered."

Prince Tayden swallowed hard, deducting where this conversation leads. "Yes, Father."

Content with his son's short replies, the king went on.

"You have your failings but I can fix that." He breathed out. He looked at the ceiling and then back at the prince's serious expression. "I do not plan on passing my crown off anytime soon, but once I do, Eugene will not wear it. He yearns for a different kind of ruling. We do not see eye-to-eye."

The prince couldn't hide his frown.

"And the second-born is worse. He does not respect me at all. The others have yet to provide me a worthy impression. They are incapable...unlike you."

"Father, I—"

"Tayden," King Eldred stated with a cavernous pitch, "I want you to take the throne."

Within the hearts of everyone who aches, the melody of Lent et Douloureux plays.

A/N: Things are getting quite...um...how do you guys describe it?

Yay! Another update! You guys deserve it for being so patient with us uwu please take our gift ♡ Also, at the top we included the audio for Lent et Douloureux so you guys can imagine what it sounds like while reading the scene. We hope you like it uwu

We've come so far and we thank you for staying. We love you always.

Nocturnal Armys.