CHAPTER 83: HEDGE SECRETS AND HIDDEN WORDS

Fluffy, of course, perched on a basket of apples and made unhelpful commentary.

"Add more sugar! Boys love sugar. Or perhaps... hide a love note inside?"

’Fluffy!’ Evelisse whispered furiously, cheeks blazing. "That is improper!"

The bodyguard’s gaze flicked once toward her, but he said nothing. He must have assumed she was simply nervous.

At last, Evelisse clutched the small cloth bundle to her chest. "Perfect." She turned to leave.

But Fluffy lingered behind, hovering mischievously. "Go ahead, Princess. I shall catch up shortly."

Suspicious, Evelisse frowned. "Do not cause trouble."

Fluffy winked. "Would I ever?"

As Evelisse left, the bodyguard trailing dutifully, Fluffy zipped back into the courtyard where Caelith still waited calmly by the archway.

For a long breath, Caelith said nothing, his gaze fixed on the night garden. Then, slowly, he turned his eyes directly toward Fluffy.

Fluffy zipped close to his face. "All right, boy prince. Drop the act. You’ve been seeing me this whole time, haven’t you?"

"I know you’re right in front of me."

Fluffy puffed, triumphant. "At last! A confession!" It spun in midair. "And here I thought you’d remain mute forever."

Caelith’s voice was quiet, cautious. "I didn’t wish to make her uncomfortable. If she believes I cannot see you, I will not betray that."

For once, Fluffy softened, bobbing slightly. "Considerate. I like you already."

Caelith studied him. "You’re... the one who rescued her? When she woke up to this new life?"

Fluffy smirked. "Rescued? No. She saved herself. I merely accompanied her choice."

Caelith tilted his head. "Yet she speaks with you as though you were her guardian."

"Because I am." Fluffy folded tiny arms. "But you wonder why she never speaks aloud? Because only she could hear me, once. Had she spoken openly, she would have been called mad. So we kept our words private."

Caelith’s brow furrowed faintly. "Then why can I see you now?"

Fluffy’s eyes gleamed. "Your divine affinity. Your spirit is attuned differently than the others here. You’ve broken the rule without trying. Fortunate, don’t you think?"

Caelith hesitated, then nodded slowly. "I suppose."

Fluffy’s grin widened. "Excellent. That means we may finally end this ridiculous charade. And for the record, I approve of your courtship."

Caelith blinked, nearly choking on air. "Courtship? I am ten."

Fluffy floated smugly. "And she is seven. She, too, always insists on announcing her age when the topic of attraction or marriage comes up. Examples: once when a maid teased her about future suitors, twice when her brother joked about crushes, and several times when—"

"Enough," Caelith interrupted, face flushed scarlet.

Yet Fluffy only twirled. "See? You are alike already. Both children, both stubborn, both pretending not to think too far ahead... though your heartbeat tells otherwise."

Caelith stiffened. Indeed, his chest thumped hard, unsteady. His mind betrayed him—images flickered unbidden. Evelisse laughing beneath sunlight. Evelisse plucking flowers with soft, careful hands. Evelisse’s voice, earnest and small, saying his name.

The warmth that shot through him was both exhilarating and terrifying. He turned away, forcing calm. "That is... irrelevant."

Fluffy’s eyes narrowed slyly. "Is it?"

Before Caelith could answer, Evelisse returned, bundle clutched proudly in her hands.

"Prince Caelith!" she called, cheeks glowing pink with excitement. "I have prepared something for you."

Fluffy darted back, instantly resuming its invisible act, humming innocently.

Evelisse tilted her head, noticing the faint color on Caelith’s face. "Are you unwell?"

He shook his head quickly. "I’m fine."

She beamed, unwrapping the cloth to reveal the pastries, their golden crusts gleaming under lantern light. "I wished to thank you properly for walking with me today. Please accept these."

Caelith stared at them, momentarily silent. Then, slowly, his lips curved in a small but genuine smile. "...Thank you. They look wonderful."

Fluffy whispered smugly from above, "Oh, the romance begins."

Evelisse glanced up suspiciously, sensing something strange. But Fluffy floated innocently still. Shrugging, she held out the basket.

"Shall we taste them together, Prince Caelith?"

He accepted one delicately. Their fingers brushed for half a second. Evelisse’s heart skipped, and Caelith’s hand stilled just slightly before he pulled away.

The moment was small, but heavy with unspoken things neither dared voice aloud.

Caelith, bowing slightly. "Thank you, Princess Evelisse. I will treasure them."

Behind her, Fluffy made exaggerated chomping motions, whispering gleefully, "He’s doomed. Sugar trap of love!"

Evelisse blinked at Caelith, sensing something off in his expression, but when Fluffy twirled innocently as if nothing had happened, she brushed the thought aside and waited anxiously for him to taste one.

Caelith took a small bite. The pastry crumbled delicately, sweet and warm. For the first time that day, his smile softened into something unguarded.

Evelisse’s small chest swelled with pride, her fingers clasping together instinctively as she watched him. The warm light glimmered in his silver eyes, casting a quiet warmth across his features that made her forget the hedge-spying brothers and even Fluffy’s incessant commentary.

"I’m glad you like it," Evelisse whispered, bowing her small head politely. "I... I wanted to make something... pleasant for you. To... thank you for coming all the way over to visit me."

Caelith’s lips twitched into another gentle smile, a shadow of amusement in his eyes. "Pleasant? It is more than that. It’s... thoughtful." He carefully set the pastry aside on the cloth, brushing a stray crumb from his tunic. "You truly have skill for someone your age."

Evelisse flushed, tucking a loose strand of her soft pink hair behind her ear. ’He doesn’t know I practiced my special recipe for hours while the kitchen staff slept. Not that I could tell him.’

Fluffy zipped above her head, circling in triumphant loops. "Did you hear that, Princess? He said thoughtful! Victory! Sugar trap part two is underway!"

"Fluffy, please," Evelisse hissed, keeping her voice low. "Not so loud. If my brothers hear, I’ll never hear the end of it."

"End of it?" Fluffy squeaked. "End of it? Oh no, this is just the beginning!"

Caelith tilted his head slightly, watching the tiny fluffball with a faint curiosity. Evelisse could see the subtle shift in his gaze, a mixture of suspicion and mild amusement.

’He notices everything,’ she thought, heart thumping in a mix of excitement and nerves. ’Was Fluffy right on his suspicion?’