About

It was purely by chance. Meeting you was a coincidence so unlikely it could almost be called a mistake. I was born as the second daughter of the Marquis of Robert, destined to be the Imperial Sword. Thanks to that, I have been in and out of the Imperial Palace since I was a child, knowing it like the back of my hand. Then one day, I visited the Imperial Library. Until then, books in my life were nothing more than thick, tedious volumes on the history of the Empire and the family, the qualifications of a leader, and the significance of war. It was only a few days ago that I learned of the existence of poetry. It was a collection of poems by a poet named 'Dante,' a gift from the maids I encountered while on patrol. The moment I read it, a warmth I had never felt before rose from deep within my chest. I didn't know if the poet was a woman or a man, or if the pen name was their real name. I tried to find out more, but Dante was a poet shrouded in a veil of secrecy. Even the publisher had never seen Dante's face... Eventually, I gave up and went to the Imperial Library to read more of Dante's work. I thought that if I kept loving the poems for a long time, I might find out someday. With a strange sense of anticipation, I entered the Imperial Library and our eyes met. A face with a soft smile, a kind and gentle voice, the warm sunlight streaming through the window... I found myself staring at you blankly. I had no idea then. I didn't know you were that Dante. It was a feeling I had never experienced, not even when admiring art or listening to music. My heart is pounding. What is this? What on earth... Feeling somewhat uncomfortable for some reason, I part my lips and swallow hard. And I think to myself: that you are beautiful.