Her Rebirth.

Amelia pushed open the bookstore door and it made a little creaking sound as the bells above the door chimed softly, and just as she had expected, there he was.

Kai.

Leaning against the counter, his shirt sleeves rolled up to his forearms, a pair of thin reading glasses perched on his nose. He looked up from a book, and the moment his eyes met hers, something in Amelia’s chest shifted. She immediately blamed it on the residual irritation from last night, giving no space for any additional thoughts that might want to filter in.

"You’re early today," he said, closing the book and straightening. His voice was low, unhurried, like he had all the time in the world for her. Then he added with a teasing glint, "I’m starting to think you actually enjoy my company."

Amelia walked toward him, setting her gloves on the counter and scowled. "Don’t flatter yourself. I needed a break."

"A break from what?"

"That damned p—" Amelia stopped mid-sentence. Kai didn’t know she was a noble; he thought she was a commoner just like him, and if she told him she was feeling irritated because of Prince Keiser, he would immediately guess she was a noble, and she wasn’t sure how he might react after that.

She didn’t want to destroy the friendship she already had.

She looked at Kai, who was still looking at her with a puzzled expression.

Amelia cleared her throat, looking away. "I work for Lady Amelia."

"Duke Volemont’s daughter?"

"Yes, and there is this insufferable man that always disturbs her."

Kai raised an eyebrow. "Insufferable?"

"Yes, very insufferable," Amelia nodded like a pecking chick. "During the ball yesterday, a very annoying man came to ask my lady for the first dance. I—no, she said she had a fiancé, and he still insisted on the dance. And he had the audacity to say she was thinking of someone else while they danced. Can you believe that?"

Kai’s lips quirked as he leaned an elbow on the counter, resting his chin on his hand. "Sounds like your ’lady’ was quite offended."

"She was livid," Amelia replied, her voice laced with righteous indignation. "The nerve of him just waltzing up and acting as if he had every right to touch her. And then saying she was distracted. how dare he presume to know what she was thinking? Arrogant, overbearing, smug—"

Kai let out a soft chuckle. "Sounds to me like he hit a nerve."

Amelia narrowed her eyes. "He did not."

He leaned in slightly, voice lazy and teasing. "You sure are passionate about this."

Amelia huffed, turning her face away just enough to hide the creeping warmth on her cheeks. "I’m merely loyal. As a good maid should be."

Kai’s gaze lingered on her a moment longer. "Mm. And is your lady often this emotional when speaking about men she doesn’t like?"

That gave her pause. Her lips parted, but no defense came. She folded her arms, trying not to look as flustered as she felt.

Kai pushed off the counter and stepped around it, moving closer. He was only a few inches away now, and Amelia suddenly became acutely aware of just how quiet the shop had become and how close he was to her, just a little closer and their lips might touch.

He reached up, gently brushing a stray wisp of her hair behind her ear.

Amelia froze.

His fingers barely grazed her skin, but the touch sent a jolt through her. Her breath hitched.

"You talk about him," Kai murmured, his voice low, "but the one you keep running to is me."

She swallowed hard. "That’s because... because you’re less irritating."

His lips curved into a faint smile. "So I’m tolerable now? I’m flattered."

She stepped back, her heartbeat too loud in her ears. "Don’t be. You’re still very much at risk of being punched."

Kai chuckled again, his eyes never leaving hers. "Fair enough."

For a moment, they stood in silence. Then he asked, softer this time, "Was he right?"

"Who?"

"The man from the ball. Was she thinking of someone else?"

Amelia’s fingers tightened around her gloves. Her gaze dropped. "...That’s none of your business."

She was never going to tell him yes... and the one she was thinking about was you.

Kai nodded slowly, but he didn’t press further. He stepped back just slightly from her.

"Then," he said casually, "allow me to distract you Lady’s maid, and perhaps your lady as well."

He moved toward a shelf and pulled out a slim, leather-bound book. "This just came in. A story about a woman who lies to everyone around her until she realizes the person she’s lying to the most is herself."

Amelia met his eyes again. She didn’t take the book.

Instead, she said, "Sounds like a foolish woman."

Kai’s lips tilted just a bit. "Or maybe one who’s just scared to admit what she truly feels."

She didn’t answer.

But as she finally took the book from his hands, her fingers brushed his and neither of them moved away.

They were silent for a while, then Kai broke the silence, moving away.

"Make sure you read it, little butterfly. I’ll ask you about it when next we meet."

Little butterfly. Why did that sound so familiar?

"What did you just call me?" she asked.

Kai glanced over his shoulder, a faint smile playing at his lips. "Little butterfly?"

"Why do you call me that?"

He didn’t answer immediately. His eyes wandered to the world outside the window, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Maybe because you remind me of one I had when I was younger."

She became a bit curious. "Was it beautiful?"

"Yes," he said softly. "It was so beautiful I kept it in a jar... just so I could keep admiring it."

She frowned. "That’s cruel. A butterfly isn’t meant to be trapped."

He turned to her fully now, something darker flickering in his eyes. "But if I let it go... it would’ve flown away."

Silence.

"What happened to the butterfly?" she whispered.

Kai looked at her, his gaze boring into her.

"It died."