Sienna and Countess Beth
sat across from each other, enjoying a peaceful tea break. Beth brought up news
about Emma.
“Has it been settled?”
“Yes, Your Highness. It’s
set for three months from now.”
Beth had arranged a match
for Emma with a baron’s family, who were relatives of Duke Morton. Initially,
the discussions had been progressing well, but they were delayed due to the
death of Duke Morton’s son. However, during Sienna’s time away in the Bless
Duchy, the talks had resumed.
"It seems the baron’s
family was particularly fond of Emma, especially the groom."
Emma and the baron’s son
had only met once, but it appeared the groom had been eager, even anxious,
during the delay.
"Emma’s family had
concerns because of their declining status, but the baron’s family was
surprisingly proactive. Now that the wedding date has been set, I’m still a
little taken aback."
"Emma is very
fortunate," Sienna remarked warmly.
"Indeed, Your
Highness. It seems so."
Emma hadn’t visited the
palace in quite some time. Because of the ongoing wedding arrangements, she had
refrained from leaving her house, fearing gossip.
"I will miss Emma’s
tea," Sienna said wistfully.
"Your Highness, if I
may," Beth spoke cautiously, "Emma has asked me to convey her wish to
continue serving tea to Your Highness even after her marriage, with your
permission."
Emma had stayed at the
Silver Palace as Sienna’s guest for some time. Being unmarried and with her
family living far away, Emma had avoided most attention from the capital’s
nobility, aside from the Countess. However, once married into a baron’s family,
Emma’s frequent visits to the palace could raise eyebrows. Not every noble in
the capital had the privilege of entering the palace, and for many, it was a
lifelong dream.
"She’s welcome to do
so," Sienna replied without hesitation. "I would be grateful to keep
enjoying her tea."
Beth, who had been slightly
tense, smiled brightly.
"Thank you, Your
Highness. Emma will be overjoyed."
Just then, a maid knocked
on the door. Sienna glanced at her curiously, knowing it wasn’t common for her
rest time to be interrupted.
"Your Highness,
Princess Fatima has arrived."
Sienna immediately
responded, "Bring her in."
Sienna had already instructed
her attendants to treat Princess Fatima as an honored guest whenever she
visited. Otherwise, the maid would have made Fatima wait until Sienna’s rest
time had ended. Soon, Fatima entered the room and bowed.
"Your Highness, please
forgive me for disturbing your rest with this unannounced visit."
"It’s perfectly fine.
Didn’t I say you’re welcome anytime?" Sienna reassured her.
Beth quietly withdrew,
leaving Sienna and Fatima alone in the drawing room.
"How have you been? I
didn’t contact you because I was worried the rumors might affect you,"
Sienna said.
"I understand your
caution. I haven’t left the Count’s estate, yet the rumors still reach
me," Fatima replied with a knowing smile.
"How much of the gossip
is true?" Fatima asked playfully.
"Other than the fact
that I was with the Marquis of Rad in the secluded palace, none of it is
true."
"Oh my, the potion
must not have been very effective then," Fatima teased, and Sienna cleared
her throat awkwardly. Fatima laughed softly.
"Nothing unusual on
your end? I heard the Marquis increased security around your estate,"
Sienna inquired.
"Yes, everything has
been peaceful."
Fatima had heard from her
guard, Yudan, about suspicious figures lurking near the Count’s estate, but
they didn’t seem hostile, so she assumed they were sent by the Marquis.
"Today, I’ve come to
say my farewell," Fatima said suddenly.
"Farewell?"
Sienna’s expression faltered, caught off guard. She hadn’t expected such an
abrupt goodbye.
"I’m returning to my
homeland, Your Highness."
Sienna’s eyes widened in
surprise, and for a moment, she couldn’t find the words to respond. She hadn’t
anticipated that Fatima would be leaving so suddenly.
"Princess, you don’t
have to leave. You won’t face any difficulties staying in the empire, and I can
help you if needed."
"Isn’t it better for
me to return to my homeland?" Fatima countered gently. "My future in
the empire wouldn’t change much, would it?"
"My opinion doesn’t
matter in your decision. You’re free to stay if you wish."
Fatima smiled softly as she
lowered her gaze. There was only one thing she regretted as she prepared to
leave.
She wished she had
maintained a closer relationship with the Silver King. It might have led to a
genuine friendship, and she could have formed a lasting bond with someone worth
knowing. But instead, she had been consumed by grand, unrealistic dreams,
captivated by the empire’s splendor.
Yudan’s words had opened
her eyes. She realized that in this empire, she would always remain an
outsider. Her appearance, her culture—it all set her apart. No matter how long
she stayed, she could never truly become part of the empire.
"Your Highness, I love
my homeland as much as you love this empire. That is where I belong."
Fatima’s gaze was resolute.
This wasn’t someone being forced to leave; it was someone making a deliberate
choice.
Sienna softened,
understanding Fatima’s decision.
"When are you
leaving?"
"I’ll be boarding the
afternoon ship after I leave the palace today."
"Why the rush?"
"I suppose I should
tell you since you’ll find out soon anyway—my father is ill."
"Oh…," Sienna
murmured, her mind racing. The King of the Federation is dying? The
Federation had been established less than a year ago. If the king passed away
now, the federation would be thrown into chaos.
"Have you said goodbye
to the Marquis?"
Fatima shook her head.
"The Marquis is at the
palace today. I can contact him at the foreign office if you’d like. I’m sure
he could spare a moment."
"No, that won’t be necessary."
Sienna paused, hand
hovering over the bell she had reached for to summon a maid.
"I would prefer to
leave quietly today. The Marquis is the federation’s diplomatic representative,
so I’m sure we’ll meet again."
Sienna nodded quietly,
sensing Fatima’s complicated emotions.
Sienna escorted Fatima to
the exit of the Silver Palace.
"Princess, I won’t
forget the debt I owe you."
"I hardly did anything
worth mentioning," Fatima replied with a soft smile.
"The value of help is
determined by the one who receives it. And besides…
Sienna couldn't shake the
unease about the future she had seen in her dream concerning Fatima. However,
she had no knowledge of when or how Fatima might meet her end in that dream.
Offering a vague warning would only leave the departing princess unsettled.
“My offer to help you in
any difficulty is sincere. If ever you need my assistance, even after returning
to your homeland, do not hesitate to contact me,” Sienna said earnestly.
Fatima smiled softly and
bowed deeply, her movements graceful and respectful. After straightening up,
she took her leave.
Sienna stood watching as
Fatima’s figure slowly receded into the distance, lingering on the sight longer
than usual.
Instead of heading directly
to the docks, Fatima instructed her carriage to take a detour toward the
bustling eastern streets. The carriage stopped near the entrance to the market
district, a lively, crowded area. Yudan exited first and helped Fatima step
down. With a nostalgic look in her eyes, she gazed at the throngs of people in
the marketplace.
How curious, she thought to herself. That the last
thing I wish to see before leaving the empire is not a grand party but a simple
marketplace.
Perhaps this was where the
real essence of the people’s lives could be seen, she mused.
Blending into the crowd,
Fatima wandered through the stalls without a clear goal. Her eyes suddenly
widened in recognition when she saw someone familiar. She called out warmly.
"Us."
Us was crouched down,
rummaging through goods laid out on a stall. He looked up, acknowledged Fatima
with a nod, and then turned to greet Yudan beside her.
“Hey. When did you get
here?”
Fatima smiled. "You’re
just the same as ever, Us. I’ve been here a while, but now I’m leaving."
“I’m leaving too,” Fatima
added.
Russ stood up, his large
frame towering over the crowd, causing a few passersby to flinch in surprise.
"Are you here to see
Yudan off?" Russ asked.
"No. I’m returning to
the desert. I’m not sure if I’ll ever return to the empire."
"Does Kuhn know?"
"I sent a letter to
his residence. I didn’t get the chance to say goodbye in person. Us, why don’t
you come with me?" Fatima offered with a playful smile.
"Huh?"
"The desert is much
more exciting than the empire. Aren’t you bored living here? You could come to
the desert and make something of yourself," she teased.
Russ stared at her,
bewildered for a moment, then chuckled.
"I’ll go if Kuhn
does."
Fatima pouted in an
exaggerated manner. "You’re missing a great opportunity, Russ. You’ll regret
it later."
She bowed slightly, her
smile softening. "I hope this isn’t a final farewell. Take care of
yourself."
"Safe travels. The
desert is dangerous—stay safe."
Fatima and Yudan soon
disappeared into the bustling crowd. Russ's lips curled into a smile.
It felt like reuniting with
an old friend. He had first met Fatima in the desert, and seeing her again
today brought back memories. Her lively expression and sparkling eyes were just
as he remembered them.
May luck be with you, Russ whispered under his breath as he
watched her vanish into the crowd.
***
The Emperor had issued a
sudden summons, calling upon not only the dukes but also influential figures
from every corner of politics, commerce, and society. Carriages lined up at the
palace gates, and the meeting room soon became too cramped to accommodate the
growing crowd. The attendants directed them to the grand banquet hall instead.
The hall, devoid of the
usual festive decorations, appeared cold and empty. Tables and chairs were
piled in the corners, covered with white sheets, giving the room an almost
abandoned feel. Only a platform, where the Emperor would soon stand, had been
prepared. It was the first time the hall had been opened for a purpose other
than a party, and many of the attendees looked around as though they were entering
a foreign place.
Nervous murmurs spread
among the gathered nobles. The Emperor’s summons had not included any details,
leaving them in anxious speculation.
"What could this be
about?" someone whispered.
"I’ve heard
nothing," replied another.
As the hour approached, the
hall filled with more people. With no announcements or introductions, attendees
scanned each new arrival. Their whispers grew more intense as familiar faces
entered.
"There’s the Iron
King."
"And the Silver King
as well."
The dukes followed, though
notably, only four of the six were present. The Bless family’s heir, the count,
who typically attended on behalf of the duke, had left for the duchy recently.
In his place, his youngest brother, Andre, a rising star in social circles,
appeared. The absence of the Duke of Rimone, however, stirred more
conversation. While the Bless family's absence was understandable, Rimone’s was
cause for gossip. People tried to gather hints from notable figures, but even
the Iron King, the Silver King, and the dukes kept to themselves, avoiding eye
contact and conversation.
As noon approached, the
whispers faded into uneasy silence. The tension in the room became palpable,
with the stillness so profound that even faint murmurs could be heard across
the hall. Faces grew more rigid as anticipation thickened.
Finally, the call came.
"His Majesty the
Emperor!"
The Emperor entered, his
presence commanding the room into utter silence. Behind him, an unfamiliar old
man followed, drawing curious glances. Only two people in the room recognized
him.
Kuhn’s eyes narrowed as he
observed the scene. Earlier that morning, someone from the palace had visited the
Black House, and Jeffrey had been escorted into the palace afterward. Kuhn had
expected this to have something to do with Jeffrey.
Uncle… Dian’s heart grew heavier as he watched
Jeffrey ascend the platform. His uncle had said nothing to him about what was coming.
"Hear me," the
Emperor began, his voice echoing through the vast, silent hall.
"With the desire to
rectify past injustices, I have ordered a re-investigation of certain old
events to clear the names of the innocent. Despite the short time given, the
Investigation Office has made substantial progress."
Some in the room stole
glances at the Marquis of Rad, expecting he might be involved. Kuhn, however,
inwardly scoffed.
Even I didn’t know there
was any 'progress.'
"Today, I have
summoned you to request your cooperation moving forward, as the findings may
require more active involvement from all of you. Additionally, I wish to
introduce someone who will assist in the investigation."
Jeffrey Acheron stepped
forward. His expression remained composed, but beneath it, he was barely
suppressing his rising emotions. He had survived. He had reached this day. The
restoration of his family’s honor was within his grasp. He would reclaim
everything.
"Jeffrey Acheron, the
last surviving member of the Acheron family, will testify to their
innocence," the Emperor announced.
Gasps filled the room as
the older nobles, those who still remembered the Acheron family, turned pale.
"No…"
"Could it be…?"
Whispers of disbelief and
shock rippled through the crowd. Some even recognized traces of the late
Acheron Duke in Jeffrey’s features. A few had tears in their eyes, whether from
fear or nostalgia.
So… it was the Acheron
family after all, Sienna thought, biting her
lip. The appearance of Jeffrey suddenly connected all the dots in her mind.
The Acherons… so the Iron
King's mother… She realized now that the
future had completely changed. Although she had anticipated some shifts,
witnessing such a drastically altered future sent chills down her spine. She
could barely register the Emperor's continued speech, her attention focused
entirely on Jeffrey.
Does he resemble the Iron
King? Sienna wondered. She
wasn’t sure. For a brief moment, Jeffrey’s eyes met hers, or so it seemed. She
couldn’t tell if it was her imagination, but she felt a surge of hostility.
The Emperor, after
introducing Jeffrey, promptly left. However, the crowd was abuzz, sensing that
the Acheron family's full restoration was imminent.
Count Miller, a close ally
of Dian, found the situation perplexing.
Is this good or bad for us?
Only a select few of Dian’s
most trusted confidants knew the full truth about his birth, and Count Miller
was not among them. Nevertheless, Miller had always been a vocal supporter of
the Iron King, often placing himself at the forefront of Dian’s faction. In his
mind, he believed himself to be one of Dian’s closest allies.
As the Count left the hall,
a servant approached him.
"Count, there is
someone who wishes to speak with you."
"With me? Who is
it?"
"They mentioned it
would be a meaningful conversation for those aligned with the Iron King."
"Hmm…"
After a brief moment of
consideration, Count Miller nodded, and the two quietly slipped away, avoiding
attention.
At the same time, while
Miller was being led to meet Jeffrey in secret, Patricia, the Red King,
received word of the events that had unfolded in the hall.
"I see. Send someone
to the Duke of Rimone’s estate immediately. Find out when he plans to
return," Patricia commanded.
"Yes, Your
Majesty."
Once the attendants had
left, Patricia found herself alone, breathing heavily, her pale face betraying
no emotion. Her thoughts raced.
A survivor from the Acheron
family? What does this mean now?
Some time ago, the Emperor
had hinted at something unusual regarding old events, prompting Patricia to
task Doug with investigating further. But that had been the extent of it.
Whether Doug had uncovered anything or if he had simply ignored her directive,
she didn’t know.
Lately, Patricia had been
preoccupied with securing the Silver King’s position, neglecting her oversight
of the Rimone family’s affairs. Without proper information, she had no way of
understanding the shifting dynamics.
To make matters worse, Doug
had left the capital at a critical time. A few days earlier, he had informed her
that he would be traveling to the Rimone duchy, though he hadn’t provided any
details. Patricia had dismissed it as unimportant at the time.
Now, she regretted it.
She shot up from her seat
and began pacing the room, her steps quick and agitated. Once, Patricia had
been at the center of everything, with her finger on the pulse of every
significant event in the capital.
Now, it felt as though
everything was slipping from her grasp, piece by piece, leaving her with a
growing sense of dread.
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