In the emperor's chamber, the marquess entered at the call of his summon. The moment he stepped inside, his eyes fell on his mother, Lady Rose, lying weakly in bed. Alarm surged through him.
"Mother! What happened?" Rue rushed to her side, his voice thick with worry.
"Do not fret, my son," Lady Rose said softly, mustering a weak smile. "It was just an illness. I'm feeling better now."
"How can you say that when you were poisoned?" the emperor interjected, his tone grave and stern. "It's fortunate the healers acted swiftly. If the toxin had been more potent…"
"Poison?" Rue echoed, stunned. He had believed his mother would be safer within the palace. Yet danger had followed her even here. This wasn't the first time her life had been threatened.
"The poison was traced to her lady-in-waiting," the emperor explained grimly. "She took her own life before we could interrogate her. To think such a thing happened under my roof... I have failed to protect her."
"Please don't blame yourself, Imperial Father," Rue said, placing a hand over the emperor's. "I'm grateful she's alive and being cared for."
Lady Rose nodded gently in agreement. "Your son is right."
The emperor turned to Rue, his gaze firm as he placed his hands on his shoulders. "Use this investigation to build ties with the other nations. When it's done, I want you to study at the Arcane Lyceum. It's time."
Rue blinked, taken aback. The Lyceum had once been his dream until the nobles had crushed it, claiming it would incite jealousy and unrest. That a bastard had no place learning magic on par with the crown prince.
"But the nobles will never allow it," Rue said cautiously.
"All the more reason you should go," the emperor said. "I may wear the crown, but the empress holds sway over the court. If something happens to me, you must be able to protect yourself. I'll deal with the nobles."
Rue hesitated, a quiet conflict in his chest. "I fear this might cause tension between the prince and me…"
The emperor's eyes darkened. "Caleb may be kind, but he's young and his mother has been whispering daggers into his ears. He may not be like her now… but we can't be certain he won't become her someday."
"But-" Rue began, only for the emperor to raise his hand, signaling finality.
"It's not a request," he said. "It's an order."
Rue sighed, bowing his head in reluctant acceptance.
Sensing the heaviness in the air, Lady Rose spoke up with a warm smile. "Now, now, enough of politics. It's been too long since I've had a moment alone with my son."
The atmosphere softened. The emperor leaned in and kissed her forehead before taking his leave.
Once the door closed, Lady Rose turned to her son, her voice gentler. "How have you been, truly? And don't take your father's words to heart. He's strict because he wants the best for you."
"I understand," Rue said quietly. "But I don't like how he speaks about the crown prince. Caleb has only ever shown me kindness."
She gave a small nod, thoughtful. "And what do you think of him?"
"He's the best brother I could ask for. Despite everything, despite who our mothers are, he's always treated me like family."
A silence settled between them for a beat too long. Then, with hesitation, Lady Rose asked, "Then why did you do it?"
Rue frowned. "Do what?"
"Why are you having an affair with Lady Cecilia when she's set to marry the crown prince next year?" she asked softly, her voice strained.
Rue froze. How had she found out? How long had she known?
"I-" Words failed him. He took a breath, then met her eyes. "It was a mistake. One I made in a moment of weakness… out of jealousy. But I love her, Mother."
Lady Rose let out a weary sigh, the weight of a mother's love and fear pressing heavily on her.
"I won't defend your father's bitterness toward the prince," she said. "But if Caleb learns of this… he won't see you the same way again. You'll lose everything you've built."
She looked at him, her eyes filled with both sorrow and urgency.
"You must let her go."
Rue lowered his gaze. Deep down, he had always known this day would come. Their relationship had no future, no rightful place in the world they lived in. And now, he had to face it.
"I understand," he said finally. "I'll end it."
As if fate were listening, his aide arrived at the chamber door, bowing respectfully before handing him a sealed letter. It bore Lady Cecilia's crest.
"She wants to meet," Rue murmured, eyes lingering on the letter. "Perhaps… this is the right time."
In the palace gardens, Princess Elery strolled leisurely, accompanied by her knight and the lady-in-waiting assigned to her. The afternoon sun cast a gentle glow over the flowers, and the air carried the faint scent of roses.
As they turned a corner, Elery paused, her gaze settling on a scene ahead. Crown Prince Caleb laughing softly as he spoke with a stunningly beautiful woman.
"Who is that lady speaking with His Imperial Highness?" Elery asked, curiosity piqued.
"That is Lady Cecilia of House Labelle, Your Highness," her lady-in-waiting replied. "She is the crown prince's fiancée."
Elery nodded slowly, her eyes never leaving the pair. The prince's expression was light, almost glowing with happiness. Yet, something felt amiss. While he radiated warmth and ease, the lady beside him wore a composed smile, graceful, polite… but distant.
When midnight came, the Marquess made his way to a secluded area behind the palace. The moonlight filtered through the trees, casting shadows across the garden paths. There, waiting under the pale glow, stood Lady Cecilia.
The moment she saw him, she ran forward and wrapped her arms around him tightly. It had been too long since they last saw each other.
The Marquess glanced around for any sign of people before returning her embrace.
"I missed you," she whispered, pulling back slightly to look at him. "I was worried. You hadn't replied to any of my letters, and I thought something might have happened. I was ecstatic when I finally got your response today."
"I'm sorry, Cici," the Marquess said, offering a faint smile. "Things have been hectic at my estate. It would've looked suspicious if we kept exchanging letters too often. I was just about to write you when I received yours."
She pouted. "Then you owe me time in exchange. My father is going to inspect the duchy, and we'll be staying in one of the castles in Ripasa. It's close to your estate, we could meet more easily. I know you're returning soon."
The Marquess's smile faded, sadness filling his eyes. "I can't."
"Is it because of work? That's alright. We can meet when you're free. I heard the flowers are breathtaking this spring." She tried to sound cheerful, but concern was creeping into her voice.
"This is something you should do with the Crown Prince."
Her smile fell. "It's you I want to spend time with, not the Crown Prince."
"His Imperial Highness would be heartbroken to hear that," the Marquess said seriously.
Cecilia's expression shifted to frustration. "Why do you keep bringing him up?"
He took a deep breath. "Because… we must end this."
She stood frozen, the words sinking in. "Why?" she asked quietly.
"Your wedding to His Imperial Highness is next year. We have to stop before someone finds out."
"We've managed to keep it a secret for years," she said, forcing a smile. "We can just continue what we've been doing."
"My mother found out."
Cecilia's breath caught.
"If she knows, it won't be long before the Crown Prince does too. We have to stop now, before it's too late."
"I'll speak to my father. He loves me, he'll understand. I'll ask him to cancel the wedding," she said desperately, her eyes shining with tears.
"If you were going to end this, you shouldn't have started it," she continued. "You think I don't know? You started it to hurt your brother… but what we have now, it's real. We started wrong, but we can make it right."
"I'm sorry," the Marquess said sincerely. "It's my fault. I shouldn't have done that. I didn't know what kind of person the prince was. I judged him because of the Empress. But I care about him now. And I know he loves you. I can't betray him anymore."
Cecilia wiped her tears away and looked at him with doubt.
"I heard what happened this morning. The emperor wants you to forge alliances with other nations. Is that why you're doing this? Are you planning to marry the princess? Do you have feelings for her now? If it's power you want, I could give it to you."
The Marquess stared at her, stunned. "There's no marriage involved between me and the princess. We're only working together."
But Cecilia wasn't convinced.
"Then prove it," she challenged. "Kiss me. If you truly don't have feelings for her."
He hesitated, then stepped forward and kissed her, passionately, desperately, as if trying to silence doubt with the only language they had left.
A sudden snap, a twig breaking underfoot shattered the moment.
The Marquess pulled away immediately. "Who's there?! Is anyone there?" he called, scanning the trees. No answer came.
"We need to leave. Someone might've seen us," he said urgently.
As they turned to go, Cecilia caught his hand.
"I'll wait for you," she said softly. "At the end of the Spring Festival, in Ripasa. If you don't come… I'll let you go. But if you do, I'll know you still want to be with me. I'll wait no matter how long it takes."
She pressed a soft kiss to his lips, then disappeared into the shadows.
Princess Elery returned to her chambers with a whirlwind of emotions clouding her thoughts. She had only intended to take a walk and clear her mind, yet what she witnessed outside left her shaken.
She had spotted the Marquess heading toward a secluded area behind the palace. Curious and sensing something unusual, she quietly followed. Hidden among the shadows, she observed him speaking with a woman whose face she couldn't immediately recognize. But when they kissed, Elery's eyes widened in surprise.
"It must be his lover… but why does she look so familiar?"
She tried to get closer, her curiosity outweighing her caution, but a sudden misstep caused a twig to snap beneath her foot. She froze and quickly hid behind a tree, heart pounding. Once the moment passed, she quietly backed away. Just as she turned to leave, the moon emerged from behind a cloud, casting silver light across the garden and revealing the woman's face.
Elery's eyes widened. Lady Cecilia. The Crown Prince's fiancée.
Her thoughts swirled with disbelief. The Marquess and Lady Cecilia? How long had this been going on?
Before she could gather herself, her communication crystal pulsed with light. She took a deep breath and touched the surface.
"Greetings, Your Highness," came a voice on the other end. It was a mage in her service. "I called to deliver a report."
Elery's expression hardened. "Go on."
"I've found traces of dark magic in the Labyrinthine Forest. Judging by the remnants and magical residue, it appears the dark mages have been staying there for nearly a month. I also believe they're working with grave merchants."
Elery moved quickly to her map table. Her gaze landed on the sprawling green area that marked the Labyrinthine Forest, the vastest forest on the continent, forming a natural border between Kouzlo Duchy and the Vesture Empire.
"Do you have a more precise location?" she asked.
"They appear to be operating within the territory of Marquess Mallory."
The princess stilled, recalling the report the Marquess had submitted earlier that day. It seemed they had a common goal after all.
"If they've been there for a month, they're likely preparing to relocate. Do not engage," she instructed firmly. "You know what they're capable of. Track them and report back immediately once you find their new position. We'll regroup at the Marquess's estate in a few days."
"Yes, Your Highness," the mage replied before the crystal dimmed.
Elery exhaled and set the crystal down. Her thoughts threatened to return to what she'd seen earlier—but she shook her head. There's no time for other people's affairs. I have my own battle to face.
Meanwhile, in his chambers, the Marquess sat in silence, troubled. The night's events replayed over and over in his mind. That kiss… the rustle of movement in the trees… someone had been there.
If word got out, everything could fall apart.
He turned to the shadow near the doorway. "Sir Conrad, are you there?"
A knight stepped forward and bowed. "My lord, you called?"
"Find out if anyone was outside the palace around midnight tonight. Quietly. I need to know who might've seen us."
"Yes, my lord."
As Conrad departed, the Marquess leaned back, eyes fixed on the dark ceiling. Secrets had a way of unraveling and this one had too much at stake.