16

The next morning, I found myself walking through the castle gardens with Dominic and Dahlia toddling beside me. Dahlia clutched a bundle of freshly picked daisies in her tiny hands, proudly presenting them to every passing servant, while Dominic focused on chasing butterflies with an unwavering determination.

Henrick watched us from a distance, leaning against one of the stone arches. His gaze was soft, a rare expression that made my heart flutter.

"Are you just going to stand there and admire us all day?" I called out, a teasing lilt in my voice.He straightened, a smirk tugging at his lips. "I'm considering it."

Before I could respond, one of the knights approached, bowing deeply. "Your Grace, there's a message from the palace."

I exchanged a glance with Henrick as he took the letter, his brows knitting together as he read.

"What is it?" I asked, scooping up Dominic as he made a beeline for the fountain.

"The emperor has summoned us for a banquet," Henrick said, his tone neutral.

"A banquet?" I repeated, shifting Dahlia to my other arm as she reached for her brother. "For what occasion?"

"It doesn't say," Henrick replied, folding the letter. "But knowing the emperor, he probably just wants an excuse to show off."

I chuckled, but a flicker of unease settled in my chest. After yesterday's conversation with Irene, I couldn't help but wonder if this had something to do with her.

That evening, we arrived at the palace. The grand hall was already buzzing with activity, nobles clad in their finest gowns and suits mingling beneath glittering chandeliers.

Henrick stayed close to me, his hand resting lightly on my back as we navigated the crowd. Dominic and Dahlia were left in the care of their nannies for the evening, much to their dismay.

"Veronica, you made it!"

I turned to see Irene approaching, her usual priestess attire replaced by an elegant blue gown that brought out the color of her eyes. She looked stunning, but her nervous smile told me she was far from comfortable.

"You look beautiful," I said warmly, taking her hands in mine.

"And you look like you belong on a throne," she replied with a small laugh.

Henrick raised a brow. "Should I be worried?"

"Always," I teased, earning a chuckle from Irene.

Before we could say more, a loud voice boomed across the hall.

"Welcome, everyone!"

The emperor stood at the top of the staircase, his arms spread wide. His golden attire shimmered in the candlelight, and his ever-present smirk was firmly in place.

"Tonight, we celebrate unity, prosperity, and—most importantly—the people who make it all possible." His gaze flickered briefly to Irene, and I didn't miss the way her cheeks flushed.

Henrick leaned down to murmur in my ear. "You were right. He's smitten."

I bit back a smile, watching the emperor descended the staircase. The crowd parted for him, and he made his way directly to Irene.

"Priestess Irene," he said, his voice carrying just enough to be heard by those nearest. "You honor us with your presence."

Irene dipped into a graceful curtsy, though I noticed the slight tremor in her hands. "Your Majesty, the honor is mine."

Their exchange was polite, formal even, but there was an undeniable tension between them."Do you think he'll ever admit it?" I whispered to Henrick.

"That guy? Admit his feelings?" Henrick snorted. "Not unless someone forces it out of him."The rest of the evening passed in a blur of conversation and laughter, but my attention kept drifting back to Irene and the emperor. They were never far from each other, their interactions charged with an energy that was impossible to ignore.

---

Later that night, as the banquet wound down, I found myself alone with Irene on one of the palace balconies. The cool night air was a welcome relief after the heat of the crowded hall."He's impossible," Irene said suddenly, breaking the silence.

I turned to her with a knowing smile. "Hmm?"

She groaned, leaning against the railing. "One moment, he's teasing me like a child, and the next, he's looking at me like I'm the only person in the room. I don't know how to deal with him.""Maybe you don't have to," I suggested.

She frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Maybe it's not about figuring him out," I said gently. "Maybe it's about letting things unfold naturally. He clearly cares about you, Irene. And from what I've seen, you care about him too."Her expression softened, though doubt lingered in her eyes. "It's not that simple, Veronica. He's the emperor. Our lives are worlds apart."

"Love doesn't care about titles," I said with a shrug.

Irene laughed, though there was a trace of sadness in her voice. "You make it sound so easy."

"It's not," I admitted. "But if anyone can navigate this, it's you. You're stronger than you think, Irene."

She gave me a small, grateful smile. "Thank you."

When Henrick and I returned to Audovera Castle that night, I couldn't shake the feeling that something significant had shifted. Irene and the emperor's story was far from over, and I couldn't wait to see how it unfolded.

As I settled into bed beside Henrick, his arm draped protectively around me, I whispered, "Do you think they'll find their way?"

"They will," he murmured, his voice thick with sleep. "If they're anything like us, they will."

The moon cast its silver glow over the quiet halls of Audovera Castle as I found myself sitting by the window in the nursery. Dominic and Dahlia were fast asleep, their rhythmic breathing filling the room with a sense of peace. A book lay forgotten in my lap as my thoughts drifted far away—to a time when Adelaide, the late Empress, still graced this world with her quiet strength and kindness.

I ran a hand through Dahlia's soft curls, and for a moment, I imagined Adelaide's gentle smile watching over us.

"Adelaide," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the crackling of the nearby fire.

She had been more than an empress; she was a friend, a sister in spirit. From the moment we met, I admired her grace and the steadfast love she had for her family, especially for her daughter, Princess Alicia.

---

I remembered the long afternoons in the palace gardens, where she and I would sit on the marble benches, watching Alicia chase butterflies or collect flowers.

"Veronica," she had said once, her tone contemplative. "Do you think Alicia will remember me if I... if I'm no longer here?"

"Don't say things like that," I had scolded her gently, though my heart tightened at the shadow in her eyes.

"I must," she insisted, her fingers brushing a lavender sprig in her hand. "The role of an empress often comes with sacrifices. My health... my time... even my life might not always be mine to keep. But Alicia—she deserves to remember a mother who loves her, not just a queen who ruled."

"She will remember," I had promised her fiercely. "Through me, through everyone who loves you. We'll make sure she knows who you were."

Adelaide had smiled at that, a bittersweet curve of her lips. "You're her aunt in all but name, Veronica. If the day comes that I can no longer guide her, I hope you'll be there."

A sharp ache filled my chest as the memory faded. I blinked away the tears that threatened to fall, looking down at Dominic and Dahlia. I had kept that promise. I visited Princess Alicia often, sharing stories about her mother, ensuring that the little girl never felt alone.

But now, things were changing.

Irene.

Adelaide would have adored her. I was sure of it.

The thought brought a small smile to my face. Irene wasn't like the other women at court. She wasn't driven by ambition or blinded by power. Her strength came from her faith, her compassion, and her unwavering dedication to others.

Adelaide would have seen that. She would have known that Irene was the kind of woman the emperor needed—not as a queen for the empire, but as a partner for the man beneath the crown.

Adelaide once confided in me about her fears for the emperor.

"He carries the weight of the empire on his shoulders," she had said, her voice laced with worry. "He needs someone who can lighten that burden, someone who can remind him that he's human."

At the time, I thought she had meant herself. Now, I realized she had been speaking of someone like Irene.

I could almost hear Adelaide's laughter in my mind. "Of course it would be Irene," she would say with a playful twinkle in her eye. "Who else could handle someone as infuriating as Darius?"

I laughed softly to myself, earning a sleepy murmur from Dominic. I smoothed his hair and kissed his forehead.

"I promise, Adelaide," I whispered into the quiet of the room. "I'll make sure your daughter is safe and loved. And if Irene is meant to stand beside Darius, I'll support her as you would have."