Annoyed that their private moment had been interrupted, Aila frowned.

When she turned her head, she saw a man in the uniform of the Imperial Guard striding quickly across the rear garden. He was a knight named Rowen, assigned to escort the Emperor in Varkas’s stead during the upcoming journey.

The knight stopped before them, bowed briefly toward Aila, then urgently addressed his superior.

“His Majesty commands that the Commander be brought to him immediately.”

Aila instinctively realized it was Senevier who had summoned Varkas. Even from the knight’s dark expression alone, it was easy to guess that something unpleasant was about to happen.

She bit her lip.

This pilgrimage had been approved by the council. The marriage between herself and Varkas had also been arranged long ago by conservative nobles supporting the Crown Prince. No scheme that woman devised now should be capable of overturning it.

And yet Aila could not shake the ominous feeling crawling beneath her skin.

Had that woman not spent years employing every trick imaginable to drive a wedge between Gareth and Varkas?

She had even managed to force Varkas—freshly knighted at the time—to remain chained to Talia’s side for seven whole years despite the Grand Duke of Siorcan’s fierce opposition.

There was no doubt she intended to seduce the Emperor into yet another act of interference.

Knowing full well it was improper, Aila stepped directly between the two men.

“I will come as well.”

“But Her Majesty specifically—”

“I am an Imperial Princess of this Empire. I possess the right to seek an audience with His Majesty whenever I desire. And right now, I have decided that I will accompany my fiancé to see my father.”

The knight looked visibly troubled °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° by her firm tone and cautiously glanced toward Varkas.

The fact that the man clearly regarded Varkas’s decision as more important than her own irritated Aila slightly, but she did not reveal it outwardly. She knew very well that many of the knights practically worshipped Varkas.

At last, Varkas nodded.

“As Your Highness wishes.”

The moment permission was granted, the knight immediately moved to her left side as though escorting her.

With her back held perfectly straight, Aila left the garden and headed toward the main palace.

As they passed through the entrance of the Great Hall, the interior of the building flooded with blazing summer sunlight came into view. She crossed the gleaming white marble hall and ascended the staircase lined with dark red carpet.

The enormous doors leading to the Emperor’s audience chamber were engraved with images of Darian, the first Emperor who founded the Roem Empire, alongside the knights who had followed him.

Aila swept a detached gaze over the familiar sculptures of the legendary heroes before passing through the majestic entrance.

Beyond it lay a vast hall covered in lavishly patterned carpets, and at its far end stood a golden throne.

Aila straightened her spine as she looked toward the man who held all authority in the world within his grasp—and the woman standing beside him.

Her father wore the same solemn expression as always.

And Senevier...

Suddenly her thoughts came to an abrupt halt.

The moment she saw the Empress bathed in golden radiance, a sense of helplessness bordering on despair washed over her.

Somehow, Senevier only grew more beautiful as the years passed.

It was horrifying.

‘A golden demon...’

Whenever she faced her, Aila was reminded of a fable she had read in childhood.

There once lived two brothers in a village who loved each other more dearly than anyone else in the world. But a demon that despised all things good decided to drive them apart and placed a massive lump of gold in their path. Blinded by its dazzling brilliance, the brothers fought over the treasure until they ultimately destroyed one another.

The first time Aila saw Senevier, she thought the gold prepared by a demon to ruin them had taken human form.

Her radiance had blinded the eyes and heart of a once-honorable ruler, stained one woman’s entire life with sorrow, and condemned their siblings to live amidst unbearable grief and humiliation.

And as though that were not enough, that demon had ultimately borne the Emperor’s son and begun threatening Gareth’s very position.

Aila’s gaze naturally lowered toward the small boy standing beside the Empress.

The Second Imperial Prince, Asros Roem Gwirta, looked down at Varkas and herself with curious green eyes.

Every time Aila looked at that intelligent child, an intense sense of danger overtook her.

At times, she could hardly understand why Gareth directed so much hostility toward Talia—a mere scandal-ridden disgrace—instead of toward the younger half-brother who ranked directly beneath him in the line of succession.

Thinking of the years of humiliation her mother had endured because of Talia filled Aila with fury as well.

But Talia was insignificant.

The only things that girl had accomplished since entering the palace were tormenting innocent servants and causing endless scandals that made everyone click their tongues in disgust. How could such a foolish little troublemaker possibly pose a threat?

To Aila, Talia was merely unpleasant—and at times even pitiable.

A painful remnant of the past that simply had to be endured.

Nothing more.

That was why she could generously overlook all the malicious little games that insignificant child directed toward her.

But Asros was different.

Aila knew very well that many people within the imperial palace had begun to feel affection for that innocent-looking young prince.

And she also knew that those unsettled by Gareth’s violent temperament had quietly begun placing their hopes upon the younger imperial prince instead...

“What are you doing standing there without paying your respects?”

The heavy voice echoing through the hall snapped Aila from her thoughts.

The Emperor was looking at her with mild confusion.

Aila stepped beside her fiancé and bowed lightly.

“I wished to see Father’s face, so I accompanied Sir Siorcan here. Please forgive me for appearing without notice.”

“Raise your head. You may come to see me whenever you wish.”

The gentle voice of the Emperor of the Empire, Virus Roem Gwirta, sounded above her.

Perhaps he felt guilty whenever he looked at her because she reminded him of the wife he had betrayed. He was always particularly soft-hearted toward her.

Swallowing her cynicism, Aila bowed politely once more.

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s generosity.”

“This works out rather well. The First Imperial Princess was bound to learn eventually anyway. We may as well explain it to everyone here.”

Senevier, stroking Asros’s reddish-brown curls, leaned toward the Emperor and spoke almost in a whisper.

Asros watched the adults with open curiosity, seemingly fascinated by the conversation unfolding between them.

Aila stared warily at her half-brother before turning a sharp gaze toward the Empress.

“What exactly is it that you intend to explain?”

“His Majesty will tell you the details himself.”

Senevier replied softly, almost singing the words, while gently stroking the back of the Emperor’s hand.

Aila pretended not to notice.

An awkward silence settled over the hall.

After remaining silent for quite some time, as though carefully choosing his words, her father finally spoke.

“The reason I summoned you today is to inform you that there has been a change regarding this pilgrimage.”

“Please speak. I am listening.”

Despite the sudden announcement, Varkas showed not the slightest trace of agitation.

The Emperor briefly looked uncomfortable with the attitude of his subordinate before continuing in a blunt tone.

“Talia will also be accompanying this pilgrimage. Assign additional guards for the child and prepare whatever travel equipment she may require.”

Aila froze at the unexpected declaration.