My days in the imperial palace were drawing to a close, and soon I'd return to the academy.
While part of missed the familiarity of academy life-its routines and even its quirks-I couldn't say I was particularly excited about going back.
The weight of looming missions and tangled relationships made the thought of returning more exhausting than comforting.
Originally, I had no intention of getting too involved in the Saintess's affairs.
After all, with Lucas present at the academy, she was supposed to have all the protection she needed.
But the goddess's personal request changed everything.
Now, protecting her wasn't optional-it was a responsibility I couldn't shirk. Even so, I planned to proceed carefully, guiding events to align with the original tiline as much as possible.
Then there was Senior Alice. Her arc was nearing its climax, and the resolution hinged on how proactive the White Queen had beco.
Given that my other self had taken out one of her Primarchs, there was little doubt she'd be moving swiftly.
The White Queen wasn't just a formidable foe; she was a force of chaos, the kind of opponent even Senior Alice-ard with her Red Queen form and powers-might struggle to
overco.
In the original tiline, defeating her required a level of coordination and sacrifice that pushed Alice to her limits.
But that was then.
Now, things were different.
Thanks to the gifts and blessings I'd received, my own power had grown significantly.
If Alice and I joined forces, taking down the White Queen wasn't just possible-it was a tangible goal.
The odds weren't entirely stacked against us anymore, and the idea of facing her didn't fill with the sa sense of dread it once did.
Still, I couldn't let my confidence blind . The White Queen was as cunning as she was powerful, and underestimating her would be a fatal mistake.
.....
Walking through what seed like a vast and picturesque garden within the imperial palace, I found myself gradually approaching its center.
The perfectly arranged flowers and the soothing sound of water flowing from a distant fountain created an almost otherworldly atmosphere.
There, seated gracefully on an intricately carved stone bench, was the Empress herself.
Her serene yet commanding presence was undeniable, and as our eyes t, I couldn't help but feel the weight of her gentle but piercing gaze.
"I must apologize for the sudden invitation, Sir Riley," she began, her voice soft and lodic, carrying just the right amount of warmth and authority. "I wasn't inford about when you would be returning to the academy, so I feared I might miss the chance to speak with you."
"No need to apologize, Your Majesty," I replied, bowing slightly out of respect. "And please, you don't have to use such honorifics when addressing . You may call Riley if it suits you. While I am a student in the knight departnt, I don't possess any grandiose titles worthy of such formality."
"Fufu~ But are you not Count Hell's son? Surely, an appropriate honorific is only proper, is it not?" she countered with a playful smile.
"Your Majesty jests," I said, shaking my head lightly. "My father's title belongs to him alone. I have not inherited such status yet, nor do I think I am deserving of it."
"My, my, how humble you are," she said, her smile deepening as she tilted her head slightly, studying . "Such respect and humility are rare traits these days, you know. Now I can see how Snow fell in love with you so easily. Very well, then-I shall call you Riley openly. And if you wish, you may address as Ella, after all, we are about to beco family, are we not?"
"Ha, ha..." I chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of my neck. "I'm afraid I cannot do that, Your Majesty."
"Oh? And why not?" she asked, her expression teasingly curious. "I'm giving you my express permission to do so, you know."
"I apologize, but I simply can't," I said firmly, though I tried to keep my tone light. "Hmm, such stubbornness," she mused, pouting slightly before brightening with an idea. "Ah, how about this-you could address as 'Mommy.' After all, it wouldn't be entirely inappropriate given-"
"No," I interrupted instantly, trying to hide my exasperation.
"Tsk~ Fine, fine," she said with a dramatic sigh, her pout turning into an amused smile. "Then how about 'Queen Ella?' That sounds regal, doesn't it?"
"Haha... I suppose that's acceptable," I said, relieved that she had dropped the more
outrageous suggestion.
"Good, then it's settled," she declared triumphantly, her playful deanor making the exchange feel lighter despite the formal surroundings.
Although I had only t the Empress once before-during yesterday's breakfast gathering- my initial impression of her was one of elegance and unwavering dignity.
She carried herself with the grace of soone well-versed in imperial decorum, a picture of regality befitting her station.
However, spending even a short ti speaking with her now revealed a very different side.
Beneath the polished exterior, she felt more like a warm, young woman-more a mother at heart than the image of a cold and untouchable monarch.
Talking to her felt oddly reminiscent of being back ho with my own mother.
There was sothing in the way she spoke, the casual warmth in her tone, and the mischievous glint in her eyes that reminded of the monts my mother would gently tease , lightening even the most serious of moods.
At the mont, it was just the two of us in this expansive pavilion-like garden.
The sunlight filtered through the canopy of lush greenery, casting dappled shadows across
the stone path.
From what I rembered, this particular garden held significant aning.
In the ga, it was described as a personal space once ticulously cared for by Snow's mother-the previous saintess.
That was over a decade ago now, but the marks of her devotion remained in the delicate arrangent of flowers and the tranquil atmosphere.
What surprised most, though, was the Empress's connection to this garden.
Despite her role as Snow's stepmother and her own rise to power as the new empress, she had chosen to preserve this place.
It was a rare act of respect in a world where imperial traditions often dictated otherwise.
Typically, new empresses would erase all remnants of their predecessors, driven by jealousy or a desire to solidify their claim to the Emperor's favor.
Yet here she was, tending to this garden with what seed like genuine care and affection.
Her gentle smile as she gazed upon the vibrant blooms suggested sothing deeper-an appreciation for the beauty and history of this space, despite the complicated relationships
tied to it.
After all, it was no secret that her entrance into the imperial family had been far from smooth. Neither Snow nor her mother had welcod her warmly.
In fact, according to the ga's lore, Snow had despised the Empress almost as much as she did Sophiel's mother, viewing them both as outsiders who disrupted the sanctity of her
family.
Yet the Empress's serene expression showed no sign of resentnt or bitterness.
"I'm sure you're curious as to why I suddenly called you here, so I won't take up any more of your ti, Riley," the Empress said, her voice calm and resonant, snapping back into focus. Her usual gentle smile remained, though there was a glint of sothing sharper in her eyes as she looked directly at . "I just want to ask you one thing..."
Her tone was casual, almost disarming, but the weight behind her words kept on edge.
"Okay..." I responded cautiously.
"Do you really love Snow?"
"Huh?" The question caught off guard.
"Like I said," she repeated, her voice unwavering, "I'm asking if you truly love my daughter."
"Yes...?" I answered, hesitant but honest.
The mont the words left my mouth, the atmosphere changed.
Shadows in the garden seed to shift unnaturally, and before I could process what was
happening, cold steel pressed against my neck.
Swords.
From the darkness, figures clad in black, hooded cloaks erged, their faces obscured.
These weren't just knights-they were shadow knights, the empire's or rather the emperor's
elite covert enforcers.
Their swords glead nacingly in the dappled sunlight, poised to strike with unnerving
precision.
My mind raced, struggling to keep up with the surreal turn of events.
One mont we were having a casual conversation, and now I was staring down the blades of
imperial shadow knights.
Was this her way of testing my loyalty to Snow? Or was there sothing more at play?
"Your Majesty..." I began, trying to sound calm despite the tension in the air. "I think there's
been a misunderstanding-"
The Empress's smile hadn't wavered, but her golden eyes had darkened, an almost predatory hue taking over as she observed my reaction.
"So," she said smoothly, her voice tinged with a dangerous edge, "how far have you gone
with her?"
It was at this mont I realized, that there were no normal person when it ca to both
nobility and royalty....
User Comments
0 comments from readers