"I see… So she's finally decided to co back, yet she didn't co here to greet ," Empress Selena murmured, her surprise evident in her voice and expression.
"That's not the only reason I called you all here, my dear. There's more to it," Emperor Philip said, his expression serious as he looked at everyone.
"What do you an, dear? Is she injured? If so, let's go and see her right away!" Empress Selena rose from her seat, a worried look crossing her face. She considered Valeria a friend, and they had always gotten along well.
Emperor Philip sighed, shaking his head. "You don't have to worry about that devil… She's in even better shape than when she left. In fact, she might be twice as strong as before—maybe even more. However…"
"However?" Empress Selena raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.
"Yes, Imperial Father, say it already. Don't keep us in suspense," Princess Elara chid in, nodding eagerly. She, too, was curious about what her father had to say.
Emperor Philip's concubines and other children urged him to continue, growing impatient and anxious to hear the news. With a deep breath, he finally spoke.
"Though my elder sister has returned, she didn't co alone. She brought a group of people with her—mostly won, each of them an exotic beauty."
"Among them, however, there's also a handso young man. From what Minister Vesta told , it appears she's very close to him."
"The young man is around 19—about the sa age as Elara here. This news is shocking… and suspicious, given we know nothing about their identities or his relationship with my devilish sister."
The family fell silent, absorbing the surprising news. The peaceful sounds of nature and occasional gusts of wind were the only noises filling the balcony.
"What?! Valeria brought a man with her? Impossible! I don't believe it!" Empress Selena exclaid, standing abruptly, her disbelief evident.
'So Aunt Valeria brought Yuan and his other wives with her, huh? It makes sense, seeing as Yuan is her husband and his other wives are her sisters,' Princess Elara thought, smiling inwardly and feeling happy for her aunt. But she knew she couldn't reveal this to her family, as Valeria had strictly instructed her not to. Valeria had even threatened to put her through training if she disobeyed.
'I'm really sorry, Father and Mother, but I can't reveal Yuan's relationship with Aunt Valeria… I definitely don't want to go through her hellish training again. I hope you understand my situation,' Princess Elara sighed inwardly.
Noticing Elara's expression, Empress Selena raised a brow. "What's with you, dear? You don't seem surprised at all. Do you know them?"
"Well, I actually t them at the Grand Banquet I attended in the Windfall Kingdom. I even chatted with them briefly, though not with everyone," Princess Elara responded with a soft smile.
"Oh, you t them before and even spoke with them? I'm… surprised," Empress Selena said, sounding intrigued by her daughter's unexpected connection to Valeria's mysterious companions.
A few seconds later, Empress Selena frowned at her daughter and asked, "Since you've already t them, what do you think? Are they people we can trust, or do they seem to have ulterior motives?"
"I don't know," Elara replied, a puzzled look crossing her face. "They're surrounded by this mysterious aura that made it impossible to read them. It felt like looking at sothing profound and magnificent—beyond human comprehension."
The balcony fell silent again as the family absorbed Elara's words, pondering her experience with Yuan and his wives.
"Do you have any idea what their relationship is with your aunt? Minister Vesta ntioned they seem very close," Empress Selena asked after a minute.
"I don't know. I've seen Aunt Valeria with them, but I don't know the nature of their relationship," Elara admitted. "You might want to ask Brother Daniel. He spent more ti with them during the expedition."
Empress Selena turned her gaze to her son with a raised brow, a hint of impatience in her expression.
Daniel's thoughts raced. 'This is bad! Why did Elara have to drag into this? If I spill anything, Aunt Valeria will have my head!'
Seeing the look of dread on his face, so of his siblings chuckled, aware their brother might be in for so trouble.
Sighing, Daniel replied, "Well, though I was on the expedition with them, I didn't interact much. They have this… unapproachable aura. I didn't dare risk offending them by being overly familiar."
"You didn't dare? How laughable, Brother. Are you sure you're the Crown Prince of the Lionheart Empire?" sneered his half-brother, Fedrick, who looked on with a smirk of superiority. Fedrick's arrogance was evident, his chubby face filled with an inflated sense of self-importance.
"Honestly, Brother, I think I've lost respect for you," Fedrick continued, his grin widening as he sensed an opportunity.
'Finally, a chance to mock him! He's always been a thorn in my plans, but soon that thorn will be gone,' he thought with growing excitent.
"Hmph! You clearly have no idea who we're dealing with. Yuan didn't even hesitate to teach the Holy Son of the Holy Light Empire, Arthur Luminus, a lesson. And you dare call a coward? Pathetic," Daniel shot back, unfazed by Fedrick's provocation.
The sneer faded from Fedrick's face as he clenched his fists, grinding his teeth in frustration.
'This bastard! I'll make him pay for this when I'm on the throne,' he fud silently.
Concubine Agatha's expression darkened, angered by Daniel's sharp words directed at her son. But, knowing Fedrick had instigated the conflict, she stayed silent, not daring to appeal to the Emperor.
Taking a deep breath, Daniel continued, sharing his cautious observations about Yuan and his wives. Though his ti with them hadn't exactly been pleasant—especially with his Aunt Valeria constantly keeping him in line—he was determined to convey that these weren't people to trifle with.
A few monts later, Emperor Philip stood up from his seat, prompting everyone else to follow. He said, "Let's retire for today. It's getting quite late, and I'm feeling sleepy—exhausted from all the paperwork."
"Oh, before I go, I want to remind everyone to be prepared. That devil of a sister might visit us anyti, and I don't want any of you getting on her nerves," the Emperor added, leaving the balcony with an anxious expression on his face.
'I hope she doesn't bully my wives and children when she arrives tomorrow. That crazy woman! One day, I'll have my revenge on her for sure!' he thought, gritting his teeth in frustration as he headed to his bedchamber.
Once the Emperor left, silence filled the balcony. Everyone exchanged glances, hoping soone would break the tension.
"Well, I'll take my leave as well. I need to check on my mother-in-law's health before bed," said Empress Selena, departing the balcony.
Princess Elara followed her mother, leaving the others behind.
"I'll also call it a night. I want to et Yuan and his wives," Daniel murmured to himself. He paused, then turned to Fedrick and Agatha Morphy, saying, "Before I go, I have a piece of advice for both of you, especially for you, brother."
"Oh? And what might that be?" asked Concubine Agatha, raising an eyebrow before Fedrick could respond.
Daniel snorted slightly. "The won with Yuan are all his wives, and each one is stunning—like goddesses. If you have any ill intentions toward them, you'd be dead before you realized it."
"Each of his wives is far stronger than Aunt Valeria. I suggest you avoid even making eye contact with them. They wouldn't hesitate to kill you, and not even Imperial Father could stop them." With that, Daniel left the balcony and returned to his chamber.
Once he was gone, Concubine Agatha bit her lip in frustration. "Who do they think they are? Just because of so shady connection with Lady Valeria, they think they can throw their weight around in the empire?"
"Son, don't take that bastard's words seriously," she said to Fedrick with a serious expression. "I'll see who dares harm you. You're a rightful heir to the throne, and no one can touch you."
'Hmph! Does he think I'll be intimidated? How laughable! He doesn't even know —I'm a woman who plans far ahead of the others,' she thought with a smile as she left the balcony with Fedrick and her other children.
—
The next morning, Yuan woke up, feeling a weight on his chest. Opening his eyes, he saw Valeria asleep on top of him, her body pressed warmly against his.
"She looks so adorable when she's asleep…so different from her usual proud and strong self," Yuan murmured softly, admiring her beauty.
Turning to his left and right, he saw Anna sleeping on his right and Valeria on his left, both of them holding his arms close.
Feeling him stir, Anna opened her eyes. Yuan greeted her with a warm smile, "Good morning, my beloved Anna."
"Good morning, my dear," she replied, smiling and kissing his forehead. "Did you sleep well?"
"I did. And you?"
"With you by my side, how could I not sleep well?" Anna giggled, placing her hand on his cheek with a warm smile.
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