Beep!
The sharp tone jolted the disguised Empress awake, though no one else around her had flinched. Everyone in the room was already standing with uneasy expressions, shifting from one foot to another. Hers, however, was born from an entirely different storm of emotions.
She couldn’t help it. Her eyes kept stealing glances at her son.
Xavier was steady as ever, posture perfect, but she noticed how he always kept close—so very close—to the cadet at his side. That boy, Luca Kyros, seed determined to shadow Duke Leander instead, following the Duke as the man stomped back and forth while anxiously watching as the space button was passed from one technician to another.
Every ti the technicians tried another machine, Duke Leander shifted position, and Luca trailed faithfully after him. And every ti, Xavier’s steps subtly shifted too, like a silent tether kept him near both of them.
Then she heard it.
A sweet, clear voice. "Papa!"
Her ears twitched at the word.
She turned ever so slightly to get a better look. It really ca from him, the sa cadet, smiling shyly as his father fussed around him.
What a beautiful-looking child, she thought. The sight was almost disarming.
Duke Leander, anwhile, was proclaiming that the space button must never be handled like that, because what if it got scratched—what if the planet burned—
The leap in logic was so outrageous that even Duchess Alia looked like she wanted to plug her husband’s mouth shut.
And Empress Gisella... she nearly laughed aloud.
It was adorable. All of it. A family scene so normal and chaotic, she almost wanted to gut a few enemies just for the chance to have sothing like it for herself.
But then a thought struck her.
If they succeeded here, if everything worked out... wouldn’t they really all be family?
Their initial worry about Xavier not being accepted by the Kyros family felt lighter after seeing their interaction. So that was one. Then didn’t it an that, provided she could solve the issue about competitors and that looming financial problem...then such a thing would really be possible?
Her lips curved slightly as she considered it. Marshal Julian, standing with his back to her, suddenly stiffened. He could feel it. That ominous shift in the air.
His sister was plotting again.
Even the Emperor noticed it. Earlier, Gisella had looked on the verge of tears—rare, almost unheard of. But now? Now she looked calm. Composed. A little too composed.
And that was dangerous.
Because when Empress Gisella made up her mind, there was no stopping her.
She thought to herself, she had been distant. And she felt distant precisely because she had allowed it. She hadn’t pushed hard enough, hadn’t reached far enough.
Yes, the risk was there. Danger was always there. But when had danger ever stopped her before?
If their daughter had found her way, then why couldn’t she?
If there was a will, there was a way.
And she, the Empress of Solaris, had never lacked will.
But she knew better than to act hastily.
Her entire being scread for her to leap forward, to throw her arms around her son in a giant hug. But she was also aware that this would be the fastest way to either die from his reflexes or, worse, paint a target straight on his back.
So.
If she could not grab her son yet... then what about their other goal?
To see, to observe, and to take the asure of that fresh-faced boy—Luca Soren Kyros.
She had seen the file about him before and had even experienced being on the receiving end of his generosity. And now, seeing him in person, she believed she was seeing another side to him.
At first glance, she finally understood why people once sneered and called him a flower vase. Such beauty was enough to uphold a reputation.
It was that rare kind of refreshing beauty that pulled the gaze without effort. The type that drew eyes toward his face every ti he smiled.
And he seed to smile a lot.
No wonder her son was glued to him. No wonder Xavier matched him step for step.
Attaboy, Xavier!
Because with so many people sneaking glances—especially the younger ones, eyes practically sparkling—it would be impossible to stand there unless one had patience forged of steel and a trust that did not waver.
For a mont, Empress Gisella worried. All those eyes, all those whispers. But then she was distracted by sothing so bizarre that she nearly forgot her fears.
Duke Leander had finally been allowed to carry the space button himself.
And the man transford instantly from a flailing nace into a reverent priest guarding a holy relic. He held the button with both hands, shuffling around the room like it was the single most precious treasure in the universe. Which, in fairness, it was. But still—
She nearly laughed aloud at the sight.
Because of this, everyone else finally got the chance to sit down and relax, or at least stop running around like headless beasts. The chaos cald.
And that was when it happened.
She saw it.
She actually saw it. And she almost tripped over her own feet.
By the wall, where her son sat with Luca Kyros, the two of them leaned in close.
And took a photo together.
"!!!"
A gasp nearly tore out of her throat.
Yes! An actual photo!
Who could she even call for this kind of ergency?!
Her son—the sa boy who had refused to take even an official imperial portrait—was now casually sitting in front of a blank wall and... taking photos.
She almost rubbed her eyes, certain it must be a trick of her mind. But when she caught Kyle Nox in the background, rolling his eyes with long-suffering patience, she knew she hadn’t imagined it.
A big deal. A massive deal.
She needed to get closer. Needed to really see the person capable of causing this much change! She needed to see him with her own two eyes!
Thankfully, her brother, bless his repentance and streak of usefulness, had called Xavier over at just that mont. Likely about important business. And though she longed to burst in and announce herself, she rembered her son’s words. He had his own tiline, and he would not be rushed.
So she restrained herself. Behaved. Watched.
But then—
Her blood froze.
Soone had dared to approach the little chipmunk.
"?!"
A relatively young man with dark hair stepped forward, tablet in hand, speaking to Luca. At first, she let herself only observe. Perhaps it was innocent. But then he actually extended the tablet, saying sothing about filling out forms.
Forms?
Her eyes narrowed.
Wait. Forms?
She had not co here unprepared. She knew exactly what forms attendants were supposed to handle, and none of it—none of it—involved dumping paperwork on a cadet in the middle of a registration test when it wasn’t even his cha being registered.
Her suspicions were confird when the young man scratched the back of his neck awkwardly and muttered, "The posts... they really didn’t do you enough justice."
Luca blinked, looking adorably confused. "Huh? Pardon ?"
The man swallowed, then blurted out with flaming cheeks, "You’re far more good-looking in person!"
Blush. Stamr. Awkward grin.
The Empress cracked the stylus she was holding clean in half.
Stolen!
The hard-sought treasure was about to be stolen right under their noses.
Over her precious dead body.
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