Evelyn’s lips curled into a satisfied smile.
"Then I shall make the necessary arrangents. I look forward to welcoming you, Goddess Auriel."
With that, the princess gave a formal nod before finally leaving the chamber.
As soon as she was gone, Sophia also prepared to leave. She still looked slightly pale, a lingering sign that she hadn’t yet fully recovered from her previous condition.
"I apologize for not being of more help right now. But I promise to share any progress I make on my end"
Sophia said with a regretful smile.
Auriel nodded, appreciating the sincerity in her words.
"Take care of yourself first, Sophia. We will need you at your full strength soon enough."
Sophia’s smile softened at that, and after exchanging a few more words, she took her leave as well.
Now, only Duchess Amara remained. Unlike the others, she didn’t seem in any hurry to leave. She remained seated, watching Auriel with a contemplative expression.
Auriel shifted slightly, feeling a bit awkward under the duchess’s intense gaze. She had expected Amara to leave along with the others, but it was clear that the older woman had sothing on her mind.
"Well then, I should be heading back as well."
Auriel finally said, moving toward the exit.
But just as she was about to leave, Amara’s voice stopped her.
"Be careful, Goddess Auriel. The imperial palace is a place full of traps. It has always been that way."
The duchess warned, her tone unusually serious.
Auriel paused, glancing back at her.
"Are you speaking taphorically or literally?"
"Both. The imperial palace is a battlefield, even in tis of peace. If you walk in there unprepared, you may find yourself caught in a web of sches before you even realize it"
Amara replied with a small, knowing smirk.
Auriel raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the warning. She had always known that political struggles were a major part of mortal life, but to hear it phrased so directly was interesting.
"I appreciate the warning, Duchess Amara. But I do not intend to be caught off guard"
Auriel said after a mont.
"I would hope not. Because I can guarantee that Princess Evelyn will not waste this opportunity. She is ambitious—more than the others. And if she thinks she can gain sothing from you, she will do whatever it takes"
Amara said, standing up at last.
Auriel considered Amara’s words carefully. She had no doubt that Evelyn was ambitious. In fact, she admired the princess’s determination. But was there truly a hidden danger awaiting her at the imperial palace?
"Noted. I’ll be careful."
Auriel finally said, offering the duchess a small nod.
With that, Amara finally took her leave, walking with the sa composed grace she had maintained throughout the eting.
Now alone in the chamber, Auriel let out another deep breath.
A visit to the imperial palace.
It wasn’t sothing she had planned for, but now that the opportunity was in front of her, she couldn’t help but feel curious. There were still many things she did not fully understand about this world, and perhaps the palace held so of those answers.
But Amara’s warning lingered in her mind.
Traps.
Sches.
The question was, who was truly setting the traps? Evelyn? Or soone else entirely?
Auriel would have to find out for herself.
______
Princess Evelyn’s carriage rolled through the grand gates of the imperial palace, but as she stepped out, she couldn’t shake the feeling of unfamiliarity that settled deep within her chest.
This place, once her childhood ho, now felt like foreign ground beneath her feet.
The towering marble columns, the golden embellishnts, the pristine gardens—nothing had changed, and yet, she no longer felt like she belonged.
She had spent her whole life here, training, preparing, and being molded into the perfect future empress.
But ever since her father’s death and the empire’s subsequent descent into uncertainty, the palace had beco more of a battlefield than a ho.
Still, she had no intention of letting anyone else claim it.
No matter what it took, she would not lose her childhood ho to another.
Straightening her back, Evelyn strode through the halls, her heels clicking against the polished floor as she made her way to the inner chambers where her personal quarters were located.
The guards bowed as she passed, their movents precise, but even they seed to hesitate, as if unsure where their true loyalties lay.
The entire palace was a nest of vipers, each person waiting to see who would erge victorious in the race for the throne.
But Evelyn had no intention of losing.
She reached her room and pushed the heavy wooden doors open, stepping into the space that had once been her haven. The familiar scent of lavender and aged parchnt filled her senses, bringing a small asure of comfort.
And then, she saw her.
Standing near the window, watching the sunset with calm eyes, was Countess Lola.
Evelyn’s expression softened slightly.
Lola had been by her side since the day she was born, more of a mother to her than the empress had ever been. While others had tried to mold Evelyn into a political tool, Lola had been the one constant source of warmth in her life.
The older woman turned at the sound of Evelyn’s arrival, a warm smile forming on her face.
"Ah, my dear princess. You’ve returned. How was your outing"
Lola greeted, moving forward gracefully.
Evelyn sighed, removing her cloak and draping it over a nearby chair.
"Eventful. The goddess accepted my invitation. I have fulfilled what you asked to do."
Lola’s eyes lit up with delight.
"Oh, that is wonderful news!"
Evelyn tilted her head slightly, watching her nanny’s reaction.
"You seem far too pleased about this, nanny. Are you that happy with the outco?"
She remarked, a hint of amusent in her voice.
Lola let out a soft chuckle, placing a gentle hand on Evelyn’s shoulder.
"That’s because I know what an important opportunity this is. The goddess is a powerful figure, and having her on our side would make all the difference."
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