The divine realm, the realm of the gods. Abrielle was stunned. She always thought the gods were myths, but it didn’t seem that way.
"Maximus is the god of strength," she ntioned. Cassius nodded. "So call him the god of war, but soone already has that title. He is the reason for Draconia’s battle prowess—and also why they are so brutal," Cassius explained.
Abrielle’s eyes dulled, understanding what Cassius ant. Maximus was the ancestor of the Von Drakkar family. "I thought Maximus was the younger god," she recalled from what the scholar ntioned.
"I don’t know why people think I’m older than Maximus. Maybe it’s due to his personality," Cassius replied, knowing how unpredictable the god of strength was.
Maximus had disappeared from Elaris without a word, and that had been causing so issues here. He heard Nyxoria was searching for him because his duties were forced on her.
Unlike the Caephyr and Nightshade families, the Von Drakkar family didn’t have a bloodline test because Maximus was never interested in eting his descendants. After his human lover died centuries ago, a part of Maximus died, and he beca a shadow of himself.
"Since you successfully made it here, I am obligated to answer one question. Any question you wish—but know I am not omniscient. Even the gods are blind," he explained. Her gaze flickered.
She was free to ask any question, but just one. That was a hard choice. "Take your ti. Once that candle burns out, you must have your question ready." He clicked his fingers, and a candle appeared next to Abrielle on a rock, burning slowly.
She stared at the candle. Just one question. She could ask why she ca to this world, but Cassius might not know. He was the god of wisdom, so he was ant to have imnse wisdom.
She clenched her fists, then glanced back at him. "I guess you have your question ready," he said.
She nodded. She felt guilty for wasting this one question on sothing like this, but if she didn’t, her heart wouldn’t be at peace.
"Will I ever be reunited with my husband?" she asked. Cassius went silent.
"If fate lets you. It all depends on whether he’ll be able to co back to you," Cassius answered. He didn’t give a direct answer because the future could always change—but fate doesn’t.
"But if you do reunite, it is ant to end in doom. You dying in his arms," Cassius added. Abrielle’s eyes went wide. It was the sa thing Sebastian said...
She had more questions. Why was their fate covered in tragedy? She had managed to escape the plot and system, and yet she was still destined to die in his arms.
Before she could open her mouth, the scene before her quickly changed, and she was back in the palace throne room. The barrier around her collapsed. Silvanius was still on his feet. Abrielle’s heart was beating fast, and sweat ford on her forehead.
Silvanius’ voice bood through the walls of the throne room. "I therefore recognise the eldest princess of Heliosa, a daughter who had been lost from her roots—Abrielle Caephyr. I am putting her under the protection of the Heliosian royal family," he declared.
He didn’t say anything about Abrielle’s marriage. Although a royal marriage could never be broken, Silvanius could decide not to recognise it on the grounds that Abrielle wasn’t married in his presence—as long as Abrielle recognised him as her father.
Abrielle understood what Silvanius was doing. If war were to co and Draconia demanded Abrielle, he could cut every tie with Cedric and Draconia to protect her.
Abrielle went on her knees and bowed before the emperor. "This daughter finds it the greatest honour to be recognised by you," she said submissively.
"You may rise," Silvanius declared, and she rose. Aurelius approached her and offered a hand. He smiled at her, his gaze holding so many emotions.
"It is now official. You should drop the honorifics and call Aurelius—unless the occasion deems it necessary," he chid. His smile was even contagious on her heavy eyes.
Seraphina watched this scene with a tight-lipped smile, her fingers secretly digging into the arm of her seat. Lyra, her daughter, had the sa feelings. With Abrielle being the king’s daughter, she had no chance of claiming Cedric.
A major change was coming to the court with the entry of Abrielle. They were still unaware of Cedric’s disappearance, so most of them still thought of his influence—which would give Aurelius more support.
Silvanius approached her. He didn’t know how exactly to handle this situation. This ant one thing: Bethany hadn’t committed suicide, as they had thought.
"I want to have a word with you," he said, then glanced at his aides to bring the court to an end.
Adeline, who was watching from the sidelines, was tempted to pull Abrielle into a hug. She couldn’t act that freely with Abrielle again. Abrielle was a direct princess, while she was the wife of the emperor’s son. Although her husband was a prince, their current status was that of a duke and duchess.
The emperor left the throne room with Abrielle and Aurelius, who tagged along because he didn’t trust his father to be alone with Abrielle.
After they were gone, Seraphina left the throne room. Her expression was graceful, but her heart was heavy. It was just beginning.
They were settled in Silvanius’ study. This was the second ti she found herself there. Silvanius didn’t sit down but walked toward the window, staring at the distant plains.
"I know you have questions about your birth mother, but before that, I hope you can give so answers. Do you have any clue how you got to Draconia?" Silvanius asked, still finding it hard to believe his blood had been over the ocean all this ti.
Abrielle reached into a small purse she held and pulled out a folded paper. "This was a letter Rebecca Nightshade wrote the day it was confird I wasn’t her blood. It should hold so answers," she said, presenting the letter to Silvanius.
Aurelius was surprised because it was the first ti he had seen that letter. Silvanius accepted the letter and started reading carefully, line by line. Rebecca’s words were very descriptive and gave a perfect image of what had transpired.
Silvanius’ face turned pale, and his breath ceased. "How did a crown princess end up being a slave?" he gasped in disbelief. Aurelius rushed to his father’s side, shocked to his bones. He pulled the paper from Silvanius’ hand and quickly read through it.
He stumbled backwards, let in a great state of disbelief
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