For a moment, she couldn't believe her ears. Surely, she had misheard.
"This must be some kind of cruel joke."
Aria's breath caught in her throat as she jolted upright, eyes wide with shock.
"Marriage?! How can we get married?" she demanded, her voice shaking.
Cornelius sighed, rubbing his temple as if the force of her reaction had sent a ringing through his ears.
"Calm down, Aria."
"Are you playing a prank on me? This isn't the time to joke!"
His expression, however, remained unreadable. A quiet determination settled in his gaze—one that made her heart pound for reasons she couldn't explain.
"You know the laws," she pressed. "Alchemists and royalty cannot interfere in each other's affairs. It's forbidden."
Cornelius tilted his head slightly, his lips quirking in amusement. "Do you really think I don't know the laws? Or that I would say something like this without thinking it through?"
His certainty unsettled her.
"But… my father would never approve of it," she whispered.
Even as she said it, a small part of her wanted to believe him—to trust that he had thought of a way. Yet, doubt gnawed at her. Cornelius was always scheming, always five steps ahead of everyone else. What was he plotting now?
"It saddens me," he mused, crossing his arms, "that after all these years as partners, you still don't trust me."
She hesitated. Partners.
"Just like Luci used to say."
A fond smile played on her lips as she recalled Luciana's teasing words. Every time they caused trouble, Luci would scold them before sighing in exasperation: "Partners in crime, forever."
Cornelius noticed the softening of her expression. "Ah, there it is," he said, grinning. "Finally, a smile."
As always, that mischievous smile of his reassured her. He had been like this since they were children—restless, unpredictable, often mistaken for a careless troublemaker. But anyone who underestimated him was proven wrong time and time again.
"Alright," he said, shaking off the tension. "Let's set these heavy matters aside for now."
She nodded but remained pensive.
"Does he know that I like him?"
Her cheeks warmed at the thought, and before she could stop herself, the words slipped out.
"Neli… why marriage?"
She barely processed the question before realizing she had said it aloud.
Cornelius froze. His usual ease faltered, and—much to her surprise—his ears turned red.
"Hey, now…" He huffed, looking almost betrayed. "Am I the only one who's been suffering from one-sided love this whole time?"
Aria burst into laughter, finding his reaction far too amusing.
They left the gardens together, the air between them lighter but no less charged.
Yet, as she walked ahead toward the palace courtyard, Cornelius lingered behind, watching her retreating figure. His expression darkened, a shadow flickering across his face.
"I won't let anyone else have her."
"Catch!"
Her voice snapped him from his thoughts. On instinct, he raised his hand, and something small and round landed in his palm.
A fig.
Cornelius stared at the fruit, then glanced around the courtyard, a wave of nostalgia washing over him.
It was in this very place that his mother, Lady Naila Arcea, used to sit with the Empress, lost in quiet conversation. His mother had never been one for social gatherings—she preferred the solitude of the estate—but the Empress had drawn her out of isolation, insisting that she spend time beneath the open sky.
"She had hair like spun gold… and eyes like autumn."
Cornelius had inherited those same brown eyes from her.
Twilight painted the sky by the time Aria took flight. He watched her leave, ignoring the disapproving glances from the palace guards. They despised him—an alchemist among royals.
With a final glare in their direction, he turned and made his way to the imperial chambers.
---
A Pact with the Emperor
Cornelius entered the grand chamber, where Emperor Helios awaited. Being summoned here was rare—when Helios called someone to his private quarters, it was never without reason.
Cornelius bowed briefly. "I greet the great holy light of Amanécer."
Helios waved a hand dismissively. "Drop the formalities. Odite would have reprimanded you for speaking so stiffly." His smile was tired.
"As always, you're too soft on me, Uncle." Cornelius smirked, his usual playfulness slipping through despite their setting.
"How is Naila…?" Helios hesitated, though he already seemed to know the answer.
Cornelius's smile faded. "She has returned to how she was before."
A heavy silence fell between them.
"I shouldn't have asked," Helios sighed, leaning back against the couch. "Let's get to the matter at hand. You don't waste time, so I won't either."
Cornelius nodded. "Then speak."
"I require an alchemist for a task of great importance—the restoration of the ancient portals at Amanécer's borders."
Cornelius narrowed his eyes. "Ancient portals?"
Helios raised a glowing forefinger, pressing it into a crystal lamp. The chamber filled with golden light.
"Yes," he confirmed. "The eastern and western gates."
Cornelius exhaled sharply. "Surely, Uncle, you know that is an impossible feat."
"Which is why I need you, the young prodigy who has never failed."
Cornelius crossed his arms. "It requires the reawakening of ancient magic. And we both know that is forbidden."
"It is." Helios met his gaze, unwavering. "And yet, I shall assist you."
"Even if half the nobles oppose it?"
"I will take the risk." His voice was grave. "I need your help… and for that, I will do anything."
Cornelius studied him. The truth was written plainly on his face.
"So this is about the Crowned Princess after all."
He had struck a nerve—Helios's silence confirmed it.
"I thought as much," Cornelius muttered. "You want to bring Luciana back at all costs."
Helios did not deny it.
"You spent your childhood alongside Luci and my daughters," he said after a pause. "I never had a son of my own, but Odite always favored you over the others."
"The Empress was always sharper than the Emperor. He is a strong warrior… but neither a great king nor father."
Cornelius leaned forward. "I will do as you ask. But there is a price."
Helios did not hesitate. "I swear upon my honor, I will grant whatever you ask."
Without a second thought, he drew a blade and sliced open his forefinger, letting his blood fall.
"The Oath of Blood."
Cornelius did the same, pressing his bleeding hand into the Emperor's. A light flared between them as their hands clasped.
"Speak your terms before the oath is sealed."
Cornelius inhaled deeply.
"I swear to complete Your Majesty's task, regardless of success or failure. In exchange, I ask for the Second Princess of Amanécer, Aria Mircea de Amanécer, to be rightfully wedded to me as my lawful wife."
The chamber blazed with golden light as the sigils of Arcea and Mircea merged into the symbol of Amanécer itself.
Then, just as suddenly, the glow vanished.
A marking burned into the skin behind Cornelius's right ear. The pact was sealed.
Helios's face paled. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came.
Cornelius grinned.
"There is no turning back now, Your Majesty."