The Imperial Palace of Amanécer
The grand conference hall was in chaos once again. Nobles and imperialists argued fiercely, their voices clashing in a discordant symphony of power and ambition.
Seated at his usual place, Cornelius observed the scene with quiet detachment. His gaze drifted toward the far end of the table, where Emperor Helios sat in silence, his expression unreadable. Unlike the others, he did not react—his pale countenance more severe than the last time they had met.
"He looks worse than before."
Cornelius shifted his attention to Rudolf, seated to his right. As always, the man remained disengaged, watching the heated exchanges with disinterest.
"Yet another day of pointless squabbling," he thought with a weary sigh.
His musings were interrupted when his eyes met Helios's. The Emperor held his gaze, unwavering. There was a message in that look—one Cornelius understood all too well.
A smirk tugged at his lips. Without warning, he slammed his fist onto the polished conference table. The resounding bang silenced the hall instantly, all eyes turning to him.
"Well, gentlemen, it seems my part here is done."
Without waiting for a response, he stood and strode toward the exit. The heavy doors shut behind him, muffling the murmurs that followed.
"This is why we never associate with the Alchemists!" someone growled.
"My lord! This is an insult to both the people and His Grace! Action must be taken before they rebel!"
Cornelius scoffed under his breath.
"Rebel? They're the ones clinging to laws forged by fools."
He walked down the corridor, frowning.
"What a damn headache."
Then, a thought crossed his mind, lifting his spirits.
"Aria."
A grin spread across his face.
"She's probably skipping her lessons again."
His pace quickened, but just as he turned a corner, a shadow crashed into him.
"Kugh—!"
Cornelius staggered, nearly losing his footing as he hit the ground. A soft cry of pain reached his ears.
"Ow! Ow, ow..."
Dazed, he squinted at the figure sprawled before him. Sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating a cascade of golden hair.
His breath caught.
"Aria?"
The girl lifted her head, golden eyes locking onto his. A moment of stunned silence passed before her expression shifted into pure shock.
"Neli?!"
Before he could respond, voices echoed down the corridor.
"Princess!"
Her lady-in-waiting was looking for her. Aria glanced over her shoulder, but before she could react, Cornelius grabbed her wrist and pulled her aside.
"Ahh—!"
"Shh."
He pressed a hand over her mouth, pressing them both against the cold marble wall. They remained still, waiting until the footsteps faded into the distance.
Finally, he let out a breath of relief and released her.
"Oops. Sorry about that."
Aria scowled, hands on her hips.
"That was reckless! Jumping into the hallway like that—are you insane? That's the fourth floor!"
Cornelius shrugged.
"My bad. But technically, I saved you. Besides—" He leaned in, smirking. "—wouldn't you rather be in my arms?"
Aria's face turned crimson.
"You—!" She glared at him, speechless.
"Alright, alright. The princess is always right." He chuckled, then effortlessly lifted her off the ground, floating them both downward before setting her onto the grass.
"So," he teased, "you're running away from your lessons, aren't you?"
She hesitated.
"...No."
A longer silence followed. Her hands clenched into fists.
The wind carried the scent of jasmine through the palace gardens, stirring the quiet tension between them. Cornelius studied her face, his amusement fading into concern.
"Something's wrong."
"Let's take a walk," he offered.
She nodded silently, letting him lead her toward the west gardens—the Empress's private retreat. Exotic plants from across the empire thrived in this secluded paradise.
Cornelius crouched by a patch of red spider lilies, tracing a fingertip over their petals.
"It always amazes me how these foreign species adapt here."
Aria's voice was softer than before.
"Luci used to tend this garden... before she left."
An awkward silence settled between them.
"Luciana... the Crown Princess who was forced into a political marriage. This empire has a habit of throwing away its daughters."
Cornelius exhaled.
"Alright," he said suddenly. "Out with it."
"Huh?" Aria blinked, startled.
"Something else is bothering you. It's not just Luciana." He turned to face her, his gaze unwavering. "I know you better than anyone, Aria."
Her shoulders stiffened.
"Is that going to change anything?" she murmured.
Before she could look away, Cornelius leaned in, bracing his hands on either side of the marble bench where she sat.
They were inches apart.
Aria's heart pounded.
"He's grown so much in three years... and more handsome too."
Her face burned, and she shoved him away.
"You're too close, idiot!"
Cornelius grinned.
"Finally. Now you're talking." He straightened, brushing dust off his robes. "Go on. Get it off your chest, Ria."
At his words, her composure shattered. Tears spilled down her cheeks, her breath coming in broken sobs.
Cornelius stiffened.
"What has she been enduring to cry like this?"
He sat beside her and pulled her into his arms.
"Don't cry, Ria," he whispered. "You'll make me cry too."
She clung to him.
"Neli… Ugh… Wahh! Father—he's so cruel!"
"Calm down, Ria. Breathe."
Her hiccups slowed, but tears continued to fall.
Cornelius gently wiped them away.
"Tell me. What happened?"
She clenched his robes.
"You wouldn't understand..."
"Then make me understand."
She inhaled shakily, then whispered,
"He's marrying me off to Octavius."
Cornelius froze.
"W-what?"
Aria told him everything. The arrangement. The arguments. Her father's decree.
"First Mother left us… then Luci sacrificed herself for me… and now Father is selling me off in the name of protection." She sobbed, wiping furiously at her swollen eyes. "I—I don't want to live like this, Neli… I can't live like this!"
Cornelius caught her wrists, stopping her frantic movements.
"That's enough, Ria."
Her breathing hitched.
"You'll hurt yourself if you keep rubbing your eyes."
"But what else can I do?" she whispered brokenly. "Tell me, Neli… what else can I do?"
Cornelius exhaled slowly.
"You won't have to cry anymore."
She looked up, eyes wide.
"You heard me."
Still kneeling before her, he tightened his grip on her hands. Then, in one fluid motion, he dropped to one knee.
"Ria." His voice was steady. Resolute.
"Let's get married."