Ran and Rin sat tensely in the carriage as it rolled steadily toward the imperial palace. They were about to meet the emperor once again. Rin clenched his fists, every muscle in his body tight with unease. Everything had been prepared—every detail, every step of their plan—but now, something had gone wrong. The emperor had summoned them unexpectedly.
"What if he knows?" Rin muttered under his breath, voice barely audible. "What if they found out who we really are?"
"Calm down," Ran said softly, though his own heart pounded against his ribs. He shut his eyes, trying to think. Should they run now? Jump from the carriage and escape, even with the guards all around?
But his thoughts were abruptly cut off.
The carriage came to a sudden stop. They hadn't even realized they'd arrived. Outside, looming and silent, stood the gates of the imperial palace.
.
.
Imman, Shuu, and Tohru gazed in awe at the grand hallway of the imperial palace. They had just arrived, following Arthur, who walked a few steps ahead of them with steady confidence. The head butler stepped forward and knocked on a massive door, announcing their presence.
The doors creaked open, and they entered one by one.
The emperor, who had been standing by the window with his back turned, slowly turned to face them. His presence was commanding.
The three brothers froze in surprise.
The emperor bore an uncanny resemblance to their uncle, Mikhail. There was no doubt—he was their mother's eldest son.
"Greetings to the sun of the Serolf Empire," Arthur said with a deep bow.
The three brothers followed suit and bowed respectfully.
Matias studied the young men with a cold gaze, his eyes narrowing slightly. There was an undeniable familiarity in their faces—why did these young men resemble the very people he had known so long ago?
"It's been a long time, Arthur Morem," Matias said, his voice like ice.
Arthur offered a faint smile. The resemblance in both tone and manner to Mikhail was striking—as if the one speaking were the late emperor himself.
"You summoned me, Your Majesty?" Arthur asked.
"Yes," Matias replied, his voice sharp. "The head butler of the Rembrandt household arrived yesterday with a claim. He stated that the late Duke of the North—Duke Claudius Rembrandt—had illegitimate sons. He presented two young men who bear an uncanny likeness to the late Duke. Care to explain what truly happened during the expedition? You're the only one who knows how they died."
Arthur opened his mouth to speak. "Ah, about that—"
But before he could continue, another knock interrupted him.
Matias turned to the door, visibly irritated. "What is it now?"
"Your Majesty, the people from the Rembrandt household have arrived," the head butler announced.
"Let them in," Matias ordered.
The door opened, and three more figures entered the room.
Imman, Shuu, and Tohru were stunned.
Ran and Rin stood before them.
The two parties locked eyes in disbelief. Ran and Rin were just as shocked to see their brothers standing beside Arthur.
Ran and Rin composed themselves and quickly bowed.
"Greetings, Your Majesty," they said in unison.
Ran stole a quick glance at his brothers, his expression conflicted.
"You arrived just in time," Matias said coolly before turning back to Arthur. "Now, continue."
Arthur cleared his throat and tried again. "As I was saying—they—"
Suddenly, the door burst open.
"Your Majesty! What the hell is the meaning of this?!" Beatrice stormed in, her expression blazing with fury. She brandished a letter in her hand. "Care to explain this?"
Behind her trailed Hajee, his eyes wide with wonder as he took in the opulent room. But the moment he spotted his brothers, his gaze froze in shock.
His brothers mirrored his surprise. None of them had expected to see Hajee—especially not at the side of the princess.
"Explain! Now!" Beatrice demanded, voice sharp.
"Ehem—please, Your Highness, calm down for a moment," Arthur said, raising a hand. "Apologies for cutting you off, but please hear me out."
Beatrice narrowed her eyes at him, suspicious but silent.
Arthur turned back to Matias. "Your Majesty, since the princess is already here… perhaps we should also summon King Froilan and King Arash. They deserve to hear the truth as well—about what really happened during the expedition of their fathers."
Beatrice frowned. "What do you mean by that?"
She was clearly confused. What exactly had happened to their fathers in the past? Was Arthur hiding something all this time?
Matias didn't answer immediately. He simply called for his advisor. "Send letters to King Arash and King Froilan. Tell them to come to the empire immediately. They must arrive before dawn."
The advisor bowed and swiftly left the room.
"Before dawn?" Beatrice scoffed. "You do realize how far Targaryan and Firenzan are, don't you? And Froilan is in Varia."
Matias remained silent. He sank into his chair and closed his eyes, the weight of unspoken truths hanging heavy in the room.
Beatrice scowled and sat down with a huff.
"Well then, I suppose we wait," Arthur said, settling near the window with a sigh.
Imman, Shuu, Tohru, Ran, Rin, and Hajee exchanged glances—confused, overwhelmed—but for the first time in years, they were all together again.
And that, at least, brought a flicker of warmth to the tension-filled room.
.
.
.
Jinny was on her way to the emperor's office, carrying tea and snacks, when the knights stopped her at the door.
"You can't come in," one of the knights said. "The emperor is in an important meeting and doesn't want to be disturbed."
"But what about the food?" she asked, her voice tinged with confusion.
"We'll bring it inside," the knight replied. "Now, go back to your room and stay there for a while."
"Eh?" She blinked, confused.
"The emperor ordered that if you came, we are to tell you to stay in your room and not leave without his permission," the knight explained.
"B-But..." Her words faltered. Why was this happening?
"Don't ask," the knight interrupted sharply. "Just do as you've been ordered. Now go, and don't leave your room or you'll be punished."
With no other choice, Jinny nodded reluctantly and turned away. She made her way back to her room, her mind racing with questions, but her body too exhausted to protest further.
Once inside, she collapsed onto her bed. Her muscles ached from the strain, and though she had forced herself to carry out her duties, now that the emperor had ordered her to stay in her room, she could finally rest.
She closed her eyes, but tears welled up again, unbidden. A soft sob escaped her lips. The pain still lingered—not just the physical aches, but the emotional weight that clung to her, relentless and raw.