Rudrick followed me outside. He seemed anxious, his eyes fixed on the pendant I held. I turned my head to look at him.
"Take it," I said.
Rudrick appeared momentarily taken aback by my words. His eyes fluttered slightly as he accepted the pendant, a mixture of pain and happiness swirling within them.
I wished to continue speaking with him, but seeing Mika standing near the stairs, waiting for me, I knew I had to meet Kaelith.
"Mika, take him to the healer and arrange living quarters for him," I instructed. Mika smiled warmly and bowed her head.
Rudrick looked at me, as if trying to say something, but I shook my head. "Not now. We'll continue this conversation later."
Mika stepped closer and whispered, "Young Duke Rheon has also arrived. It seems His Highness is addressing some serious matters."
I narrowed my eyes at her words. I had already suspected some hidden motive behind Kaelith's invitation for tea with Ezekian and me, but calling Rheon as well?
I shrugged, feeling a slight discomfort, but this was the path I had chosen. There was no point in dwelling on it.
Rudrick and Mika bowed before walking away. Rudrick glanced back at me one last time before disappearing behind the staircase. I steeled myself for another unexpected turn of events.
The second floor of the Nyxveil mansion's eastern wing was reserved for family members, and as such, security was far tighter than in the rest of the estate.
Ezekian had initially come as my fiancé. Though I was no longer betrothed to him—Alancia was—it didn't change his relationship with the Nyxveil family.
Ezekian's room was in the furthest corner of the second floor. The distance made it seem as though he resided in a separate wing altogether, but it provided both parties with considerable privacy.
As I walked toward his room, I noticed two Imperial Knights standing guard by the door. They scrutinized me from head to toe before bowing and announcing, "His Highness has been waiting for you, Young Lady."
With that, they opened the door. Beyond it, the room was bathed in bright light, reflecting off the cool pastel green and white walls. Three men sat on the sofa near the glass doors that led to the balcony. It wasn't hard to guess that Rheon and Kaelith had been engaged in a heated argument.
Ezekian was the first to notice my presence as the Imperial Knights closed the door behind me.
"Finally, our Tia makes an appearance," Rheon spoke first. He had a strikingly chiseled face, sharp cheekbones, a defined jawline, and full lips. His bright blue eyes contrasted intensely against his dark, wavy hair, giving him a captivating, almost hypnotic presence.
He was dressed in an opulent white military-style jacket adorned with intricate gold embroidery in a floral pattern. Beneath it, he wore a black silk cravat and a fitted vest with gold buttons, adding to his aristocratic and refined appearance.
Kaelith sat across from him, legs crossed, leaning casually against the sofa with a playful look in his eyes. He wore a regal military-inspired outfit: a structured white jacket with gold button accents and shoulder epaulettes. A dark navy sash draped diagonally across his chest, adorned with a golden emblem. The high collar and fitted sleeves enhanced the formal aesthetic, while a wide, ornate gold belt cinched his waist. Flowing navy panels with gold trim extended from the waist, and white gloves completed the ensemble.
In contrast, Ezekian was dressed simply in a white shirt and black pants.
Seeing the three men with their identical black hair—a mark of their Imperial blood—I couldn't help but marvel at how different they were.
Yes, both Ezekian and Rheon were related to the Imperial family. Ezekian's grandmother was the former First Princess, sent to marry his grandfather, while Rheon's mother was the sister of the current Emperor. As both carried Imperial blood, they were also heirs to the throne, following the existing Imperial Princes.
This made the relationships among the three families exceedingly complicated. The Nordwyns didn't openly show hostility toward the Imperial Family, but they never shied away from causing them headaches. As for the Zenvara family, Rheon's father was as hot-tempered and bold as Rheon himself, making the enmity between their house and the Imperial Family no secret.
Even in my past life, Rheon had always stood opposite the Imperial Family, alongside Ezekian. It was also the reason why the distance between Rheon and me had only grown.
"Selentia Amaris Nyxveil greets the Little Sun of Wymhold. May the blessings of the heavens always be with you," I said, bowing like a knight, placing my right hand over my chest and bending at the waist.
"Hey, why are you being so formal with me?" Kaelith asked, sounding genuinely surprised. It was understandable.
The sixteen-year-old Selentia had once considered Kaelith Aelric her best friend, and even the forty-eight-year-old Madam Nyxveil had shared the same sentiment.
I felt the urge to scoff at the thought but kept my expression neutral. Standing straight, I met Kaelith's gaze.
"I am no longer just the Young Lady of Nyxveil, Your Highness," I replied, my tone colder than I had intended. Kaelith's smile faded, replaced by a grim expression.
"Ah, right. You are the successor of Nyxveil now," he said, though for a brief moment, I detected a hint of hostility in his voice.
How blind had I been to never notice the duality of Kaelith's temperament?
"That makes you my subordinate before my friend, doesn't it?" Kaelith remarked, resting his elbows on the arms of the sofa, a glint of superiority in his eyes.
What would I have done if I hadn't known his true nature? Perhaps I would have taken it as one of his usual jokes.
It was almost amusing how much the dynamics had shifted in just a few weeks since my regression.
"I am subordinate to the Crown, Your Highness," I replied, keeping my head high and my gaze steady. My words indirectly conveyed that I was not his subordinate.
"You've changed, Tia," Kaelith muttered, only to be interrupted by Rheon's sarcastic remark.
"How foolish of our great Crown Prince to think Tia became the successor of Nyxveil without reason," Rheon said with a playful grin, winking at me.
Kaelith's annoyance was evident, but he held his tongue. Ezekian's gaze remained intense, but I chose to ignore it. There were two single sofas facing each other and a three-seater sofa where Ezekian sat. I really didn't want to sit next to him.
"Why don't you continue your important discussion now that Tia is here?" Rheon suggested, giving Kaelith a tight smile, which earned him a glare in return.
"Tsk, I was supposed to be on a date, but thanks to you, I'm here," Rheon said with an annoyed expression, shifting closer to Ezekian.
This guy certainly knew how to read my expressions.
"Is a date more important to you than the Empire?" Kaelith snapped, glaring at Rheon, who scoffed and shook his head.
"My father is still alive and well. No need for me to get involved in complicated matters."
I settled onto the sofa across from Kaelith, who seemed slightly pleased by Rheon's irreverence. However, Kaelith had no idea how much Rheon had been assisting his parents in transforming the West into Wymhold's largest commercial district.
Ezekian's gaze remained fixed on me, his intensity unnerving.
Just what is this guy's problem?
"You smell like blood," he said suddenly, causing the room to fall silent.
Ugh, how could I forget his annoyingly sharp senses? Both Kaelith and Rheon glanced at me. I lifted my leg to show them my boots, stained with blood thanks to Marquess Graham vomiting blood near my feet.
"I beat someone to a pulp, and he vomited blood on my shoes," I said casually, lowering my leg. The three of them were too stunned to speak.
As if I cared! I was more concerned about the reason behind Kaelith's sudden arrival.
"So, why did you summon me, Your Highness?" I asked, steering the conversation back on track.
It had to be something serious, given that the four of us were gathered under one roof.
Kaelith's expression turned grave as he began. "To put it simply, the situation in the Imperial Palace is dire."
I glanced at Ezekian and Rheon, who also seemed serious.
"What's the problem?" I asked calmly.
Kaelith leaned forward. "I'm sure you're unaware, but... I have a brother who has been living in the furthest corner of the Imperial Palace."
My eyes widened. Why was he talking about Xavier so openly? I was stunned by his audacity as he continued.
"A few days ago, the entire castle crumbled into ruins," Kaelith said with a worried sigh. "Since then, my brother has gone missing, and the Imperial Palace is under immense pressure."
So, that's what Master did! Destroying an entire castle... He truly was as insane as I thought.
I gasped in feigned shock. "That sounds serious. How could someone breach the Imperial Palace and abduct an Imperial Prince whose existence was unknown to most?"
Kaelith glanced at me, then at the others. "What makes it even more serious is..." He paused, his expression darkening. "It happened on the same night you visited the Imperial Palace, Tia."
Rheon and Ezekian looked at Kaelith in shock, but I kept my expression neutral.
I hadn't anticipated this. I hadn't considered that the Imperial Family might expose Xavier's existence to find him—and to cast suspicion on Nyxveil.
"Are you accusing Tia of being involved when it was His Majesty who nearly killed her that night?" Rheon growled angrily.
Ezekian added coldly, "If the Young Lady could breach the Imperial Palace's defenses, perhaps the Imperial Family should beg the Tower Master to reinforce their protective spells."
I was taken aback by Ezekian's blunt remark. He spoke so calmly, as if he weren't outright insulting the Imperial Family.
Kaelith glared at Ezekian. "Are you insulting the Imperial Family?"
Ezekian met his gaze with icy composure. "If you can't handle honest criticism, you lack what it takes to rule Wymhold."
Rheon's mouth hung open at Ezekian's words. And why wouldn't it? Because the twenty-year-old Ezekian Nordwyn was supposed to be the quiet, composed noble who rarely spoke out!
But for a moment, I saw the Grand Duke of Nordwyn from my past life in this young Ezekian—the man who never hesitated to criticize the Imperial Family and the Royal Faction.
"Ezekian Nordwyn, do you realize you're crossing a line?" Kaelith said through gritted teeth.
Ezekian scoffed lightly. "Where exactly is the line, Your Highness? Didn't the Imperial Family cross it when they decided to question the Young Lady through you?"
I blinked, adjusting to the fact that Ezekian was taking my side. Not that it was a bad thing. If Ezekian could pressure Kaelith, it would save me a lot of trouble.
"No one is questioning Tia. Not under my watch," Kaelith declared confidently. Ezekian's right eye twitched.
I felt a tug on my sleeve as Rheon whispered in my ear, "How does it feel to have two of the most eligible bachelors in Wymhold fighting over you?"
"Not too bad," I smirked, glancing at Rheon, who was clearly enjoying the situation.
I decided to let the tension between Kaelith and Ezekian simmer a bit longer before intervening.
"Oh, really? Then why are you even here? To offer some comfort to the Young Lady?" Ezekian's tone grew harsher, irritating Rheon.
"Why are you so bothered by this in the first place?" Kaelith's voice rose, but it wasn't enough to make Ezekian back down. "You're the one who dragged me into this, Your Highness. And," Ezekian looked at me, "we will soon be family. It's my responsibility to stand by her."
I didn't like how Ezekian phrased that. *Responsibility to stand by me?*
I couldn't think of a more absurd notion. Ezekian Nordwyn taking my side would rank among the rarest events in the world.
"You—" Kaelith began, but I cut him off.
"Can you two stop? This is the House of Nyxveil. Neither the Imperial Palace nor the House of Nordwyn." My tone was firm. Kaelith sat back, gritting his teeth.
Ezekian seemed slightly offended by my interruption. As if I cared!
"Your Highness, I understand the suspicions directed toward me," I replied calmly. Kaelith sighed and opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off with my next declaration.
"If the Imperial Family suspects me regarding the events at the Imperial Palace, I will gladly submit to an investigation to prove my innocence."
Kaelith and Ezekian stared at me in disbelief. Their reactions were as if I had willingly walked into a trap.
If there was one thing I had learned in my thirty years as Madam Nyxveil, it was this: *Always be so confident that even the strongest evidence against you seems like a third-party conspiracy.*
Master wasn't one to do things halfway, so I had no doubt there would be no evidence against me. And I had been too careful to be caught by the guards.
The Emperor likely thought he could use this incident to force me into submission and make me his pawn.
But how foolish of you, Your Majesty!
I intended to turn this adversity into an opportunity and claim an unexpected prize.
"Tia, undergoing an investigation by the Imperial Court won't be pleasant," Kaelith warned.
I chuckled lightly and shook my head. "Your Highness, I am not the successor of Nyxveil in name only."
My expression hardened. "Any doubt cast upon me is a doubt cast upon the House of Nyxveil. And I will never allow the name of Nyxveil to be tainted, even by the slightest accusation."
My words were firm enough to shake Kaelith, who had spent his life pretending to be a naive prince. A cold sweat formed on his brow.
"So, in return for being falsely accused and submitting to an investigation," I said with a cold smile, "I want something in return once my innocence is proven."
Kaelith's blue eyes darkened, and the air around him grew heavy. He no longer bothered to hide his hostility.
"Are you saying the Imperial House cannot investigate you unless you allow it?" he asked, his tone deadly serious. I could feel his killing intent.
Ha... Stupid Selentia! Had I truly never noticed the hostility Kaelith harbored toward the House of Nyxveil, or had I been so blindly loyal that he never saw Nyxveil as a threat?
"Of course, the Imperial House can investigate," I agreed, but I didn't miss the chance to deliver my final blow. "However, does the Imperial House wish to strain its relationship with the House of Nyxveil?"
Kaelith clenched his fists, his lips pressed into a thin line. If Nyxveil were so easy to dismantle, our enemies wouldn't have gone to such lengths to bring us down with false accusations.
Kaelith exhaled sharply and looked at me with forced calm. "What do you want?"
I smirked and leaned forward, resting my elbow on my knee and my chin on my palm. "Nothing much. Grant Nyxveil direct trade rights with the Eastern Empire for the next ten years."
Kaelith's eyes widened. Ezekian looked at me in shock, and Rheon pressed his lips together to suppress a laugh.
"Are you serious? This isn't something you can just demand!" Kaelith retorted, his voice harsher than I expected.
No surprise there. The Eastern Empire accounted for over 10% of Wymhold's total trade. Known for its vast agricultural and textile industries, it was no exaggeration to say that the luxurious garments worn by the nobility were crafted from Eastern Empire fabrics.
However, the Imperial Family had always barred Nyxveil from direct trade with the Eastern Empire, wary of our growing influence. For decades, we had been forced to relinquish a significant share of profits through intermediaries.
The House of Nyxveil possessed something the Eastern Empire desperately needed, and in return, they had resources that could prove invaluable in the long run.
"I can't grant that. It would require approval from the Elder Council," Kaelith replied coldly. I nodded and stood.
"Where are you going? We're not finished!" Kaelith stood as well, his annoyance evident.
"I have no reason to continue this conversation when you're leveling baseless accusations against the House of Nyxveil and refusing a fair compensation for such slander," I replied. This only further irritated Kaelith.
"Tia, I never accused the House of Nyxveil of anything. I merely came to inform you of the Elder Council's plans and how Father intends to issue an order to the Ducal households to find my brother," Kaelith blurted out his true intentions.
I glanced at Ezekian and Rheon, who immediately grasped the implications. Kaelith had gathered us to reveal this information and ignite a competition to find Xavier.
"There must be a reward for finding the missing prince, right?" Ezekian swiftly changed the subject.
Kaelith nodded. "The house that finds my brother first," he paused, heightening the tension, "will be granted a Dragon's Heart."
My heart sank at the mention of a dragon's heart, and the other two shared my reaction.
"A dragon's heart? Is this some kind of joke?" Rheon was the first to react. There was a strange glint of madness in Kaelith's eyes, as if he had anticipated this response.
"Why would it be?" he countered. Ezekian swallowed hard. "Isn't that too great a reward, even for finding the missing prince?"
Kaelith shrugged. "Of course not. My brother is dear to me and the rest of the family." He placed a hand over his heart, feigning sorrow.
"Due to his fragile health, Father kept him hidden from the world. We all cared for him deeply," Kaelith said, stepping back. "The heart of a Golden Dragon is a small price to pay."
My blood ran cold when Kaelith mentioned the Golden Dragon. Xavier's mother had been a Golden Dragon, one who met her end at the hands of the man she loved most.
Were these bastards truly offering Xavier's mother's heart as a prize for finding him?
I struggled to contain my anger, focusing on calming my aura. It took a moment for me to regain my composure. I needed to secure the deal regarding the Eastern Empire.
"That's certainly an intriguing reward, but it's a matter for the Elders to decide," Rheon said, breaking the silence.
Rheon, like me, had never believed in the existence of dragons. To him, this would sound like nothing more than a myth. But for Ezekian, it was different.
I glanced at Ezekian, who seemed deep in thought. If I knew him at all, he would stop at nothing to find Xavier. After all, possessing a Golden Dragon's heart would grant the North an extraordinary advantage.
I turned to Kaelith. "I agree with Rheon. This isn't something successors like us should concern ourselves with."
Kaelith's feigned sadness vanished. "Tia, you—" "Instead, I want you to carefully consider the proposal I made earlier," I interrupted, stepping closer to him.
"I told you, it's not something I can decide on my own," he replied firmly. "Then be prepared to bear the consequences of coming to Nyxveil and insulting our household," I said with a sly grin.
"I wonder if the Elders will still favor you as Crown Prince after alienating Nyxveil," I added. Kaelith flinched, his jaw tightening as the veins in his neck bulged.
"We are the next generation of the Empire, Your Highness," I said with a smile before turning away. "Let's help each other achieve our goals."
Kaelith's intense gaze bore into my back, but it didn't unsettle me. Instead, it made me feel powerful.
"Do you think you won't regret this?" Kaelith asked as I reached for the door.
*Regret.*
Trusting you is my greatest regret, Kaelith. The last person I expected to betray me was you. You were my best friend, the one I thought would always stand by my side. Never once did I suspect you of using me, of exploiting my loyalty.
I trusted you, Kaelith. I trusted you more than anyone. I risked my life to protect you and your position. I stood by you against the Court of Ignis at every turn.
And how was my loyalty repaid?
I placed my hand on the door and tilted my head slightly.
With a blank smile, I replied, "I've had my share of regrets, Your Highness. Nothing else can make me regret anything... anymore."
Kaelith's face paled at my words, but I didn't spare him another glance.
Opening the door, I walked away—from the friendship we once shared, from the loyalty I had shown him in my past life.