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Chapter Text

The Empress of Obelia, Mother of The Empire, Mother of The crown prince, The Empress Warrior, Savior of The Empire, The Obelia Empire Heroine, Dominator of Unclaimed Villages, Mother of Peasants, And Former Duchess of The North.

Empress Valerie Valency Aurelianne Zephyra Obelia, The Warrior Empress.

Empress Valerie was the second born of Duke Drakonhart of the Drakonhart Dukedom. She became the duchess of Drakonhart at the tender age of 15 when her whole family was assassinated by the previous Emperor's order. 

The Empire was at war when she became duchess. In the Obelia Empire the Drakonhart Head Fights the front line. 

Valerie was only 15 when she nearly died on the battlefield. She fought to no end, she learned how to fight on the front lines, she learned the best strategies on the front lines, she awakened her magical powers on the front lines. The Young Duchess of Drakonhart grew up on the front lines just because her father refused to hand over his wife to be the Emperor's concubine. 

Valerie led the victory of the empire and gifted the enemy's head to the new emperor Claude De Alger Obelia 

The Emperor knew of her situation and had gifted her many treasures and lands as gifts for leading the empire’s victory

And as compensation for what the previous emperor did to her family and to her life he granted her three wishes and whatever she wishes he will comply no matter what.

Valerie, having endured everything the imperial family put her through and the overwhelming hatred she felt, knew what she must do.

“If you must, my first wish is for my elder sister's son, my nephew to take my place as the ruler of Drakonhart Dukedom” 

The Emperor's court has deemed the wish to be unreasonable and tried to convince the emperor not to grant the wish.

But The Emperor granted the wish without hearing what his court had to say.

“As for the two wishes, when would you want to use it?”

" Your majesty, I wish to be empress”

Everyone present started to whisper at the duchess’s wishes, clearly abusing the power the emperor had given her. 

They expected the emperor to decline the wish as he had declined many of the noble ladies advanced to him in the past

But what they don't know is that the emperor is a man of his word and granted the wish thinking this was a two win situation for both of them not realizing Valarie had decided to make him the one to suffer for what the previous emperor did to her.

That was the day Duchess Valerie Valency Aurelianne Zephyra Drakonhart became Imperial Empress Valerie Valency Aurelianne Zephyra Drakonhart Obelia.

The Empress later gave birth to the twins. The Imperial Crown Prince and the Imperial Princess of Obelia.

Then the dancer Diana entered the palace and rumors about the emperor's commoner concubine. The Empress did nothing to stop them having already secured her son’s place in the hierarchy.

When the dancer got pregnant and gave birth to princess Anastasia then died. It was the Empress who assigned the loyal maid lily to take care of the orphaned princess.

The Empress watched the emperor fall into despair and then did she truly become happy again.

She watched him fall apart, watched him lose control, and watched him use dark magic.

Then it was revealed it was her plan all along. To make him feel what it's like to lose something yours after being deprived of everything since childhood.

It was her way of getting revenge. 

Then the last wish was used

“My last wish, For my children to never see you as their father but a ridiculous man that foolishly fell for a hired scheme” 

Those sentences, then did the emperor realize he had been played with by the Empress and Diana. Then did he truly hate Diana for playing him and the Empress for falsely dumping all her hatred on him for what his father—that never looked at him— did to her.

She was killed by the emperor upon realization. But the Empress died with a smile leaving behind her revengeful laugh echoing throughout the Palace of Obelia.

And thus,

The story of Empress Valerie Valency Aurelianne Zephyra Obelia

came to an end.

But the Empire would never for

get her name.

Because grief, once crowned, never dies quietly.

Chapter Text

“Lovely Princess" is a romance fantasy novel that was a big hit online. Like the title, there are lovely princesses in the book. Among the Three princesses of the obelian empire, the protagonist is-

The Third Princess Jennette.

The princess is a beautiful lady with an angelic heart, and she is beloved not only by her nation, but by the whole continent. And among those who adore Jennette-

Was her father, Emperor Claude.

To his people, he is praised as a hero and a savior of the nation but in truth he is a heartless man who killed his elder brother, the proper heir, and sat himself upon the throne.

Jennette was the kind of person who would melt the heart of even a cold-blooded man like him.

Claude only learned of Jennette’s existence when she turned 14. Jennette's mother was Claude's fiancée. After the duchess's wish and losing her place as his bride-to-be, she died while giving birth to Jennette.

Jennette's aunt tried to protect her niece from Claude… by hiding her away in the care of the Alpheus family.

After realizing her existence, Claude was called towards Jennette at first. However, princess Jennette, being an unbelievably lovable person due to being the protagonist, eventually melted the cold icy fort that was claude.

Supported by her father, the king, she was wed to lord Alpheus, the best man in the empire fit to be a husband, and lived happily ever after.

Oh but that's not all. 

The second princess athanasia was the same age as princess Jennette.

Athanasia’s existence was informed to Claude when she was born. But, he leaves the child in the palace for concubines; thanks to that, athanasia grows up to be a fragile princess, always on edge.

The first time she ever sees her father is on her ninth birthday.

Led by the lights and the noises of the banquet, athanasia leaves the ruby palace late at night where she meets Claude in the garden of the emperor's palace.

Of course, Claude turns away and leaves, uninterested. But to a girl like Athanasia who's never received any affection, this was quite a faithful encounter.

She tries with all her might to be loved by her father… thus growing up into a beauty with both skill and grace.

On the day of Athanasia's debutante when she turned 14, her dream gets shattered into pieces.

Athanasia with her gloomy and foggy disposition, and Jennette, bright and cheery as the sun. Perhaps it was inevitable that everyone loved jennette more than athanasia.

Instead of being jealous of Jeanette she teaches her the waste of the palace.

But Athanasia loses the very thing she ever wanted to jennette, her father's love. Well, I suppose you can't lose what you never had.

On top of everything, the poor princess gets killed by her own father accused of putting poison in Jennette's glass.

She was framed, of course, Jennette's aunt was behind it all. An elaborate scheme to make her niece the first heir to the throne.

Which was stupid since there was already the crown prince and the first princess who was birthed by the late empress. The crown prince’s position can't be touched since the emperor himself made it clear he wasn't going to declare his children from concubines any succession to the throne even after Jennette's existence was revealed. 

On the contrary, if she knew it was poison she would have gladly drunk the glass herself to save Jennette. Because if something bad had happened to Jennette, it would have gravely saddened Claude.

As you can see, Athanasia was a poor, foolish princess. Jennette's aunt must have simply intended to remove her from inheriting the throne —which again didn't make sense—, or to have her confined…

But Claude cannot be underestimated. He killed Athanasia even before she was found guilty.

It was her 18th birthday exactly 9 years after the day she met him for the first time in the garden. Eventually the truth was revealed but Claude never felt an ounce of guilt or regret about killing his second daughter.

It was the crown prince and first princess that arranged Athanasia's proper funeral and clearance of her name.

Jennette suffers from guilt…until she is comforted by her fiance's arms and puts the original behind her in the story ends with a “happily ever after”

“If you asked me this novel had many plot holes especially when the throne succession is mentioned. Even if the whole plot revolved around the royal family, the crown prince and first princess was barely mentioned, heck even their names were only mentioned once, not only that we know nothing about the Empress, not even her name!” The sleep deprived college student vented while dramatically spread out on the couch like a distressed maiden

“Is reading that trashy novel all you did rather than studying for your final exam?" His clearly overworked older sister stood before him with murderous aura around her 

“..." 

WACK

“DON'T GET OUT OF THAT POSITION UNTIL I TELL YOU TO!" The college student now faced the wall of their small apartment with his hands straight up and a very visible red hand mark on his left cheek “AND YOU WON'T GET DINNER EITHER SO SHUT THAT GROWLING!!" 

“How can I?" the college student whimpered looking back at his sister eating fried chicken who glared at him to face back the wall

Chapter Text

Yoon Seol-ah was twenty-six years old and had been tired for ten of them.

She wore exhaustion like perfume—something you couldn’t see but always felt. It clung to her skin, seeped into her bones, and weighed down every breath. The fluorescent lights of her office flickered above her like mockery, and the buzzing from overworked machines matched the hum of fatigue ringing in her ears.

Her boss yelled again.

"Fix the proposal. I want it on my desk by tomorrow morning. And next time you mess up, don’t bother coming in."

She bowed automatically, the kind of bow that asked for nothing—no forgiveness, no understanding. Just time. Time she no longer had.

The walk home that night felt like marching through molasses. Her heels were scuffed, her bag strap was tearing at the seams, and her mind was elsewhere—on her brother.

Yoon Ji-ha. Seventeen. Her entire world.

When their parents died in a car crash nearly a decade ago, the world told her she was too young to raise a child. But grief doesn’t wait for permission, and responsibility doesn't ask for your age.

So Seol-ah stopped dreaming and started surviving.

She worked part-time jobs through high school, gave up university, and landed herself in a corporate hell that paid just enough to keep a roof over their heads and her brother enrolled in college.

She cooked, cleaned, ironed, and cried silently into the laundry she hung to dry at 1 a.m.

She slapped Ji-ha once—hard—on the left cheek when he stayed up reading some ridiculous webnovel instead of studying for his entrance exams.

His cheek burned red for hours. She made him kneel with both arms raised, eyes to the wall, no dinner.

He never complained.

She hated herself for that night.

But what he didn’t see was her shaking in the hallway, head against the wall, whispering, "I'm sorry, I can't lose you too."

That evening, she bought him strawberry milk on the way home—his favorite. She placed it gently beside his bed as he slept. Covered his feet with a blanket. Brushed his hair from his forehead.

He was still her baby. Even when she couldn’t afford to act like a sister.

Yoon Ji-ha had always known his noona was made of steel.

Not the shining kind that glints with pride and victory, but the dull, weathered kind you find holding up crumbling buildings. She was rusted at the edges, chipped in places, but she never once gave way.

Every time she raised her voice at him, he listened—not because he was scared, but because he knew. Knew she only had enough energy to speak when she was at her breaking point.

He wished she’d yell less and sleep more.

That night, after the punishment, he sat on the floor of his room, holding the strawberry milk she left behind like it was an apology and a lullaby. He wiped his tears quietly, pressing the cold carton to his bruised cheek.

He loved her. Even if she never said she loved him.

The next day, Seol-ah worked a double shift. Her fingers trembled on the keyboard. Her eyes stung. Her stomach screamed in protest from another skipped meal.

She finally left at 11:43 p.m. The city had already begun to sleep.

She crossed the street, mind fuzzy, limbs on autopilot. Then headlights.

Then nothing.

Her last thought as the truck approached was:

"I didn’t say sorry today."

Ji-ha never knew she died that night.

He had spent the whole day at the library, reviewing for his entrance exams. He wanted to make her proud. He wanted her to smile again—not the polite one she gave strangers, but the one he remembered from before the funeral.

He walked home through an alley to save time.

They ambushed him like shadows. A group of men, faces masked in alcohol and malice. They took his phone, his wallet, and then they took their time with his body.

He curled into himself like a dying animal.

Blood pooled around him. His hand clutched the side of his ribs, the pain drowning out the city noise.

He coughed once, twice, and then saw the stars.

"Noona must be worried… Who’ll tell her I’m okay?”

They died at the same time.

Two breaths taken in different places.

Two hearts ceasing with the same name on their lips.

Two souls that only ever wanted to protect each other.

And in the silence that followed, the world moved on.

But the stars remembered them.

And something greater did too.

Chapter Text

Her Highness, Princess Seraphielle Calista de Alger Obelia.

The first princess of the Obelian Empire.

That’s what Lucen told me my new name is.

Do you remember me?

Yoon Seol-ah.

I died after being hit by a truck… and woke up as an infant in the arms of a breathtaking woman. I would later learn she was my new mother.

Not long after, I found out I was a twin. My new brother?

His Highness, Crown Prince Luceryn Alaric Daemon de Alger Obelia.

Who I also found out… was my baby brother, Ji-ah.

It wasn’t until we could talk that we realized we were both reincarnated.

He said our names were identical to some characters in a trashy novel he read once. Then we found out our parents’ names… and he freaked out.

According to him, we were the twin characters barely mentioned in that novel.

He had no idea what happened to us, except for one ominous detail: we had a funeral arranged.

“Is your position as crown prince… in any way unstable?” I asked him one day.

"Huh? no” He looked at me confused “The protagonists is a female and Athanasia is not even considered to fight for the crown, my only competitor is you but the novel never mentioned that you showed any interest in the crown” he explained. 

“So we’re basically safe from the plot?” I asked.

“Yeah, looks like it,” he admitted, finally letting go of the strands of his blond hair he’d been anxiously pulling at.

“Then stop panicking,” I said, gently catching his hand in mine. “Let’s just enjoy our new lives. No more worrying about bills or rent.”

The tears in his jeweled blue eyes dried. “You’re right!”

He beamed, raising his arms with mine as we clinked our glasses of milk.

“Cheers to a new life!”

“Cheers to a new life!”

From that moment on, we forgot the novel even existed.

Until…

Our mother was killed—by our father, the Emperor.

It was devastating.

In our past life, our birth mother died giving birth to both of us. Our father mourned her until the day he passed, and we were tossed into foster care.

But this time… this mother, this loving woman we got to know, was cruelly taken from us.

Lucen took it the hardest.

He cried for days—until he collapsed from dehydration.

We were only three years old.

> \3rd person<

A small five-year-old ran barefoot through the grass in her nightgown. Little pouches stuffed with glittering jewels were tied around her chubby thighs.

Panting, she finally reached her destination—an abandoned stretch near an unknown palace. Her tiny body wobbled as she approached the bushes.

‘I didn’t bring anything to dig with!’ she panicked. ‘If I get my hands dirty, they’ll know I snuck out!’

Thinking quickly, she whispered, “I’ll just hide them here for now and come back tomorrow.”

She stood up and dusted herself off. “Maybe Hannah has a toy shovel I could borrow—”

“What’s that?”

A voice cut her off.

‘What?! Isn’t this place supposed to be empty?!’

The girl dove into the bushes, clamping her tiny hands over her mouth to stifle a gasp.

Peeking through the leaves, she caught a glimpse of a girl—two or three years older than her. Her dress was far more elegant than Athanasia’s simple nightgown, and her long black hair shimmered beneath the moonlight, adorned with ornate hairpins.

A noble. A high-ranking one, at that.

“Your Highness, small animals do tend to run around this part of the palace,” said a voice—an older woman, likely a nanny.

Athanasia’s heart hammered violently in her chest.

‘I can’t get caught! I can’t! What if they hurt me—what if they kill me just for being here?!’

Her trembling became so intense that even the bush began to shake with her.

Unbeknownst to her, the other girl had already noticed the blonde peeking through the foliage.

“Don’t you think that bush is trembling too much for it to be a wild animal?” the older girl whispered to her nanny.

“But—” the nanny began, but was cut off.

“Don’t,” the girl said firmly. “Let’s leave her be.”

The nanny hesitated, but obeyed. As the girl turned to leave, she caught sight of a crimson-roofed structure in the distance.

“Mira, what’s that palace called?”

“That is the Ruby Palace, Your Highness.”

“The Ruby Palace?” the black-haired girl repeated. “Isn’t that where my father’s concubines are kept?”

Athanasia’s eyes widened.

‘Father? As in… the Emperor? Only his children called him that in the novel.’

Then she noticed the older girl’s eyes.

They were the same shade as hers—the same ones she saw reflected in the palace fountain.

“Yes, Your Highness,” the nanny confirmed.

‘She’s my half-sister.’ Athanasia realized. ‘What was her name again…?’

“Shall we go announce ourselves? If my father has concubines, they should know who the strongest woman in the palace is,” the older girl said with a mischievous grin.

*Serina? Selena?* Athanasia racked her brain.

“You mustn’t, Princess—”

“Why not? This is my home, is it not?”

“Well, Princess… that palace is where the Emperor’s commoner concubine’s child lives.”

The older girl’s smile fell. “I… have a half-sibling?”

The nanny flinched. “D-Did you not know, Princess Seraphielle?”

‘Seraphielle!’ Athanasia suddenly remembered.

‘She and her twin were the ones who helped me escape in the novel’s final arc!’

—

After that brief exchange, the black-haired princess turned and ran, her footsteps echoing with urgency.

Athanasia, still crouched in the bush, waited until the coast was clear. Then she bolted back to the Ruby Palace, her legs aching, her lungs burning.

By the time she arrived, she was flushed, panting, and slick with sweat.

Lily noticed immediately and rushed to get her medicine.

That night, Athanasia had a fever.

Whether it was from the sudden exertion or the emotional shock of meeting her half-sister—she didn’t know.

But what she did know, deep in her little heart, was fear.

Fear of being seen.

Fear of being dragged away.

Still… she kept returning to that same hidden spot every few days to hide her treasures. 

Chapter Text

There's been rumors that the emperor has suddenly taken an interest in the princess from the ruby palace.

And the crown prince is in disarray, he has been pacing around the Empress palace ever since the rumor arrived to the palace muttering about the beginning of the unknown

‘Whatever that means’ Meanwhile, the first princess is unfazed by the situation. 

It seemed that having caught up on her years of sleep deprivation has made her unfazed by everything, that being said Lucen has yet to recover from what his sister did days prior the rumors started.

*Flashback the next day when princess seraphielle went to the place she unknowingly met Athanasia.

Having confronted her brother about their half-sibling he explained that it's true they have another half-sibling other than the protagonist and even lectured her on not listening properly when he told her about the novel and plot lots of times.

Athanasia was boy's name she tried asking about it to her brother but he himself has no idea why Athanasia has a boy’s name and not only that the name ‘Athanasia’ means immortal/immorality which is usually given to heirs 

In the Obelian Empire, Heirs are given names that mean Immortal/immorality or Power(I forgot) and having another child of the emperor named by those meanings is considered treason due to the fact that only the emperor is the only one who could give such names. 

The current Emperor wasn't given such a name due to having killed his own brother, the true heir to the throne. 

Now back to the palace.

The first princess has had enough of the way the Emperor has treated her and her brother and will not stand having deadbeat fathers two lives in a row so she marched to his palace with her brother who is trying everything to stop her because in the novel it was said that the emperor only saw his children on their birthdays

The crown prince wanted to keep it that way so to predict what is going to happen in their future—despite having no idea what it could be

“Sister please, the emperor might decide to kill you…or us! if you do demand such a thing” He begged basically sobbing 

“Shut up" was all she said but he didn't stop and kept trying to block her path 

“Sister-" 

“Your Majesty, the sun of the Obelian Empire" The maids and guards that followed them suddenly said bowing to the man before them 

Lucen froze and looked behind him, lol and behold it's their father in white robes.

“Father, I wish to know you better" Her voice were firm and unhinged

‘STRAIGHT TO THE POINT!!???’ Her brother mentally screamed his imaginary tears streaming down his cheeks 

“..." 

“..." 

“(⁠╥⁠﹏⁠╥⁠)" 

Everyone stared at the girl in silence then “why?" their father asked nonchalantly 

“Because I want to know the man’s ejaculation I came out off” Lucen swear he saw their mother calling from the heavens “better like a family should” 

Silence~

Everyone other than the three blood related royals tried their best to keep their laughter in, like their lives depends on it—which it is.

*End of flashback 

Surprisingly the emperor let them be and said he’ll call them to his palace in the near future which seems to satisfy his sister 

They left the palace with Lissy dragging her twin back to the Empress Palace where they continue their education and life

minus to Lucen being on edged and feeling like his gotten a decade older.

Then the news that the ruby palace princess almost drowned at the lake when in a boat with the emperor—lucen started shading hair

“The Emperor requested that the crown prince and first princess have dinner at the Emperor’s palace" The messenger informed the two, Lucen can't accept it. He really just can't.

“We shall be there before sundown" Lissy was about to leave when

“The emperor requested the dinner…for tonight” The messenger cleared “he wants his children to be at his palace. Now" 

Lissy frowned but nodded " find them we shall go in what outfits we already have on, ready the carriage” 

" But your highness, you have been wearing that dress since this-” a maid tried to convince her to change 

" Nonsense he doesn't know that” and went in the carriage with her brother following shortly after.

___

When they arrived they were escorted not to the dining hall but to the emperor's room where the emperor and Athanasia already sat.

“Your majes-" 

“It's rude to request for one's presence without warning" 

Lucen was cut off in the middle of his greetings to the emperor.

This time it wasn't just Lucen who was dumps trucked by Lissy's words but also Athanasia who stared at her in complete horror

Claude looked at her unimpressed muttering “I'll take note of that" 

" Thank you” Lissy smiled satisfied then turned to the horrified little five year old girl " It's a pleasure to meet you officially, little squirrel “ she smiled at the little girl with an innocent smile

But Athanasia stiffened, having been caught sneaking in the Emperor's palace.

“let's eat I made them prepare the things all of you would like” Claude announced 

" thank you for the food” the three siblings said in unison 

Then a knife suddenly flew in the air.

Fact:

-Lucen and Lissy lives in the Empress Palace 

-Claude is intimidated by lissy (somehow)

-Rumors about the crown prince having a fever three nights in a row

-lucen wanted to live happily and peacefully using the novel’s plot to avoid drama

-Athanasia is terrified for Lissy 

-Filex can't get Lissy's words of getting to know her father more exact words out of his head, often laughing at random times when he's alone.

Chapter Text

‘Poor girl,’ Lucen thought, watching the tiny girl at the far end of the long table. ‘He’s watching her every move like a predator...’

The Emperor's piercing gaze bore into Athanasia with an intensity that made even Lucen flinch.

Silently, Lissy reached across the table and pulled Athy's plate closer. She began cutting her sister’s steak into neat, bite-sized pieces. The knife clinked softly against the porcelain as the Emperor’s stare shifted to her, following every motion like a hawk.

She slid the plate back in front of the trembling five-year-old.

Athy didn’t speak. She didn’t even blink.

The dinner ended the way it began—drenched in cold silence, the Emperor’s unwavering focus locked onto their youngest sibling. No warmth, no words.

And then—dismissed. Just like that.

They were all kicked out of his chambers.

Lissy found the act unbearably rude.

But Lucen and Athy? They looked like they couldn’t escape fast enough.

---

Bluhhh—

Lucen hunched over near the carriage steps and vomited into the bushes.

Bluhhh—

Athy followed not long after. Her small body shook violently as maids and guards scrambled in panic.

“Dear God, Lucen, hold yourself together,” Lissy muttered, pulling a small pouch from her sleeve. She handed it to him with a sigh. “Smell this—it’ll help calm your stomach.”

Lucen pressed the pouch to his nose, dry-heaving as the herbal scent worked its way into his senses.

Lissy’s eyes found Athy again—pale, shivering in Lily’s arms.

Without a word, she reached into her dress pocket and handed the nanny an identical pouch.

Lily accepted it with a small, grateful nod, holding it near Athy’s flushed face.

Then, Lissy dragged her brother into their waiting carriage.

Lilian York stood silently as the royal twins departed.

Her hand tightened slightly around the cloth pouch.

Lavender. Ginger root. Crushed mint leaves. Thoughtfully prepared.

Her gaze fell back to the girl clinging tightly to her neck.

“Lilyyyyy…” Athy whimpered, voice small and raw.

“Shh... it’s alright, princess.”

Lily’s voice was warm, unwavering. She gently rubbed Athy’s back, letting the child bury herself deeper into her arms.

No one else could comfort the little girl like this.

No throne. No jewels. Not even her siblings.

Lily wasn’t just a nanny. She had raised Athanasia like her own flesh and blood—from swaddling her as a baby to wiping away every invisible tear the palace refused to see.

In a world that only saw her as a "child of a concubine," Lily saw her as someone’s whole world.

---

Later that night...

Lissy gently ran her fingers through Lucen’s golden hair, his head resting in her lap like it had in their childhood. His breathing had calmed, his hands no longer trembling.

Her eyes stayed on him for a long time.

This isn’t our world anymore.

Everything here felt too grand. Too silent. Too dangerous.

They had food. Safety. A roof over their heads.

But no matter how many years passed, this life never stopped feeling foreign.

Eight years. And yet every morning, Seraphielle still half-expected to wake up in their dingy apartment, sunlight leaking through the blinds, bills stacked on the table.

Even now, looking out the carriage window at the moonlit trees blurring past…

It felt like a dream.

A dream that wouldn’t let her go.

'Not to mention… I never even got to finish Solo Leveling or Omniscient Reader.'

A dry chuckle escaped her. She read manhwas. He read webnovels. The irony was almost nostalgic.

She turned her gaze to the moon again—silent, ever-watching, always following.

Will I ever feel like this is real?

Will I ever stop missing home… even if that home was broken?

---

Far from Obelia… under the stillness of another empire...

A dark chamber pulsed.

Old stone walls—once buried, now disturbed—breathed stale air.

Something ancient shifted in the shadows.

A slow, deliberate exhale.

No fanfare. No witnesses. No name spoken aloud.

He opened his eyes.

The torches lining the room flickered, though no wind touched them. A faint pulse reverberated through the stone—a tremor of presence rather than sound.

Not king. Not knight. Not

deity.

He belonged to none of them.

Not anymore.

He rose.

Not hurried. Not uncertain.

Just inevitable.

Chapter Text

The carriage wheels rolled gently over the stone path as the Empress's Palace came into view. Athanasia's small hands clutched Lily's tighter, her heart unsure if she was more nervous or hopeful. Last night, Lily had gently told her that the herbal pouch she'd found tucked into her pillow wasn’t a gift from the palace maids, but from the First Princess herself—Lissy.

Lissy, the quiet girl with the ever-watchful eyes.

The palace loomed, framed by flower-laced balconies and arched windows. As their carriage halted, a maid stepped forward—older, cold-eyed, and formerly under the late Empress's service. She looked at Athanasia as if the girl had tracked in mud.

"This isn’t a place for discarded heirs," the maid whispered sharply, low enough that only Athy and Lily could hear. "You should know your place by now."

Athy shrank back instinctively. The way the maid's eyes gleamed—there was something venomous there, something that told Athy she was unwelcome, less, something to be erased.

Before Lily could move to shield her, a sharp voice cut through the morning air.

"Then perhaps," Lissy’s voice rang like a bell, cold and crystalline, "you should return to your place. Permanently."

From behind a column, Lissy stepped into view, her small form cloaked in royal velvet, chin high, eyes narrowed in cold fury. Emily, her caretaker, stood close behind, holding a scroll and seal.

The maid blanched, mouth agape. "Y-Your Highness—"

"You’ve insulted the Second Princess on royal grounds. You will be stripped of your title, wages, and station. As of this moment, you are no longer in service to the Imperial Palace."

The maid’s breath hitched. "I-I only meant—"

"I don’t care what you meant," Lissy said flatly. "Leave. Now."

The maid fled, footsteps stumbling.

Athy stood frozen, clutching Lily’s sleeve. Her heart pounded. But then Lissy turned toward her—and something changed.

Her face, usually unreadable, softened. She stepped forward and knelt slightly, brushing invisible dust off Athy’s shoulder with a gentleness that stunned her.

"I’m glad you came," Lissy said quietly. "I was hoping you'd visit."

There was no chill in her voice. Just unfamiliar warmth—like early spring sun on winter-hardened ground.

Athy stared at her. This version of Lissy felt… different.

Not the silent girl at breakfast.

Not the untouchable First Princess.

Just… Lissy.

Athy gave a quick bow, cheeks pink. "Thank you for the herbs. They helped me sleep."

Lissy smiled faintly. "You’re welcome. Next time, I’ll add lemon balm."

She looked over her shoulder, where Emily waited with a picnic basket and a folded blanket.

"Lucen and I are going on a picnic today. Would you… like to join us?"

Athy blinked. "I-I don’t want to intrude—"

Before she could finish, Lissy scooped her up gently.

"You’re not."

Somehow, despite being only eight, Lissy carried Athy with the ease and grace of a practiced older sister. Athy clung to her just slightly, eyes wide.

They walked toward the courtyard, where Lucen was already rolling up a blanket and tucking away books. His smile brightened when he saw Athy perched on Lissy’s hip.

"You came!"

"She’s joining us," Lissy said, setting Athy down with care.

Lucen beamed. "Actually, you’re the best part."

Athy looked down at their clothes—formal, stiff, far from picnic-appropriate.

Before she could say a word, Lucen and Lissy exchanged a glance.

A silent understanding passed.

They lifted their hands. Twin magical circles shimmered into being underfoot, glyphs glowing softly in gold and silver. Light spiraled upward, and their clothes shifted—now simple tunics, breeches, and soft leather boots.

Lissy turned to Athy. "May I?"

Athy gave a small nod in amazement.

A soft spell circle formed around her, passing through her like sunlight on water. Her dress faded, replaced by a light lilac outfit fit for running, soft shoes snug on her feet.

She gasped, twirling. "That was amazing!"

Lucen handed her a flower crown. "You need one more thing."

Lissy placed it on her head gently. The three of them—First Princess, Crown Prince, and the often-forgotten Second Princess—walked out together into the blooming gardens.

They found a cherry grove where blossoms fell like snow. The blanket was spread beneath the trees, and the air smelled like honey and spring.

Lucen read aloud while Lissy unpacked treats from the basket. Athy giggled as Lucen made up voices for each character, while Lissy tried not to laugh and failed.

There were no tutors.

No titles.

No father.

Just them.

Later, Athy lay between the twins, her head resting on Lissy’s lap, one hand curled in Lucen’s.

She looked up.

"You’re different here."

Lissy didn’t pretend not to understand.

"It’s because I don’t have to pretend here."

Athy nodded slowly. "Then I hope you always stay where you can be yourself."

That evening, as the sun dipped low, three royal children returned to the palace not as strangers of blood, but as siblings.

And for the first time, Athy had a little understanding of what siblings feels like.

Chapter Text

The relationship between the twins and the Emperor before the Empress’s death was… professional at best.

The Empress’s hatred toward the royal family kept the twins from forming any real bond with their father. Their only exchanges were the occasional glance from him and a respectful bow from them.

Claude didn’t care. He continued living his carefree life, his routine unchanged—except for the rare moments when the Empress stepped in to take the lead whenever his presence was required.

Serephielle hated it. She finally had both parents alive, yet only one showed her affection? Unacceptable.

She would force her way into his palace, glaring at him from behind a wall or standing silently in the doorway of his half-open office.

Luceryn, poor boy, was absolutely terrified of Claude. In his memories, Claude was a cold-blooded man. And yet, he was always dragged into his sister’s schemes.

Claude let them be. As long as they didn’t make too much noise, he didn’t care. But Felix could see it—the girl just wanted her father to notice her. He tried to help, bringing the twins up in conversation with Claude whenever he could.

It was the first time in three years the twins were seen again in public. The Empress had hired dancers to entertain the court.

Luceryn and Claude were both captivated by Diana’s performance. Luceryn had always enjoyed watching people dance. Even in his past life, he’d cheer his female friends on at dance competitions, shouting louder than anyone in the crowd—often returning home hoarse but always met with their grateful smiles.

Valerie noticed her son’s eyes never left the dancer. She invited Diana to her palace to keep him entertained a little longer. At first, it was nothing more than a way to ease her son’s boredom. But then she noticed the way Claude looked at Diana—and she had an idea.

Her plan had been simple: make Diana someone precious to Claude, then spirit her away to another country where she could live in peace. She never expected Diana to become pregnant.

Valerie didn’t want a child involved, so she gave Diana an ultimatum: “Take this abortion tea and leave the palace, or stay and suffer.” She hadn’t truly meant it.

If Diana had survived, Valerie would have protected her for naming her child Athanasia. Valerie understood that this was Diana’s last act to protect her daughter—because Valerie had made it clear she was on her own.

But when Valerie held the infant in her arms, she wept for the future she knew awaited her. She knew Athanasia would face many hardships.

Athanasia was secretly cared for in the Empress’s Palace, hidden from Claude and the twins. Only a few maids and her lady-in-waiting knew of the child’s existence.

Then Lilian York knelt before Claude and begged to be Athanasia’s nanny. He didn’t refuse. Reluctantly, Valerie allowed the infant to be moved back to the Ruby Palace before Lilian took up her post.

Athanasia would never remember how the Empress whispered apologies over and over to her sleeping form.

Valerie may have seemed heartless, but she was just a broken woman who had lashed out at the wrong people. She never intended to involve two adults, let alone a child who would suffer because of her choices.

She could only hope Lilian would keep her promise—to shower Athanasia with the love her late mother and absent father never could.

Valerie appointed Emily, her right-hand woman, to protect her children. She knew a retired warrior would be enough—for now.

Chapter Text

In the heart of the Imperial Garden, beneath the shade of ancient cypresses, sat the three royal children of Obelia.

Since the day of their first picnic, it had become a quiet routine: Prince Lucen would often slip away to the Ruby Palace, “borrowing” little Athanasia along with her devoted nanny for an evening. More often than not, the two would not return until after a sleepover.

The Emperor, though he noticed this exchange, allowed it. Perhaps it amused him. Perhaps he saw no harm in his children weaving bonds of siblinghood on their own.

But one morning, what was meant to be another day of lighthearted play turned grim.

For the palace had received the letter.

All three royal children were summoned at once to a formal audience with the Emperor’s court. Athanasia, who was barely accustomed to such grandeur, grew anxious the moment they stepped inside. The chamber was filled with richly dressed men she had never seen before — dukes, ministers, and advisors whose wealth hung on them like armor.

The air was heavy with argument, and the moment the letter was raised, the hall erupted.

“We must not send them, Your Majesty!” cried one lord, his voice sharp, hands clenched upon the polished table.

“But we must!” another shouted, his fist slamming against the oak so hard the sound echoed. “It is tradition! In a few years, at least one of your blood must represent Obelia!”

“And if we do,” came a quieter, more pointed voice, “who shall it be?”

The chamber fell into silence.

Athanasia, seated beside her siblings, suddenly felt the weight of every eye. It was as if invisible hands were pointing straight at her. Her small hands gripped her skirts.

Why me?! she screamed inwardly. I don’t understand what’s happening! Please—someone, anyone—look away!

Her silent plea went unanswered.

Until—

“I will go.”

The calm, unwavering voice cut through the stillness.

Seraphielle, the First Princess of Obelia, raised her hand with elegance, her posture as composed as a lady twice her age. The court turned to her, and even the Emperor shifted in his seat.

“It is written that the event will not commence until a few years hence,” Seraphielle continued. “By then, I will have my own ladies-in-waiting and a small retinue of nobles I trust. I shall represent Obelia.”

“B-but, Your Highness—” one minister began, only to fall silent at a single cold glance from the Emperor.

Claude de Alger Obelia leaned forward, his jeweled blue eyes sharp as a blade. “Princess,” he said, his tone deceptively casual, “I know you are not stupid.”

Too blunt!! Athanasia nearly cried aloud, her small face scrunching.

“You are your mother’s daughter,” Claude went on, his voice flat yet carrying a weight that silenced the chamber. “If we send our reply with your name, you understand, within that place you cannot wield your mana. The barrier will strip you of it entirely.”

To an outsider, it might have sounded like the Emperor’s concern for his daughter’s safety. But every noble present knew better. If the First Princess were to perish within, and tragedy befell the Crown Prince… then the illegitimate child would ascend the throne.

The risk, however slim, could not be ignored.

And yet Seraphielle’s expression did not falter.

“That is why, Your Majesty,” she declared, her voice ringing through the hall, “I request to be trained in all forms of weaponry.”

Gasps rippled through the nobles. Whispers followed, quick and sharp like daggers drawn in secret. Already, rumors were being born: that the Princess sought the sword not for survival, but for conquest — that she would one day seize the throne itself.

But the Emperor’s gaze only lingered on her for a long moment before he straightened his back, his voice cutting away the whispers like steel.

“The representative of Obelia in this generation’s Heredes Silentes Bella,” he proclaimed, “shall be the First Princess — Seraphielle Calista de Alger Obelia.”

When the meeting concluded, the three siblings departed in silence.

Lucen’s hands were tight at his sides, his usual calm broken by unease. Seraphielle remained composed, as if the weight of the Empire on her shoulders was nothing more than another lesson to master.

And Athanasia?

Athy was utterly bewildered.

“Elle!” she called, trotting up beside her elder sister, tugging lightly at her sleeve. Seraphielle paused, her full attention turning to the little girl.

“What was that letter about? And that… here-something? Why did everyone act like it was so important?” Athy’s wide eyes shone with innocent confusion.

Seraphielle’s lips softened into a small smile. A faint chuckle escaped her.

“I see,” she said gently. “You’ve not yet reached that chapter in your history lessons. Very well… I shall explain.”

Her voice dropped low, her tone heavy with the weight of centuries.

“Heredes Silentes Bella is an ancient rite — a gathering held once in a generation. The heirs of every empire, and of the great noble houses, are summoned into a palace sealed by an impenetrable barrier. Once inside, no one can channel mana beyond its walls. It is a realm cut away from the outside world.

Within that palace, heirs are pitted against one another. Sometimes they fight their siblings for the crown. Sometimes they form alliances, or betray them. Some return victorious… others never return at all. Whoever emerges alive is recognized as heir, no matter their standing before.

It is both a battleground… and a paradise.”

Athy blinked, horrified. “But Elle, you’re not the heir.”

“That depends not on birthright,” Seraphielle replied calmly. “It depends on the Emperor’s will. Whether crown prince or not, Obelia must always send a representative. And Father has chosen me.”

Her expression darkened slightly, her gaze distant as if already looking years ahead.

“In a few years, I shall be sent there. Whether I return with allies and peace… or bring Obelia to the brink of war… will depend on me.”