For commoners, their lands were a treasure worth protecting with lives, as it was the only source to maintain a living. Despite not having a vast land, like nobles were used to, commoners still cherished what was theirs. For this woman, the land that opened before our eyes was one cherished and protected from generation to generation. Once full of all sorts of crops, it was now in a desolate state. As if a storm passed through this only field, everything that remained was beyond the saving point. 

I let go of K’s hand, who had helped me come down from the carriage and slowly approached the woman, whose hands grasped tightly onto the mud, as if she was cursing the earth and the sky up above. For a moment, I wondered who was to blame for this misfortune, who could destroy in no more than 5 hours crops worth a year. When I met her eyes, she lowered her head, her small body was shaking, and she muttered words I could not hear. 

‘Who did this to you?’ my question didn’t ease her reaction, as she now refused to say anything 

A quick glance didn’t reveal anything about who could have done such a thing. I’ve only met the eyes of the curious commoners, that already started with the rumors. Even hearing their conversations didn’t reveal much, as they only came up with theories.

When I knew there was nothing for me to observe anymore, I signaled K to go and look around for any signs. 

Even Princess Sophie’s expression lacked any empathy for the woman. 

Before leaving to complete his order, K lowered his body and whispered into my ear, softly: ‘I think this kind of act could be done by your brother’s army, Your Highness.’ 

To be able to do such a disaster in silence wasn’t something a commoner could do, but when it came to Imperial Soldiers, no one would even dare to make comments. I closed my eyes, a loud sigh escaping my mouth. K proceeded to go and look around for any details, while I resumed my questioning for the woman. 

‘Please respond with yes or no. Those who did this to you, were they dressed in the same clothing as my friend?’ I pointed out towards K, who almost disappeared from our sight. 

The woman raised her head slowly. She glanced quickly at K’s uniform, then nodded. 

For a moment, I felt my blood boiling. If it was that easy for my brother to hear about the disagreement between me and this lady that happened this morning, then there wasn’t anything I could do to stop rumors from spreading beyond our Empire. 

‘I would like to apologize that we had failed to protect your hard work. It’s a failure I must admit, for this that I hope you could forgive it.’ I tried to console her. 

‘No! No! I am so sorry, Your Highness! If I had not dared to show such an act of arrogance, something like that would have never happened! I deserve to die!’ 

Princess Sophie gasped upon hearing her words, and, like she always acted, it didn’t take long for her to ask her question. 

‘Oh, my! What does this commoner say? What has she done?’ 

As I turned around to look at Princess Sophie, who, once again, exceeded her limits, I met K’s frowning look that was directed towards the girl. From his lack of response, I understood that there wasn’t anything that he could find. While K eye-ed her, his expression sent shivers down her spine, but she still stood her ground. On the other hand, I did not pay any attention to what she rumbled.

‘Don’t say something like that. We are humans, and, as humans, we are bound to make mistakes. The small incident of yours wasn’t so severe that your life would be the price to pay for that. Your life is valuable, so be sure to cherish it.’ 

‘You’re too kind, Your Highness! I don’t deserve such kindness!’ the woman continued to speak out on her fears. 

My hand reached towards hers, yet, for a moment, I stopped. With all those eyes turned on me, I wondered if it was the right gesture to do. One, two, three seconds later, my hand reached hers. I squeezed her right hand. 

‘I will be sure to find who did this to you and punish them, do not worry about this matter. For this problem, I don’t know if you’ll give it a chance, but I may suggest you reconsider my offer, as we will compensate you with all the lost crops that you were to lose if you agreed with our documents. What may still refuse our offer, and even if you refuse, we will still compensate half of your lost crops? So, give it a thought’ 

I didn’t expect a quick answer, as she had shown how hard it was to come to terms with her, but, after being put in this situation, it was the best option for her. 

‘Yes… Yes. I’ll sign them.’ 

While it was hard to give up on her land, we tried to compensate her — along with all the commoners that had been in this situation — with giving a prosperous land not far from their houses and crops to last them a year. It was a good deal, that I happily turned out good. 

After the documents were signed, we said our goodbyes. It was also the first time that the woman smiled brightly at me. Her sign of gratitude made me hope for a future in which every person would accept me as their ruler. 

As we prepared to depart, I had to inform Princess Sophie of our departure. Another carriage appeared next to ours, a carriage I requested to take her back to the Imperial Palace. 

‘Princess Sophie, our paths have to go on separate ways now, as I have some other matter to take care of. You can now announce your presence to His Majesty, he’ll be sure to welcome you with open arms.’

Princess Sophie bowed down: ‘It was a pleasure to see how you work, Your Highness. I was so eager to know how your reign will unfold, but it appears like you’ll do a great job.’ 

‘I am happy to hear you say this. You’re welcome to come again once I’m the Empress. I’ll be sure to treat you with kindness.’ 

With my words, soon, our ways were part. K didn’t have to ask towards what place we were headed, as he had read me very well. 

This Capital has 3 Palaces. The most important one is the Imperial Palace, from where my father rules this Empire. Before me and my brother were born, my mother had a dream. And in that dream, she was the mother of a girl and a boy. To say that my father was beyond excited was an understatement, so, when my mother got pregnant with my brother, my father built those two Palaces. 

The Palace of the Moon, which belonged to my brother. And the Palace of the Sun, who was mine. 

It took some time until we arrived at the Palace of the Moon. The building was enormous, almost rivaling with the Palace, but the design of it portrayed my brother’s personality. 

The cold atmosphere of it was the first thing that welcomed us. My steps echoed in the hallway, it was no doubt that my brother knew who was about to enter his office. Soon, when I stepped foot in front of his door, my presence was welcomed with the same atmosphere. 

In a blink of an eye — the moment I set foot inside the chamber — a quick object flew past me. Only by an inch did it miss my face. 

Next to me, a glass shattered once it hit the wall.