Despite the cushioned seats, the long carriage ride to the imperial palace was quite uncomfortable. This would the first time Aria has ever entered the imperial palace. Her mother had made sure the maids dressed her in the finest sky-blue dress, adorned with blue jewels that matched the signature Marcellus’s blue eyes. And her white platinum hair was in a half up-do, with long, thick waves trickling down her bare shoulders. 

Aria’s fingers fumbled around nervously until the carriage came to a stop. She turned to Cedric, who was in a white imperial uniform meant for those who attended the royal academy and bitterly smiled. As if that would calm her nerves – Cedric nodded. Her brother’s unconcerned and calm composure only made her more anxious.

Once they arrived at the palace gates, Aria adjusted the curtains to the side and looked out the window. Immediately her eyes widened and stared out beyond the vast and majestic palace covered in gold, white pillars, and dozens of cascading stairs and water fountains. Her earlier nervousness quickly vanished for a moment. 

The windows of the palace were as large as the palace itself and looked ethereal. And the grass was still so green and bright despite the cold autumn weather, and laid with rows of colorful flowers – the garden at the Marcellus estate could not even compare to this. 

“Cedric, is this really the palace?” Aria asked in disbelief. She was sure they entered another world, or perhaps they accidentally landed in some mystical lands.

Cedric chuckled. “This really is the imperial palace, and it's just as majestic as you see it. It represents the entire empire of Aruelleia, and the power of the royal family,” he said and faintly reminisced. “The first time I laid eyes on the imperial palace, I couldn’t believe it either.”

As the Marcellus family made their way into the palace, dozens of officials, nobles, and aristocrats greeted them with the upmost respect. Since Aria did not have her coming-of-age ceremony yet, this was really the first time she has met so many people, aside from her occasionally visiting and interacting with children from the orphanage. 

Aria was baffled at the sight of people who stopped and greeted her father and brother as they made their way into the royal meeting hall, it was one after another – and never-ending. It seemed her parents were serious when they expressed how important the Marcellus house was to the empire, and the royal family. It justified the strong pride they held.

“Marquess...” a voiced called out from behind them. “It’s been a long while since we’ve met in person. How have you been?” A large, older man with blonde hair and green eyes appeared. He glanced over at Aria and smiled.

Aria flinched in surprised, but quickly bow to acknowledge his presence. She has never met anybody directly, other than her immediate family or the maids and butlers at her home. Her father noticed her hesitation to offer her greetings. He lightly pushed Aria on the back and introduced her.

“Greetings Duke Karl, this is my daughter Aria,” he said and nodded for Aria to give her formal greetings. Aria shyly reached her hand out. 

“Lady Aria,” the duke responded as he briefly pecked the back of her hand in respect. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. You truly are our pride and joy.” 

Duke Karl and her father exchanged brief pleasantries, and Aria noticed a few times they would stop and look at her. It was obvious she was the topic of conversation. Aria tried to focus on something else but could not get over the idea that they were secretly planning her engagement and marriage already when she has not even met the crown prince yet. She was somehow disappointed. 

After their conversation, the duke entered the royal meeting hall, and now her father was preparing to go in as well; however, suddenly silence filled the air, and everyone gathering cleared the middle of the hall. Cedric notice Aria looking around, confused at the sudden change in the atmosphere and he reached for her. Aria stumbled back into the crowd with Cedric.

“The Emperor Damien Augustus is here.” Cedric whispered to Aria. But she was too mesmerized by the glowing fiery red hair that appeared. As the emperor passed by her, along with the numerous imperial knights in red military uniforms, she could feel the emperor's gaze on her. Aria gulped at the sight and stopped breathing. The emperor’s presence was intimating, but magical. 

“Cedric, take Aria to the royal drawing room to rest until I’m done here,” their father said in a whisper. “The duke informed me that the crown prince is unwell and have been so for a few months now. We will visit him at a later time.”

Their father leaned in closer.

“Ensure you keep this quiet. Even the emperor is keeping this information under wraps. Do you understand Cedric?”

“Yes, father.” 

***

Aria sighed and stared out the large window overlooking the majestic palace garden. She was disappointed – they came all the way here to this amazing imperial palace, only to be stuck inside this room. Even if it was beautiful and covered in gold and rubies, it was still…just a room.

If only the crown prince was in better health, then maybe he would have taken Aria on a private tour around the palace, and even introduced her to the many wonderful gardens here.

Sighs. 

“Aria, I have to leave soon,” Cedric suddenly mentioned. “I’ll be meeting with a few lords from our house, so make sure you stay in this room until I come back.”      

Aria had been sighing nonstop for the past hours, and Cedric was sure if he was not here, Aria would have already escaped. Although the crown prince and Aria’s engagement was not publicly announced, their denial to the rumors could still put Aria in danger. 

Outside the halls were their personal guards, and Cedric was not planning to be gone for long so he safety calculated that it would be fine to leave. 

“You have to stay in this room,” Cedric stressed again.

“Yes, I understand brother.”

***

Aria swiftly made her escape after Cedric left. There was no way she was going to stay cooped up in that room while the beauty of the palace was waiting for her to explore it. Aria smile gleefully. Escaping the guards was easy, she just told them she needed to use the lady’s room.

After walking for a short while, Aria became worried. The smooth cement path she was on earlier had now receded to a dark, wet dirt path. She was sure the entrance to main palace garden was in this direction when they entered the through the imperial gates. She wondered if she took a wrong turn at some point and ended up lost. 

Aria carefully stared up at the darkening skies, and knew Cedric was probably looking for her. She shook the thought of having to deal with him later.

Aria continued walking down the now grassy patch, and soon reached an abandoned palace – the white pillars and gold trimmings on the palace walls were dull and cracked. The shattered glass windows were shuttered shut with thick slabs of wood. It was obvious no one lived there...for a long time. 

As Aria got closer to the abandoned palace, she saw the untended grass, and weeds growing all around. It looked almost too haunted that she almost wanted to stop and turn back; however, something behind the palace caught her eyes.

Aria suddenly froze.

Her eyes widened. 

Excitement rose deep within her as she stumbled upon a large white rose garden. There were rows and rows of white rose bushes stretching far into the land – all in full bloom, all ready to take in and admire. Aria could feel tears of joy reaching her eyes as she ran straight for the gardens. It was truly a dream come true she thought. A secret find. A magnificent one. 

It was as if this place was waiting for her.