Emperor Lin Cao was sitting in a big chair by the window. His full attention was focused on the letter from Liung-Mun in his hands. His eyes were swiftly following the lines of skillfully crafted characters in the report. Arriving at the end of the letter, he gave a sigh of relief.

It wasn’t often that he would leave the country for so long. This was also the first time that his eldest son was in charge during his absence, and even though he trusted him, the Emperor couldn’t stop worrying. In the many years of his rule, he learned that one should expect trouble at any given moment.

Fortunately, the letter sent by his most trusted official calmed his nerves. The Eldest Prince seemed to be a natural born ruler and there was no sign of any problems brewing within or outside of the country.

With the Empire safe and sound, the only thing he had to worry about was his visit to Aelius.

Lin Cao closed his eyes and rested his tired head on the backrest. His thoughts ventured to the Commander he had met the day before.

When he saw Valeria for the first time, he was almost certain that she was the missing princess of Faolán. After all, Conall was his good friend. They knew each other for a very long time, even before he became the ruler. They fought alongside each other during war and they celebrated together during peace.

Lin Cao was a frequent guest on his court, so he was also well acquainted with Queen Aoife. He knew that, because of the affliction she suffered in her childhood, becoming a mother was almost impossible for her. The only reason Eira was born was because of the blessing from their Goddess.

Unless it was another miracle bestowed upon them by their deity, there was no chance that they would have another child. If it did happen, then he was certain that Conall and Aoife would share the happy news with others.

If, by any chance, Valeria and Eira were the same person, then it created a whole set of other mysteries.

The Commander Lin Cao met couldn’t be older than twenty five, but ever since the disappearance of the Goddess, all shape-shifters lost the Blessing and their lifespan became that of an ordinary human. If she was the Wolf Princess, how was she able to avoid that?

Could it be that she never lost the Blessing?

A knock at the door pulled him out of his thoughts.

— Come in.

Lin Xuelan entered the room. Seeing her father’s tired expression she became worried.

— Father, are you feeling unwell? Should I call for a physician?
— There’s no need. I’m just a bit tired after the trip.

The Emperor got up from his chair and led the Dragon Princess to the small guest area, so they can talk in a more comfortable environment.

— How was the tea with Princess Oriana? — he asked.

Xuelan asked her maid to leave before she answered. The conversation she was about to have did not belong to anyone else’s ears, even if it was Shun Ming, whom she trusted with her life.

— It was… Insightful. Turns out they aren’t blood-related sisters, which means that you must be right. She really is Eira.

The Emperor’s eyes lit up.

— Mm. But we can’t be rush. We need to be absolutely sure that we have the correct person. Solving the sister mystery certainly helps, but until we have an undeniable proof that it’s her, we have to stay cautious. We don’t know who else might be watching from the shadows.

Xuelan pondered Lin Cao’s words for a moment.

The easiest way to know would be to have the confirmation from the person of interest herself. From what the Dragon Princess managed to gather, the chances of that happening were close to zero. The Commander didn’t seem like a very trusting person.

The second best thing would be to see her shape-shift, which also wasn’t very likely. She might not even have the ability anymore.

— Is there any way to be sure, aside from the obvious? — she asked.
— Faolán had a sacred relic. It was a moonstone pendant with an image of a wolf and a fox, passed from one king to the next, but it went missing during the war. If my hunch is correct, Conall must’ve given it to Eira at some point. The pendant is magical, so you will know right away.
— I understand. I also told Shun Ming to ask around and see if the staff knows anything that might help us.

The Emperor nodded, satisfied. Out of all of his three children, Xuelan was always the most clever one. If anyone was to find out the truth it was her.

— Good. Good. Just be careful. Don’t do anything that would put you in danger.
— I know, father, I’m always careful. — Xuelan got up from the couch and headed for the exit. — I must get going now. I’ve heard that the Royal Guard has training tomorrow, so this could be a good opportunity to get closer to her. I just need to prepare something for that.
— Mm. — Lin Cao was stroking his beard, deep in his thoughts, when he suddenly remembered something — LanLan?
— Yes?
— Try not to seduce anyone this time.