The carriage came to a halt outside the grand Chavalleve manor. The guard announced my arrival as I stepped out of the carriage, and the gate guards acknowledged my presence with a respectful bow. A guard escorted me to the entrance of the manor, where a maid emerged, her head bowed in deference upon catching sight of me.

“Good afternoon, Your Highness. May infinite glory be with you and the Ruivenfiere Empire. What can I do for you?” she asked.

“I’m here for Lady Kathrynne. She’s aware that I’m coming, isn’t she?”

“Lady Kathrynne is in her music room. I did tell her earlier that you’ll be coming, but she’s been avoiding her servants since this morning. She wanted to be by herself.”

“Well then, lead me to her music room.”

As I walked through the quiet hallways of the Chavalleve manor, a sense of familiarity washed over me, reminiscent of the visions I had in my dreams. These visions hinted at events that may unfold in the future. While I'm uncertain if other Izavenes possess the ability to see into the future, I do.

Despite this, I desperately want to believe that the visions I've had regarding Kathrynne are all ... wrong.

Kathrynne will undoubtedly become the empress, with me as an emperor by her side. It is given. But my chest tightens whenever I catch glimpses of what will happen to Kathrynne. I’m determined to do everything within my power to prevent it from becoming a reality.

"Your Highness, Lady Kathrynne is inside," the maid informed, gesturing for me to enter the room. As I stepped inside, I found Kathrynne sitting by the harp, her eyes closed as she skillfully plucked the strings. The soothing melodies filled the room, instantly easing the anxiety that had been weighing on me. I couldn't help but watch in awe as she played, a smile forming on my lips, rendering me speechless.

“Greetings to His Highness, the light and future emperor of the Ruivenfiere Empire,” she looked up to me, and though she looked intimidated at first, she calmed down and regained her composure. “Forgive me, Your Highness. I didn’t notice your presence. How long have you been here?”

“Don’t feel bad about it. I enjoyed listening to you play the harp. You can continue playing as you wish. I'd appreciate it if you will. It's lovely. I hope you'll keep doing that even when you start living in the palace."

She was flattered and sat again where she left off.

“The Kathrynne I know hated music lessons. She appreciates music, but never gave an interest to play. You're the opposite of her. You were carried away while playing, and I can see how you poured out your heart as you pluck the strings. It’s good to see this new side of you now. You’ve changed a lot in the past eight years we didn’t meet,” I complimented, and she slightly bowed to acknowledge my words.

“I used to hate playing music but now, I love it. People change, Your Highness. I found myself expressing myself and what I feel as I play. It’s … one of the things in this world that I truly cherish.”

“I can tell. Anyone in low spirits would be at peace when they hear your music.”

 “Is that what you felt before entering here?”

I felt like I was caught off guard when she asked the question, but I kept my cool for her not to be bothered with my concerns regarding our engagement.

 "Somehow, because of my thoughts," I cleared my throat, giving the hint that I'd rather not discuss the issue. "Tomorrow, you'll be picked up by a carriage and be escorted to the palace. The empress wants to meet you, and in less than two weeks, we'll get married. The guests would be there a day before the event, and they'll be examined carefully, whatever rank they have in the society. The empress can be a bit intimidating to most, and she sees everyone as either an object or family. I believe you get the idea. She's very good at observing the ones around her, so act naturally. Don't let her see that you're intimidated, you have to be confident. Otherwise, she might see you as someone not fitting the position that she's entrusting to you. I promise to protect you from her. Though she's not noticing it, I'm only being careful with how I approach her without letting her control me." she was stunned as she felt the weight of my words.

“When she dies, I'm going to make a law that slavery or abuse of power would be forbidden, and I will set other regions free so that they’ll be a kingdom again if they wish. They'll be independent, and not under the control of a Ruivenfiere.” I added.

 "Do you … want her to die soon?" her voice was shaking as she asked as if testing the waters if I'll be offended or not.

I let out a sigh and closed my eyes. “I love my mother, but I do not like her. I don’t necessarily want her to die but I want her ways to be changed. I can't stomach the punishments when someone commits crimes. She’s fond of violence.”

Kathrynne briefly clenched her fists before composing herself and placing her hands gently on her lap, one over the other. I couldn't help but notice that her hands were trembling before she settled them.

As I observed this gesture, I narrowed my eyes, sensing that there was more beneath her composed exterior. Despite her attempt to hide it, I could detect a trace of sadness in her eyes. 

The room, once filled with the soothing music from her harp, now seemed to be charged with tension after my arrival and the unspoken answer that hung in the air.

“Tell me if I’m wrong but … I noticed another new thing about you. You seem to prefer clothes that cover your entire body and show no hints of skin at all except your face. Can I know why? It’s not like you.”

Kathrynne averted her gaze, deliberately avoiding direct eye contact with me. I patiently waited for her response, and as our eyes finally met, she let out a brief sigh, indicating her internal struggle.

“It seems like I can’t hide anything from you, Your Highness,” she smiled bitterly, but held herself back from being emotional by biting her lip. “A lot of things happened in the last eight years I was gone. Most of them are unpleasant, so I couldn’t make a public appearance. I traveled to my family’s country estate in Herzoyona Eskal.”

 Herzoyona Eskal – the farthest region of the Ruivenfiere Empire that was formerly a kingdom, and the only region ruled by a human duke. I didn't know that the Chavalleve family would give the interest to have a property in a far region. It’s in the north eastern side of the empire. It sounded like they hid her on purpose.

 “You don’t want to talk about it, right? I can tell by just looking at you.” I said, and I crossed my arms while observing her reaction. She’s been avoiding my eyes on purpose.

"It's too painful to remember. But one day I'll tell you everything. I'm sorry for – "

“Cut it out," I retorted, tired of hearing her excuses. I knew that something was off about her, but now I don't want to hear anything about it. It can be a pack of lies to come up with an excuse. "I'll go now. Save your words soon, and next time I ask, I want you to tell me everything." 

I stood up and she followed the gesture. I walked closer to her, and she stepped backward until she got cornered by a wall. I placed my hand on the wall and looked at her with a daggered gaze. She shivered in fear as if she couldn't believe what I turned into.

 “When that day comes, I won’t forgive you if you’ll keep lying or hiding things. I’m not a fool, Kathrynne. I know when to be a beast if I have to. That’s the kind of blood that runs in my veins.” I warned as I pulled away, walking out of the room.

──•~❉᯽❉~•──

 The clock struck at nine in the evening when I arrived at the palace. My eyes flickered into darkness due to exhaustion, but I have some undone tasks to finish so that I won't worry about them tomorrow.

I brought out the letter Thyra wrote for the Eurhyian Marquess and lazily turned it over between my fingers as I sat down on my chair behind the desk. It was in a black envelope with a common yellow seal, which I believe she bought in town. Though the seal is common, it's strong enough not to be opened unless torn on purpose.

Looking at how sealed it is gives me a curiosity about what the contents are. It's surely about informing him how she's doing, some things that she discovered here, and a question about how things are in Eurhyia. I can't be wrong about that.

Those are the only things that will be usually discussed with friends unless she has a special relationship with that marquess. He’s still a noble, and it won’t be surprising if they’re more than friends. I need to know about him.

Their acquaintances sure aren't aware of their friendship, but it won't be bad to know a little bit about the marquess.

“Ruford,” I called, and he walked towards my desk with a bow. “Send two Poudrettite Izavenes first thing tomorrow morning, and bring this letter to the Marquess of House Vassezac. The other one should make some research about the same person. I want to know more about this person – where he lives, what his family is known for, people’s opinions of him, and his relationship with the royal family.”

"Relationship … with the royal family? You mean, you want to know if he was on good terms with them and if he was engaged with Lady Thyra?"

I flinched as I heard his question, losing my composure, and Ruford held himself back from smiling. “Psh. You’re convinced that I’m prying too much, don’t you?” I added.

"I think that His Highness has a significant interest in the Eurhyian princess, particularly regarding her background with the marquess. I want to assure you that I have no objections to following your orders without any further questions. I am here to support you and carry out your wishes."

“Well, there’s no point denying it. How can I not be curious over someone who wiped out my army by herself? It was surprising that she made it out of the battlefield alive. A normal Izavene would vomit blood and die after pouring much power as she did in one go, but she was too powerful to survive that. Though I met her once, I can't ask her directly because she'll find out that I’m prying on her life. Who knows what she can do?"

I met her twice. Ruford isn’t aware of the coincidence yesterday that I met her in the library. Although admittedly, part of me fears her, I still cherish our time yesterday.

Most of the noble ladies I have encountered in tea parties were primarily engaged in gossip and were expected to maintain a flawless appearance and impeccable manners. It often felt as though their sole purpose was to be matched with royalty or another noble for the sake of family alliances.

This makes Thyra different, being a princess on the surface and a powerful warrior in secret. If she was a noble in the Ruivenfiere Empire, would she be a part of the crown princess candidates?

Dismissing the absurd thought, I shrugged it off and stood up to change my attire as Ruford left the room.

"Hah, I must be losing my mind," I muttered quietly to myself as I reclined on my bed and gazed up at the ceiling of my room. "Thyra Edevane ... Will she truly be the one to end my life with her own hands, as I saw in my vision?"