HTNSA 76

Chapter 76

“Here, Felix. Be careful not to lose it.”

Before he realized it, Eila had finished writing and handed Felix a small folded note.

He took it absentmindedly, and Eila gave him a radiant smile as she held both Peony’s and Felix’s hands tightly, one after the other.

“Then both of you, take care. I’ll be waiting.”

Peony grasped Eila’s hand warmly with a serene smile.

But Felix stood frozen, unable to do anything.

Just then, Peony hugged Eila and gave her a parting message.

“Have a good break too, Eila. I’ll come back with some interesting news, so look forward to it.”

“Really? Now I’m curious what kind of news that’ll be.”

As the two chatted and laughed, Felix hurriedly spoke up.

“I’ll definitely… bring back that herb you asked for, Eila.”

Eila looked back and forth between the two of them and smiled brightly once more.

“Okay, then let’s see each other after the break.”

It was just a temporary farewell.

Peony’s grand carriage began moving slowly. Through the neatly arranged curtains, the academy’s outline blurred in the background.

But Peony purposefully turned her gaze away from the window.

Truthfully, part of her had wanted to stay at the academy with Eila.

But she couldn’t keep watching from the sidelines while someone tried to take her life.

“This is something I’ll have to face eventually. Don’t act like a child, Peony.”

Determination flickered in Peony’s eyes.

Noticing her unusual demeanor, Rona, who sat across from her, cautiously spoke up.

“Um… Your Highness, may I ask something?”

“What is it?”

Peony gave her a sharp look, as if to warn her not to speak nonsense.

Rona flinched and spoke carefully.

“You haven’t had a proper medical checkup in a long time… So I thought I might send word to your court physician ahead of time, since we’re returning to the palace.”

“…Hmm. I’ll be busy once we arrive, so let’s talk about that later.”

“Oh, yes. Understood.”

Rona tried not to show it, but she looked secretly pleased that Peony had at least considered her suggestion.

Peony snorted inwardly at her expression.

“You might not be so happy about that later.”

After a long ride, the carriage finally passed through the palace’s main gates.

The head lady-in-waiting, who had been waiting in advance, greeted her with a deep bow.

“Your Highness, His Majesty has been eagerly awaiting your return.”

“His Majesty?”

“Yes. He’s requested that you join him for dinner tonight, if you are able. Shall I inform him that you’ll attend?”

“Alright. Tell him I’ll go. And you can raise your head now.”

Only then did the lady-in-waiting lift her head.

Unlike the freedom of status at the academy, the palace was different. Everyone in the palace treated Peony with utmost formality.

Guided by the attendants, Peony returned to her private quarters.

As the beloved imperial princess, her residence was exceptionally grand.

Peony closed her eyes briefly and took a deep breath. The palace, after so long, felt both familiar and strange.

It was as if she had just awakened from a dream—her carefree conversations with friends already felt like a distant memory.

The maids began undressing her from the familiar and comfortable Riode Academy uniform.

“Prepare something reasonably comfortable.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

But Peony frowned as soon as she saw the dress brought by the head maid.

She had asked for something comfortable, but what was laid out was overly fancy and clearly uncomfortable.

Still, she soon gave a resigned nod.

“Well, it is the palace. What did I expect?”

She had to maintain proper decorum before the Emperor. Life here was nothing like the relaxed days at the academy.

In no time, she was dressed, and the maids neatly arranged the long train of her gown.

They slipped soft silk gloves onto her hands.

Even though it was just a family dinner, meals in the royal household always carried a degree of tension.

“We’re ready to escort you.”

As she walked down the long marble corridor, the number of people around her gradually thinned.

Soon, they arrived deep within the palace.

When Peony stood before the banquet hall’s gold-adorned doors, the attendants respectfully opened them.

Inside the wide-open hall, she saw familiar faces.

“You’re a little late.”

The moment she stepped into the room, a scolding voice greeted her.

Peony quietly turned to look at the one who had spoken.

Christina Celestia.

The empire’s only Empress Consort, Christina had recently solidified her influence in high society with the backing of her powerful family.

“You’re the same as always. Making Father wait.”

The person who chimed in next to her was the Second Prince, Adolf Celestia.

He was Christina’s only son—and far younger than Peony—yet he constantly picked fights with her.

The mood in the hall grew cold, prompting Darian to speak up in her defense.

“She just returned from the academy. Of course she’d be a little late. She must still be tired from the journey.”

The Emperor nodded in agreement.

“Yes, don’t scold Peony. She’s always been frail! I’m just happy she returned safely.”

Peony raised her skirts gracefully and gave a formal bow to the Emperor.

“No, my brother isn’t wrong. You called me here and I still arrived late. I apologize, Father.”

There was a time when she felt truly cared for by her father and older brother.

But now, she couldn’t trust a single person in front of her.

As soon as she took her seat, Peony lowered her eyes.

Eila had taught her how to behave in the palace—how not to draw attention.

“When you need to hide your emotions, always bow your head. If your eyes are lowered, it makes you look more tragic.”

The Emperor looked at Peony with pity in his eyes.

Then he turned to the Empress and Second Prince and scolded them.

“You two couldn’t even compliment Peony for returning safely. Let’s all just eat quietly now.”

Peony stifled a small smile behind her bowed head.

“Eila’s advice works better than I thought.”

The banquet hall fell silent.

Taking advantage of the quiet, Peony looked over each of her family members.

Their calm expressions revealed nothing. She couldn’t guess who might be the culprit.

Who among them wants me dead?

Could it be Adolf, who’s always so rude to me?

If Christina and Adolf were behind it, it would almost be a relief.

They had always resented Peony for receiving the Emperor’s affection, especially since she had no maternal family or backing.

Since they’d always mistreated her, it was easier for her to think of them as enemies.

But I can’t completely rule out Darian either…

He was a strong candidate for the next Emperor, but his position was still unstable.

The Emperor hadn’t officially named a crown prince yet.

If he were the culprit, it would be truly heartbreaking. Darian had always been kind to her.

He looked after me ever since Mother passed… could he really be trying to take my life?

Her gaze naturally turned to Empress Eliza.

She was known for being cold—even to her own son, Darian.

There was a time when Peony respected her for being fair and impartial.

But now, she couldn’t help wondering if that was just a mask to avoid criticism.

Maybe everything was orchestrated by the Empress. Acting like a kind stepmother on the surface, while planning to eliminate me or even Adolf behind the scenes…