It wasn’t something she’d known from the beginning. Even if the rumor had swept through the entire Crown Castle, there was no way Adrienne would have heard it.
But she had been curious. What were the maids whispering about that had made Yuria so upset?
“The Grand Duke and Her Highness the Crown Princess used to be friends,”
That was the first thing Yuria revealed after some coaxing. But the more Adrienne thought about it, that didn’t seem like something worth whispering over. That’s why she had pressed Yuria further.
“The two of them… I mean… they…”
[The two of them what? Just say it, Yuria.]
“They were lovers…”
Yuria had replied hesitantly, watching her closely.
And that was how Adrienne found out—
That Lukas and the Crown Princess had been not only friends, but lovers.
But in the end, the two had not been able to be together.
‘That can happen,’
At the time, Adrienne had dismissed it as something that didn’t concern her. In noble society, where marriages were political arrangements, such flutterings of the heart during one’s youthful spring were hardly uncommon.
She herself had never had the chance, but Lukas and the Crown Princess had lived different lives. She thought that then, and she thought it still.
And yet—
Even though it was something entirely understandable, why did her heart tremble with such unease?
What was it that made her feel this way?
“Shall we walk a bit?”
When the Crown Princess left the garden, Lukas turned to Adrienne and asked. Her gaze, which had been lingering on her husband’s profile as he watched the Crown Princess’s retreating figure, dropped awkwardly to his lips.
“I asked if you’d like to walk.”
She nodded.
The faint smile she offered was as awkward as her unsteady gaze, but Lukas had already taken a step forward. Adrienne let out a small sigh without him noticing and cautiously moved to walk beside him.
“In spring, this garden is full of flowers. Have you seen it?”
[Yes, I have.]
“What did you think?”
When Adrienne nodded along with her sign, Lukas asked again with an animated expression.
[I prefer this place’s gentle charm to the grandeur of the Crown Castle’s grand garden.]
Adrienne glanced back at Jane, who was following behind. Jane quickly stepped forward to translate for Lukas.
“While Her Ladyship was here, she tended to the garden herself.”
Jane also added a detail Adrienne hadn’t mentioned. Lukas looked at her in surprise.
“Really? You were the one who cared for it?”
[Yes. I waited for spring here.]
Why was that surprising?
In a place where she knew no one, there was little for her to do aside from reading. Eventually, her attention had turned to the garden.
[Now that I think about it, spring should be coming soon. It arrives much earlier here than in Rantschka.]
Adrienne smiled softly and looked around the still barren garden. Jane, as if she had been waiting for it, quickly interpreted the signs.
“Ha…”
[Your Highness, is something wrong?]
“This garden was cared for by my mother. She planted every tree and flower herself.”
[Truly?]
“For her, this garden was healing. It was her favorite thing in the world.”
At that moment, Lukas glanced around the garden with a wistful look, and Adrienne couldn’t quite understand what he’d said. When she turned instinctively to Jane, the maid interpreted with a slightly awkward smile.
Only then did Adrienne understand the sorrow that had briefly passed over Lukas’s face. And she thought she could understand his mother, too.
This garden had become healing for her as well.
Crown Castle was a foreign and frightening place, one that made her feel uneasy at every turn.
[A garden filled with such care and devotion.]
“Yes. This garden is the result of my mother’s tremendous effort and love.”
At Jane’s quick interpretation, Lukas nodded and spoke warmly to Adrienne.
The audience took place about an hour later. The reception room was connected to the Emperor’s former chambers—known as the Golden Room.
The Golden Room was where the Emperor had met with the vassals to discuss affairs of state. Naturally, Lukas had never once set foot inside. Only a very small number of nobles—those granted special permission by the Emperor—were allowed to enter.
And now Agmund had summoned him to that very place.
“His Majesty is waiting.”
As Lukas and Adrienne arrived, the chamberlain, Riele, informed them. No sooner had he spoken than the doorkeepers on either side flung open the massive doors.
Inside the Golden Room, Agmund sat in the grand chair at the head of the table. Reina, whom Lukas had expected to be present, was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a woman he had never seen before stood beside him.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, I greet you.”
“It’s been a while, Lukas.”
Agmund responded without even glancing at Adrienne, who had bowed politely after Lukas.
“A pleasure to meet you, Grand Duke.”
The unknown woman stepped forward with a slight smile, her crimson lips curving upward as she addressed Lukas. His puzzled eyes moved from the woman to Agmund.
“Cadenis. She’s my mage.”
At Agmund’s introduction, the woman turned her eyes toward him with a playful glint.
“Is this your first time here?”
“I don’t belong in the Golden Room.”
“I never liked most things about you, but I always did appreciate that self-awareness. You really do know your place, Lukas.”
“…”
“Your Majesty, this is your brother whom you haven’t seen in some time. Surely you could offer him a seat?”
Cadenis spoke with a sharp smile, noticing how stiffly Lukas stood in silence.
Your Majesty?
The funeral hadn’t even taken place yet, nor had a coronation occurred.
“I didn’t summon Lukas here just for pleasantries, Cadenis.”
“It’s quite all right. I’ll stay and listen.”
“See? I told you—Lukas knows his place better than anyone. I wish the other vassals would take after him.”
“If they don’t, you can just cut them down.”
“Cut them down…”
Agmund slowly rubbed his chin, looking at Lukas. Cadenis’s gaze followed his and landed on Lukas as well.
“Go ahead, Your Majesty.”
“Prepare for a campaign as soon as the funeral ends.”
“A campaign…?”
“My father’s dream was to unite the entire continent. But as you know, he only achieved half of that during his lifetime.”
Agmund, frowning slightly, looked at Adrienne for the first time. Cadenis’s eyes followed his.
That’s right.
The dream of Emperor Xerses had been to unite the three kingdoms of the east and the Adino Empire into one Rodia.
But after a long war with Tehevia, he had fallen ill and been unable to achieve that dream.
“Surely… you’re not planning to attack the Adino Empire?”
“Adino is still too ambitious a target. To advance on Adino, we’d need more troops and far more rigorous training.”
“Then you must be targeting Grandis or Serion?”
If not Adino, then the more likely targets were Grandis or Serion to the south of Tehevia. The northern territories of Kenton and Neltz bordered Adino, but they were quite distant from the empire’s capital.
She had heard those lands had been practically abandoned by the Adino Emperor.
“No. Grandis and Serion could be conquered at any time.”
“Then, Your Highness… where are you planning to strike…?”
“Ascro.”
The single word dropped, and confusion flickered across Lukas’s face.
“Surely… you don’t mean the Temple of Ascro?”
“I do. That Temple of Ascro.”
Agmund smiled faintly. As he did, Lukas’s face stiffened.
“Your Highness, why Ascro…”
“Are you aware that beneath the Temple of Ascro lies a sealed book of dark magic, Grand Duke?”
Lukas nodded at Cadenis’s question. Of course he knew—every citizen of Rodia did, even toddlers.
Two hundred years ago, a priest from Ascro had studied forbidden dark magic and devastated the continent. Half of it was annihilated. Among the victims were Adrienne’s ancestors.
The priest had been from the Kiel family.
The dark magic tome had been sealed deep underground within the Temple of Ascro.
But why bring that up now?
“Right now, the High Priest of Ascro, Erdict, is attempting to break the 200-year-old seal.”
“What?”
“He’s trying to resurrect dark magic.”
“That’s… possible?”
“It is—if he has the right rune.”
Despite the shocking revelation, Cadenis smiled sweetly.
“Erdict wants to restore Ascro’s former glory—when it stood at the center of the continent.”
“Is this true?”
Lukas turned to Agmund, who had remained silent. If it was true, it was incredibly dangerous.
“Would I lie to you, Lukas?”
“My apologies, Your Highness.”
“‘Your Highness,’ hmm… well, I suppose. The coronation hasn’t happened yet.”
“…”
“Yes. You really are a man with no flexibility.”
Agmund’s sharp gaze bore into Lukas, who still refused to address him as emperor. Lukas bit his lip and stared back with an unreadable expression.
