Late Reunion

The candlelight flickered gently, casting warm shadows on the polished wooden table. Diana sat with Lucien, patiently guiding him through each word as they studied history and literature together.

"Read this part again," she said, her tone calm.

Lucien obediently followed, his small fingers tracing the words on the parchment. His voice was quiet but steady as he read aloud.

"The Great Emperor… led his armies… across the eastern—"

He stumbled on the next word.

Diana tapped the parchment lightly. "Divide the word in your head first. Try again."

Lucien bit his lip and nodded. "East-ern… continent."

A small, satisfied smile tugged at Diana's lips. "Good. Now continue."

As Lucien focused on his reading, Diana leaned back slightly, her eyes drifting away. For some reason, her mind wandered to him. The Emperor. His grey eyes watching her. The way he had asked her to go on a walk with him.

Why had she hesitated?

She had already let go.

So why did her steps falter for just a moment?

How foolish.

Love won't feed you.

Love won't make sure you won't die.

She had died once.

She wouldn't die again.

She turned her gaze back to Lucien.

Her son.

The only thing that truly mattered now.

But the past had a cruel way of lingering.

It clawed at her memories, dragging her back to a time when she had been naive. A time when she had believed in forever.

The sky had been a brilliant shade of blue, the scent of fresh grass filling the air.

Diana had been no more than ten, her golden curls bouncing as she ran across the garden. The warmth of the sun kissed her skin, and laughter bubbled from her lips.

"Wait for me!" she called out, her small legs struggling to keep up.

Ahead of her, a boy turned back, his silver-grey eyes sparkling with amusement.

"You're too slow, Diana!"

She huffed, pouting. "I'm not slow! You're just too fast!"

The boy grinned and slowed down, reaching out to grasp her hand.

"Then I'll just hold your hand so you don't fall behind."

Diana blinked up at him before her fingers instinctively curled around his.

He had been her entire world back then. The boy who had promised her eternity.

"When we grow up, we'll always be together, right?" she had asked, her voice filled with childlike certainty.

The boy nodded without hesitation. "Of course. Forever."

"And you'll always love me?"

"Always."

His grip on her hand tightened slightly, as if to seal the promise.

And she had believed it.

She had held onto those words like a lifeline, never once doubting their sincerity.

Even years later, when she had stood before him in a wedding dress, she had believed.

Even when whispers filled the palace halls—about another woman, another child—she had believed.

Until she couldn't anymore.

"You think he loves you?"

Raizel's voice had been sharp, cutting through the air like a blade.

Diana stood before him in the grand hall of the Hinsdale estate, her fists clenched at her sides.

"He chose me," she argued, lifting her chin defiantly. "He loves me."

Raizel let out a humorless laugh. His blue eyes, so much like their late father's, darkened with frustration.

"He chose you because of our family name. Because it benefits him." He took a step closer, his towering frame imposing. "And you—" He clenched his fists. "You're throwing everything away for a man who won't do the same for you."

Diana felt her heart twist, but she refused to waver.

"That's not true!" she snapped. "He loves me! He needs me!"

Raizel's expression turned cold. "Diana, love doesn't work like that."

She shook her head, refusing to listen.

"Don't you understand?" she whispered, her voice desperate. "If I don't stand by his side, who will?"

Her brother exhaled sharply, looking at her as if she were a lost cause.

"You don't need to sacrifice yourself for him," he said quietly.

"It's not a sacrifice," she insisted. "It's my choice."

Raizel was silent for a long moment.

Then—

"Fine."

His voice was quiet, resigned.

"If this is truly what you want… I won't stop you."

But even as he said it, the pain in his eyes had been unmistakable.

And he had kept his word.

No matter how much he disapproved, Raizel had always granted her wishes.

Even when it cost him.

Even when it led to his death.

Diana inhaled deeply, forcing the memories away. She wouldn't make the same mistake twice. She turned her attention back to Lucien, gently brushing a stray lock of hair from his face.

Her son was the only thing worth protecting now.

But another thought crept into her mind.

Her brother.

Lucien had never met him.

And she herself had barely seen him since her marriage.

Raizel had always been distant after her wedding, not because he abandoned her, but because she had chosen to blind herself.

She had pushed him away.

And yet, when she had begged him for help in her past life—when the Emperor had turned his back on her—Raizel had still come.

Even in death, he had been the only one who had never betrayed her.

Diana closed her eyes for a brief moment.

It was time to see him again.

She reached out, patting Lucien's head.

"Lucien," she said softly.

The boy looked up at her, blinking. "Yes, Mother?"

She smiled gently.

"Would you like to meet your uncle?"

*****

The western border of the empire stretched endlessly, rolling hills meeting rugged mountains, with fortresses standing tall against the horizon. The scent of steel and earth filled the air as soldiers trained under the watchful gaze of their commander.

A tall, imposing figure stood at the edge of the training grounds, his silver hair gleaming under the sun, sharp blue eyes scanning the area. Grand Duke Raizel Hinsdale, the protector of the western frontier, exuded an aura of authority that demanded respect.

Dressed in a dark military coat adorned with silver embroidery, he folded his arms as he listened to reports from his adjutant.

"Minor skirmishes near the border, Your Grace," the adjutant said, flipping through his notes. "The mercenaries tried to push into our territory again, but we dealt with them swiftly. No major casualties."

Raizel nodded, his expression impassive. "Good. Double patrols near the eastern ridge just in case. We can't be careless."

"Understood, Your Grace."

The Grand Duke sighed, rubbing his temple. Though the battles were minor, he remained vigilant. If there was one thing he despised, it was being caught off guard. He had learned that lesson the hard way.

However, before he could return to his office, another messenger rushed toward him, holding a sealed letter.

"Urgent news, Your Grace!"

Raizel raised an eyebrow and took the letter. The wax seal was unmistakable.

It belonged to the Empress.

Immediately, his blue eyes darkened.

Diana?

He tore open the letter and read it swiftly.

As he reached the end, his brows furrowed.

"…That's it?" he muttered.

The adjutant, a seasoned warrior who had served under him for years, leaned closer. "Bad news, Your Grace?"

Raizel reread the letter.

Diana was inviting him to the capital.

Just that.

No mention of urgent matters. No pleas for assistance. No coded messages indicating danger.

Nothing.

His fingers tightened around the parchment.

His sister never called for him unless something was wrong.

Could she be sick?

His heart pounded.

What if it's an incurable illness?

He clenched his jaw.

No. No. That wasn't possible. She was strong. But… what if someone was bullying her?

A low growl escaped him.

That bastard emperor.

If he dared—

His thoughts were interrupted by his adjutant coughing lightly. "Your Grace, you look…" The man hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "…troubled."

Raizel slammed the letter onto the table.

"We're going to the capital."

The adjutant blinked. "Now?"

"Immediately."

A silence stretched between them before the adjutant sighed and signaled to the other commanders.

Within minutes, the entire command tent was filled with Raizel's closest aides. They all looked at their Grand Duke expectantly.

Raizel took a deep breath before speaking. "The Empress has summoned me to the capital."

There was a beat of silence.

Then—

"…And?" one of his commanders asked, confused.

Raizel narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean 'and'?"

Another commander raised a brow. "Is there an emergency?"

"Is the Emperor mistreating Her Majesty?"

"Do we need to prepare for war?"

Raizel gritted his teeth. "No. But something must be wrong. My sister never sends letters like this unless she needs something."

The men exchanged glances.

Then one of them—an older knight who had fought alongside Raizel for years—chuckled.

"Your Grace," he said with a knowing smile, "forgive me, but… have you considered that perhaps the Empress just wants to see you?"

Raizel stared at him blankly.

"…"

"…"

Then—

"Nonsense."

The entire tent let out a collective sigh.

One of his younger knights, barely twenty, mumbled under his breath, "Our lord is really—"

"A sis-con," another knight finished.

Raizel snapped his gaze toward them. "What did you just say?"

"Nothing, Your Grace!"

Another knight coughed into his fist. "If Her Majesty truly needed military support, she would have included more details in the letter."

Raizel frowned but didn't refute it.

"Perhaps she simply misses her older brother," the adjutant added.

The room went silent.

Raizel, a man who had faced countless battles and led armies without fear, suddenly looked like a confused child.

"Misses me…?"

His men watched as the realization slowly sank in.

And then, to everyone's complete lack of surprise—

"Prepare the horses. We ride immediately."

The adjutant sighed but gave the order. "Yes, Your Grace."

It was no use arguing.

Raizel was already moving, gathering his cloak and sword, completely ignoring his men's knowing smirks.

They all knew he was a hopeless protective brother.

A few of them even started placing bets on how long it would take for the Grand Duke to storm the palace and demand an audience with the Empress.

By the time the horses were ready, Raizel had already mounted his own, his blue eyes sharp with determination.

"Move out!" he ordered, leading his personal knights toward the capital at full speed.

And though he looked calm, deep inside, he was worried.

Diana was his only sister.

If anything had happened to her—if that bastard emperor had dared to make her cry again—

Raizel tightened his grip on the reins.

Then the emperor wouldn't have a throne to sit on anymore.