The Most Amazing Teacher Ever

Liliana stood before the grand mirror in her chambers, admiring her reflection with satisfaction.

Everything about her appearance was perfect.

Her golden gown shimmered under the light, embroidered with delicate pink roses and encrusted with diamonds along the neckline and sleeves. Her jewelry—golden earrings, a delicate choker, and multiple bracelets—glittered with wealth and status. Her hair, styled in an elaborate updo, was adorned with a bejeweled hairpin gifted by the Emperor himself.

She looked like a Queen.

Because she was a Queen.

"Mother, do I look nice?"

Liliana turned to see her son, Roan, standing stiffly in his small royal attire—white and gold, embroidered with intricate patterns befitting a prince. His blond hair, a shade darker than hers, was neatly combed, and his blue eyes reflected an eagerness to please.

Beside him, his twin sister, Elysian, twirled in her matching pink dress, her curls bouncing as she giggled. "I like my dress! It's like a princess!"

Liliana smiled, placing a gentle hand on each of their heads. "You both look perfect."

They had to be.

Everything tonight had to be.

She had waited for this moment—the day she could stand proudly at the Emperor's side, not as his lover hidden in the shadows, but as his Queen.

No longer just a consort.

She belonged here.

"Now, remember what I told you," she said, her voice calm but firm. "You must behave properly. No foolishness, no whining, and always be polite."

Roan nodded immediately. Elysian hesitated before sighing. "Yes, Mother."

Liliana smiled sweetly, though her grip on Roan's shoulder tightened slightly. "Good."

Everything had to be perfect.

She would not let that woman steal this moment.

—

As expected, the banquet hall was breathtaking.

The chandeliers dripped with crystals, bathing the vast room in a golden glow. The long tables were decorated with the finest silverware, the aroma of extravagant dishes filling the air. Aristocrats and nobles, dressed in their finest, gathered in groups, their conversations a quiet hum beneath the grand atmosphere.

Liliana felt a thrill of excitement as the doors opened for their arrival.

The royal announcer's voice echoed through the hall.

"His Majesty, Emperor Cassian Verdeca—accompanied by Her Majesty, Queen Liliana and Their Highnesses, Prince Roan and Princess Elysian."

Liliana straightened her posture, smiling gracefully as she walked beside Cassian. The golden train of her dress flowed elegantly behind her, and she made sure to hold Roan's small hand in hers—a perfect image of a royal family.

She expected admiration.

She expected all eyes to be on her.

But something was wrong.

The moment she stepped inside, she noticed it.

The subtle shift in attention.

Not toward her.

But to someone else.

She kept her smile in place, but her grip on Roan's hand tightened as she swept her gaze across the room—

And then she saw it.

Her.

Diana.

Seated confidently in the chair meant for the Empress.

Liliana almost stumbled.

There was no elaborate gown, no dazzling jewelry.

Diana was dressed in an embroidered coat and fitted suit, the deep colors complementing the silver embroidery on Lucien's similar outfit. Not a delicate noblewoman's attire, but something powerful—something that commanded attention.

And Diana did not sit demurely, hands folded in her lap like a gentle lady.

No.

She sat with one leg crossed over the other, her golden eyes half-lidded in boredom, as if the grand event meant nothing to her.

As if she was the ruler of this hall.

Liliana's stomach twisted.

Why?

Why does she look like that?

Why did she still hold that presence, even without extravagance?

It made no sense!

And then—

She noticed Lucius Nightbane.

The infamous King of the Underworld, known for his cunning and ruthlessness, was standing beside Diana—bending slightly toward Lucien, who was animatedly chatting with him.

Lucien.

Liliana's nails dug into her palm.

That boy.

That carbon copy of the Emperor.

Black hair, gray eyes—the same eyes Cassian had, but softer, less cold.

She hated how much he resembled his father.

And she hated even more how naturally he fit into this picture, sitting beside Diana, his small expression filled with joy.

He was just a child, and yet…

He was sitting where Roan should be.

Where her children should be.

Liliana swallowed the bile rising in her throat.

This wasn't right.

This wasn't how it was supposed to be.

She had been waiting for this moment. She had dressed in gold and pink, made sure her children were dressed to perfection, all so they could stand as the rightful royal family.

But—

Why was Diana the one who looked like she belonged?

Why was she the one who exuded the presence of a ruler, even without the grand displays of wealth?

Liliana forced herself to smile, though her fists clenched beneath her sleeves.

She would not allow this.

She would not be overshadowed.

Not again.

*****

Lucien's eyes were wide with fascination, his small hands gripping the edge of his chair as he leaned closer to the man beside him.

His silver-embroidered coat was slightly oversized, making him look even smaller compared to the towering figure next to him. But his excitement made him oblivious to everything else.

Lucius Nightbane—King of the Underworld, feared by nobles and criminals alike—sat beside the young prince, his usual expression of detached boredom only slightly softened by amusement.

He knew how to handle cutthroats, thieves, and spies.

He did not know how to handle an overly enthusiastic five-year-old.

"Teacher," Lucien whispered, his gray eyes practically sparkling. "You know everyone's secrets?"

Lucius arched a brow, tilting his head slightly. "Of course."

Lucien gasped, covering his mouth with his hands before quickly looking around. He leaned in even closer, his tiny voice full of awe. "So… do you know where Countess Verne's missing ruby necklace is?"

Lucius smirked. "Sold by her second husband. He needed the money to pay off a gambling debt."

Lucien's jaw dropped. "Really?!"

The blond man nodded, his violet eyes glinting mischievously. "And you know the Earl of Montrose? The one who always talks about virtue and honesty?"

Lucien nodded eagerly.

"He has three mistresses. One in the capital, one in the south, and one who works as a maid in his own estate."

Lucien gasped again, his small hands gripping the table. "He doesn't?!"

"He does."

The little prince turned to his mother with wide, scandalized eyes. "Mother! Did you hear that? Three mistresses!"

Diana, who had been sipping her wine with an expression of utter boredom, hummed. "Mmm."

Lucien turned back to Lucius. "What about Duke Reynard? I heard from the servants he never takes off his gloves. Does he have a terrible curse?"

Lucius chuckled, resting his chin on his hand. "No. He just has a habit of biting his nails when he's nervous, and they look awful. He doesn't want anyone to see them."

Lucien nodded seriously, as if this was the most important information in the world.

Diana, watching the entire exchange, couldn't help but laugh quietly.

Her son was a five-year-old gossiper.

It seemed he had inherited some of her curiosity, though he lacked the political training to use such information properly.

Still, watching Lucius—who usually carried himself with an air of untouchable mystery—being pestered for gossip was deeply entertaining.

Lucius sighed, finally looking at Diana with a helpless expression. "He doesn't stop."

Diana smirked, sipping her wine again. "I never told you to answer."

Lucius narrowed his eyes at her. "You should have been the one answering him, Empress."

Diana tilted her head playfully. "And ruin the fun?"

Lucius exhaled sharply, shaking his head before turning back to Lucien, who was practically bouncing in his seat.

"Tell me another one, Teacher!"

Lucius leaned back, contemplating. "Hmmm… how about this? You know Baron Holt? The one who always complains about commoners taking noble positions?"

Lucien's eyes widened. "What about him?"

Lucius smirked. "His grandmother was a commoner. His entire family's noble status came from a marriage contract centuries ago, and he's terrified someone will find out."

Lucien gasped so hard he almost fell off his chair.

"He's lying?!"

Lucius smirked. "Hypocrites usually do."

Diana watched the interaction with a small, amused smile.

Lucius wasn't an easy man to deal with, but with Lucien, he was surprisingly patient. Annoyed, yes—but he still entertained the boy's endless curiosity.

Though it probably helped that Lucius was incredibly proud of his knowledge.

Lucien, still vibrating with excitement, grabbed his mother's sleeve. "Mother! Teacher is the most amazing teacher ever! He knows everything!"

Diana chuckled, setting down her glass. "Yes, yes. That's why I made him your teacher, darling."

Lucius scoffed. "You forced me."

Diana smiled. "Details."

Lucius gave her a look of long-suffering patience. "The only reason I'm here is because I lost that damned chess match."

Diana's golden eyes glowed with amusement. "Then maybe next time, don't lose."

Lucius let out a deep sigh, rubbing his temples.

Lucien, oblivious to Lucius's suffering, grinned up at him. "Will you play chess with me too, Teacher?"

Lucius eyed the little prince. "Do you know how to play?"

Lucien nodded quickly. "Mother taught me! I beat one of the palace knights once!"

Lucius chuckled. "That's not much of an accomplishment."

Lucien pouted. "I'll beat you someday, Teacher."

Lucius smirked. "I'd like to see you try."

—

Diana was still chuckling when she caught the whispers around her.

"She's gone insane…"

"Is this another desperate attempt to gain His Majesty's attention?"

"She's making a fool of herself, dressing like a man. How improper…"

She sighed.

How unoriginal.

She barely spared them a glance, her golden eyes flickering with mild disinterest.

They were predictable, these nobles. Always whispering, always judging, yet never brave enough to say anything to her face.

She had no interest in their approval.

Instead, she shifted her gaze toward the foreign delegates scattered throughout the banquet hall.

Unlike the noblewomen whispering behind their fans, these delegates were watching her with quiet intrigue.

She could hear snippets of their hushed conversations.

"The Empress… she is unlike what we heard."

"Dignified, yet strong. I thought she would be more delicate."

"She carries herself like a ruler…"

Diana hummed.

Interesting.

It seemed they had sharper eyes than some of her own people.

The Emperor's entrance did nothing to shift her mood.

Neither did Liliana's.

She simply turned her gaze away, more interested in the sight of Lucius pinching the bridge of his nose as Lucien bombarded him with more questions.

If nothing else, this banquet was turning out to be very entertaining.