Chapter 35-36

Chapter 35: The Crown Unveiled

The hall held its breath.

Tia's fingers curled around the edge of her skirt, her heartbeat thrumming louder than the whispers around her. Why was everyone looking at Lily like that? What did her mother mean about the crown? Aurelian Dynasty?

She had no answers—only a growing unease.

Lily's soft gasp brought her back.

"I… I didn't know it was from the Aurelian line," Lily said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It was… shown to me by a collector. I thought it was beautiful… meaningful…"

"You thought wrong," Alaric said coldly, stepping forward. His voice, usually calm and detached, now carried an edge. "Or perhaps, you didn't think at all."

Lily flinched.

Kaelen crossed his arms, gaze unblinking. "Or she thought too much. That crown's design wasn't hidden from history—it was erased. Only someone who dug deliberately would find it."

A few nobles murmured their agreement. Others, sensing danger, leaned subtly away from Duke Grentis.

He still hadn't answered.

Seraphina's eyes glittered with sharp grace. "Lady Solenne, regardless of your intentions, you brought something deeply inappropriate into this palace. On my daughter's birthday, no less."

"I-I didn't mean harm," Lily said quickly. "I just… wanted to give something unique. I didn't know it had such history."

Lucien, silent at Tia's side, finally took a small step forward. Though he said nothing, his eyes were on Lily—calculating. Protective.

Tia looked at him, then at her mother. Her head was spinning. "Mother… is it… really cursed?" she whispered.

Seraphina's gaze softened for just a moment as she met her daughter's eyes. "No harm will come to you, my dear. Not while we are here."

Then the Empress turned back to Duke Grentis.

"Well?" Kael's voice broke the silence again—no longer cold, but thunderous. "We are waiting."

The Southern Duke rose slowly from his seat.

His face betrayed no fear—only mild irritation, as if the entire ordeal were beneath him. He bowed slightly.

"Your Majesty," he began, "Miss Solenne is simply a merchant I encountered during my travels. She pleaded for an audience at this banquet. I thought it harmless."

"A merchant with access to ancient relics?" the Emperor said sharply.

Duke Grentis didn't flinch. "Perhaps she was misled. As she said—she believed it custom made."

> "You vouch for her, then?" Alaric asked, stepping forward again. "You stand behind her gift, her intentions?"

A beat of silence.

Then the Duke answered carefully, "I do not stand behind mistakes. But I do not believe there was malice, either."

A tense hush followed.

And then—

A light, amused chuckle cut through the air.

Heads turned.

At the opposite end of the high table, Duke Carthas finally stirred.

"Well, well," he drawled, swirling the wine in his goblet lazily. "What a generous man you are, Grentis… defending a merchant girl who nearly handed a cursed crown to the beloved princess of this empire."

His smile didn't reach his eyes.

"I must admit, I wasn't aware you'd taken such a noble interest in antique jewelry. Perhaps you've found a new calling? Collector of dangerous heirlooms?"

Grentis stiffened, but said nothing.

Lily looked between them, her throat bobbing nervously.

Kaelen's jaw ticked. Alaric didn't move, but his gaze flicked sharply to Carthas.

"Of course," Carthas continued with mock concern, "if I had brought someone who nearly sparked a diplomatic scandal in the royal palace, I would have begged forgiveness on my knees. Not excused it as an 'honest mistake.'"

The Emperor did not respond.

But Seraphina's green eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

"Oh, but perhaps," Carthas went on smoothly, "Lady Solenne truly didn't know. After all, she's so young, so… delicate. Maybe someone with more influence pointed her toward that crown, hm?"

Grentis's jaw twitched.

And finally, he snapped, "You speak so freely, Carthas, yet I see no contributions from your end. Or are you only useful when there's scandal to sniff out?"

Carthas's smirk sharpened. "Better to sniff it out than bring it wrapped in ribbon, no?"

Tension crackled like dry leaves in a fire pit.

The nobles were silent now—no longer whispering, just watching.

Seraphina gently tapped a finger against her goblet, her voice cutting softly through the haze.

"How interesting," she murmured. "That Duke Carthas, who has been silent all evening, suddenly finds his voice… only when Grentis stumbles."

Tia glanced at her mother in confusion. That tone… was dangerous.

Kael's silver gaze rested on Carthas now.

"Do you believe this is your chance, Carthas?" he asked plainly.

The duke blinked. "My chance, Your Majesty?"

"To earn our trust," the Emperor said. "To appear loyal in the eyes of the court."

Carthas held his goblet in mid-air.

The warmth had drained from his expression.

"I merely spoke what others were thinking."

Kaelen stepped forward now, slow and deliberate.

"And you thought it would endear you to us," he said flatly. "How disappointing."

Carthas's smile faltered.

Tia looked between them, wide-eyed. She felt like the air had grown heavier. This wasn't just about Lily anymore.

---

Meanwhile, in a private corridor outside the banquet hall:

Celestine walked swiftly, scroll in hand, her silver hair glinting under the light. She handed the parchment to a royal guard with a nod.

"Have this delivered to Sir Rowan Elvane. He is to review every known artifact trade linked to the Solenne family name."

"Yes, Lady Aldervale."

Behind her, Alaric's shadow joined hers.

"Was that necessary?" he asked quietly.

Celestine looked up at him, her eyes cool. "You saw the way she watched Tia. That wasn't kindness."

Alaric nodded slowly. "No. It wasn't."

---

Back in the hall:

The Emperor rose.

"This matter will be looked into thoroughly," he said. "Lady Solenne, you may stay for the remainder of the banquet… but you will not leave the capital without our permission."

He paused, gaze sweeping past both Duke Grentis and Carthas.

"And let this serve as a reminder—schemes born in shadows will always be dragged into light."

Lily bowed low. Too low.

Grentis remained seated, unreadable.

Carthas offered a small, wordless toast with his cup—though the glint in his eye had dulled.

And Tia… quietly turned away, Lucien walking silently beside her.

Something had shifted tonight.

And though she didn't know why… she had the distinct feeling that this crown was only the beginning.

---

Chapter 36: Embers Beneath the Silk

The grand hall had emptied.

The chandeliers still glowed softly, casting golden light over abandoned plates and wilting bouquets, but the music had long gone silent. The guests had been escorted out with flawless grace—some whispering, others too stunned to speak.

The royal family did not linger in the ballroom.

Instead, they moved quietly to the private dining hall.

The clinking of cutlery was the only sound at first. The long table felt too big, too quiet—even with Lucien, Aina, and Celestine still present.

Tia sat between her brothers, her half-finished dessert untouched before her. She peeked around the table and noticed everyone's expressions were a little too still. Even Kaelen hadn't made a sarcastic jab in minutes. That alone was suspicious.

Unable to hold back, she finally asked, "That crown… what was it? You all looked like you saw a ghost."

The question landed like a stone dropped in still water.

The Emperor and Empress exchanged a silent glance.

Kael was the one who finally spoke.

"It belonged to the Aurelian line," he said, voice low. "Specifically, to their princesses. It was their mourning crown—worn in death."

Tia blinked. "Wait… what?"

Seraphina gently placed her spoon down. "There are records—sketches, paintings. The design is unmistakable. It was a symbol used in the old dynasty's final years. After the war… we ensured all such relics were destroyed."

Tia's lips parted, confusion turning to alarm. "Then how does Lily have one?"

No one answered immediately.

Kaelen's fingers tapped once on the table. Alaric's jaw tightened.

Tia looked around the table, heart thudding. "Why would she give me something like that?"

"She either didn't know," Alaric said quietly, "or she knew exactly what she was doing."

Lucien leaned back slightly but said nothing. His gaze hadn't shifted from the door once.

Kael looked at Tia with calm but stern eyes. "Whichever it is, daughter, stay away from her."

Alaric nodded. "There's no gain in keeping her close."

Kaelen added bluntly, "She doesn't feel right. She smiles too much."

Tia gave a small nod, biting her lower lip. "Alright. I'll keep my distance."

But Seraphina wasn't satisfied. Her green eyes moved to Celestine and Aina.

"I trust you both to stay with her," she said, her tone quiet but firm. "Watch over her. There are people who scheme with soft voices and pretty gifts. Libertia may be strong, but her heart is open."

Celestine gave a graceful nod. "Of course, Your Majesty."

Aina answered without hesitation, "She won't leave our sight."

Tia puffed her cheeks. "You all talk like I'm a child."

"You are," Kaelen muttered into his cup.

Tia turned to him, affronted. "Excuse me?! I'm seventeen!"

"Exactly. That's still baby territory," he said with mock seriousness. "You still collect glittery rocks."

"They're crystals, you uncultured warhead!"

A small snort escaped Aina. Celestine smiled behind her hand. Even Alaric's lips twitched.

Kael chuckled under his breath.

Seraphina leaned into her husband, her expression softening. "There. That's better."

For a moment, the room was warm again. Like nothing had happened. Like they were just a family having a late dinner.

But beneath the laughter and candlelight… the Empress's eyes lingered on Tia a little too long.

And deep within her chest, the unease refused to fade.

---

After dinner, the warmth of family laughter slowly faded into silence. One by one, the royal family and their trusted guests retired to their rooms—each weighed down with their own thoughts.

No one noticed the soft glance Lucien cast toward Tia before turning down a different corridor.

No one saw him slip through a side passage… or the quiet message he left behind.

Tia was just about to enter her chambers when she saw it—a folded scrap tucked under a flower vase beside her door.

She unfolded it, her heart skipping as she read the words written in firm, familiar script:

"Wait for me on your balcony. –L"

Her breath caught. She glanced around—no one had seen. Her hand clutched the note tightly as she stepped inside.

---

The palace was hushed now. Patrols shifted quietly at intervals, torches flickering along marble walls. The wind rustled gently through silk curtains.

Tia sat in her balcony chair, legs curled under her, eyes flicking between the moon and the garden below.

Her fingers played absently with the hem of her shawl.

Why did he ask me to wait? Did something happen?

No… his voice was calm. Still, what if someone sees—

A sudden noise snapped her from her thoughts.

She turned sharply—and gasped.

Lucien stood there, casually climbing over the stone railing as though he did it every day. Moonlight bathed him in silver, catching on the dark waves of his hair and the clean lines of his jaw. His cloak fluttered faintly behind him.

For a second, Tia could only stare.

He was breathtaking.

Lucien tilted his head, the corner of his mouth tugging into a familiar smirk. "Is the princess satisfied with what she sees?"

Tia jolted, face heating up. "W-What?! I wasn't—I wasn't staring!"

He chuckled lowly.

She turned away, flustered. "Why are you here, anyway?"

Lucien walked to her side, the teasing slipping from his face. From beneath his cloak, he pulled out a small velvet box tied with a satin ribbon and held it out to her.

Tia looked up, blinking.

He cleared his throat awkwardly. "Your birthday gift."

Her lips parted slightly in surprise. "You got me something?"

He shrugged, voice casual but his eyes softer than usual. "How could I not?"

Tia's eyes sparkled as she took the box. "I thought you wouldn't! You didn't give anything all day…"

"I was waiting for the right moment," he said simply.

She sat down on the cushioned balcony chair again, cradling the box in her lap. Lucien sat beside her, not too close… but not far either. The night breeze played with their hair as the moon cast gentle shadows over their faces.

Lucien watched her hands carefully as she untied the ribbon, his expression calm—but his palm resting on his knee was damp with sweat.

Inside the box lay a bracelet of delicate silver vines, shaped like slender branches woven together. Tiny green gems—peridot, her birthstone—were nestled along the band like dew drops, and a single charm in the shape of a tiny dove dangled from its center. On closer look, the charm was engraved with the symbol of the royal crest—but upside down, hidden unless you looked closely.

It was beautiful.

And meaningful.

A symbol of freedom, of quiet loyalty… and perhaps, a secret bond.

Tia stared at it, stunned.

Lucien leaned in slightly, his voice low. "Do you like it?"

She didn't speak at first—just gently lifted the bracelet and slipped it onto her wrist, admiring the way it shimmered.

Then she turned to him, her voice soft. "I love it."

Their eyes met. No more words passed between them.

But something was exchanged—something that didn't need to be spoken.

After a while, Lucien stood.

"I should go," he said, the moment lingering in the quiet air.

Tia nodded, her smile warm and sleepy. "Be careful."

Lucien paused, then gave her a small, rare smile.

And with a quiet leap, he disappeared into the shadows once more.

---

Back in her room, Tia closed the balcony doors and tiptoed to her bed. She curled under the covers, her fingers still playing with the bracelet.

She giggled softly, cheeks warm.

Her eyes fluttered shut… and she drifted into dreams with a smile still on her lips.

---

Elsewhere, Lucien strolled the quiet palace halls, his footsteps light.

To anyone watching, he looked like a dedicated guard—checking shadows, pacing the grounds, all duty and discipline.

But those who knew him well—those very few—would notice something odd tonight.

Lucien Virell was… humming.

And he never hummed.

---