Chapter 7 - The Imperial Family

  ? ? ?

  Kier and I have been wandering the garden for minutes now. Credit where it's due—this place is massive. As expected from a Ducal household, I guess...

  I can’t even explore properly because Kier is hovering. The whole point of sneaking out was to play spy—find allies, dig up dirt, anything to help my rebellion. But instead, I have a chaperone. I mean, I don't mind having a ravishingly gorgeous man as an escort, but he’s seriously cramping my shady style.

  We were approaching the far end of the garden. One more turn and we’d hit the back of the manor—the prime spot for noble gossip.

  Just as we rounded the corner, a sharp voice sliced through the air.

  "I will not let him destroy everything I have built."

  Kier and I froze. The voice was coming from just behind the trellis we were about to pass.

  "If the Archduke’s rise is inevitable, then I will have to drag him down to the abyss with me."

  I slowly tilted my head toward Kier. He looked back at me with the exact same expression: 'Oh damn, tea. I love it.'

  I grabbed his wrist and pulled him flush against the stone wall. We were pressed together—like, zero-gap close. I grabbed a thick vine for balance while Kier steadied my arm.

  "Careful," he mouthed.

  I nodded and leaned forward to peek. The moonlight was doing its job; it was bright enough for me to see the players on stage.

  Two men were facing each other. They looked familiar, but I couldn't put names to faces yet. Definitely high-ranking nobles, though.

  "You must be careful, Lord Perez," the second man whispered, his voice trembling. "Archduke Vespera is not a man to mess with. You are risking your life—and your family’s—if you are caught."

  Hold up. First of all, Archduke Vespera? My "father"? He wants to bring my father down? LOL, same, bro.

  Secondly, Lord Perez? I know that name... isn't that the Baronet? Lady Jane’s father?

  "I know," Perez said, his voice hardening. "That is why the timing must be perfect. I need your cooperation... because when I strike, I will bring down his entire bloodline."

  My throat went dry. My heart started thumping so hard I thought it was trying to escape my ribcage. Kier must have felt me shaking because he lightly tapped my arm to ground me.

  "How do you plan to execute this?" the other noble whispered.

  "I will expose the skeleton he’s been keeping in his closet," Perez hissed. "The secret of the Vespera farm."

  The other man stiffened. "Y-you mean...?"

  "Yes. The m—"

  The monster? The money? The murder?!

  Just as Perez was about to reveal the "m—", the universe decided to betray me.

  SNAP.

  The vine I was white-knuckling suddenly snapped. My entire weight shifted forward.

  "Shit—"

  Before I could face-plant or alert the conspirators, a hand shot out and caught me by the waist.

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  Kier’s arm wrapped around me firmly, pulling me back against his chest. He was silent and steady, like he’d been catching falling ladies his whole life. It was like a scene from a K-drama, except the timing was absolute garbage.

  I was pressed so close to his shoulder that I could smell him—cold steel, crisp air, and a hint of mint. Damn, he smells expensive.

  For a traitorous second, I forgot we were hiding from potential assassins. All I could think was: 'WHY IS MY HEART DOING THE TANGO?!'

  Across the corner, Perez stopped mid-sentence.

  "...Did you hear that?"

  Kier’s grip on my waist tightened. He leaned in, his lips a breath away from my ear.

  "Stay still," he breathed.

  GODDESS IRIS, HAVE MERCY ON MY SOUL.

  I heard footsteps—heavy, suspicious, and getting closer. If my heartbeat made any more noise, I was going to die of embarrassment before Perez could kill me.

  "Who is out there?" Perez called out, his voice sharp with panic.

  Kier didn't wait. He gave my hand a sharp tug and we bolted. He dragged me through the shadows like a secret agent escorting an incompetent partner out of a hot zone. We looked like a pair of star-crossed lovers eloping in the night.

  Wake up, Cindy! This isn't a rom-com!

  I silently cursed as I stumbled after him, trying my best not to eat grass. Once we reached the main entrance of the garden, we finally slowed down. I couldn't help it—I started giggling.

  Kier looked at me, genuinely fascinated. He was probably wondering why I was laughing after almost getting us executed. Sorry, sir, I’m just built different (insane).

  "Ahem... phew. That was scary asf," I said, leaning over to catch my breath.

  "A... f?" He tilted his head. Cute.

  "Af. As... fuck," I replied bluntly. No shame.

  He blinked, his eyes widening in pure shock. It was like I’d just yelled a profanity in the middle of a cathedral. Okay, so he’s a bit of a prude. Noted.

  He shook his head as if trying to un-hear my "coarse" language. "Shall we inform the Grand Duke, My Lady?"

  I snapped into high alert. Nope. No way.

  "Ahh, leave it to me. I’ll tell him myself," I lied.

  He paused, studying my face for a long moment before finally nodding. Phew.

  A second later, we heard rustling nearby. My blood ran cold. Did they follow us?!

  "My Lady?"

  It was Rana. Beside her stood Nyx, looking as bored as ever.

  "Lady Celeste!" Rana ran toward me like I was a toddler she’d lost at the mall. "Where have you been? His Grace is looking for you!"

  "Ah, hehe. I was just taking a walk with a friend—" I turned to gesture toward Kier, but the spot was empty.

  He was gone. Does this guy have a disappearing quirk?

  "Who, My Lady?" Rana asked, looking at the empty air.

  Great. Now I look like I have an imaginary boyfriend. "Nothing," I said, flipping my hair. "You said my father is looking for me?"

  "Yes, My Lady..." Rana’s eyes darted nervously. "The Imperial family has arrived."

  My stomach didn't just drop, it did a backflip.

  ? ? ?

  I was fidgeting so much I thought I’d vibrate out of my skin. I’ve never met royalty.

  What if the Emperor is a tyrant? What if I sneeze and he orders my head on a platter?

  What if the crown prince wants to lovey-dovey with me? What if he notices that I'm not the woman he loves?

  I finally spotted my father standing before three people whose outfits cost more than the GDP of a small country. Their presence was... heavy. It was like they had an invisible aura screaming, "Kneel, peasant!"

  The middle-aged man in the center was clearly the Emperor. He had an "Obey me or die" face. To his right was a woman with fiery red hair—natural, I assumed, because you can’t buy that kind of vibrance. And to his left was a younger woman with darker red hair and a gaze that felt like it was piercing through my soul.

  I bowed so low I thought my spine might snap.

  "Your Imperial Majesty, my daughter has returned from her walk," the Grand Duke announced.

  The Emperor’s eyes fell on me. Help.

  "Ahem... Greetings, Your Imperial Majesty," I squeaked.

  "Queji reivoire jadth," the younger woman said. Her voice was like ice being scraped over glass.

  Excuse me?

  I blinked. Her words made the weird symbols on my wrist glow faintly.

  "Coj rheadt xu khu'trysed." (Her elegance has escaped her.)

  My eyes nearly bulged. Did this brat just talk trash about me in Crezari? And how the hell did I understand her?!

  Oh right, Celeste was a huge nerd. Total linguist.

  Everyone looked oblivious, so I realized she was using Crezen's language to insult me privately.

  The Emperor chuckled. "It seems the rumors are true. Lady Vespera has changed... you used to face me with such daunting confidence."

  "Ah, hehe," I offered a dumb grin.

  "Your fiancé has yet to return from the East," the Emperor continued. "But I assure you, he will arrive in time for your coming-of-age ceremony."

  He turned to my father to discuss boring "adult" politics, leaving me reeling. Before I could breathe, the Empress approached me with a warm smile.

  "Me sélune, Lady Celeste," (My dearest, Lady Celeste) she said.

  "Your Majesty," I bowed again. My legs were officially done with this marathon.

  "How have you been, my dear?" she asked kindly. I felt bad for assuming she’d be a witch; she was actually sweet.

  "I am well, Your Majesty. And yourself?"

  "I am well. Tell me, has your fiancé been sending you letters?"

  Shit. I don't know, my father filters my mail. "Ah—"

  "I am certain he has not, Mother," a sharp voice interrupted. She looked at me with pure disdain. "His Imperial Highness has no fondness for this Lady."

  "Mind your tongue, Esmeray," the Empress scolded gently. "Do not tarnish your brother’s image."

  "I am only speaking the truth," Esmeray shot back.

  "It’s true that His Imperial Highness hasn't sent any letters, Your Majesty," I said. Esmeray scoffed. I seriously wanted to flick her forehead.

  "I am sure Dastan is simply busy with his duties," the Empress assured me.

  Dastan. Good to know. Honestly, I’d rather get a letter from Kier. Jk.

  ? ? ?

  Finally back home. My feet were throbbing, so I slumped onto my bed. But I couldn't stop thinking about the "Vespera Farm." What could be so dangerous that it could bring down a Duke? I needed answers.

  I need air.

  I slipped out of my room, heading for the garden. The servants were already in their quarters, so the halls were ghost-quiet. As I reached the stairs, I ran straight into Kaede.

  He didn't even slow down. He just walked right past me. Am I invisible?

  "B-bro?" I tried.

  He stopped dead. He turned around, his eyebrows furrowed in a deep, angry V.

  "That is a word for commoners," he said harshly. "Are you a peasant now?"

  Drama queen. "Brother?" I corrected.

  He crossed his arms, looking irritated. "What do you want?"

  "Have you eaten?" I asked innocently.

  He sighed sharply and turned to walk away. I grabbed his arm. "Wait, wait, wait!"

  "What?" he snapped. If looks could kill, I’d be a puddle. "If you’re going to waste my time—"

  "I’m serious! Where is our farm?" I gave him my best 'I have amnesia' look.

  "North."

  "Can I visit?" I gave him the puppy eyes.

  He stared at me, reading my face for hidden schemes. "Whatever you are plotting, stop it now," he said, his voice dropping to a deadly cold. "The last time you did something stupid, it resulted in our mother’s passing."

  I froze.

  "Just shut up. Stay still. And obey our father," he said coldly before turning his back on me and disappearing into the shadows.

  ? TEVIAN CODEX ?

  I. Imperial Etiquette & Royal Protocol

  1. The Law of Silence: In the Empire of Elandris, it is strictly forbidden for a noble or commoner to address a member of the Imperial Family unless they are spoken to first.

  Penalty: Depending on the royal's mood, a violation can range from a public lashing to "Imperial Disgrace" (loss of title).

  (Cindy's note: So Kaede wasn't being a jerk for no reason; if I had blurted out a 'Hey, King!' to the Emperor, I'm literally cooked.)

  2. The Bow of Submission: All must maintain a deep bow until the Imperial family gives the command to rise.

  (Cindy's notes: Bending the spine is a sign of "offering one's neck" to the Emperor’s will.)

  II. Teves Language System

  Elandric: The common and official tongue of the Elandris Empire

  Crezari: The sophisticated and sharp official language of the Crezen Imperia (the neighboring and rival empire).

  Sirenian/Aqualine: The official language of the Aqualis Imperia (The fluid, melodic tongue of the mer-folk).

  (Cindy's note: Esmeray using this to insult me was a double-slap. She was basically saying, "I'm so elite I'll use a foreign language to call you ugly so these 'peasants' won't understand.")

  III. Teves Demonyms

  Elandrians: People of Elandris.

  Crezenar: People of Crezen.

  Aqualites: Citizens of Aqualis.