Chronicles of the Forbidden Jewels

The palace has been tranquil since the first banquet I hosted became chaotic. Though it feels comforting that the place is quiet, it feels like a calm before the storm. The reputation I built so far is terrible, because they all see me as a short-tempered woman who forced Heloise to abdicate the throne. As much as I hate to admit it, but both are correct.

The longer I remain in this role, the more I sense myself slipping away. One part of me urges surrender, accepting that this throne was never destined for me. However, another part insists I conquer my uncertainties and persevere, recognizing that I am already in this position.

If I were to quit, all the preparations I made all these years would go down the drain.

A gentle knock on the door snapped me back to reality.

“Come in.”

“Greetings, Your Majesty,” my aide bowed, and continued without looking at my eyes. “We have received a report that His Highness the second prince has returned. The details behind his absence for the past three weeks are still unknown, but witnesses mentioned that he looked incredibly exhausted, and ordered his servants to avoid disturbing him in his room for the next three days unless it's something urgent."

Hearing Hervouet's thoughts during our last encounter reassured me that he wouldn't betray me. Not out of regard for our kinship as half-siblings, but to evade conflict with me, aware that he could never emerge victorious due to my powers.

Of course, I can’t always trust what I see. Izavenes can always change their mind any minute. We’re known for our violence and tyranny. It won’t be surprising if he’ll dare stab me from behind.

His actions are suspicious. He didn't disclose his prolonged absence from the palace, leaving me questioning where he had been for three weeks. It seems unlikely that he was on a simple vacation in Greizenne, a duchy he is poised to inherit from Duke Arthur.

Maybe I should order him to visit me sometime soon. "Please tell his aide that I want to have an audience with him. Instruct him to come to my study four days from now, at 10 in the morning.”

“Understood. I’ll be updating His Highness about your order.” The aide replied.

──•~❉᯽❉~•──

"Greetings to Your Imperial Majesty, the brightest sun in the empire," an unfamiliar lady spoke while lowering down in curtsy. Hervouet bowed next to her, and his gaze was full of disinterest upon returning to his standing position. He couldn't even hide that he was not pleased about me ordering her presence.

“My name is Roxana Evaristo, and I’m His Highness’ –”

“She’s my betrothed. I'm sure that you're curious as to why I left the palace for a few weeks. The main reason is because I had to work on the things that need to be prepared for the wedding that will take place in a month. You haven’t met her, but even if she wasn’t formally introduced as my betrothed, the nobles who attended Azriel’s wedding saw her. Our engagement wasn’t official back then, though.”

He's getting ready for a wedding, but I was kept in the dark until now. Why the sudden haste? Hervouet proceeded without seeking my consent, opting to inform me afterward.

Engagements involving dukes and members of the imperial family typically require the approval of the emperor or empress. This tradition is upheld by the imperial family to ensure familiarity with the backgrounds of the ladies selected by dukes and princes. In instances where a lady falls short of meeting the standards of the emperor or empress, they take charge of finding a suitable match, making arranged marriages common.

They are, however, allowed to have mistresses. But mistresses are often looked down on, including their sons and daughters. They can never take the title of a duchess or a princess.

“I’d like to give Your Majesty a gift. Thank you for giving us a chance to meet you in person. I’m honored to be your acquaintance.” She presented me with a velvet box, revealing a citrine brooch designed in the form of a yellow rose.

While her hands are gloved, its simple appearance effectively conceals any other accessories she may be wearing.

“I appreciate the gift. But before we part ways, can I ask what Izavene are you?” She has long mahogany hair and her eyes are gray – a typical appearance of a non-diamond Izavene.

“I'm human, Your Majesty," she expressed her thoughts with a confident smile. A smile that shows no hints of intimidation, despite knowing that Izavenes are superior to humans. But how can she look like an Izavene if she isn't one?

“However,” she added, and she pulled the gloves that covered her right hand. “I’d say I’m half-Izavene because His Highness gave me a Ruivenfiere handchain. I feel flattered for his generosity, considering that his powers are shared with me through this.”

Is Hervouet so infatuated with her that he would share his powers? It seems preposterous. However, Hervouet marrying a non-red diamond Izavene indicates that he isn't seeking the throne since only a red diamond Izavene is eligible to become an empress. Roxana doesn't fit that criterion.

Well then, if we’re done here, I’ll introduce her to Her Majesty," Hervouet said, showing his lack of enthusiasm on purpose.

Based on his expression, I suspect he never intended to introduce Roxana to me. His discernible thoughts all hint at his disapproval of the situation.

“I hope we’ll get some time to know each other more, Lady Roxana. Congratulations on your upcoming marriage. I hope my brother will be a good husband to you.”

“I’m sure he will,” She responded, and she lowered her head a bit before leaving. “We will have plenty of time to know each other soon once you live here.”

“I hate to break it to you, but I want to introduce her to Her Majesty. You may be the empress on the surface, but we both know that our stepmother is still more powerful than you are. Let’s go, Roxana.” Roxana kept silent, and her blank facial expression made it hard to see through her.

What's strange is, I'm hearing voices in a language I can't comprehend. Could it be her thoughts? Does that mean that she's not a native of the empire? But how come she has a feature of an Izavene, yet she’s calling herself human?

“Since you’re provoking me like this, then let’s drop the formalities, shall we?” I asked, and Hervouet looked back and threw me a daggered look, just as how I wanted it to be.

“I can tell you’re hiding something. Why does it even matter for her to be introduced when Heloise is no longer the empress?”

“Weren’t you listening? She has higher authority than you have, Eviona. You may have an immeasurable power within you, but let’s be real. Up to this day, people don’t recognize you as their empress, because nobody trusts you.”

"Your Majesty," Roxana retorted. "As Hervouet mentioned earlier, I was seated next to him during His Highness Azriel's wedding. Thus, I'm quite acquainted with the former empress, because she won't let me sit next to her if I were a total stranger. It was my request to meet her, and it's not because Hervouet wanted us to know each other."

“Do as you wish,” I replied, knowing that pressing further would be like talking to a wall. "I sincerely hope, Lady Roxana, that we will get along soon."

"I'll do my best, Your Majesty." I still hear her thoughts that I couldn't understand, but I know that it's something I should give some attention to. "Well then, we'll take our leave. Good morning.”

The clicking sound of the opening door interrupted my thoughts. As the door swung open, Corianne appeared, her expression wavering with uncertainty, torn between approaching me or staying silent.

"Mothe – Corianne," I began, and even though I found out that she was my real mother, I couldn't bring myself to call her 'mother' with confidence. It feels off, knowing that this entire time, I knew her as my aunt and one of the two people who are on my side aside from my father.

Marius, my half-brother and the young prince of Eurhyia, entered the room following Corianne’s lead. Engrossed in observing his new environment, his curiosity is expected as he is still a child and unfamiliar with court etiquette.

"I came here to … ask you to let me return to Eurhyia," Corianne spoke in a low tone, her voice hesitant. “Even if Evrart despises me, at the end of the day, he’s still my son.” Tears started falling from her eyes – tears I know she’s been holding back for some time now.

I tried to imagine how this would fold out in my head many times, but none of them had her crying like this.

“You shouldn’t expect a warm welcome from the tyrant king who wanted you dead. What if he hurts and punishes you like he used to? How do you plan on dealing with that?" I questioned.

“He’s been appearing in my dreams as of late, leading me to the conclusion that the only way I can get him off my head is to face him. I know you're not interested in him because you never met him yourself, but he's still your half-brother. I won’t ask you to come with me, because I know that you’re occupied with your tasks as the empress. But –”

“I’ll go with you,” I cut her off, trying to weigh the options I have in mind. “But we should start on sending a letter first, instead of waltzing our way in the Eurhyian palace.”

Corianne nodded in response to my decision, refraining from further comments even though I anticipated additional input from her on the subject.

“That aside," she looked back to the door as if to confirm that nobody else was around. "The lady who entered with His Highness earlier. Who is she?”

“She’s Roxana Evaristo, Hervouet’s betrothed. Why?”

“I didn’t see her face, but her figure and hair color are quite similar to my stepdaughter, Thyra Edevane.”

My eyes widened at the mention of her name – the woman renowned for single-handedly decimating nearly the entire Izavene army during the recent war between Eurhyia and Marossi.

The world can't be that small. But if it’s true, then she would be a threat that must be eliminated as soon as possible.