The Empress's Harem and Other Unwanted Side Hustles

Raizel sighed deeply, pressing his fingers to his temple.

He had offered to prepare a carriage.

A simple, respectable, normal way to retrieve the banquet clothes.

And yet—

Yet here he was.

Sneaking through an underground pathway in the Imperial Palace, shrouded in a dark cloak like some common thief.

By the gods, what am I doing?

Raizel cast a glance to his side, where Diana strode forward confidently, effortlessly carrying Lucien in her arms. Her golden eyes gleamed beneath the hood, scanning the dimly lit path with ease. She looked entirely unbothered, as if this was just another casual outing.

Lucien, on the other hand, was brimming with excitement. His small hands clutched the edge of Diana's cloak, his silver hair peeking out from the hood. His gray eyes sparkled as he whispered, "Uncle Raizel, are we on a secret mission?"

"…Yes," Raizel muttered, resigned to his fate. "A very unnecessary one."

Lucien gasped, delighted. "Are we spies?"

"No."

"Are we thieves?"

Raizel's eyebrow twitched. "Certainly not."

"Then what are we?"

"Fools," Raizel muttered under his breath.

Diana let out a soft chuckle but said nothing.

The underground pathway was narrow and dark, but Diana moved as if she had memorized every step. The way she effortlessly adjusted Lucien in her arms, the way she scanned her surroundings, the way she—

Raizel frowned.

No noblewoman should move like that.

No noblewoman should know how to move like that.

But Diana did.

Again, that uneasy feeling settled in his chest, the same one that had been gnawing at him since their reunion.

He didn't want to think about it.

So he didn't.

—

By the time they emerged from the hidden passage into the alleyways of the capital, the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows against the cobblestone streets.

Diana pulled her hood lower as they walked, blending effortlessly into the crowd. Raizel, still skeptical about this entire operation, followed closely behind, occasionally glancing around to make sure no one was paying them too much attention.

Lucien, of course, was enjoying the adventure far too much. He peeked out from beneath his hood, eyes darting from stall to stall, watching as merchants called out their wares and people bustled about.

Diana carried him with ease, one arm supporting his small frame while the other adjusted her cloak.

Raizel sighed again.

He didn't understand how she could carry a five-year-old so easily.

Then again, considering what he had seen during training…

He pushed the thought aside.

They walked for several more minutes before Diana finally stopped in front of a familiar wooden door. The modest shop was tucked away between larger buildings, its windows glowing warmly against the evening light.

Raizel immediately recognized the place.

Natalia.

Diana had mentioned her before—the talented tailor she had discovered.

Before he could say anything, Diana pushed open the door.

A middle-aged woman, busy arranging fabric, turned at the sound of the bell.

The moment she saw Diana, her face lit up.

"Ah! You're back!"

Diana smiled, stepping inside with Lucien still in her arms. "I told you I would be."

Natalia wiped her hands on her apron and gestured toward the back. "Everything is ready. Come, come!"

Raizel followed after them, watching as Natalia excitedly retrieved a carefully wrapped bundle from the worktable.

With practiced hands, she unraveled the fabric and—

Raizel blinked.

Not a dress.

His eyes flickered to Diana, who simply shrugged. "Didn't I say? I don't wear dresses anymore."

Raizel stared at the clothing—intricately tailored, yet distinctly practical. The deep blue fabric was embroidered with gold, elegant but not excessive. The cut was sharp, fitting for someone who moved as freely as Diana did.

Natalia beamed proudly. "I made adjustments based on what you asked for. You have a very unique taste, my lady."

Diana smiled. "It's perfect."

Lucien peeked over curiously. "Mother, is this what you're wearing to the banquet?"

Diana nodded. "Do you like it?"

Lucien tilted his head, considering. "It's not sparkly."

Raizel chuckled under his breath. Ah, a child's logic.

Diana ruffled Lucien's hair. "It doesn't need to be sparkly. It just needs to let me move freely."

Natalia turned to Raizel. "And this must be your brother."

Diana nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Yes. The one I mentioned before."

Raizel raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly did you say about me?"

Diana smirked. "That my dear older brother would be interested in finding good talent."

Natalia's eyes widened slightly. "Oh—"

Diana turned to Raizel. "I think Aunt would love a new tailor."

Raizel hesitated for a brief moment. Then, he nodded. "She might."

Natalia's hands trembled slightly as she bowed deeply. "It would be an honor."

Raizel exhaled. "I'll speak with her. No guarantees, but…" He glanced at Diana, then back at Natalia. "If my sister trusts you, that's enough for me."

Natalia's eyes shimmered with gratitude. "Thank you."

Diana clapped her hands together. "Good. Now that's settled, let's take our things and go."

Raizel raised an eyebrow. "Go where?"

Diana simply smiled.

Raizel didn't like that smile.

—

As they walked through the streets once more, Raizel found himself carrying most of the packages.

Again.

Just like old times.

He remembered it vividly—walking behind their mother as she browsed fabrics, balancing an unreasonable number of boxes in his arms while his father carried the rest.

And Diana…

A much younger Diana had skipped beside him, her small hands grabbing onto his sleeve.

"Brother, look! Do you think this will look nice on me?"

She had always asked, always sought his opinion, always twirled around in whatever dress their mother had chosen for her.

He glanced down at Lucien.

The little boy's gray eyes were filled with curiosity as he looked around. He wasn't clinging to Raizel's sleeve, but the resemblance was unmistakable.

Diana's child.

His nephew.

A piece of his sister, yet undeniably carrying the silver hair of that man.

Raizel's grip tightened on the package.

Diana noticed.

She glanced at him, her gaze knowing, but said nothing.

Instead, she simply adjusted Lucien in her arms, shifting him slightly as she continued walking forward.

Raizel sighed.

She had changed.

Everything had changed.

But somehow, even through all the madness—

This still felt like family.

*****

Raizel fastened the straps of his armor, his fingers moving with practiced ease. He had planned to stay for the banquet, if only to watch over Diana and Lucien, but duty called him elsewhere once again.

Another spy had been caught near the Western Border.

The situation needed his immediate attention.

Standing in the Empress's palace courtyard, he exhaled slowly, trying to suppress the irritation gnawing at his mind.

"I suppose I have no choice," he muttered.

"Seems like it," Diana's voice carried from behind him.

Raizel turned to see her approaching, Lucien's small hand tucked in hers. His little nephew had grown more accustomed to walking on his own lately, but whenever his mother was near, he clung to her side like a shadow.

Diana studied him with a raised brow. "Still sulking?"

Raizel frowned. "I am not sulking."

"You are," Lucien chimed in. "Just a little."

Raizel sighed. "I wanted to attend the banquet."

Diana hummed in understanding, though amusement flickered in her golden eyes. "Don't worry. We'll be fine."

Raizel wasn't convinced. He crossed his arms. "You have an escort?"

Diana nodded toward the figure behind her. "Of course."

Raizel turned his head—

—and immediately narrowed his eyes.

A tall, lean man stood there, his blond hair disheveled and his violet eyes dull, as if he were barely clinging to consciousness. The deep shadows under his eyes suggested sleepless nights, and his entire posture screamed exhaustion.

Lucius Nightbane, the so-called King of the Underworld.

And Diana's choice of banquet partner.

Raizel pinched the bridge of his nose. "Diana…"

Lucius, for his part, gave an exaggerated sigh, swaying slightly as if he would collapse at any moment. "Trust me, Grand Duke, I didn't choose this. Your sister dragged me into this madness."

"She did," Lucien added, nodding.

Raizel stared at Diana, unimpressed. "This is the best you could find?"

Diana smiled sweetly. "Oh, don't be like that. He's a political genius, a well-connected man, and quite the looker, don't you think?"

Lucius made a weak, half-hearted gesture toward his face. "She's not wrong."

Raizel exhaled sharply. At least he doesn't seem entirely useless.

Diana stepped closer, reaching up to place a kiss on his cheek.

Lucien mimicked her, standing on his tiptoes to do the same.

"Take care, Uncle Raizel!"

Raizel softened slightly, ruffling Lucien's silver hair. "You as well."

But before he could say anything more—

The air around them chilled.

A presence swept over the courtyard like a wave of ice.

Raizel's gaze snapped toward the palace entrance, where a familiar figure stood.

Cassian Verdeca, the Emperor.

Dressed in dark imperial robes, his golden eyes were cold and unreadable as they swept over them. He moved with a measured grace, exuding power and authority.

He stopped before them, his gaze lingering on Diana.

"If you need anything for the banquet," Cassian said, his voice calm yet distant, "jewelry, accessories—just ask."

It was not an offer. It was a statement, devoid of warmth or sentiment.

Diana met his gaze without hesitation. Her expression was poised, unreadable.

"There's no need," she replied smoothly.

Cassian barely reacted. "I see. Then, as usual, I will accompany Liliana."

Raizel clenched his jaw, barely suppressing the urge to scowl. He had long since lost any patience for this man.

Lucien's grip on Diana's hand tightened, though he said nothing.

But Diana, unbothered, merely turned slightly, motioning toward Lucius behind her.

"Ah, no need to concern yourself, Your Majesty." Her lips curled into a polite smile. "I already have a partner."

Cassian's gaze flickered toward Lucius.

For a long moment, silence stretched between them.

Then—

"…I see."

His voice was entirely indifferent, as if he had already dismissed the situation from his mind. Without another word, he turned and walked away, his dark cloak billowing slightly behind him.

Raizel watched as Diana's expression remained unchanged, her golden eyes cool and composed.

Lucius, however, exhaled in relief. "Good gods, that was terrifying. Why does he look at people like he's already plotting their execution?"

Diana turned to him. "You get used to it."

Lucius gave her a deeply unimpressed look. "I would rather not."

Raizel sighed, shaking his head. He didn't know what irritated him more—the Emperor's apathy or the fact that Diana seemed completely unaffected by it.

But one thing was certain.

She was not the same sister he once knew.

And whether that was a good thing or not—

Only time would tell.