Chapter 39: The Emperor and the Princess
At the heart of the capital stood a series of magnificent, yet imposing, palaces.
Deep within the palace complex, in a secluded and surprisingly modest building, sat a man with a resolute expression and a calm demeanor, poring over a pile of documents.
A soft knock came at the door, followed by a gentle, melodious voice.
“Father, may I come in?”
The man looked up, his expression softening.
“Lilia? Come in.”
The man was Lilia’s father, Ares VI, the current Emperor of the North Empire.
The door opened, and Erlya carefully helped Lilia into the room, seating her in a chair opposite Ares, then saluting formally.
“At ease, Erlya,” Ares said, his gaze softening slightly as he looked at the woman who had served Lilia so faithfully, even risking her own life for her.
“You may leave, Erlya. I have some matters to discuss with my father,” Lilia said with a faint smile.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Erlya nodded and left the room.
As soon as she was gone, Ares’s composure crumbled. He rushed to Lilia’s side, his expression a mixture of concern and exasperation.
“Lilia, my dear, why are you out and about again?”
“Don’t worry, Father. Erlya was with me,” she said, a playful glint in her eyes, though her unfocused gaze pained him.
“But your condition is worsening… sigh! However, the branch from the World Tree, sent by the Bewildering Forest, it might help!”
During the war, Lilia had often visited the front lines to boost the soldiers’ morale. It was during that time that she and Bai had become acquainted.
But on one occasion, a sudden turn in the battle had caught her and Erlya in the crossfire. Though they had been rescued, Lilia had been left with a strange, lingering affliction.
First, her sense of taste, then smell, then sight…
Her senses were fading, one by one, her body growing weaker.
Ares had summoned the best physicians and sought out the rarest remedies, but to no avail.
“The World Tree branch… I’ve heard of it. It’s a precious treasure, even in the Bewildering Forest,” Lilia said softly. “But to use it just to prolong my useless life… it would be better used to strengthen the Empire’s soldiers.”
Ares simply shook his head. “My daughter, you are more valuable to the Empire than ten, no, a hundred World Tree branches!”
“Don’t worry, Lilia. I will save you. You will live a full life again. But… where were you just now? At Leticia’s?”
Lilia paused, then asked, “Did you ask someone?”
“You have some fabric scraps on your dress,” Ares said, picking them off. “You weren’t just out for a stroll. Erlra wouldn’t have taken you out unless it was important.”
“So, these scraps couldn’t have come from an ordinary shop. They must be from Lady Leticia’s.”
Lilia didn’t deny it, only sighing. “She refused to help.”
Ares, understanding her intentions, shook his head. “You needn’t worry about such matters. I will handle it.”
“Lady Leticia has her reasons, but I have my ways.”
Lilia looked down, saying nothing.
Ares looked at her, his heart filled with a mixture of pain and pride.
Pain, because she was so weak, even walking was a struggle.
Pride, because even in her weakened state, she still thought of the Empire, still tried to help in any way she could.
Although he maintained a stoic, regal demeanor in public, he doted on Lilia, his love for her boundless.
But…
He touched the corner of his eye, the wrinkles there a stark reminder of his age.
The North Empire valued youth and vitality, especially in its rulers.
No emperor had reigned as long as he had, his face lined with age, yet he had not yet named a successor.
Because Lilia was his only remaining child, the sole princess.
His sons, all of them, had gone to war, perishing in the brutal meat grinder of the front lines, where the casualty rate was over seventy percent.
It was the tradition of the North Royal family. Ares himself had fought on the front lines, only the most accomplished warrior among the princes earning the right to rule.
His empress, a general who had fought alongside him, had also died in the war. And Ares, loyal to her memory, had never remarried, leaving Lilia as his only heir.
This was why Lilia, the sole remaining bloodline of the fiercely loyal Imperial family, was so beloved by the people, and also because she was an exceptional princess in her own right.
“In a few days, I will take you to the Savage Lands. Queen Arachne is a master of ocular arts. She will surely be able to diagnose your condition and cure it!” Ares said, his voice firm. Although it would indebt him to the beastkin, forcing him to make significant concessions, he would do anything for his daughter.
Lilia wanted to protest, but she knew her father wouldn’t listen.
Since contracting this strange illness, he had already paid a heavy price to prolong her life.
This was why she felt so uneasy, so desperate to share his burden, even resorting to forbidden magic to sustain herself, but to no avail.
Besides Leticia, who could replace the injured Rolof and the decimated Crown Guard to protect the capital during the festival?
Lilia’s thoughts drifted to Bai, then she quickly shook her head.
“Little Sister Bai? No, she’s probably only slightly stronger than Erlya. Entrusting her with such a heavy responsibility would be too much.”
“Perhaps Father will find a better solution…”
