The Imperial Palace consists of 30 different castles, each with its own unique purpose and layout. Currently, I am walking through the largest and most heavily secured castle: **Mount Palace**.
This is where the throne room and the Emperor's main residence are located, situated in the northwest wing with a breathtaking view of the mountains.
While the exterior of the Imperial Palace is dark and foreboding, the interior is adorned with flowers and intricate gemwork. Even the path I walk on is made of the purest mana stone, capable of detecting a person's identity based on their walking style and breathing patterns.
A dangerous place indeed. The knights leading us are clad in thick iron armor, their helmets revealing only their eyes. With their towering builds, they could easily be mistaken for otherworldly guards.
They belong to one of the three special knight orders under the Emperor's direct command: **The Sword Knights**.
The Sword Knight Order consists of 30 of the finest warriors in the Imperial Army. To join, one needs only two things: **loyalty** and **skill**.
Unlike the other two higher-ranked knight orders, the Sword Knights are primarily composed of war orphans. In times of crisis, they are the first to be sacrificed.
Despite swearing unwavering loyalty to the Emperor and dedicating their lives to his protection, they are mistreated by the other knight orders, and the Emperor has never intervened. Without powerful backing, they dare not defy him.
In my past life, they were the first group I took under my wing. I showed them they could be treated equally, and in return, they swore their loyalty to me. As a result, when Kaelith became Emperor, I had a significant advantage.
Though the Sword Knights lack noble lineage, it's no secret that these 30 knights are formidable enough to corner the entire Imperial Knight Order. The Imperial Elders raised concerns about my relationship with the Sword Knights, but since my loyalty lay with Kaelith, the Sword Knights also gave him their unwavering support.
A small smile appeared on my lips as I remembered the past. Indeed, I was worthy of being called the **Witch of Nyxveil**.
"Why are you smiling?" Father suddenly asked. I shook my head. "Nothing, just wondering how I didn't get caught."
Father's face paled, his eyes pleading with me not to say more. I nodded in understanding.
We reached the throne room doors after a good 20-minute walk. The doors were massive, crafted from crushed moonstone of Elunara. As it was already night, the moonlight reflected off the moonstone, making it shimmer beautifully. So many things were craved over the stone which makes me wonder about the artistic taste about the one who build this palace.
"Only the Young Lady is permitted to enter," the knight guard informed us. I felt Father's hand tremble for a moment before he regained his composure.
Why is he so nervous? If he keeps this up, I might actually believe he's worried about me.
"I'll be fine," I said, looking at him. He met my gaze and slowly released my hand.
Suddenly, he hugged me, catching me off guard. He whispered something only I could hear:
"Use it if you feel threatened. I'll handle the aftermath."
My eyes widened at his words. Father stepped back, his usual neutral expression returning. What was that about?
"SUCCESSOR OF HOUSE NYXVEIL, SELENTIA AMARIS NYXVEIL, IS ENTERING!"
As my name was announced, the guards slowly opened the massive doors. A cool breeze brushed against my skin as I stepped forward, letting my aura flow freely. I heard a soft gasp from behind. Yes, I wasn't bothering to hide my power anymore.
After working with the Emperor for over five years, I realized one thing:
If there is any god the Emperor worships, it is **power**.
If there is anything the Emperor desires, it is **power**.
If there is anything the Emperor fears, it is **power**.
I had planned to conceal my strength from the Emperor for as long as possible, but there was no point now. I had already caught his attention. Instead of retreating, I would face him head-on.
I entered the throne room. It was exactly as I remembered.
The throne room exuded an aura of dark majesty, bathed in an ethereal blue glow from towering stained-glass windows and grand chandeliers hanging from the vaulted ceiling. The architecture was a masterpiece of Gothic opulence, with soaring arches and intricately carved stone columns adorned with creeping vines and ancient motifs.
The floor, made of polished obsidian marble, reflected the flickering light of countless candles lining the hall. Cracks ran through the stone, as if time itself had left its mark, with small clusters of ivy creeping through the fissures.
On either side of the hall, statues of regal beasts stood watch, their forms cast in eerie half-shadows. The air was thick with silence, broken only by the distant whisper of unseen forces.
At the far end, elevated on pristine steps, the throne sat in commanding solitude. Framed by towering stained-glass panels depicting forgotten tales in hues of sapphire and amethyst, the seat of power gleamed under the ethereal glow.
On the throne sat the Emperor—one of the most powerful rulers in Wymhold's history, a man whose core might be more rotten than a devil's, the embodiment of evil, and the only person I both hated and feared.
He was draped in a resplendent black robe, woven with golden celestial motifs—stars, constellations, and radiant sunbursts that shimmered against the dark fabric. His face was partially obscured by a heavy hood and a delicate black lace veil, revealing only his lips, set in an enigmatic expression.
Golden sun-like medallions hung from his chest, arranged in elaborate chains that gleamed softly, casting faint reflections of the surrounding light.
This was the 100th Emperor of Wymhold: **Perseus Vega Aelric**.
I stepped forward and bowed gracefully.
"Your Imperial Majesty,
I, Selentia, successor to Nyxveil, come before you with reverence and honor. May the blessings of the starlit veil guide your reign, and may our paths unite in the light of destiny. Long may your wisdom illuminate the realms."
My voice was polished, cold yet polite. I could feel the Emperor's gaze on me. I've never understood why he hides his eyes behind a veil. Does he think he's some celestial being? Arrogant fool.
I hate him. Even bowing before him makes me want to vomit. It took so much effort to kill this bastard in my past life, and here we are again.
"Rise," the Emperor finally said after a long pause. I lifted my head and saw a twisted grin on his lips.
Thanks to my heightened perception, I could sense around 20 guards hidden throughout the throne room, their bloodlust palpable.
"You've grown quite a bit, Young Lady of Nyxveil," he said in a deep, croaking voice. I smiled, feigning gratitude.
"That's kind of you, Your Majesty."
He observed me in silence for a while. By now, the aura I was exuding must have caught him off guard. His fake smile was terrifying.
"You've manifested the Crimson Abyss, I see," he said, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees.
"Heaven has blessed me with its generosity. It's nothing special, Your Majesty," I replied confidently.
As I finished speaking, the Emperor unleashed his power. The mana coursing through his veins was overwhelming, and his bloodlust was suffocating.
However, I stood firm. My aura acted as a barrier against his oppressive presence. Though I had already exhausted myself fighting Dain earlier, I had no choice but to hold my ground.
The Emperor doesn't mess with those who possess power. Perhaps that's why, despite his wariness of Father, he hasn't made any overt moves against us.
The Emperor's bloodlust intensified, and I resisted with all my might. His smile faded as he sat back properly. This time, he made a real move.
I saw a surge of mana, resembling orange flames, rushing toward me. If I faced it head-on, I might not be severely harmed, but I would certainly be injured. If I fought back, the Emperor could accuse me of disrespecting the Imperial Family.
I had no intention of entertaining this bastard. Father, I'm counting on you. Deal with the aftermath like you said.
The Emperor looked thrilled as his attack approached me. His manic pleasure was evident.
However, his expression changed when I created an aura blade, cutting through his power and reflecting it back at him with my aura shield. His eyes widened in shock. Before he or the Sword Knights could react, I used Shadow Step to appear in front of him and redirected the attack toward the entrance of the throne room. The doors burst into flames as the Emperor's mana collided with them.
In an instant, I was surrounded by Sword Knights, their swords pointed at me.
The distance between me and the Emperor was mere inches. I knelt before him, and he stared at me—shocked, terrified, and furious.
"Your Majesty, are you all right?" I asked innocently, blinking my eyes. He gritted his teeth, struggling to contain his anger. "What was that, Young Lady of Nyxveil?"
I smiled sweetly. "I protected you, as is my duty as the successor of Nyxveil, who has sworn loyalty to the throne."
I heard Father's hurried footsteps approaching.
"Your Imperial Majesty, Duke of Nyxveil, comes before you with reverence and honor. May the blessings of the starlit veil guide your reign, and may our paths unite in the light of destiny. Long may your wisdom illuminate the realms."
Though his voice was calm, the anger beneath it was palpable.
"Has my daughter done something wrong that she kneels before you, and the Sword Knights show such hostility toward her?" he asked, his tone dangerous yet controlled.
The Emperor glanced at me, then at Father. I'm sure he never expected me to counter his attack so precisely.
The Emperor couldn't openly oppose House Nyxveil. He had hoped to undermine the successor and force me to crumble before him. After all, in his memory, I was still the naive 12-year-old girl he once met.
"Fall back," the Emperor ordered the Sword Knights, and they obeyed instantly.
"I merely wished to test your successor, Zaphry. For the first time in history, someone has manifested the Crimson Abyss after the Great Founder of Nyxveil," he said, his tone carefully controlled.
I had never seen the Emperor act so cautiously before. His demeanor shifted the moment Father arrived, making me wonder just how much authority Father wielded to make the power-hungry Emperor tread so carefully.
"It is your greatness that you deemed my humble daughter worthy of your test, Your Majesty," Father replied, emphasizing the word "daughter" in a way that made even me uncomfortable.
"I don't think you should call your successor humble, Zaphry," the Emperor said, looking down at me. I wished I could remove the veil hiding his eyes to see what he was truly feeling behind his perfect facade.
He reached out, lifting my chin with his hand. "You must have trained her personally for her to use aura and Shadow Step so flawlessly."
"I've never taught her anything," Father countered. The Emperor's hand stiffened, and he looked at Father in surprise.
"You've never taught her anything?" he asked, clearly shocked.
What's there to be surprised about? Why would Father teach me anything when I'm not even his true successor?
"Yes, Your Majesty. Everything my daughter knows—the skills you witnessed—she learned under the guidance of the Knight Commander of Nyxveil," Father said, his tone tinged with pride.
It was a lie. I hadn't learned these skills from anyone in Nyxveil. Shadow Step was taught to me by martial artists from the Eastern Empire, and the aura shield was adapted from Claude's mana shield techniques.
No need to let them know.
"Indeed," the Emperor said, his interest in me clearly piqued, though he remained cautious.
"You've truly given birth to a monster, Zaphry."
"It is all the blessing of Heaven, Your Majesty," Father replied smoothly. His ability to maintain a polite yet bold demeanor was impeccable.
He was being rude, but in a way that the Emperor couldn't openly challenge.
"You may stand," the Emperor said, releasing me. I stood and moved beside Father, who gave me a subtle nod.
"The reason I called you here today is regarding the Imperial Order," the Emperor said, crossing his legs. "Of course, the Young Lady will be joining, correct?"
Father bowed slightly. "My daughter lacks the diplomatic finesse required for such sensitive meetings, Your Majesty. Other than her overwhelming power, which you've just witnessed, she has little else to offer. I fear her presence might complicate matters between Wymhold and Astra. After all, she was bold enough to counter Your Majesty's attack."
The Emperor was clearly displeased but couldn't deny Father's reasoning. I didn't know whether to curse Father or thank him.
Did he anticipate that I would counter the Emperor's attack? Is that why he said, *I'll handle the aftermath*?
"Your Majesty is gracious to overlook my daughter's impudence," Father said, his expression deceptively grateful. "However, would Astra be as forgiving? If someone were to insult Your Majesty or Wymhold, my daughter wouldn't hesitate to draw her sword."
You're half right, Father. In my past life, when the Crown Prince of Astra insulted Wymhold, I cut him down. But I left no evidence.
There's no way the Emperor would buy this. Drop it, Father. Drop i—
"You're right, Zaphry. Your daughter lacks self-control," the Emperor said, surprising me.
I stared at the Emperor in shock, then at Father in disbelief. How could the Emperor agree to this?
"Why not send your eldest son, then?" the Emperor asked, shifting his target but maintaining his ulterior motive. He likely planned to turn Dain against our family and use him.
"My son is injured, Your Majesty," Father replied. Injured? When did that happen? I am confused.
The Emperor looked surprised. "Injured? Who would dare harm one of Wymhold's rising stars?" Father glanced at me, and I was stunned. "Earlier today, my daughter and son sparred. It was so intense that it left the mansion's entrance in ruins."
The Emperor seemed skeptical, but one of the knights escorting us whispered something in his ear.
The Emperor clenched his fists. "So, your children fought, and Dain was injured by her?" He looked at me. "And she's unharmed? Did the Heir of Nordwyn heal her?"
Father shook his head. "My daughter has never received divine treatment. Since childhood, she has possessed a natural ability to heal herself to some extent."
My eyes widened. What is he saying? Why does everything he's saying make sense? YOU AND MOTHER JUST NEVER ALLOWED ME TO BE TREATED BY DIVINE POWER!!!!
"So, Dain is injured. Won't he recover in a week?" the Emperor asked, rubbing his forehead.
"I dare say, the defeat has dealt a blow to Dain's pride. Even if forced, his temperament would make him a burden to the envoys," Father replied.
The Emperor gritted his teeth. "Then send your youngest daughter."
"She is engaged to the Young Duke of Nordwyn. It's no longer my decision whether she can join a diplomatic envoy," Father said, effectively ending the negotiation.
I looked at him, and even if I didn't want to admit it, my father was a genius. Every point he made was backed by evidence, and he had outmaneuvered the Emperor flawlessly.
"If Your Majesty permits, I recommend my younger brother to join the envoys. As you know, he is more than capable of leading such a mission," Father suggested.
The Emperor clenched his fists so tightly I thought they might bleed. "Very well," he said finally.
He stood. "You may leave."
"Your Majesty, I have one more request," Father said. The Emperor narrowed his eyes. "What is it?"
"My daughter has never had the chance to explore the Imperial Palace, as you know," Father said, his tone growing colder. "The last time she visited, her stay was cut short due to... unfortunate circumstances."
The Emperor visibly stiffened. I was stunned. He remembers?
The Emperor took a golden plaque from a guard and tossed it to Father, who caught it effortlessly. Clearly not wanting to engage in more complicated conversation.
"With this, she may explore the Imperial Palace at any time," the Emperor said before walking away, followed by the Sword Knights.
We bowed as he left. I looked at Father, my heart racing. Why was he acting so differently? Why was he making me question my decisions?
No. I won't fall for his tricks. I won't be swayed by his sudden concern. My main target is- to meet the abandoned prince.