The carriage passed under the high walls and through the castle gate. Although it had been thoroughly cleaned of the fine dust it had collected during its four-day journey, its appearance was still rather modest compared to those of the capital’s nobles. As a result, people blocking its path often failed to move aside promptly, instead lingering and loitering. The coachman, however, knowing his master’s character, refrained from raising his voice in an arrogant manner, instead guiding the horses slowly and patiently. 

Inside the carriage, Duke Roxas smiled faintly as he watched his son, pressed against the closed glass window, eagerly taking in the sights of the imperial palace. Akan, who had always behaved maturely on their estate, often showed his age when confronted with the unfamiliar sights of the capital. 

“Akan, to the princess-” 

“I will be polite, Father.” 

Akan quickly interrupted his father. His ears felt like they were going to fall off after being subjected to his father’s nagging since the night before. 

Duke Roxas and his son, Akan Roxas, had arrived in the capital two days earlier. Having returned to his estate years ago due to his wife’s illness, Duke Roxas had chosen to live a quiet life even after her death. While curbing the Emperor’s growing authority was vital to the balance of the Empire, his priority was his young son, who had lost his mother. 

This time, however, he couldn’t remain silent. The Emperor tried to change the law. 

The current Emperor wasn’t the first ruler in history to seek absolute power. The Imperial Law, refined over generations, had been established to curb such impulses. Duke Roxas wanted to stop the Emperor with that same law, which dictated that no changes could be made without the consent of the nobility. 

“I have never met Her Highness myself, but remember, royals are different from nobles. Be careful what you say and do in her presence. 

Akan gave another quick nod and turned his gaze back to the window. The Imperial Palace, built with utter disregard for practicality and designed solely for grandeur, was so dazzling that it left the boy, who had grown up on the remote northern edge of the Empire, wide-eyed with awe. 

Soon the carriage came to a halt. Even though they had only reached the edge of the palace grounds, no one but the Emperor and Empress were allowed to ride in the carriage from that point on. Nervously, Akan followed his father out of the carriage. The palace servants who had been waiting greeted them. 

“His Majesty is expecting you.”

Duke Roxas nodded. Despite the increasingly tense atmosphere in the palace, he had refused his comrades’ requests to accompany him and had chosen to come alone. Allowing several people to meet the Emperor, a ruler particularly sensitive to his authority, was not a wise idea. 

Although Duke Roxas had mentally prepared himself for the inevitable debate, he couldn’t help but feel a tinge of apprehension at the thought of the impending confrontation. 

“I entrust you with my son.”

The Duke tapped Akan lightly on the shoulder. Akan looked up at his father’s face, hesitated for a moment, then cautiously approached the attendant. Seeing his son’s nervous expression, the Duke forced a smile, the corners of his mouth lifting. 

Although he had brought Akan, his heir, in accordance with the traditions of a royal palace visit, he couldn’t shake his unease. From what Duke Roxas had seen, the royals were always arrogant and self-centred. He still couldn’t forget the look on the Crown Prince’s face as he hurled lofty insults at him as he left for his wife’s convalescence. 

Adding to his concerns was the fact that Akan was a son he was proud of, but he had been brought up in the countryside rather than the capital and lacked a certain cunning. The Duke feared that Akan might unknowingly offend the Princess, and it was hard to feel completely at ease. 

As Duke Roxas took heavy steps after the servant, he turned again. 

“I will be polite.”

Akan repeated like a parrot, reading his father’s concern. 

Standing by the carriage, Akan repeated his promise, trying to allay his father’s fears. Duke Roxas decided to trust his son. He might not be adept at pleasing others, but he wouldn’t make a big mistake. With a faint smile, the Duke stepped forward. 

“Young master, this way, please.”

Akan nodded slightly, still tense, and followed the servant. 

The aristocratic estate they had visited with his father the day before had been magnificent, but the Imperial Palace was not only luxurious, it was unimaginably vast. Beyond each building was another gate, and beyond the gate another structure. Akan followed the attendant, gazing in awe at the gardens filled with unfamiliar flowers and fountains adorned with intricate carvings. 

Finally they reached the princess’s quarters and the servant led Akan into the reception room. 

“Her Highness will be here shortly. Please enjoy yourself.” 

With a polite bow, the servant withdrew, leaving Akan alone in the room. Feeling awkward, Akan sat stiffly on the sofa, his eyes wandering around the room. 

Unlike the magnificent paintings he had seen elsewhere on their journey, the parlour was decorated with crude drawings that looked as if they had been made by an untrained child’s hand. From his father’s words, Akan had imagined the royals as terrifying monsters, but the decor of the room – filled with images of birds, flowers and other things a young girl might like – painted a different picture. 

“Hello!” 

The door burst open and a young girl ran in. The princess, her cheeks flushed, stared at Akan with wide, curious eyes. 

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

“Be polite. Be polite.”

Remembering his father’s advice, Akan rose quickly and bowed. The princess, with a dazed expression on her face, moved from the door to the sofa. Behind her, an elderly lady entered the drawing room, panting heavily. Akan swallowed nervously. 

“Wow, so shiny!” 

“Pardon?”

The princess, who had reached for Akan’s head, quickly withdrew her hand. She seemed fascinated by his silver hair. It wasn’t a common sight. Akan wasn’t particularly nervous, but the princess’ unfiltered words and actions made him forget his nervousness and he couldn’t help but smile. 

“No, no! Are you the son of Duke Roxas?” 

“Yes, I’m Akan Roxas.”

“Hmm. I’m Robellia.”

“Yes, I know. Princess Robellia.” 

Princess Robellia – a name that seemed to have been inspired by flowers of the same colour as her eyes. Her round eyes, darting about busily, sometimes appeared blue, sometimes purple, depending on the light. 

Robellia, who had been studying Akan with a curious expression, suddenly grabbed his hand. This time Akan was slightly startled, but didn’t show it and let her lead him back to the sofa. 

“You’re really pretty. How old are you? I’m twelve.” 

“I’m ten. You’re much prettier, Your Highness.” 

Akan didn’t particularly like being called “pretty”, but since it was the princess who had said it, he replied politely. Besides, the way Robellia’s chubby cheeks were turning apple red made it clear that her remark had been a compliment. 

And it wasn’t entirely untrue. Could it be that the stories about royal blood being special were true? Her otherwise ordinary golden hair glistened as if absorbing sunlight, and her wide, round eyes sparkled like grapes. 

“Would you… like to play cards?”

“Yes.”

When the game began at the princess’s suggestion, Akan was once again surprised. Robellia had a set of brightly coloured cards with intricately drawn backs, clearly the work of an artist. The problem was her lack of skill.

It wasn’t clear if the princess simply didn’t know how to lie or if she was overly pleased with the cards she was holding, but it was clear from her expression whether the card Akan was about to choose was good or bad. Of course, it wouldn’t be appropriate to win every game and treat the princess like a fool. On the other hand, deliberately losing too much to feign ignorance might seem disingenuous and even offend her. Neither option seemed right. So, remembering his father’s advice, Akan played carefully, alternating between winning and losing to keep the game balanced and enjoyable.