Glancing around the nighttime surroundings outside the window, Remesis paused for a moment before closing the curtains. Then she turned to the spacious library of the northern castle and scanned the bookshelves one by one. More than eight thousand books were stored here, most of which still belonged to the previous century.
Most of these books had been preserved since the reign of the previous lord, but there were also many new books that Remesis had acquired specifically when she was renovating this place. Since the library had been a secret place for her since she lived in the duke's estate, she took great care in arranging it and really tried to make it as elegant as possible.
Most of the time, Remesis was the only visitor to this place. The servants, who were commoners, were not very interested in books or studying art or science. As for Asil... Despite being the lord of this castle, it seemed that she did not particularly enjoy reading.
Well, in any case.
Soon, the girl realised that finding the right book would be harder than she thought. Remesis took out books, looked through them, and put them back.
«I'm sure this book must be here somewhere...»
After a long search, Remesis slumped her shoulders in disappointment. The girl was about to turn away from the shelves and give up, thinking that perhaps the book had been accidentally moved when the servants last cleaned up here. However... At that moment, her attention was drawn to the title of a thick book lying modestly at the very end of the bookshelf, which she had not noticed before.
Pulling it out, Remesis's face lit up.
It was a book describing the genealogy of the imperial dynasty of the Nadal Empire, which had been kept since the very beginning of the empire's founding.
Since every nobleman, from the lowest to the highest rank, was required to know the history of the empire and the biographies of the imperial family by heart, a copy of this book was kept in almost every noble family's library. And when Remesis was browsing through the books in the library of the northern castle a few years ago, she was surprised to find that it was here too.
However, until recently, Remesis had simply had no need to read such a book, and she had simply forgotten about it. Who would have thought that she would need it now? Perhaps it was fortunate that the book had not been lost over the years and that the girl had been able to find it relatively easily.
Sitting by the window, Remesis carefully read the detailed reference book about the imperial family. She immediately leafed through half of the book and reached the last section, which described the current imperial family. Among the names listed with descriptions of their appearance and characteristics as members of the imperial family, Remesis found the current emperor, the first and second empresses, the emperor's sister Princess Castrea, Princess Asil and Princess Aveline, as well as several other names that were distant relatives of the imperial family.
However, after rereading the list several times, Remesis still could not find one name. She returned to the previous section, which described the emperor's previous family, but among the emperor's heirs there were only two familiar names: Crown Prince Alexis, who later became emperor, and Princess Castrea. Only two names.
Remesis frowned.
«But how is that possible? Isn't falsifying the imperial family's genealogy punishable by law?»
Remesis remembered the conversation during their first and only meeting with Princess Castrea. Even after all this time, she still couldn't get the words she heard from her that day out of her head.
On the one hand, the emperor's older sister had no reason to lie to her. Especially since she had little to gain from it. But on the other hand... It was too difficult to believe such a theory.
Remesis sighed and finally closed the book. In the end, what she had been searching for so persistently only confused her even more.
If she managed to find proof that the princess was telling the truth, it could make the current situation in the empire even more unpredictable. Ultimately, Asil could even legally claim the throne of the empire without resorting to violence...
Although the method of obtaining the throne was unlikely to matter to the princess, Remesis could not help but weigh all the pros and cons before making a decision. It would be easy for Asil to cause bloodshed and chaos in the empire by seizing the throne by force. Most likely, that was her preferred method.
Nevertheless, Remesis could not help but think about the consequences that lay ahead.
Seizing the throne by force and obtaining it through legal means were two completely different approaches. In the first case, Asil would most likely remain a tyrant to her subjects for the rest of her life, tolerated only because they had no other choice. But in the second case, Asil had a chance to mend relations with her subjects and prove that she was a worthy ruler. Of course, such things were of no importance to the princess, nor was the people's attitude towards her. But Remesis, who had made a contract with the princess and promised to help her take the throne, could not turn a blind eye to this.
After all, this empire was also her home, and Remesis did not want the empire she lived in to turn into a bloody battlefield in the future.
Remesis had not been particularly concerned about such things before, but now she was seriously considering it.
If only she could channel the princess's energy and ambition into the right direction, then perhaps this empire would not be such a bad place to live in the future. On the other hand, Remesis could not guarantee that the northern devil would listen to her at all.
After all, only the devil himself knew what the cursed princess was really thinking.
Besides, Remesis still hadn't told the princess what she had heard from the emperor's older sister... And she didn't even know if she should. Would her revelation lead to good or bad? It was difficult to predict.
«So what should I do...?»
After thinking about it for a while, Remesis finally gave up, as these thoughts seemed too complicated after an exhausting day at work. Deciding to take the book with her just in case, the gloomy girl was about to drag her exhausted body out of the library.
However, before reaching the door, she unexpectedly bumped into another night visitor to the library.
It was Liana Dexsin.
Compared to this morning, her face had a calmer expression, and there was a smile on her lips that, for the first time in a long time, seemed friendly to Remesis.
Nevertheless, the princess of the north was still confused by this unexpected encounter. She hurriedly hid the book behind her back.
When Remesis stared at the successor to the order in bewilderment, she met her gaze.
— ...
Surprised, Remesis flinched.
«What the hell is she doing here?»
That was exactly the question Remesis wanted to ask her. But the woman beat her to it and spoke first:
— Good evening, Your Highness.
Remesis hesitated for a moment, but finally replied.
— Yes... good evening.
Liana looked at the princess and then said something unexpected:
— I just happened to see you enter the library and decided to follow you. Please forgive my rudeness for disturbing you.
— What? — Remesis asked in surprise.
— Don't think me rude or that I was secretly following you. Actually, I just wanted to talk to you, but I didn't have a chance all day. Your maid said you were busy all day, and I didn't want to disturb you.
To be honest, Remesis was somewhat puzzled by what she heard.
— What exactly did you want to tell me? — she asked slowly.
— Don't worry, it's not important, — Liana Dexsin smiled distractedly at her. — I just wanted to give you something.
«........»
— It's nothing significant, but I made a small gift. These are my favourite incense sticks, which I burn every evening to help me sleep better. I heard from the servants that Your Highness has trouble sleeping, so I made them especially for you. I hope you like them. I don't know much about your preferences, but I hope you like it.
— Incense?
Remesis's eyes widened when she suddenly saw the neat little box being held out to her.
The girl was puzzled by this unexpected gesture and didn't even know how to react.
In any case, giving and receiving gifts was not a simple matter, especially among aristocrats, so Remesis did not want this situation to be misunderstood. She had no need to accept gifts from a stranger.
— Lady Dexsin, I am grateful for your kindness. But there is no need for this.
— Princess Rania, is it just me, or do you always refuse my gifts? — The young head of the order smiled. — Even after all these years, you haven't changed a bit.
«......»
— In any case, don't say that. I stayed in this castle, which probably disturbed your peace.
I would like to compensate you in some way for the inconvenience I have caused you.
— No... That's not true at all.
Noticing her confusion, Liana began to speak again:
— Princess, you are kind, but I don't want to be ungrateful. This is the least I can do for you. Please accept it.
The girl hesitated for a moment. Usually, preferring to maintain her independence, Remesis refused to accept any gifts, which undoubtedly came to her in large quantities all the time. After all, too many people tried to bribe the ruler of the north.
But this was different. Liana, who was clearly not making this offer out of selfish motives, seemed sincere. Besides, she was currently a guest in their castle. Remesis did not want her manners to appear rude, so she decided to make an exception to her rules this time.
After hesitating, Remesis finally nodded.
— All right, if you insist.
After all, it was only incense. Remesis took the box from her hands and thanked her.
— Thank you.
— You're welcome. I hope this incense will help you sleep well tonight.
Remesis saw a smile light up Liana Dexsin's face for the first time since the funeral. Her face was as warm as the spring sun. Finally, Remesis smiled back at her.
***
Two days later, the princess of the north and the young head of the order were ready to set off, accompanied by a small detachment of northern soldiers. Although at first glance the number of people seemed too small, they were all experienced warriors of the north, especially since the detachment was led by the princess herself. In other words, everything should have gone well.
Remesis, accompanied by a small retinue of servants, came out to see them off. Sitting elegantly on a huge silver horse, Asil turned and fixed his gaze on her:
— Wife, I will return soon!
— Yes.
The girl simply nodded briefly.
It was a very modest farewell, but in the end, everyone knew and had long been accustomed to the fact that the princess of the north was not very generous with her emotions, especially towards her wife.
Nevertheless, Asil leaned over her, almost hanging off her horse, and touched her face.
Despite the attention of everyone around them, Asil kissed her forehead quite secretively, then deepened the kiss, touching her lips to her cheek. The knights, who had witnessed such scenes between the lord and his wife many times before, still couldn't help but sigh with horror on their faces. After all, it was still difficult for them to get used to the fact that the northern devil could sometimes behave in such a manner.
— Please wait for me.
The princess whispered, her face just a millimetre away from hers.
Then she straightened up abruptly and led her horse in front of her people as if nothing had happened.
Remesis, who had turned burgundy red in the blink of an eye, was inwardly outraged that such a scene had taken place right in front of Liana Dexsin and her people! However, it was too late to scold his unbearable wife. Remesis, blushing to the tips of his ears, watched them leave with a long gaze.
When the squad left the gate and crossed the bridge, the horsemen broke into a gallop. The sound of hooves mingled with the familiar noise.
Remesis stood motionless for a long time, even when the princess and the other knights had long since disappeared from view.