Part 1
Dawn crept through the presidential suite's curtains like an uninvited guest, painting stripes of gold across tangled sheets that bore witness to a night of frustrated yearning. Philip awoke to find that Natalia had somehow, during the night, managed to entangle herself around him with the determination of an octopus claiming its favorite rock.
Her arms wrapped around him with surprising strength, one leg draped possessively over his hip, and her face was buried in the crook of his neck, each exhale sending shivers down his spine. The lingerie from last night, that damned silk confection that had nearly been his undoing, remained stubbornly in place, though it had shifted in ways that made Philip acutely aware of her perfect figure pressed against him.
"Morning, Master!" She nuzzled closer, and Philip discovered that Natalia's voice, when delivered directly into one's ear at close range, had the approximate effect of a lightning bolt to the nervous system. "Your physiological response indicates that you might be in the mood to continue our interrupted exercise from last—"
Philip rolled over abruptly, effectively silencing her clinical observations by pressing a finger to her lips. Unfortunately, this maneuver brought them face to face, and Natalia's eyes—those impossibly blue eyes—sparkled with what could only be described as scientific curiosity mixed with carnal desire.
"Natalia, there will be a time for that, but not now."
Her eyes widened with genuine confusion, and she shifted against him in a way that suggested she was trying hard to relieve a new physical itch. "But why not now? Your energy level has returned to optimal parameters. You are no longer exhausted."
Philip's face achieved new depths of crimson. "Well… well."
"Oh good!" She brightened, then proceeded to press even closer, which Philip hadn't thought physically possible. "Then we can finish our unfinished business!"
A sharp knock saved Philip from capitulating to Natalia's charms.
"Master Philip," Lydia's voice carried through the door with practiced calm, though Philip could swear he detected suppressed laughter. "The carriage has arrived. We depart for the orphanage in thirty minutes."
Philip sat up quickly, sheets pooling around his waist, desperately trying to think of anything other than the way Natalia's nightgown had ridden up during the night. "Already? What time is it?"
"Seven thirty, Master. I took the liberty of ordering breakfast to your room." A pause that definitely contained amusement. "And I've arranged for a discreet carriage—secrecy and a low profile are key parts of security today."
Natalia tilted her head, still pressed against Philip's side with unconscious intimacy, her hand having somehow found its way under his nightshirt to rest against his bare chest. "Why the secrecy? Also, Master, your heart rate is accelerating again. Are you certain you don't want to finish what we started?"
"Given recent events," Lydia explained through the door, her tone suggesting she knew exactly what was happening on the other side, "discretion is paramount. Ms. Hendjizson—a former military captain who served under the Duchess before—has been arranged by the Duchess to drive us. She's quite formidable and, more importantly, extremely discreet."
As Lydia's footsteps retreated, Natalia stretched like a cat, a movement that managed to be both innocent and breathtaking from Philip's point of view. The motion accentuated her generous bosom and alluring curves in ways that made Philip wonder maybe it was not such a bad time to squeeze in some morning exercises after all.
"Master," she said with that analytical tone that somehow inflames his heart, "Ever since last night, I feel distinctly abnormal. I have this persistent urge to maintain physical contact with you."
To demonstrate, she wrapped both arms around his torso and pulled him back down to the bed with surprising strength.
"Natalia!" Philip squeaked—yes, squeaked, to his eternal embarrassment.
"Just five more minutes," she murmured against his chest. "My research indicates that morning embraces promote emotional bonding and reduce stress hormones."
"Your research?"
"I read three more books last night while you slept," she admitted cheerfully. "Did you know there's an entire literary subgenre devoted to 'morning after' scenarios? Though none of them addressed our particular situation of 'morning after nothing actually happened but everything almost did.'"
Philip groaned and buried his face in his hands. "We should get ready."
"If we must," Natalia sighed dramatically—when had she learned to sigh dramatically?—and finally released him. As she sat up, her undergarment slipped off one shoulder, and Philip made a strangled noise before practically fleeing to the bathroom.
Part 2
Twenty minutes later, they descended to find a deliberately mediocre carriage waiting—the kind that wouldn't draw attention in Bromanceham's mixed districts. Ms. Gwendolyn Hendjizson sat in the driver's box, her weathered hands steady on the reins despite her sixty-three years. Silver hair pulled back in a severe bun, her posture remained military-straight.
"Master Philip," she said, inclining her head fractionally. "Miss Natalia. Miss Lydia." Her voice carried the crisp consonants of old military discipline mixed with something else—a slight accent that suggested origins far from Avalondian shores. "The route has been cleared. Three teams in position, though you won't spot them unless you know what to look for."
Philip glanced around the hotel's courtyard, seeing only the usual morning bustle of merchants and travelers.
As they climbed aboard, Philip noticed Natalia's unusual clinginess had somehow intensified. She practically plastered herself against his side the moment they sat down, threading her arm through his and intertwining their fingers.
"Comfortable, Miss Natalia?" Lydia asked with barely concealed amusement as she settled across from them, her eyes dancing with mirth.
"Proximity to Master reduces my discomfort by approximately thirty-seven percent," Natalia replied matter-of-factly, then proceeded to rest her head on Philip's shoulder while her free hand found its way to his thigh. "This is optimal positioning for carriage travel based on my research."
"I'm sure they were," Lydia murmured, pulling out a fan to hide her grin. "Master Philip, you seem rather flushed. Are you feeling well?"
"Fine," Philip managed, his voice only slightly strangled as Natalia shifted to get more comfortable, which involved pressing practically her entire side against him. "Perfectly fine."
"Master's muscle tension suggests otherwise," Natalia observed clinically, her fingers beginning to trace absent patterns on his thigh that were definitely not helping with said tension. "Perhaps a massage would help? I've been studying pressure points—"
"No massages!" Philip said quickly. "Not in a moving carriage."
"How about when we return then?" Natalia asked hopefully. "I could demonstrate my newfound knowledge eastern techniques."
Lydia made a choking sound that she disguised as a cough.
The carriage rolled through Bromanceham's streets that told Avalondian's story in architecture. Grand Victorian buildings stood like elderly nobles at a ball—still dressed in their finery but clearly past their prime. Between these aging giants, gleaming towers of steel and enchanted glass thrust skyward—foreign-funded constructions that proclaimed the new order as brazenly as any conquering army's banner.
"The contrast is rather stark," Philip observed, desperately trying to focus on anything other than the way Natalia's thumb was now drawing small circles on his palm.
"Welcome to the monopoly board of the rich," Lydia said, her tone carrying unusual bitterness. "The Empire's been selling everything to anyone with ready cash. The Wetdin Palace, for instance—one of the oldest palaces in Avalondia—just sold to a consortium from the Pearl Cities for eight million Avalondian dollars."
"The Wetdin Palace?" Philip was interested, grateful for the distraction even as Natalia somehow managed to wrap her arm around his back.
Lydia nodded, settling into her role as historian. "The Wetdin Palace was the largest palace in Avalondia, second only to the imperial palace itself. It was built over six centuries. A true chimera of centuries of finest architecture. At the turn of last century, the Duke of Wetdin could buy and sell entire nations."
"So what happened?" Philip asked with full curiosity, though his concentration wavered when Natalia decided his shoulder wasn't comfortable enough and shifted to rest her head on his laps instead.
"Let's just say that it's just one of many symptoms of the long decline of the aristocracy and the Empire in general. The Empire is a shadow of what it used to be. In the old days, we would have responded to an attack on our diplomatic delegation with firm and resolute action rather than stalling a response while waiting for signals from the Republic as to how to proceed." Lydia answered with a nostalgic sigh.
"What do you mean?" Philip asked while Natalia shifted up, her movement causing interesting pressure against his arm as her curiosity was clearly piqued.
"Master's heartbeat accelerated by twelve percent when I moved," Natalia announced cheerfully. "Should I move back?"
"Please don't analyze my biological responses in public," Philip muttered.
"Only in private then?" she asked with what Philip could swear was intentional innocence.
Lydia's expression grew serious, though her eyes still sparkled with amusement at their byplay. "You know the attack on the delegation led by Kendrick? It has now become a taboo to push for the truth. The families of the potential victims have collectively gone suspiciously quiet in the media, and the media has shifted away entirely. Every time when a member of the media asks, the government keeps saying they're 'still investigating what happened' while on the international stage the Empire is calling on the Coalition, Arussia, and all parties involved to 'remain calm and refrain from any escalations.'"
Natalia, still nestled against Philip, made a small sound of frustration that vibrated through his chest. "That's illogical. The investigation should have concluded weeks ago."
" So they're stalling?" Philip asked.
"The Empire is waiting for the Continental Republic to show its stance before speaking," Lydia confirmed. "It's an open secret among the elites and nobility that the Republic is the real power behind the throne now. Though the common people of the Empire still view people from the Republic as uncultured hillbillies."
"How ironic. This certainly isn't what I imagined for an empire that spanned the globe," Philip commented, watching the scene outside change to gradually more rural areas while trying to ignore how Natalia had somehow managed to curl into him like a particularly affectionate cat.
Lydia nodded. "We've been decentralizing power, and with it, wealth. The same has happened between social classes. The prerogatives once held by nobility have been diluted to elected representatives in the lower house. The upper house remains powerful but is constrained by media scrutiny—less flexible in policymaking than it once was."
"And the media is controlled by?" Philip asked.
"The middle class, mostly."
"When you say 'middle class,' do you mean like… the office workers? Like say a finance manager?" Philip asked.
Lydia laughed. "Master Philip, you have quite the humor today! I am talking about the upper middle class the great banking families and industrialists. They are wrestling power from the aristocracy, chip by chip. They're absolutely crushing most minor nobilities in wealth. Nowadays many members of the minor nobility even work in the businesses owned by these middle class families. It's something unthinkable just a few generations ago."
"Fascinating," Natalia murmured against Philip's chest. "Social hierarchy inversion through economic displacement. Also, Master, I can hear your stomach rumbling. Did you not eat the breakfast that was delivered?"
"I was... distracted," Philip said, remembering how Natalia had insisted on feeding him bites of toast while wearing … practically nothing.
"I could feed you again when we return," Natalia offered brightly. "The manual suggests that sharing food increases pair bonding behaviors."
"What manual?" Lydia asked with interest.
"'A Comprehensive Guide to Human Courtship,' third edition," Natalia replied promptly. "Though I wish they provide some illustrations if possible."
Philip observed the incredible diversity on the streets—people from every ethnicity imaginable—desperately trying to change the subject. "The Empire seems quite... cosmopolitan."
"Immigration policy," Lydia explained, graciously allowing the topic change though her shoulders shook with suppressed laughter. "Due to need to tie regional elites' interests to the central government after the decentralization of power, they've made residency in Avalondia much easier to acquire for the political and financial elites from various regions of the Empire. These elites park their wealth and families here as insurance against any political accidents in their home region, but it also binds their interest with Avalondia. Imperial laws shield Avalondian residents' assets from non-imperial court judgments. Under the pretext of ensuring humane treatment, Avalondian never extradites political figures to the regions, effectively shielding them from any potential political retribution in their homeland but also ensures that their wealth will not be extradited with them. Of course, the assumption here is that they do not break any imperial laws, which includes inciting insurrection against the Empire."
"So why did the Empire willingly decentralize its power?" Philip asked with curiosity, his tone suggesting he saw himself as an observer rather than participant—though this was somewhat undermined by Natalia choosing that moment to nuzzle his neck.
"Natalia, what are you doing?" he whispered.
"Testing a hypothesis about sensitive areas mentioned in Chapter Seven of the romance manual," she whispered back. "Your involuntary shiver suggests the author was correct about the neck being an erogenous zone."
"I'm glad you finally have an interest in politics, Master Philip!" Lydia said, pretending not to notice their interaction. "You used to hate history lessons. After the Great Conflict of early last century, the Empire won a pyrrhic victory—crushing its greatest rival but at the cost of widespread devastation and massive debts to the nascent Continental Republic."
Natalia shifted against Philip, fully absorbed with the lengthy explanation while her hands subconsciously found their way to his lap, where they rested with disturbing casualness.
"The war's end brought unemployment and inflation as the Empire was essentially bankrupt. Unable to sustain military garrison costs, the imperial government faced a choice: borrow more from the Republic or go bankrupt. The Republic joined regional elites in calling for decolonization, making it a condition for further loans. They publicly denounced imperialism and offered hundred-year interest-free loans to Avalondia for decolonization—a public relations masterstroke that made them synonymous with freedom in the hearts of emergent nationalists all across the world."
"But then class tensions flared in the Republic post-war," Lydia continued, her eyes twinkling as she watched Philip try to maintain composure while Natalia absently played with the buttons on his vest. "Veterans from marginalized groups wanted greater voice. The Republic feared successful revolutions in the Empire would put ideas in the minds of their own dissidents. Plus, as the various freedom fighter groups from across the globe started requesting handouts from them, it became increasingly hard to maintain their 'beacon of liberty' façade without starting to dip into their coffers, but they needed to conserve wealth for military buildup against the rising Universal Worker's Republic in the East—a republic more republican than the Republic itself."
Philip felt Natalia's breath against his neck as she murmured, "This historical analysis is so intellectually stimulating." The way she emphasized 'stimulating' while pressing her thigh against his stirred something in him that almost made him go autopilot.
Lydia politely looked out the window while trying hard not to laugh.
Then, she continued. "The Republic favored a compromise. Through a few secret meetings, the two reached a mutually beneficial agreement. The Empire and the Republic opened up complete and unimpeded free trade across both countries and the business of both countries shall receive equal treatment as local companies in each other's territory. In return, the Republic will keep on rolling over its loan for the Empire for the next 100 years with the interest rate adjusted every quarter based on market rates. Moreover, to satisfy its image as the beacon of freedom, the Republic publicly took credit for mediation between the Empire and the independent movements, ostensibly protecting the independent movements when the real deal had already been negotiated. The resulting agreement between the imperial government and the various independence movements resulted in a general pardon for all involved and regional legislative autonomy with the establishment of regional parliaments. This decentralization kept the Empire alive in name but dead in most aspects other than diplomacy and defense."
"So what happened afterwards?" Philip sounded more and more curious, though his voice cracked slightly when Natalia decided his earlobe needed investigation.
"The influx of foreign wealth turned Avalondian into a financial capital," Lydia explained, determinedly maintaining her composure. "Housing demand priced out common people into service roles. High land prices made manufacturing unviable, hollowing out our industrial base. We became a nation milking off past legacies."
"Oh! You mean like tourists coming to see the Empire's supposed glory," Natalia chimed in cheerfully, her hand somehow finding its way inside Philip's vest, "or foreign professionals working here just to acquire an Avalondian accent to appear more refined in social settings back home. Also, Master, your abdomens could be more attractive if you trim some of that fat."
"Natalia!" Philip squeaked.
"Yes Master?" she said with that damnable innocent tone.
"Exactly," Lydia agreed with Natalia's earlier assessment, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. "While the world sees us as the center of prestige and wealth, with universities full of the children of global elites seeking Avalondian degrees. However, the Avalondian aristocrats knew where the true power is. Global elites stash money here as insurance, but Avalondian elites stash theirs in the Continental Republic."
"So Avalondian ended up becoming the insurance company to the Empire's elites," Lydia said dryly, "while the Republic is the reinsurance company."
Philip laughed at the financial joke, then stopped abruptly when he noticed Natalia's confusion. She'd shifted to practically sitting in his lap, though she seemed unaware of it.
"I don't understand the humor," Natalia said, her breath warm against Philip's neck.
Lydia's eyes danced with suppressed laughter. "Master Philip, you seem different since your recovery. You never used to understand my technical jokes."
Philip rubbed the back of his head with his free hand—the other being firmly claimed by Natalia. "Guess the accident left me with… acquired savant syndrome? Silver linings."
"Oh, how wonderful!" Lydia clasped her hands melodramatically, tears threatening at the corners of her eyes. "Not only did you not become too impaired, but you actually acquired some new capabilities! That's the best result I could hope for. Now we just have to wait for the amnesia to improve."
Philip smiled nervously. "I guess God is fair—you lose some, you gain some, haha..."
"God?" Lydia remarked. "That's a term rarely used nowadays. How interesting you'd recall it."
"How come?" Philip asked, surprised.
"For the past decade and more there's been a thorough scrubbing of religious language from public life," she said. "A global push toward secularism to sound more… logical. So nowadays, we use the term Creator rather than God. Since Creator sounds… more scientific…"
She gazed out the window thoughtfully. "Though I sometimes wonder if abandoning the old certainties contributed to our current instabilities. The Empire used to have unity in faith, but now we put our faith in market forces and central banks instead."
"Speaking of which," Lydia continued, her expression growing more serious as Natalia unconsciously tightened her grip on Philip, apparently having decided he might escape if she loosened her hold even slightly, "the central bank kept rates steady yesterday despite market expectations of cuts."
"Steady?" Philip was genuinely surprised. "So they did end up prioritizing price stability over employment?"
"Your prediction was correct, Master Philip. Structural inflation from tariffs are starting to seep through the price of goods. The rate environment combined with the impact on employment from the tariffs are further denting real estate sales. In fact, Albert informed me last night that several real estate developers have entered receivership due to liquidity issues. Others, such as the Kalibright project near our development, have started to publicly offer discounts as steep as 15% from April prices."
Philip's mind raced through the implications, though it was challenging with Natalia tracing patterns on his palm that felt suspiciously like hearts. "Then we should start seeking commercial buyers now, even if we have to sell it at 10% discount to April prices."
"But maybe the prices would rise again later? Isn't the old saying about buying when the market gets fearful and selling when the market gets greedy?" Lydia asked.
"We already have ten thousand acres through the main estate," Philip explained, trying to ignore how Natalia started playing with his hair. "Our real estate exposure is too concentrated in the Greater Yortinto region. If the market crashes due to worse than expected rate conditions combined with local macroeconomics, then we could end up loosing everything. The Trust's current exposure to the real estate market is almost $5 million Continental Dollars. That means every 10% fluctuation in real estate is a $500,000 change in our asset value. That is more than my entire net worth! But once we divest, the risk becomes manageable. If the real estate market does surge later, our main estate would be worth significantly more, while our available cash from the sale could be quickly deployed to develop the lands on our main estate. When the real estate market is good, most of the appreciation accrues to the land, which we have plenty of at the main estate and could easily develop it using the capital from the sale of the development project. I did rather prepare for the worse case and make less than risk bankruptcy."
Natalia suddenly kissed his cheek with a loud 'smack' that echoed in the carriage. "Master's strategic thinking is intellectually arousing—I mean, admirable. Your fiscal prudence makes my pulse swooning."
Philip's face flamed red as Lydia burst out laughing, covering her mouth with both hands.
Flashing her long eyelashes—when had she learned to do that?—Natalia continued cheerfully. "Perhaps we could revisit our unfinished business after the orphanage visit? "
"We're approaching our destination!" Lydia announced brightly, her voice slightly hysterical with suppressed laughter, saving Philip from learning exactly what Chapter Fifteen had taught Natalia.
Philip looked out the tinted windows as they entered a rural area on Albecaster's outskirts. The orphanage occupied a vast farm—far larger than expected. The main building was modest but well-maintained, but what caught his attention were the other structures scattered across the property—huge buildings whose purpose remained unclear.
"Those buildings," Philip pointed to the mysterious structures. "What are those?"
Ms. Hendjizson called from outside, "Two hours for your visit, Master Philip. I'll maintain perimeter watch." There was an odd tension in her tone.
Lydia followed his gaze, her expression suddenly guarded, all traces of humor vanishing. "I'm... not certain. This is actually the first time you're visiting. You know how it was before—you did the paying, Rosetta did the running. You'd sign whatever documents she put in front of you about 'the dear orphans' while she handled all the actual administration."
She paused, her tone taking on a sardonic edge. "Rather generous of you, really, funding an entire charitable enterprise you knew nothing about. Though I suppose when one is as deeply in love as you were, one doesn't question such things. 'Whatever makes my darling Rosetta happy,' you'd say while authorizing another transfer. The height of romantic fiscal irresponsibility, if you ask me."
"I was that bad?" Philip asked weakly.
"Master Philip, you once approved a ten thousand dollar 'emergency renovation' without even asking which orphanage needed renovating. You just signed the paper Rosetta handed you between kisses." Lydia's voice dripped with retrospective disapproval. "I tried to suggest perhaps visiting the facilities you were so generously funding, but you always said—and I quote—'I trust Rosetta. Leave it to her.'"
Natalia had gone rigid beside him, her playful intimacy replaced by alert tension. "Master," she whispered, all traces of her earlier playfulness gone, "I'm registering unusual energy signatures from those buildings."
"How?" Philip asked quietly.
"I sense large amounts of blue mana." Her hand found his, but this time the grip was protective rather than affectionate. "More than any civilian structure would require. Far more. The concentration levels are... concerning."
Lydia frowned. "Blue mana? At an orphanage? That's... unusual. Though I suppose we wouldn't know what's usual here, would we? Since someone," she gave Philip a pointed look, "never bothered to inspect what he was paying for."
Philip felt a chill run down his spine as they prepared to disembark. Whatever awaited them at this orphanage, it was clearly more than a simple charitable visit.
As he helped Natalia down from the carriage—she still clung to him but now with protective intensity rather than affectionate need—Philip couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking into something far more dangerous than any real estate crisis or imperial decline.
The orphanage's door opened, and a thin woman in a carefully mended dress emerged with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Lord Philip!" she called with desperate deference. "Such an honor! Such an unexpected honor! We... we weren't expecting you. Miss Rosetta usually handles all the visits. But the children have been so excited since we told them this morning that their benefactor would finally visit!"
But Philip noticed her gaze kept drifting to those strange buildings in the distance, and her smile held an edge of fear that had nothing to do with meeting nobility.
"Unusual," Natalia murmured against his ear, still pressed against him but now in a stance that suggested she could move to defend him in an instant. "Her perspiration levels and pupil dilation indicate severe anxiety. Also, Master, I'm maintaining physical contact for security purposes now."
"Thank God," Philip muttered.
The director's smile grew more strained. "Please, do come in, my lord. The children are waiting in the main hall. They've prepared a... a welcome song."
As they walked toward the entrance, Philip felt Natalia's grip tighten.