"In the process of accepting myself, I had forgotten about me."
It had been five months since Lara arrived here as an empress. Each day brought with it a more hectic and strategic scheme. The concubines had begun sending letters and invitations, requesting her presence at their palaces, while the empresses had grown restless.
Still, they felt quite at ease — for to them, the emperor had abandoned her just like the others. Nothing new.
The First Empress continued to host her weekly tea parties, banquets, and formal affairs. Unlike the other ladies, however, she refused to acknowledge Lara's existence — as if it held no meaning at all.
Her son had been declared Crown Prince the moment he was born. She alone had received a visit from the emperor after marriage. And above all, only she had ever sat beside him at imperial banquets, while the rest of the ladies either attended as family guests or were never invited at all.
Just like Lara — who hadn't been invited to a single banquet in these five months.
Some said the First Empress and the emperor were childhood friends, and that they'd been in love since then. But Lara knew that couldn't be true.
For who visits a woman he loves only once?
Unless the man only wished to subdue his lust and move on.
"My lady, it's time."
Alina entered after knocking. Lara had long granted her permission to enter the chambers even without waiting for a reply.
Alina was a middle-aged woman from an extremely poor background. She had once been a slave. Upon arriving at the empire, she escaped from an aristocratic mistress and was later found by the Chief Chef behind the castle's back entrance, where he had gone to inspect the vegetable deliveries.
Standing at around 5'5", she had a slim build, fine blonde hair, misty green eyes, and creamy skin — marked with scars and bones, the evidence of her past.
She was not only one of the most decent maids in the palace but also one of Lara's most loyal subjects.
"The day I was assigned as your maid, I became your subject, my lady,"
she had said the day after Lara arrived.
Alina was also helping Lara investigate the disappearance of her friend, Nina.
Over the past five months, Lara had gathered a few more loyal subjects — a stable boy, a guard, a laundry hand, and an officer from the finance ministry.
They had met a month ago while Lara had roamed the palace in a maid's uniform — quietly observing everything. That was how she had begun her secret investigation.
She had now come to understand the empire's aristocracy — their standings, their influence, and which ministries were truly in power.
All she needed now was access to the noble ledger, a document only the emperor possessed.
Lara's Point of View:
Alina helped me into my training attire. I had begun practicing my swordsmanship once I felt comfortable in this palace.
My partner? None other than Jaxon, the guard assigned to my chambers. He was the first to become a loyal ally. I have my doubts — but I believe he's connected to the emperor. Which means keeping him close ensures everything that happens here reaches the emperor's ears.
I still remember how he witnessed Leen's rude behavior — and the next day, the emperor exiled her, saying she had insulted him during his walk.
In my palace?
Yes, apparently he was walking in my palace — just like that.
It happened again, once or twice. Each time, only Jaxon and I had been present. They weren't even subtle about it, so I stopped pretending and accepted it.
At first, Jaxon was stunned when I asked to train with him. But when he sparred with me and lost — he became obsessed with trying to defeat me.
It helps him improve. It helps me regain my form, my stance, and my strength.
There's no chance he'll win, though. I was trained by the greatest knight of the Azdihar Kingdom — Nina's father.
For five long years, he molded me into the best assassin and knight — without mercy.
This palace is, no doubt, the most beautiful one I've seen. More beautiful than the emperor's own — with flowers, grand halls, soaring ceilings, lakes, and fountains… a perfect place to lock up a doll.
The late afternoon sun cast a golden hue across the palace gardens, setting the rose petals aglow as if dusted in fire. A gentle breeze swept through the tall hedges, rustling leaves in soft whispers, while the koi ponds shimmered with flecks of light. Even in a place built to confine me, nature bloomed freely — mocking the chains around me with its quiet, untamed beauty.
"Greetings, my Empress."
Jaxon bowed as I stepped into our garden training ground and kissed the back of my hand.
I nodded and took my stance, looking up at the sky and breathing in deeply.
Then I looked at him. Alina announced the start of the duel.
Huff. Huff.
"Agh—"
Jaxon was lying on the ground, panting and groaning. I'll admit — I'm impressed. He stayed on his feet for more than 30 minutes, even though one of my hands was tied behind my back.
I extended the hand that held the sword, and Alina stepped forward to take it.
I walked a few steps away, giving him time to breathe.
"Let's end the duel here and work on other things."
Jaxon looked horrified.
Yes — we weren't just training swordplay. We were also working on sparring, physical endurance, flexibility, and core strength.
"If you don't train your strength, agility, stamina, and flexibility...
Then there's no point in learning the sword.
And if you don't know how to spar...
Congratulations — you'll be the first to die."
Alina nodded, smirking slightly at Jaxon's embarrassment. I've noticed she enjoys teasing him.
He blushed and stood back up.
Alina and I returned to our maid uniforms shortly after the session.
Today, I had to enter the Emperor's study. No matter what.
It had been five months and I still hadn't found a single trace of Nina or Count Bartholin. Each day, my fear and suspicions grew deeper.
I needed a lead. Something. Anything.
Not even Jaxon knew about this. If he had, he surely would've informed the emperor.
Moving between palaces isn't hard for the maids — they go from one hall to another all day. Today, we were assigned to the emperor's study for cleaning. Normally, the guards would supervise us while we worked. But being there — seeing the books — that was all I needed.
Alina had arranged two cleaning passes, granted by the chef.
Soon, we were inside.
She, known by many. I, known by none.
Once in, I took a cloth and began "dusting" — pulling out books one by one as Alina cleaned the shelves and tables. We returned for a week, completing the task slowly.
I couldn't take anything in front of the guards — but I had already found everything I needed. I just had to return when the room was empty.
The emperor wasn't due back for another week.
After we left, I bathed, dressed in black, secured my dagger and cloak. When the clock struck 2, I slipped into the study through the window I'd deliberately left "locked."
The guard had checked it — it made the same clicking sound — but it wasn't truly shut.
The room was empty, as expected.
I collected everything I needed and returned.
As I climbed back into my room through the window and set everything down—
The doors to my chamber opened.
And there was only one person who could enter my chambers at this hour like that...