“Your Majesty, Duchess Katarina Rudo requests an audience.”

When Duke Ludwig announced from outside the door, a faint strength tensed in Parnes’s intertwined fingers.

Despite the news of a guest, Parnes kept his lips tightly shut, showing no intention of opening them.

“Your Majesty, a guest has arrived.”

Kasallin spoke, naturally letting go of his hand as if swayed by the breeze.

His hand lingered in the air for a few seconds, still shaped as it had been, before slowly descending onto the sofa’s armrest.

In the blink of an eye, Parnes had returned to his usual cold and dignified emperor’s demeanor.

“Come in.”

As if awakening from a dream back to reality, the thick, almost heavy air from moments before dried up in an instant.

Kasallin, unsure who the guest was, stood up to show proper courtesy.

Through the opening door, a gentle step brought in an unfamiliar middle-aged woman.

“I greet Your Majesty, the great sky and sun of the Renel Empire. I am Katarina Rudo, having just entered the palace upon hearing of Your Majesty’s return.”

She approached Parnes and bowed so deeply it seemed almost excessive, nearly prostrating herself.

Her artificial yet beautiful smile, practiced to perfection, made her resemble a finely crafted porcelain doll.

Though her hair was styled in the fashionable updo popular among young ladies, faint wrinkles spreading across her face could not be hidden.

Surely, in her youth, she must have been renowned as a great beauty.

“It’s been a while, Duchess Rudo. You look well.”

“Yes, thanks to Your Majesty’s great grace, I’ve been recuperating in the clear waters and fresh air of the south.”

Parnes rose from his seat, personally shaking hands with Duchess Rudo and even sharing a light embrace.

This made it clear they were more than mere acquaintances, though their exact relationship was hard to discern.

“I don’t see Duke Rudo, so it seems you’ve come alone.”

“Yes, my husband’s knees have been unwell, so he’s still staying in the south. He asked me to convey his apologies for not greeting you in person.”

“That’s unfortunate. I wish him a speedy recovery.”

One thing was certain: Duchess Rudo deeply respected Parnes, and Parnes, in turn, thought well of her.

At least, that’s how it appeared to Kasallin.

“Kasallin, this is Duchess Rudo, my maternal aunt.”

Parnes briefly introduced her to Kasallin.

It had seemed they knew each other remarkably well, and now it was revealed she was a relative from Parnes’s mother’s side.

Only then did Kasallin recall that Rudo was the maiden name of the Empress Dowager, Parnes’s mother.

‘Katarina Rudo.’

From her unconscious tone and demeanor, she seemed born into a high-ranking noble family.

If so, the woman before her had married a man who, originally a common merchant, became a noble through his sister’s extraordinary marriage.

Whether that marriage began with love or strategy was unclear, but for the Renel Empire, which valued pure bloodlines, it was surprising.

“Duchess, as you may have heard, this is Kasallin Robepon.”

Parnes now introduced Kasallin to Duchess Rudo, adding one more remark.

“She will be my empress and sole companion in the future.”

For some reason, Parnes’s words carried a certain weight, and Duchess Rudo smiled warmly, bending her knees.

“The whole nation is abuzz, so how could I not know? It’s a great honor to meet you in person. I am Katarina Rudo.”

“Pleased to meet you. I am Kasallin Robepon.”

Kasallin responded with courtesy, neither too subservient nor overly formal.

Duchess Katarina Rudo had an undeniably likable presence.

Unlike other nobles, she lacked the prying gaze that sought flaws, instead keeping a comfortable distance that put people at ease.

“Miss Robepon… or perhaps I should call you the future empress now. I’ve heard you possess great knowledge and insight. If it’s not too forward, I’d love to exchange meaningful conversations with you in the future.”

“You flatter me. It would be my honor to converse with you, Duchess.”

Warm smiles and compliments passed between the two women for a while.

Clearing her throat as if to get to the point, Duchess Rudo spoke.

“In that spirit, I’d like to guide the future empress to the Empress’s Palace. Your Majesty, would that be alright?”

Kasallin expected Parnes to readily agree, but her prediction was unexpectedly off.

Parnes neither nodded nor shook his head, instead gazing at Duchess Rudo with a peculiar expression.

Was it just her imagination, or did his gaze seem somewhat menacing?

Like a hawk quietly observing how to shoot down its prey soaring through the sky.

As Parnes remained silent, Kasallin quickly responded.

“I’m fine with it. Your Majesty, why not allow it? You must be tired and should rest.”

Parnes, with an unreadable expression, stared out the window for a moment before finally nodding.

Duchess Rudo bowed, expressing it was an unparalleled honor, and extended a friendly hand to Kasallin.

“This way, please. I’ll introduce you to the beautiful sights of the Renel Palace along the way.”

The fragrance of early spring flowers bloomed along the path, carried by the breeze.

By the calm artificial pond, gardeners were busy trimming shrubs, and soldiers on guard saluted respectfully as Kasallin and the Duchess passed.

Were it not for her fatigue, Kasallin would have wanted to keep walking in this warm, peaceful afternoon.

“That tower in the distance is the North Gate. It leads directly to the imperial hunting grounds, accessible only with His Majesty’s permission.”

As they headed to the Empress’s Palace, Duchess Rudo explained various aspects of the palace’s facilities, structure, and purposes.

“Oh, and I should mention this. There are two places in the Renel Palace you must never enter.”

“Places we must not enter?”

“Yes. The first is the Flowering Tree Garden, up toward the North Gate. A five-hundred-year-old tree stands there, and anyone who steps inside without permission faces severe punishment.”

Kasallin blinked quietly, staring at her.

Before she could ask why, Duchess Rudo continued.

“It’s where His Majesty rests without disturbance. Not even guards patrol the area. There was once an impudent rumor about it.”

“What impudent rumor?”

“That His Majesty brought various women to the Flowering Tree Garden for private moments. Whether it’s true, no one knows. Nor should we be curious.”

Kasallin wanted to protest that it was entirely false but held her tongue.

It seemed better not to mention nearly being killed by His Majesty’s sword after boldly entering that place before.

“Then what’s the second forbidden place?”

“Right there.”

Duchess Rudo pointed to a small, isolated palace.

It was an ordinary building with no signs prohibiting entry or any suspicious atmosphere.

“It’s called the Crescent Palace, named by the previous emperor because the crescent moon is most beautifully visible from there.”

“Did the previous emperor build that palace?”

“Yes, to commemorate the birthday of his wife, the Empress Dowager. The late emperor cherished her greatly, holding her close every day.”

As she spoke of Parnes’s parents, Duchess Rudo’s expression turned wistful, like an elder clinging to fading memories.

Her eyes subtly twitched each time she mentioned the Empress Dowager.

“If it holds such fond memories, why is entry forbidden?”

“Because it’s where the previous emperor passed away.”

Kasallin’s lips parted slightly in silence.

“Only three people know what happened in that palace that day: the current emperor, Duke Ludwig, and the Empress Dowager, who is currently secluded in a separate palace for recovery.”

“Didn’t the previous emperor simply die of illness?”

“Even that isn’t clearly known. But someone once said that the then-Crown Prince, His Majesty Parnes, kept his father’s body private, shed not a single tear, and began the succession process as if he’d been waiting for it.”

By the time Duchess Rudo finished speaking, they had reached the front gate of the Empress’s Palace.

She glanced at Kasallin’s expression and stopped walking.

“This is just between us, but, young lady, don’t trust His Majesty too much.”

Kasallin quietly furrowed her brow.

Was it the fatigue making her nerves sensitive?

There was an unsettling undertone in the Duchess’s voice, as if she were reciting a prepared script.

“Madam, why would you say such a thing to me?”

“I mean for you to think carefully before making an irreversible choice—about becoming the empress of this nation.”

“I’m sorry, but that sounds quite regrettable to me.”

Duchess Rudo calmly lowered her head, acknowledging her overstep.

“I spoke out of turn because you feel like a daughter to me. I have a daughter about your age, Isabella, as beautiful and clever as you. I suppose age makes one sentimental. Please forget what I said.”

Kasallin shook her head with a faint sigh.

“When you put it that way, I’m at a loss for words.”

“I’m sure you’ll do wonderfully as empress, Miss Robepon. I’ll always support you. If you ever face difficulties, call on me. Katarina Rudo will help you with all my heart.”

She seemed so genuinely kind in that moment.

Unable to pin her down, Kasallin ended the conversation with a short nod.

“And one more thing.”

Just as she seemed about to leave, the Duchess suddenly spoke as if recalling something.

“My daughter Isabella said she’d love to meet you, Miss Robepon.”