Ines walked swiftly, her heels striking the marble floor in sharp, echoing clicks.
She reached the large wooden doors of the Empress Dowager's chambers and pushed them open without hesitation.
"Mother!"
Her voice rang out as her eyes landed on Rosalia, who sat stiffly, her teacup held a little too tightly in her hands.
Relief flickered across Ines's face.
'She is safe.'
Across from her, Alexander sat with his back to the door.
Ines's gaze darkened the moment it fell on him.
"What are you doing wandering the palace alone?" she asked coldly. "And why are you in my mother's chambers?"
At the sound of her voice, Alexander set his teacup down, a smirk tugging at his lips.
He turned slightly.
"Now, now… is that how you speak to your uncle, Ines?"
"It's Your Majesty to you," Ines corrected sharply as she moved to Rosalia's side. "You are a Grand Duke, and yet you still lack basic etiquette when addressing the Empress."
Rosalia reached for Ines's hand, her grip faint but grounding. She turned her face away from Alexander.
"Do you not realize you make my mother uncomfortable?" Ines continued, her voice tightening as she squeezed Rosalia's hand.
"You are permitted in the palace for Father's death anniversary. The rules have been clear for years, you are to remain in your assigned chambers, not roam freely as you please."
Alexander's eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening.
He rose slowly.
"Apologies, Your Majesties. I seem to have forgotten my place," he said with a shallow bow.
His hands clenched at his sides.
'How humiliating.'
To bow to a child half his age, his own niece.
If only the throne had been his…
He would have put this insolent brat in her place.
Ines glanced at Rosalia, who gave a small, subtle shake of her head.
Let it go.
"Dismissed," Ines said, not sparing Alexander another look.
Alexander straightened and turned, walking out without another word, though not before casting one last glance at Ines.
He would make sure she paid for this humiliation.
When he was gone, Ines immediately turned to her mother and sat beside her.
"Mother, are you alright? He didn't harm you, did he?" she asked, quickly looking her over.
Rosalia sighed, placing a hand on Ines's shoulder.
"I'm fine," she said. Then, more quietly, "You know what being around that man does to me."
Ines nodded.
"I know. That's why I came as soon as I heard he was here." Her expression hardened. "He's getting far too bold lately."
Rosalia's eyes narrowed.
"And that is never a good sign," she said carefully. "It means he's planning something. That sly fox…"
"Mother, calm down," Ines said gently, patting her shoulder. "Getting worked up won't help your health."
"Can you blame me?" Rosalia snapped, her voice tightening. "After everything he's done, after all his crimes, he dares to walk in here as if nothing happened?"
Her grip tightened slightly on Ines's sleeve.
"He betrayed his own brother, Ines. And that's not even the worst of it."
She took a shaky breath.
"That man is the reason Nolan lost his entire family. The reason the blessed child of Zepher is believed to be dead… and why Nolan still refuses to accept it."
Her voice softened, tinged with grief.
"The late Duke Sebastian was an extraordinary man. And his wife…" she shook her head, "one of the kindest women I've ever known. They didn't deserve what happened to them."
Silence lingered.
Ines exhaled slowly.
Her mother had always despised Alexander, and truthfully, so did she.
Despite being her uncle, he had betrayed her father and tried to seize the throne. And because her father had been merciful, he had forgiven him.
But Ines never could.
Not after the way Alexander had stood before her father's coffin insulting the dead man and questioning her right to rule, even as the empire mourned.
Rosalia looked at Ines and waved a hand dismissively.
"Forget about that bastard. You tell me something."
Her voice turned conspiratorial as a smile spread across her face.
Ines raised a brow.
"Yes, Mother?"
Rosalia's smile widened.
"I hear you've been summoning that flower maiden, Zarah, every day. And sometimes just for tea?" she said, eyes gleaming. "Is this what I think it is? Have you finally taken an interest in someone?"
Ines shook her head immediately.
"No, Mother. I do not have such sentiments toward Zarah."
Her tone was firm.
The faint flush creeping up her ears, however, told a different story.
Rosalia noticed, and sighed.
'Stubborn child.'
Still… at least she was finally interested in someone.
Now, if only Marceline would accept a suitable match… and Nolan,
Rosalia's smile sharpened.
Nolan needed to be handled as well.
"Mother…" Ines said slowly, eyeing her. "What are you plotting?"
Rosalia blinked, snapping out of her thoughts.
"Oh? Nothing at all, dear. Just thinking."
She waved her hand lightly.
"Although… the next time you see Nolan, do send him my way. The boy fled from the last match I arranged for him."
Ines sighed.
"Oh, wonderful. You're making evil plans to marry people off again."
"Evil plans?" Rosalia scoffed, offended. "I am thinking of the empire's future!"
She straightened, launching into her rant.
"You are the Empress, yet you have no consort. Marceline is the heir to the Peirce duchy, yet she refuses every proposal. I am not forcing her, but she must choose eventually."
She paused only briefly before continuing.
"And Nolan, do not get me started on that boy. He must preserve his family line. At the very least, he should produce an heir—"
"In what world does that sound reasonable?" Ines cut in, exasperated. "An illegitimate child?"
"You fail to understand my concerns," Rosalia replied, utterly unbothered. "I am simply acting in everyone's best interests."
Ines sighed, rubbing her temple.
There was no point arguing.
Every time Alexander appeared, her mother grew like this, more insistent, more anxious about securing the future of the empire… and the throne.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Your Majesty, a letter has arrived," a servant called from outside.
"Enter," Ines replied.
The servant stepped inside and bowed deeply.
"Blessings upon the brilliant light of the Caelthra Empire, Her Majesty the Empress, and upon Her Majesty the Empress Dowager."
Ines flicked her wrist in a subtle gesture.
The servant straightened and stepped forward, presenting the letter.
Ines took it and read quickly before looking back up.
"The Duke of Sterling and the Young Lady of Sterling will arrive tomorrow. Have the necessary arrangements been made?" she asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty," the servant replied.
"All preparations are complete. Additionally, the Duke of Merlion and the Young Lord of Merlion arrived earlier and have been escorted to their chambers."
"Good."
She handed the letter back.
"One more thing," Ines added. "Where is Zarah?"
At that, Rosalia's lips curled into a knowing, almost devilish smile.
The servant did not falter, though a flicker of surprise passed through his eyes.
"Lady Zarah is currently in the Imperial gardens, Your Majesty… taking a walk with Duke Zepher."
Ines's fingers curled into her palm.
"Oh?" she said evenly. "Is that so?"
A brief pause.
"How… interesting."
She rose abruptly.
"Mother, excuse me. Something has come to my attention."
Without waiting for a response, the Empress turned and swept out of the chamber.