Chapter 6
“She must have been reluctant to see me growing close to the Saintess.”
“That is correct.”
Ezra had been destined to serve Lucian from the moment of his birth. His loyalty therefore took precedence over any command from the Empress Dowager.
“I sensed something truly divine in the Saintess. She is absolutely not some mere mistress of the Emperor.”
Asteria seemed to radiate a noble light. It was the kind that made it impossible for anyone to treat her with disrespect, not even an Emperor.
“The Saintess will be the guide who walks alongside my destiny.”
Lucian firmly believed in Asteria’s sacred power. No further words were needed. What he had heard and felt was the only truth that mattered.
“However, there are voices in the parliament calling for the abolition of the Saintess system.”
“They say that because they have not seen her. She was the real thing.”
Lucian was certain. Asteria was a Saintess meant for him alone.
“In truth, the Bellotien royal house has expressed displeasure over the Saintess’s existence. With the royal wedding approaching, it seems to be weighing on them.”
“The Saintess has nothing to do with the royal wedding. If anything, she will be the star that illuminates this Empire’s future.”
Lucian seemed to have made up his mind. If that was the case, there was no point in trying to persuade him further.
“But the Kingdom of Bellotien—”
“If they don’t like it, they can call off the royal wedding.”
His tone brooked no argument. Ezra, who had served at his side for years, could tell. His resolve would not be shaken by something as trifling as a marriage alliance.
“I am already the Emperor of the Orbien Empire.”
No one could stand in his way now. That was precisely why he had been able to breach the Sanctuary today.
“No one defies my will.”
Lucian declared it as fact.
He would heed neither his mother’s words nor the Kingdom of Bellotien’s. This autocratic streak was identical to his late father Franz’s.
* * *
That night, Lucian dreamed of counting stars alongside Asteria. The dream was so vivid it felt as though they had truly spent the entire night together.
“Your Majesty, have you risen?”
“I have.”
Lucian sat up. Head Chamberlain Miller brought his washbasin and helped him dress. Clad in his black court attire embroidered with gold thread, Lucian cut a figure of commanding majesty.
“I am going to the White Tower. Do not follow me.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
He strode toward the Sanctuary with long, purposeful steps, his heart fluttering like a gentle breeze. He was so eager to know whether Asteria would be waiting again that his pulse quickened.
“You have come.”
Today, too, she greeted him in her white dress, as though she had known he was coming all along.
“Did you dream again last night?”
“I did.”
“What did you dream about?”
“I dreamed of counting stars.”
She was a true Saintess. Otherwise, such a coincidence would be impossible.
“Your power is real, then.”
“Yes.”
Asteria answered with quiet composure, as if she had anticipated even this question.
“What did you see in those stars?”
“I saw a new star drawing near to Your Majesty.”
“Is it a favorable star?”
“It is a star bound to you by fate, yet one whose nature does not align well with yours.”
Her words pierced straight through him. The truth was, Lucian had never cared for the princess of the Bellotien royal house, not since the betrothal was first arranged. He had simply had no choice, as it was a match decided by the late Emperor.
“Is there a way to sever that bond of fate…?”
“There is not. It is a bond already ordained.”
That, too, mirrored reality exactly. Lucian opened his mouth to ask another question, but Asteria was quicker.
“You may ask no more today.”
“I…Very well.”
Instead of asking, he fixed his gaze on her. As though he were etching her image into his eyes.
Now, at last, he thought he understood why his mother had warned him away from the Saintess. Asteria was a being of such beauty and nobility. Having met her, he felt certain that no other woman could ever sway his heart.
“I shall take my leave for today.”
“Very well.”
Asteria offered an elegant bow. The sight of it struck him as indescribably elegant.
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