Chapter 10

　　The Monster Has No Shadow

　　On a bright spring afternoon, the empress, her younger Sister, and her children were gathered in a rear garden of the Imperial Palace. Brillin sat sipping tea while Astina played hide-and-seek with her niece and nephew.

　　Astina, who was "it," spotted two little bottoms peeking out from either side of a massive tree trunk and clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh. They belonged to five-year-old Princess Serianne and four-year-old Prince Ruwendel. Seeing the adorable siblings hiding with their heads together, Astina barely managed to play dumb.

　　"Oh dear, that’s strange. Where did my little Seri and Rus go?" she called out, wandering toward a nearby bush. "They’re not here…"

　　Thinking their aunt was truly stumped, the children’s bottoms wiggled with suppressed giggles. The sight made Astina sink to the ground, her own shoulders shaking with laughter. It was no use. Composing herself was impossible when faced with two little bottoms sticking out like giant mushrooms. Finally giving in, she burst out laughing and leaped behind the tree. "There you are!"

　　"Eek! It’s Auntie Tina!"

　　"Auntie Tina!"

　　Serianne and Ruwendel shrieked with delight and took off running, Astina chasing them with a peal of laughter. Brillin watched the heartwarming scene, a fond smile on her face as she set down her teacup. Astina’s adoration for her niece and nephew was something to behold, but she was beginning to worry, in a not-so-worried way, about how much the children adored their aunt right back.

　　Just then, a lady-in-waiting, refilling her cup, sighed. "The rumor has already spread through the entire palace, Your Majesty."

　　"Is that so? I haven’t heard a word from His Majesty about it."

　　"But would His Majesty tell you of such a thing, Your Majesty? You know how deeply he cares for you."

　　"And would an emperor who cares so deeply take a consort without telling me? That’s enough, Jeanette."

　　At Brillin’s clear displeasure, the lady-in-waiting fell silent, though her cheeks remained puffed with concern. A rumor was circulating that Emperor Hafen planned to take a consort. While their dazzling affection was common knowledge, an emperor’s marriage was rarely a matter of love alone. The candidate was the daughter of the influential Marquis Norcoit, who had been the first Western lord to support Hafen. The story went that the marquis was now pressuring the emperor to make his daughter a consort. Among Brillin’s loyal ladies-in-waiting, resentment toward Hafen was already brewing.

　　Exhausted from her game, Astina returned to the tea table. Brillin betrayed nothing, but Astina immediately noticed Jeanette’s sullen expression. "What’s wrong, Jeanette? Did something happen?"

　　"It’s nothing, Your Grace."

　　"That’s not a ‘nothing’ face. Did my Sister scold you?"

　　"No, Your Grace. I was just worried about Her Majesty…"

　　"About my Sister? Why? What is it? Sister, what’s going on?"

　　"Jeanette, I told you to stop," Brillin said firmly, then softened her tone for Astina. "Tina, it’s nothing."

　　"If it’s nothing, why won’t you tell me? Are you hiding something from me?"

　　Astina’s eyes widened with theatrical shock. When Brillin remained silent, her eyebrows drooped and her lower lip jutted out. Brillin knew it was an act, but she could never resist her Sister’s sad face.

　　She finally confessed, adding that it was surely just a baseless rumor. But Astina’s fists had already clenched, and she shot to her feet. "What? That brother-in-law of mine, I’ll…!"

　　"Calm down, Tina. I’m sure it’s a false rumor."

　　"How can I calm down? What if it’s true, Sister?"

　　Astina paced anxiously, then turned back to Brillin and flinched. A serene smile graced her Sister’s lips, but Astina could have sworn she saw a dark, menacing aura rising from behind her.

　　Intimidated, Astina meekly sat back down. Brillin, still smiling sweetly, replied, "If it’s true, then someone will find themselves in a great deal of trouble."

　　An angry Brillin was far scarier than Varius. Astina had a feeling that for whoever that "someone" was, it would end in something far worse than just "trouble." She nodded vigorously.

　　As their conversation continued, a woman in a neat dress approached. "Your Grace. It is time for you to return." She was Marie Anne, Astina’s personal attendant, hand-picked by Mikhail after a grueling three-stage interview process.

　　"I’m not going. I’m staying with my Sister tonight."

　　"But, Your Grace, the International Magic Engineering Conference will begin shortly. Everyone is waiting for you."

　　Astina whined, but Marie Anne was resolute. The conference, born from Theo’s research, now drew mages from across the continent. It was an event hosted by Astina as Tower Master, and she could not miss it. Still, she dawdled, glancing at Brillin, her feet feeling rooted to the ground. She knew her sister was bothered by the rumor, no matter how well she hid it.

　　Reading her mind, Brillin gently stroked her hair. "I’ll take care of things here. You should go."

　　At her sister’s soft smile, Astina finally rose. "I’ll be back tomorrow, Sister." She gave Brillin a tight hug, waved energetically to her niece and nephew, and opened a transportation circle.

　　Moments later, she and Marie Anne appeared in the front courtyard of Berhi Ducal Castle. Mikhail, now Knight Commander and Butler, came out to greet her. "You’ve arrived, Your Grace."

　　"I’m back. Are the conference preparations ready? Oh, Eonora, you’re here too?"

　　Astina greeted the head of the Berhi Merchant Guild warmly. Eonora bowed respectfully. "The butler requested refreshments for the guests, so I returned at once."

　　"From the Pallang Kingdom? Did it go well?"

　　"Yes, Your Grace. I received a trade permit from the King of Pallang."

　　"Really? That’s wonderful! You’ve worked hard, Eonora."

　　Astina clasped her hands, overjoyed. The Berhi Merchant Guild was turning a staggering profit, all thanks to Eonora’s tireless efforts. While Astina was eternally grateful, Eonora considered Astina her savior for giving her the opportunity in the first place.

　　Watching them, Mikhail suddenly recalled something. "Your Grace, the mages from the Apenso Empire wish to see you before the conference begins."

　　"The Apenso Empire?"

　　"This is their first time attending. I hear their magic engineering is quite advanced."

　　"Why do they want to see me?"

　　"Perhaps to pay their respects, as it’s their first time?"

　　"We’ll be seeing them soon enough anyway," Astina grumbled.

　　Though shy around strangers, she headed for the reception room. When she entered, three mages shot to their feet.

　　One man’s appearance stood out among them. He had dark blond hair that held the richness of an autumn field and green eyes like new leaves in summer. With a face so handsome he could have stepped from a painting, he approached and extended his hand. "I am Sergio Gibien of Apenso, Duchess Berhi. I have been eagerly awaiting this meeting."

　　After a moment’s hesitation, Astina took his hand. Sergio raised it to his lips for a kiss, then smiled, his expression dazzling.