The Spider Lily Palace stood as a testament to the magnificence of the empire, a golden jewel built during the reign of the first saintly emperor and empress. Its gilded walls gleamed under the sun's warm embrace, the intricate designs catching the light in a mesmerizing dance. Yet, despite its grandeur, the laughter and joy that once filled its halls were gone, leaving behind a hollow shell. The heart of the palace had faded with the one who had brought it life, and now it stood as a shadow of its former self.
In the emperor's private study, the weight of grief pressed heavily upon Helios. His head rested on his arms, which lay on a desk cluttered with unopened correspondence and ignored royal decrees. Every day since Luciana's departure had been a torment, each moment a piercing reminder of his failure. He had sent his eldest daughter—the one who resembled his late empress so closely it seemed as though the gods had returned her—to a fate he could not forgive himself for.
Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, bathing his pale blonde hair in a golden glow, but Helios barely noticed. The once-proud emperor couldn't bring himself to face his remaining daughters, who were drowning in their grief. To them, Luciana had been more than a sister—she was a mother figure, a guide.
Melody and Avlynn cried themselves to sleep each night, their small frames trembling from exhaustion. Aria, in contrast, mourned silently, vowing to be strong for her sisters. Yet her pain found its way out in sharp words.
"Why couldn't you refuse?" Aria had lashed out during one of their rare confrontations. "Are you so eager to lose another person you hold dear? Have you forgotten what happened to our mother?"
Helios had no response, only the same hollow words he repeated to himself. "Forgive me, my daughters. Forgive this thoughtless father."
Even in council meetings, his mind wandered to Luciana—her voice, her smile, the way she had brought warmth and order to their home.
"Helios!"
The sharp voice of Rudolf, his brother-in-law, broke through his haze. The emperor looked up to see the man standing in the doorway, his expression a mixture of frustration and pity.
Rudolf strode into the study without waiting for permission, his heavy boots echoing off the marble floors. A lifelong friend of Helios and elder brother to the late Empress Aphrodite, Rudolf had always been a commanding presence.
"The council is in chaos," Rudolf snapped, crossing his arms. "They're demanding a decision on the next crowned heir, and here you are, drowning in grief like a man lost at sea."
Helios sighed, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "Let's discuss this later, Rudolf. I'm not in the mood for baseless arguments."
Dark circles shadowed his eyes, evidence of countless sleepless nights.
"Not in the mood?" Rudolf's voice rose. "Do you think your mood matters to the council—or to the empire? Or is this your plan? To cling to false hope that you'll somehow bring Luciana back?"
Helios's hands tightened into fists. "Whatever it takes, I will not stop until my daughter is safe."
Rudolf slammed a hand onto the pile of neglected documents on the desk, his voice low and dangerous. "Is this going to be like last time? Like how you tried to bring Aphrodite back?"
Helios's temper snapped. Rising to his feet, he glared at Rudolf with uncharacteristic fury. "Speak of her again, Rudolf, and I won't guarantee your safety in this palace. She was your sister, yes—but she was my wife, my empress, my only love."
The tension in the room was thick, but Rudolf didn't back down. Instead, he called for Helios's elderly attendant.
"How may I serve, my lord?" the butler asked, stepping into the room.
Before Helios could react, Rudolf struck the back of his neck with a precise blow. The emperor slumped forward onto the desk, unconscious.
"Take him to his bedchambers," Rudolf ordered, his voice calmer now. "If he keeps this up, his health will fail."
The butler nodded, and together they carried the emperor across the hall to his chambers. As they removed his overcoat and shoes, Rudolf leaned closer, catching the faintest whisper from Helios's lips.
"Luciana… Aphrodite… forgive me…"
Bitterness churned in Rudolf's stomach as he turned away. "How long will you keep resenting yourself, Helios?" he muttered. "This is why I never wanted her to marry you."
The butler placed a silver goblet of water and some medicine by the bedside, then quietly left the room. Rudolf lingered a moment longer, his gaze drifting to the large, golden-framed portrait of his sister.
The painting captured Aphrodite's radiant smile, her arms cradling an infant Avlynn while Melody stood shyly at her side. Luciana, with her mother's silver eyes and gentle features, sat proudly beside her father.
"You always said Luciana was your mirror," Rudolf murmured to the image. "And perhaps you were right. She is your reincarnation, Odite."
Memories of her laughter and unyielding optimism filled his mind. She had often joked during her first successful pregnancy that if she had a son, he would have Helios's golden eyes and curly blonde hair, but a daughter would be her reflection.
And the gods had been merciful, blessing her with a daughter who was indeed her likeness. Even Luciana's single white wing—initially seen as a curse—was revealed to be a mark of divine favor.
Lost in thought, Rudolf walked through the halls, stopping before another portrait—this one of Luciana as a child. Her resemblance to Aphrodite was striking, though her demeanor carried a maturity beyond her years.
As he passed into the imperial gardens, the scent of jasmine and roses filled the air. Olive and fig trees dotted the landscape, their ripe fruits waiting to be harvested. Vines heavy with grapes crept along stone arches, creating a serene canopy.
Rudolf's attention was drawn to a faint sound—soft, muffled sobs coming from behind one of the arches.
"Your Highness, Avlynn?"
The sobbing stopped abruptly. A small figure emerged from behind the stone, her tear-streaked face looking up at him.
"Uncle?" Avlynn's voice wavered as she reached for him.
Rudolf knelt, pulling the child into his arms. "What's wrong, my dear?"
She clung to him tightly, her tears soaking into his tunic. "I miss Luciana… I want her to come back…"
Rudolf's heart ached as he stroked her hair, silently cursing the fate that had befallen their family.