Erya and Yetsune exchange alarmed glances. 'For as long as you desire!' They exclaim inside.
They are excused after and the maid who brought them in leads them to their new residence in the Moon Palace. Contrary to their initial expectation, aside the enchanting garden and the serene pavilion, the rest of the Moon Palace appears rather ordinary.
Yetsune impulsively blurts out, "Does the Noble Consort truly reside here?"
She immediately regrets when the maid halts and turns towards her. "Why, you don't think the Moon Palace is good enough for a Noble Consort?" the maid questions.
Erya steps in front of Yetsune, "Please forgive my sister, she is very careless with her speech."
The maid chuckles. "No need to worry. It's a common sentiment among everyone, except for the Noble Consort herself," she continues walking, beckoning them to follow.
"His Majesty even tried to persuade her to move to a more befitting palace, but she adamantly refused. The Moon Palace holds sentimental value for her as it's where her best friend spent her final days," the maid explains, leading them towards the courtyard where Yetsune and Erya will be residing.
"Best friends?" Yetsune repeats.
"I've only been in the service of the Noble Consort for three years, so I don't know many details. But, I've heard that the late Empress and the Noble Consort shared a deep bond as best friends," the maid replies.
Erya and Yetsune glance at each other. They never heard of this in Asana. In fact, no one knows what kind of life the Grand Princess Royal lived in Aushasal except for some vague rumours.
"We have arrived," the maid announces, opening the door to their courtyard.
As they step inside the courtyard, they are greeted by the and the fragrance of blooming flowers and unlit lanterns dangling from the roofs. In one corner, there is a carved stone table and three stools. The maid guides them to their rooms, which are conveniently located side by side.
"Your belongings will be transferred here from your previous residence. If there is anything else you require, do not hesitate to inform me," the maid states, bowing slightly before turning to depart.
"May I know your name?" Erya asks just before she opens the door.
The maid turns back towards them with a bright smile. "I am Nalan," she answers and continues to leave.
Erya selects one of the rooms for herself and leaves the best for Yetsune. After settling in, Yetsune collapses onto her bed, weariness seeping into her bones.
Erya stands beside her, her arms crossed over her chest. "What if the Noble Consort refuses to let us leave after one month?"
"What should I have done? I couldn't possibly refuse her request before the Emperor," Yetsune answers.
"You certainly could. It was obvious that the Emperor didn't want us here," Erya retorts, sighing as she joins Yetsune on the bed, laying down beside her.
"…I didn't want to refuse her," she admits, turning to face Erya. "Do you know what it feels like to be wanted?"
Erya turns to look at her. "Why are you suddenly asking this?"
Yetsune takes a deep breath, her gaze lost in the ceiling. "I used to wonder why Mother always pushed me away, and Father never bestowed upon me even a fleeting smile. Yet, whenever they laid eyes on Yettiri, their faces lit up with affection."
"Your Highness…"
"I stopped questioning it long ago, as I came to accept that they simply didn't want me," Yetsune continues, smiling as she focuses her gaze on Erya again. "So when the Noble Consort looked at me with such maternal affection, I couldn't refuse her. Do you understand?"
Erya looks at her with empathy."Hm." She nods her head. "I understand."
After residing in the Moon Palace for a few days, Yetsune finds herself growing increasingly reluctant to return to Aisin. Each morning, they share breakfast at the same table, after which Yetsune accompanies the Noble Consort to tend the garden. The Moon Palace truly feels like home, save for the absence of Lord Azryn and Yettiri.
"Good morning, Your Highness," Erya and Yetsune greet before taking their seats at the dining table, where Attendant Nan and Nalan are also seated.
The Noble Consort acknowledges them with a nod as Attendant Nan serves soup then they begin eating. The Noble Consort observes Yetsune as she eats, baffled by her dainty manner, like that of a princess or noble lady's dining habits. She glances at Erya, noting the difference in their mannerisms.
"Yetsu," she calls gently.
"Your Highness," Yetsune responds.
"Why do you eat so little? You hardly touch the meat as well," the Noble Consort asks, concern evident on her face. Everyone at the table pauses to glance at Yetsune, noticing even the tiny portion on her spoon.
Yetsune sets down her spoon. "I'm sorry, Your Highness," she apologizes.
"You needn't apologize. I'm simply worried about your health if you continue to eat so sparingly," the Noble Consort reassures her.
"My health?" Yetsune echoes.
The Noble Consort places a piece of braised beef onto Yetsune's plate. "You should eat more meat. You're still growing," she says with a warm smile.
Yetsune lowers her gaze to the beef. Aside from Lord Azryn, Yettiri, and Erya, who would sneak extra food for her, no one has ever fed her like this. She wonders if her mother ever considered her health when enforcing such restrictions. "Hm," she hums in response.
Erya struggles to hold back tears as she watches Yetsune take bigger scoops. She loves eating but she was always restricted. Even when the Queen would add side dishes to Yettiri's plate, she never extended the same gesture to Yetsune.
After the meal, Yetsune accompanies the Noble Consort to the garden, with Erya following closely. She glances at Erya, who raises her brows to urge her to speak. The previous night, Erya had suggested asking the Noble Consort about the princes, whom they haven't yet seen.
"Is something troubling you?" the Noble Consort inquires.
"Huh…?"
"You two have been signaling each other. If there's something you want to say, you can speak freely," she assures them. Erya gives Yetsune another encouraging glance.
Yetsune clears her throat. "Then, pardon my curiosity, Your Highness," Yetsune begins cautiously. "We were just curious about the imperial children…"
"Something so trivial?" The Noble Consort chuckles lightly as the enter the pavilion. "It's only natural that you haven't seen them since you haven't been outside the Moon Palace these days."
Yetsune assists her to sit before joining Erya. "Do the princes have to reside in the palace after marriage?" she asks, hoping she might stay outside the palace after formally becoming Crown Princess.
"They will be given manors outside the palace, except for the Crown Prince," the Noble Consort responds. Yetsune's face falls in disappointment, realizing she'll remain confined even after marriage.
"Among the Emperor's children, only six are born to his main wives," the Noble Consort continues. "The First and Second Princes were born to the Empress, the Fourth Prince and the Princess Royal are the Imperial Consort's, while the Fifth Prince was born to the Noble Lady."
Yetsune tilts her head, wondering if she's missed something. "What about the Third Prince?"
"The Third Prince is my son," she reveals.
"What!" Erya and Yetsune exclaim in shock, startling the Noble Consort. She places a hand on her chest to relief her fright.
"Forgive us, Your Highness," Yetsune begins nervously, "The Moon Palace has had no visitors since our arrival, so we thought you had no children."
The Noble Consort sighs. "I am no different from a childless woman when my son has devoted himself to guarding the border," she remarks wistfully.
"Border?" Yetsune probes.
The Noble Consort faces Yetsune with a resentful frown. "He is an unfilial son who would rather spend his entire life in battle than stay by his mother's side."
Yetsune and Erya look at her with sympathy. She lives in solitude, yet her only son chooses to be so distant.
The Noble Consort sighs again, pushing away thoughts of her son. Then a thought occurs to her. "You two haven't been outside the palace since you entered. Why don't you go out and have some fun?"
"But…"
The Noble Consort takes both their hands in hers. "I have grown accustomed to the solitude of the Imperial Palace, but you two are different. You must be used to the freedom outside the palace." She gives their hands a reassuring pat.
Yetsune's gaze flickers to Erya, who nods in agreement. It would be a shame to leave without experiencing more of the capital. The Noble Consort gives them the Moon Palace token and instructs Nalan to escort them to the gates.
"Make sure you return before the gates are closed," Nalan warns them before they leave.