The fact that the current ruler of the Nadal Empire had a younger sister was not a big secret to most of the empire's inhabitants. Moreover, in the days of her youth, the eldest princess of Castreya Revena Ashelot was quite popular in high society.
Her beauty and noble character were praised, and the girl was openly called the 'pearl' of the empire by many. Not to mention the favourable natal chart, with which Princess Castree was also lucky at birth. It would seem that being born into a royal family with such data, only a beautiful and bright future awaited her. Except...
Unexpectedly, but a few years after the ascension to the throne of the current emperor, the eldest princess, whom everyone denigrated success and all the benefits, suddenly disappeared.
More precisely, there was some 'pretext' for this, which was put forward in a hurry by the imperial court. According to the official version — the eldest princess Kastreya as a result of an accident damaged her head and because of this the girl can no longer take an active part in public life. Over time, as several years passed since the princess stopped taking part in public life, more and more people eventually began to forget about her.
After all, people still remembered that the emperor had a younger sister, but they didn't pay much attention to it. Thus the once beautiful flower of the imperial palace was 'forgotten'. This was Princess Castrea's current position in society, which persisted to this day.
Since Remesis had not been close to the royal court in her previous life, she had also never met the elder princess, and furthermore, she did not even know her full name. This was indeed a woman forgotten by all, one that Remesis had never even considered the existence of before. At least, not until now.
Now that Remesis had met the Emperor's sister, and Aunt Asil, in person, she was quite stunned. After all, regardless of her illness or her current position in society, but Castreya Revena Asheloth was still the senior princess of the empire. How could a person like her live in a place like this?
— Princess Castreya...? — Continuing to stare at her, Remesis unknowingly muttered her name aloud.
The elder princess smiled at her.
— Young lady, perhaps you can tell me your name now? I would like to know the identity of my guest.
— Ah... — The princess of the north suddenly fell out of the stream of her thoughts, — Greetings, I am glad to meet you. My name is Remesis Rania Ashelot, I am the consort of Princess Nara.
When she said those words, the silver-haired woman's face reflected mild surprise.
— It can't be. Is it really you? — The princess marvelled, ''Even being here, I've heard a lot about you. I can't believe we've managed to meet.
Contrary to Remesis' initial excitement, the emperor's younger sister didn't seem angry about this sudden intrusion, and instead acted quite friendly. It was surprising to see sincerity in someone in an imperial city.
— Castreya, but...
— It's alright.
When the female knight still acted wary towards the princess of the north, Princess Castreya contradicted her.
'.....'
At this moment, the woman with the sword stepped aside not too willingly, as if signalling to Remesis that she was allowed to come closer. Following that indication, the girl slowly approached the bed where the princess had been with the child before.
The silver-haired boy himself, who looked to be about seven years old, quickly scurried over and hid behind his mother's back like a mouse. Apparently, the child was not used to meeting strangers, so he was wary.
Meanwhile, the eldest princess smiled brightly at her as if apologising.
— Although my son is a prince, he is quite timid and does not have the manners to greet others properly. Please be lenient with him as he is still young.
— Don't worry about it, it's fine, ' Remesis nodded, 'I understand.
After receiving the unspoken permission, Remesis took the princess' hand.
— I'm so happy. Because I've been in this palace for so long, I haven't even had a chance to meet you, ' The woman smiled warmly at her, and it was a strange feeling when someone in the royal family actually treated her kindly.
Remesis unconsciously held the older princess's hand, which had no strength in it. Her skin was dry and her hand was thin and fragile.
That the emperor's younger sister was seriously ill could be realised from the mere sight of her.
But the warmth emanating from the woman's hand filled the princess of the north. She felt something heavy now pressing on her heart.
— I beg your pardon, Your Highness... But why are you even in a place like this? — A question involuntarily escaped her lips.
The silver-haired woman faintly smiled at her.
— I must be looking really depressing right now? — She grinned bitterly.
— No, that's not what I was trying to say at all!... — Remesis wanted to retort, but froze as she saw the expression on the princess's face.
— I understand, ' a sigh escaped her lips, 'I've been locked up in this palace for over a dozen years by Imperial order.
The Princess of the North was speechless for a moment.
— Imperial order? — Remesis interjected. Why had she never heard of such a thing before?
At that moment, Princess Castreja looked at her carefully. As if pondering something for a few seconds, she soon nodded affirmatively to herself.
— Now that so much time has passed, it no longer matters to me, ' the woman murmured with cracked lips, 'I think I can tell you...
Remesis held her breath, listening to the quiet voice of the princess.
Then the Emperor's younger sister told her her story. It turned out that Princess Castreia had been excluded from the social life of the royal family because she had once disobeyed an order from the emperor. Alexis Cesia Ashelot intended to marry his sister to a prince from the neighbouring kingdom of Shan, in order to use this union to unite the forces of the two states and increase the influence of the Nadal Empire on the continent.
However, the Emperor's plans in this regard were ruined by his sister's arrogance. In fact, Princess Castrea already had a lover by that time. And that person was the princess's own personal knight. Jilia Nordon was a commoner from an ordinary family, but nevertheless, thanks to her own talent and perseverance, she managed to rise in status so high as to become the bodyguard of the eldest princess.
This was made possible by the Empire's traditional fencing competition.
This competition was held every ten years, and numerous people, including people from other countries, participated in it.
Anyone, regardless of profession, nationality, gender, or age, could participate in the competition. It was the only competition in which everything was decided solely by fencing skills. And it so happened that the last winner of this tournament was Jilia.
As the main prize, she was honoured with the opportunity to join the ranks of the royal knights. And subsequently, the woman served to become the personal knight of the eldest princess. Eventually, this started a secret romance between the two.
And when Princess Castreya learnt that she was soon to be married to a foreign prince, she couldn't bear it. Kastreya did not want to leave her native country and her beloved. And so, in secret from the emperor, the lovers found no other way but to get married in secret a few days before the princess was supposed to leave the country.
Once this became known to the emperor, the emperor was so enraged that he could not forgive his sister for such an act. Not only that because of the girl's reckless prank, a lucrative deal with a neighbouring kingdom was thwarted, but the princess's fiancée was none other than a commoner with no name and no property. It would be a great disgrace and a stain on the reputation of the imperial family if it became known to the general public. Therefore, the emperor had no choice but to try to quickly quiet the matter.
So, citing the imaginary excuse of the princess's illness, the emperor was forced to cancel the marriage and the deal with the neighbouring kingdom. However, this didn't mean a solution to all problems. Even if Princess Castreya just wanted a quiet life with her beloved, but being born into the royal family, she couldn't leave the palace at will. Therefore, in the end, the emperor sent her sister away to live in this abandoned palace on the outskirts of Imperial City as a disgrace to the royal family away from his eyes.
Ever since then, Princess Castreia found herself forced to be locked away in this squalid palace. And once Remesis heard the story, she was quite taken aback by many things. And among them...
— Why do you continue to stay here even despite your condition? Didn't you try to seek help?
— Help? Huh.
The female knight contemptuously grinned as if she found those words ridiculous.
— After the emperor rejected her, would anyone dare to offer the princess their help?
The princess of the north pressed her lips together, as perhaps her hasty assertion could indeed seem naive. But still...
— That child... — Remesis hesitated and continued, - Why does no one in the imperial city know of his existence?
A grim expression flickered across the elder princess's face.
— If Orion's existence becomes known, it will do him no good in the end, ' Castreia said, hesitating, 'Besides, I want my son to be able to choose his own destiny when he grows up.
When Remesis thought about it, she came to the conclusion that the elder princess's fears in this regard were not without merit. Even if this child was merely the son of the emperor's rejected sister, but nevertheless, royal blood still flowed in his veins. Hypothetically, he could become one of the contenders as a rival of the battle for the throne. And thus an easy target for those who were also vying for the seat.
Furthermore, the boy had silver hair, which in itself made his position even more dangerous. The current Empress Julia had always had a complex about the fact that her daughter, the Crown Princess, was not much of a descendant of the Ashelot family. Therefore, even if it was just a hypothetical threat, the woman might very likely want to get rid of it. So, for the eldest princess, now devoid of any support, hiding her child's existence was also the only way to keep her child safe.
— Speaking of which. Why did you go out without permission today? — Jilia, the female knight and consort of the eldest princess, sternly addressed her son at this moment.
'The silver-haired 'mouse' that had been hiding behind the princess's back all this time guiltily peeked out from behind her.
— I... — the little boy hesitated, - Mum got sick, and I just wanted to find some medicine...
— Medicines? And where would you be able to find them? — Jilia looked at him seriously, ' Instead, you should have come straight to me. What if someone else had seen you today? That would have turned into a big problem for us!
The boy lowered his head guiltily, and Remesis even felt a little sorry for him at that moment. The next moment, however, the woman's angry gaze turned to Remesis.
— If you tell anyone about this...' she said warily. — She spoke warily, and Remesis felt as if she were about to be threatened again.
So she answered at once.
— Don't worry, I'll keep this meeting a secret, ' she promised.
Remesis thought that she shouldn't stay here long enough to keep bothering this little family. Besides, the eldest princess looked exhausted and clearly needed rest. The girl was about to leave and leave them at this point.
However...
— Wife. So there you are. What are you doing here?
Remesis flinched, and as she turned her head, she saw the Princess of the North standing in the same room with her arms crossed on her chest. She stood with her back leaning carelessly against the doorjamb, unknown when she had appeared here.
'....'
At this moment, there was complete silence in the room among everyone present.