"Livi?" Mother's voice cut through the quiet, and I sighed.
"Mother," I responded, my voice tinged with fatigue.
"Is something the matter?" she asked, her tone laced with concern.
"I… I received a letter, and I wanted to tell you about it," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
"What letter?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued.
"From the imperial palace. I was invited by the emperor," I explained. The silence that followed felt heavy, as if the weight of my words had paused time.
"Go," she finally said, her tone resolute. "Go to the imperial palace. I'll take care of the rest, okay?"
"Okay," I replied, though uncertainty clouded my thoughts.
"Don't be scared. Remember what I've told you before. You're an Alden. Don't demean yourself, not even in the presence of the imperial family. When you get there, don't show any fear, or they might use it against you," she instructed firmly. "It'll be fine," she added, though her attempt at reassurance did little to quell my anxiety.
"Okay, Mother," I said, trying to muster some semblance of confidence.
After our conversation, I turned to Blair, who had been standing quietly nearby, her presence a silent testament to her concern.
"I'll start getting your things ready for the trip," she said, her voice steady despite the worry etched on her face.
"Thank you," I replied, grateful for her support.
As I prepared for my journey to the imperial palace, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of dread. The imperial family had long been adversaries to the Alden family, and their summons could only spell trouble. The thought of walking into their domain was daunting, and I steeled myself for whatever lay ahead.
I sighed deeply and stood up, intending to return to the library. But suddenly, a sharp pain shot through me, making me stagger. I looked at the closed door, realizing no one would be coming in for a while.
The pain worsened, gripping my chest with an intensity that left me breathless. I sank to the floor, clutching my chest as I began to cough uncontrollably. This wasn't supposed to be happening at this stage. Was it the strain from recent events taking its toll on my body?
I felt my body convulsing, a seizure overtaking me as I tried to reassure myself that it would soon pass. Eventually, the pain subsided, leaving me weak and unable to move. I lost consciousness, overwhelmed by the physical and emotional strain.
…
When I regained my senses, I found myself still lying on the floor. Thankfully, no one had entered, sparing me the embarrassment of explaining my sudden collapse. I struggled to my feet and made my way to my room, where I fell onto the bed, closing my eyes in exhaustion.
'I don't have much time.'
Things had changed drastically. I had thought it would take longer for the Large Worms to become more threatening, but I was wrong. It had taken a year previously for the symptoms to become severe, but now, after two years, I was still holding on. I couldn't predict when the worst would strike.
Blair walked in to check on me, her face etched with worry. The imperial family, known adversaries to the Aldens, were not to be trusted, and their summons never boded well.
"My lady, don't you think I should accompany you?" Blair asked as I prepared to board the carriage.
"I'm fine, Blair," I assured her. Even though she wanted to come with me, I was resolute in keeping her safe. "For this, I'm not afraid to say no."
"Okay," she said, shrugging and stepping aside.
I was going alone. No Tyler, no Blair, no mother. I was terrified, but I had no choice. It wasn't as if I could refuse the emperor's summons.
The journey to the imperial palace was long, and I wished it could stretch indefinitely to delay the inevitable meeting. But time marched on, and we arrived at the mansion I would be staying in—one that, surprisingly, belonged to me. It was a grand residence, gifted by Mother on my birthday, but one I had never visited before.
Upon arrival, I was led to my room, which turned out to be the master suite. The experience felt surreal, being the mistress of such an opulent house.
After freshening up, I was escorted to a dining room for dinner. As I ate silently, I reflected on the whirlwind of recent events: nearly being killed, returning to the west, receiving an invitation from the imperial palace, and now, finding myself in my own manor within the capital.
The enormity of it all was overwhelming. My research progress had stalled, and despite my efforts, I hadn't had the time to make significant advances.
Returning to my room, I lay on the bed, trembling with fear. The thought of facing the imperial family—who were known to be enemies of the Alden family—was unnerving. How could I possibly trust those who wanted Teon dead?
…
"My lady," a voice woke me, and I opened my eyes to see the head maid standing by my bedside. "You need to get ready to leave."
"Okay," I replied, sitting up.
I prepared myself and had a light breakfast before departing. I wore a purple dress with a high black netted collar and black gloves. I had been advised that an unapproachable appearance was best when dealing with the royal family.
Nervously, I rubbed my hands together as the carriage neared the imperial palace. What awaited me there?
The carriage finally stopped, and my anxiety intensified. I descended with my head lowered, lifting it only after taking a few steps.
"Miss Alden," a voice called. I turned to see a butler standing nearby. "I am Wade, assigned to assist you during your stay here," he said, his tone formal. My eyes widened at his words—stay? I wasn't supposed to stay.
"Thank you for having me," I said politely, performing a slight curtsey. Wade appeared momentarily surprised but said nothing, leading me inside.
"You must be exhausted from your travels. Her Majesty has instructed us to ensure your comfort. You'll be staying in the palace for the time being," he explained.
I was shown to one of the rooms and left alone. "I'll let you get settled in," Wade said before departing.
I sat on the bed, gazing out the window. What were the imperial family's intentions? Why was I being asked to stay here? I had expected a brief visit, not an extended stay. Perhaps it was just for the night.