42 - Scolded
The Imperial Palace of Luxor stood at the center of the capital like a living symbol of power.
White marble towers rose toward the sky, crowned with banners bearing the crest of House Clematis—an eight-petaled imperial flower carved into gold. Vast gardens surrounded the palace walls, their fountains illuminated by soft crystal lamps that glowed with refined mana.
Within the deepest halls of that palace, the true rulers of the Empire sat in quiet conversation.
Or rather… one ruler was speaking. The other was pretending to listen.
Empress Lilith Sumire von Clematis sat upon the imperial seat beside a long table covered with documents. Her appearance alone commanded attention.
Obsidian black hair fell down her back like dark silk.
Her deep amethyst eyes, sharp and penetrating, were the same eyes inherited by her son.
Those eyes now stared at a familiar figure kneeling on the polished floor.
In front of her. Crown Prince Zafiel Abaddon Morrigan von Clematis.
His posture was perfectly straight. His expression was calm. Far too calm. Beside the Empress sat the Emperor Consort, Belial Ciaran Morrigan von Clematis. Unlike his wife, Belial appeared far more relaxed.
His navy blue hair was loosely tied behind his back, and his silver-gray eyes held an amused glimmer as he observed the current situation. Which was, his son being scolded. Again. Lilith slowly set a parchment down on the table. Her voice was quiet. Dangerously quiet.
“Zafiel.”
The Crown Prince lowered his head slightly. “Yes, Mother.”
Lilith tapped the parchment with one elegant finger. “This letter arrived from Forebros.” She lifted it. The wax seal had already been broken. Darelene’s handwriting filled the page.
Lilith exhaled slowly. “I have not received a personal letter from Darelene in nearly twenty years.” Her gaze sharpened. “And when I finally do…” She looked directly at her son. “… it is to complain about you.”
Belial leaned his cheek against his hand. “Ah.” He sounded entertained. “That does sound like our son.”
Lilith shot him a glare. “Do not encourage him.”
Belial shrugged slightly. “I’m not encouraging him.” He glanced toward Zafiel. “I’m admiring the confidence.”
Lilith closed her eyes briefly. Then she looked back at her kneeling son. “You publicly declared the Grand Princess of Forebros your fiancée.”
Zafiel answered calmly. “Yes.”
Lilith’s eyebrow twitched. “You made this declaration in a crowded hall.”
“Yes.”
“You did so without consulting her family.”
“Yes.”
“You did so without consulting me.”
Zafiel remained silent this time.
Lilith folded her hands on the table. “Do you have anything to say for yourself?”
Zafiel raised his head slightly. “Yes.”
Lilith waited. Zafiel spoke calmly. “I stand by my decision.”
Belial chuckled quietly.
Lilith rubbed her temple. “Of course you do.” She studied her son carefully. Then sighed. “You inherited far too much from your father.”
Belial grinned. “I take that as a compliment.”
Lilith ignored him. Her gaze returned to Zafiel.
“I know how your mind works.” Her voice softened slightly, though her authority remained unmistakable. “You are calculating. Strategic. And you never act without reason.” She leaned back slightly in her chair. “So explain to me.” Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Why Darelene's daughter?”
Zafiel was silent for a moment. His expression remained unreadable.
Lilith continued. “You have never shown interest in noble ladies before. That alone was suspicious.” Her voice grew quieter. “But suddenly you travel to Forebros. You provoke the Temple. And then you publicly claim the Grand Princess as your fiancée.” Her gaze sharpened. “Explain.”
Zafiel finally spoke. “… I have waited a long time.”
Lilith frowned slightly. “For what?”
Zafiel did not answer immediately. Instead, his gaze lowered briefly. “… for the right moment.”
Lilith’s brow furrowed.
That sentence again.
She had heard it before. Several times.
Her eyes narrowed slightly. “When you were fifteen.” Zafiel looked up slightly. Lilith continued slowly. “You said something similar.”
Belial raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
Lilith glanced toward her husband briefly.
“Yes.”
Then she looked back at Zafiel. “You told me you were waiting.” She leaned forward slightly.
“But when I asked what for…” Her voice quieted.
“You refused to explain.” Zafiel remained silent.
Lilith’s gaze searched his face carefully.
“You have repeated that same sentence several times since then.” Her fingers tapped the table lightly.
“Waiting. For years. For something.” Her eyes narrowed.
“What exactly have you been waiting for, Zafiel?”
Silence filled the chamber. Even Belial stopped smiling.
For a moment, the Crown Prince looked almost distant. Then he spoke. “… her.”
Lilith blinked. “Her?”
Zafiel lowered his gaze again. “Yes.”
Lilith stared at him. “You are telling me…” She paused. “… that you have been waiting years for Grand Princess Mariana?” Zafiel did not deny it. "You haven't even known her for more than a week."
Belial let out a low whistle. “Well.” He leaned back slightly. “That’s new.”
Lilith pressed her fingers against her forehead. “Saints preserve me.”
Her mind raced.
Mariana Cherustine la Vernon was young, three years younger than Zafiel. If he had truly been “waiting” since fifteen… that meant—
Lilith sighed. Then she looked at her son again. “You realize how absurd this sounds.”
“Yes.”
“You realize you have terrified half the imperial nobility.”
“Yes.”
“You nearly caused a religious conflict with the Temple of Astrid.”
“Yes.”
“And you have now forced me to apologize to my childhood friend.”
Zafiel was silent. Lilith exhaled slowly. For a moment, the Empress looked less like a ruler… and more like a tired mother.
“I truly pity that girl.” Her voice softened slightly. “Little Mariana...” She leaned back in her chair. “to catch the attention of my son…” Her lips curved faintly. “… is rarely a peaceful experience.”
Belial laughed softly. “That’s putting it lightly.”
Lilith shot him another look. Then she turned back toward Zafiel.
“Listen carefully.” Her voice became firm again.
“You will not make any further declarations regarding this supposed engagement.” Zafiel did not respond.
Lilith continued. “You will not pressure the Grand Princess. You will not provoke her family. And you will certainly not ignite a war with Forebros.”
Her gaze sharpened. “Is that understood?”
Zafiel lowered his head again. “… yes, Mother.”
Lilith studied him for another moment. Then sighed quietly. “You may stand.”
Zafiel rose smoothly. His posture returned to its usual composed stillness. Lilith picked up Darelene’s letter again. Her expression softened slightly.
Darelene…
Memories surfaced briefly. Cherry blossoms. Laughter. Two girls sitting beneath a tree.
Lilith sighed inwardly.
I apologize, my old friend.
Her gaze shifted briefly toward her son.
It seems my child has become quite troublesome.
Across the chamber, Zafiel stood quietly. But behind his calm expression… his amethyst eyes gleamed with quiet certainty. Because unlike everyone else, he knew exactly what he had been waiting for.