When the sun rose over the southern palace of the Imperial Palace, the rest of the empire was still asleep. Servants scurried about on errands, ministers prepared for another meeting, and knights changed guard at the bronze gates. And on such a fine morning, a rather unexpected guest called upon the Empress.

  "Gregory Ardelio greets Her Imperial Majesty."

  "Please rise, Chancellor."

  They settled in the Empress's rich chamber, specially designated for receiving important guests. Servants hastily set out tea and snacks before them. The most powerful woman of the Nadal Empire smiled broadly, displaying a snow-white smile.

  "Chancellor, what brings you to me today?"

  The middle-aged official, holding a high position at court, gave the Empress a courteous bow. The man in a burgundy velvet doublet looked no less presentable than the royal personage. His robe was embroidered with rows of golden birds, and his cloak of Lyrian broadcloth was fastened at the shoulder with an amber brooch. This man headed the council of ministers and was the Emperor's right hand. Even the Empress couldn't treat him without respect.

  "I answer Her Imperial Majesty. There is a matter that directly requires your consideration," the man spoke in a businesslike tone.

  "What is it?" The Empress brought a cup of white tea to her lips.

  "As you may recall, next month a Small Council will be held at the imperial court," Ardelio said. "Almost all participants have already been determined. As usual, these are the heads of the four great families, as well as the director of the Imperial Institute and the manager of the Crown Bank. However, one seat is still vacant. Time is pressing, and I cannot decide myself whether to hold the meeting with this composition or… Therefore, I need your instructions."

  "Oh, yes," the woman responded. "But in all recent years, the council has been held with six members. Has another worthy candidate appeared to fill this place?"

  "Well…" the chancellor hesitated before answering. "The Lord of the North."

  Julia Ravellia Ashelot froze for a moment.

  "The North…?" she repeated with a caustic smirk. "Chancellor, do I understand correctly that you are speaking of that girl?"

  The official was somewhat uncertain in his words, but nevertheless replied:

  "The North occupies a fourth of all the empire's territories… I don't think we can simply ignore them."

  The Small Council was an important meeting held in the state capital once every five years. Representatives of all the most influential spheres of the empire were invited to the imperial palace. Usually, their number didn't exceed a few people. Over the course of three days, council members discussed state problems, made important decisions, and concluded agreements. Only the chosen few could obtain the opportunity to participate in such a gathering. Therefore, the composition of the council changed very rarely.

  The Empress was somewhat surprised when the chancellor unexpectedly proposed the North's candidacy. Although, to some extent, this was to be expected. The northern region had recently acquired a new princess. And according to existing tradition, within the first year of her appointment, the new lord was supposed to personally visit the palace and greet the Emperor. Participation in the Small Council seemed the most suitable opportunity for this. Nevertheless, the Empress was rather indifferent to this proposal.

  "What does His Majesty think about this?" she merely asked.

  "His Imperial Majesty… Uh… I don't think His Highness has any particular opinion on this matter," he admitted. "I tried to find out, however, the sovereign wasn't quite in the mood to answer me."

  Julia understood perfectly well what the chancellor meant, without any subtle hint.

  Everyone in the palace was aware — that His Majesty led a very idle lifestyle.

  Incalculable sums from the imperial treasury were spent annually on various feasts and tournaments. And if not for the large reserve thereof, the crown would have emptied long ago.

  However, when the Empress learned of her spouse's latest pleasant pastime, not a shadow of chagrin crossed her face. Quite the opposite. The woman smiled brightly and said understandingly:

  "Our crowned sovereign has many cares. As his subjects, we should certainly lighten his burden and relieve him of some minor decisions."

  "In that case…" Ardelio concluded. "What do you order to be done?"

  The Empress didn't deliberate long. She had never before had occasion to meet her stepdaughter. Since the princess didn't have her own palace and lived in a place where royal persons usually weren't supposed to set foot. She had only heard that the Emperor's first daughter, cursed by the star of death, was growing up unbalanced and even the servants were afraid to bring her food. The loudest rumor about her within the palace walls was that at the age of six, she had killed her own mother with her bare hands when she came to visit her…

  Like a dog, she attacked everyone indiscriminately, and it was only by a miracle that she wasn't expelled from the Imperial Palace sooner. This little monster, destined from birth to bring death and destruction, had recently, to everyone's relief, left the palace. For someone like her, a place teeming with monsters and barbarians was most suitable.

  When Julia learned of the Emperor's decision to grant the eldest princess the northern lands and marry her to a daughter from a ducal family, she perceived it as something very amusing. This girl posed no threat to the crown, and therefore she felt no concern about it whatsoever. In essence, it was akin to throwing out some stale trash.

  "Why not?" the Empress twisted her lips. "Since such is the custom, we should allow the Princess of the North to express her respect to the sovereign. One seat won't be superfluous."

  The chancellor was initially surprised by the sovereign's words, but then slowly nodded.

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  "As Your Imperial Majesty wishes. In that case, I will immediately send a summons to Fortress Nord."

  "Please do, Chancellor."

  The conversation came to an end while the plate of dried fruits hadn't yet been half emptied. On that note, mutually taking their leave, Gregory Ardelio soon departed, and the Empress finished her white tea with lilies. Then she turned to her personal chambermaid:

  "Let's go. I want to visit the Crown Princess."

  "Yes, Your Majesty."

  A week had passed since Julia last visited the Crown Princess's palace. For mother and daughter, this was an unbearably long separation.

  Julia Ravellia Ashelot, as befits a royal person, crossed the threshold of her palace with a proud and unhurried gait, followed by a maid gathering the hem of her wide skirt. The Empress's dress, bulky and magnificent, at first glance weighed no less than several kilograms. However, the woman moved in it with surprising ease, maintaining her posture and thrusting out her chest. From her majestic appearance, it was impossible to tell that she had once been just one of many concubines, who never had a chance of ever ending up in the central palace.

  Now, having overthrown the previous empress from a noble family from the throne, no one dared to look down on her anymore. Julia was like the brightest flower of the imperial palace. Copper-red hair, like molten bronze, cascaded over her shoulders and back. Her head was adorned with a golden crown and gold earrings with large scarlet rubies. A precious necklace, bracelets, and rings. All this was accentuated by an emerald dress, which perfectly complemented her red locks. The Empress carried herself confidently and proudly.

  Julia passed through the inner courtyard, heading towards the desired chambers. The palace where the Crown Princess currently resided was considered one of the most prestigious residences in the Imperial Palace. The sovereign was so overjoyed at the birth of an heiress blessed by a lucky star that he built an entirely new palace for his daughter.

  This building was located in the innermost part of the Imperial Palace. The central location testified not only to the importance of this place but also to its security from any threats. The spacious and majestic interior could be compared to the Emperor's own bedchamber. And the layout of the palace was enormous. An unknowing person could easily get lost here.

  Julia walked along a gravel path that led her to the main entrance. The guards let the woman through without the slightest delay. And a servant hastened to call out:

  "Her Imperial Majesty the Empress has arrived!"

  Julia entered the central hall. The wide and spacious chambers were filled with everything necessary for the princess. The furniture was majestic and expensive. Even the chairs were made of the finest wood and were ergonomic and pleasing to the eye. All the maids attending the Crown Princess immediately threw themselves to their knees.

  "We greet Her Imperial Majesty!"

  "Rise," Julia smiled benevolently. "Where is the princess now?"

  "Her Highness… She…" one of the maids hesitated for a moment before answering. Soon, the Empress herself understood why.

  Her gaze slowly shifted from one part of the room to another. There, behind an artfully crafted table of white marble, sat a girl. She was poking a fork into a large piece of strawberry cake, washing it down with warm cocoa. Her face was smeared with strawberry, and her hands with chocolate crumbs. Engrossed in devouring the cake, the little one didn't immediately notice her mother's presence.

  The Crown Princess of the empire, Evelyn Nevita Ashelot, had turned nine this year. Her appearance was somewhat unusual for the imperial family. The girl shared no common features with the Emperor, and even from her mother, a rather attractive woman, Empress Julia, she had inherited only her red hair. In all other respects, the princess bore little resemblance to her royal parents.

  Princess Evelyn was a rather large and awkward child, without innate charm or refined facial features. Instead of her mother's violet eyes, the girl had inherited large, brown ones. She dressed in clothes two sizes larger than her peers usually wore. And of all the princess's qualities, those around her most highlighted her good appetite.

  Discovering what her daughter was doing, Julia restrainedly clenched the folds of her dress. Soon, she called to her affectionately:

  "Evelyn."

  Hearing this voice, the girl immediately perked up. The princess looked anxiously at her mother the Empress.

  "M-mother…" she muttered.

  "Evelyn, my dear," the woman approached. "You seem a bit busy?"

  Julia saw several more desserts on the table. Among them were lemon and chocolate pies, a cupcake, fruit covered in whipped cream… Surveying the entire quantity of sweet delicacies on her daughter's plates, the Empress smiled no less sweetly. With each of her glances, the princess grew smaller and smaller.

  "Have you finished your lessons for today?"

  Evelyn nodded weakly.

  "And? How are your progress?" the Empress asked this question to her daughter, but when she didn't answer for a long time, she redirected it to the princess's personal maid. The chambermaid muttered embarrassedly:

  "I answer Her Imperial Majesty. The princess's tutor said that… Her Highness needs more time to master the material."

  "….."

  "I see," Julia pursed her lips and smiled briefly. "Nothing terrible. Since my daughter is blessed by the star Orkenina, she will surely succeed."

  "O-of course, Your Majesty!" the other hastened to assure.

  "Well…" the Empress surveyed the line of servants. "I need to speak with my daughter alone. Please, leave us." "Yes, Your Majesty!"

  Everyone present vanished in an instant. Julia looked at her daughter again. When they were alone, she could no longer hide the contempt in her expression. The woman twisted her lips, as if looking at some nonentity. Evelyn, catching her mother's gaze, trembled.

  "Answer me, how much longer are you going to disgrace your mother?"

  Julia's voice sounded sharp and abrupt.

  "Perhaps you're doing it on purpose?"

  The princess hiccupped but couldn't utter a word in her parent's presence. The Empress struggled to restrain herself from at least slapping her. But she couldn't hit the Crown Princess, otherwise everyone would surely find out. So, instead, she painfully pinched her side.

  In that pinch was all her hatred for this child. She burned with frustration: why had the heavens given her only one child? And one like this… No matter how much Julia tried, everything remained futile. This useless nonentity, on whom she had placed all her hopes, continued to disgrace her every day. Only because the princess was gifted with a lucky star did those around her overlook her obvious shortcomings. But Julia couldn't do that. Because…

  "You fat cow," the woman spat these words in her daughter's face with utter disgust. "You're only good for stuffing your face. Tell me, why did you come into this world and continue to torment me?"

  Julia had always dreamed of a perfect child. A princess or prince who would meet all her requirements and by whose side she could stand proudly and be called their mother. But instead of the desired, she got this… Even such a small thing as an impressive appearance, the Crown Princess was deprived of. The Empress got angry every time she looked at her face.

  "How could such a beautiful woman as herself have given birth to this?!" It was as if the heavens themselves were mocking her.

  Having examined the princess, the imperial physician declared that the girl's weight was only "slightly" above the norm… But Julia suspected the physician had deliberately lied so as not to inadvertently offend a member of the imperial family. But she herself could see perfectly well.

  "I asked you to follow a diet and not eat all sorts of rubbish," the woman hissed. "But you, it seems, don't value my words at all?"

  "M-mother…"

  Evelyn tried to say something, but Julia painfully pinched her side, and the girl squealed. "Who allowed you to speak?"

  "I-I…"

  "I've had enough," she cut her off. "Starting tomorrow, you won't get a single crumb. You'll drink only water. And I will definitely make sure that's how it is."

  The princess raised frightened, wet eyes to her.

  "B-but… mother… Please…" Evelyn babbled pitifully.

  "What?" Julia smirked. "Is that so hard to do? Well, alright. Today is the last day you can eat something like this. I'll personally treat you."

  The Empress took a piece of chocolate pie from the table and began forcibly stuffing it into her daughter. The girl's eyes filled with tears, and she began to choke.

  "What's the matter? Eat. Eat. You love it so much."

  Julia made her eat at such a speed that the girl swallowed the pie without even chewing. From lack of air, her face turned slightly blue.

  "Enjoy yourself. Make sure not a single crumb falls."