She did not even ask where.
"Of course, Your Majesty. Please give me a moment. I will change into proper attire."
Some palace maids believed that Callista obeyed him out of fear or strict etiquette.
But the Emperor believed something different.
In the twenty-one years of their marriage, he had never taken her to places she disliked, such as weapon markets or hunting expeditions.
Her agreement now was simply trust.
Soon after, they left the Inner Palace together.
Callista entered a decorated palanquin while the Emperor mounted his horse.
Surrounded by General Calden and a group of Imperial guards, the small procession moved toward a quiet lake located roughly five hundred meters behind the palace.
The lake's water was dark and still, reflecting the evening sky like a mirror.
Several soldiers in the five-star realm stood stationed along the shoreline as guards.
When the Emperor arrived, they immediately bowed and stepped aside.
