Ines sat in the Imperial garden, quill in hand as she signed a stack of documents.
The cool autumn breeze rustled through the trees, stirring the leaves—and her hair.
A strand slipped across her face.
She frowned.
Irritating.
With a soft snap of her fingers, a servant stepped forward and swiftly gathered her hair into a low bun.
Satisfied, Ines set her quill aside, closed the ledger, and handed it off.
As the servant departed, Nolan approached.
He bowed.
"Blessings and glory upon the brilliant light of the Caelthra Empire, Your Majesty the Empress."
Ines flicked her wrist, signaling him to rise. With a brief glance, she dismissed the remaining servants.
Silence settled.
She gestured to the seat across from her.
Nolan took it just as a maid arrived, placing a tea set between them before quietly withdrawing.
"So?" Ines asked, lifting her cup. "What were the results?"
Steam curled upward as she took a measured sip.
Nolan placed the lotus hairpin and ruby bracelet on the table.
"It appears the initial investigation was flawed," he said. "The evidence was planted."
His tone hardened slightly.
"Lady Celine's presence was detected on the bracelet—which is expected, as it belongs to her."
A pause.
"But not on the hairpin."
His fingers tightened around his teacup.
"The culprit used the hairpin to implicate her."
A quiet exhale.
Nolan's gaze darkened.
To think he had nearly accepted such a deception—
Unacceptable.
As Captain of the Imperial Guard, an oversight like this could not be tolerated.
He would correct it.
Ines remained still, though her eyes narrowed slightly.
"The real culprit must be found," she said, setting her cup down with quiet finality.
"The teachings of Goddess Aelthrya are clear—no one shall be unjustly punished."
Her voice turned colder.
"If we fail to uncover the truth, then even something as small as this could shake the people's trust in the Empire's safety."
Her gaze shifted to the hairpin.
She reached out, picking it up slowly.
Zarah…
That girl was perceptive.
And the way she had looked, beneath her—
Ines coughed lightly, straightening.
'What am I thinking?'
She lifted her teacup again, masking the brief lapse.
'Focus.'
This was neither the time nor the place.
Across from her, Nolan observed quietly.
A faint pink had dusted the tips of her ears.
His brows lifted slightly—
before a subtle grin tugged at his lips.
Ah.
So even the Empress was not entirely untouched.
"Your Majesty seems quite fond of it," Nolan said, taking a sip of his tea.
Ines looked up sharply.
"Fond of what? The current state of the palace?" Her tone turned cold. "I find it utterly unpleasant."
Nolan sighed, taking another slow sip.
Normally, he would have let it go.
But he wasn't just her subordinate.
He was her childhood companion.
And that came with certain privileges he had no intention of wasting.
"Your Majesty knows I was referring to the hairpin," he said, a lazy grin forming. "Not palace affairs."
Ines took a measured sip, her grip tightening slightly around the hairpin.
"Is Lord Nolan involving himself in matters that do not concern him?" she asked, raising a brow.
Nolan set his cup down with a small shrug.
"I speak not as Captain of the Imperial Guard," he said lightly, "but as your childhood friend."
Ines's lips curved into a thin smile.
"If you are so content with that role, perhaps I should relieve you of your current position."
A chill ran down Nolan's spine.
There it was.
Threats.
Always threats.
Still—
he knew she wouldn't actually do it.
"Your Majesty," he pressed on, "I am merely curious—"
He tilted his head slightly.
"Is it the hairpin you've grown fond of… or its owner?"
Ines set her teacup down.
Then she smiled.
A closed-eyed, dangerous smile.
"Since Lord Nolan is so invested in such matters," she said smoothly, "perhaps I should inform my mother that you've taken an interest in romance—and are ready to take a spouse."
Nolan froze.
"…Your Majesty," he said carefully, "you would not."
"I would."
His composure cracked immediately.
"Your Majesty! Please do not tell the Empress Dowager—you know she is already intent on marrying me off!"
Of all the things Nolan Zepher feared—
death was not one of them.
But the Empress Dowager?
That was a different matter entirely.
If not for one small problem—
he had no interest in marriage.
None.
Ines let out a dry chuckle.
"You speak as though my mother is sending you to your execution."
"I would never think so," Nolan said quickly. "I respect Her Majesty greatly, but… she does not understand that I have no interest in such matters."
He exhaled.
"Involving someone else in a marriage I cannot fulfill would be unfair."
Ines's expression softened—just slightly.
"My mother only wants what is best for you," she said. "You need an heir to the Zepher Duchy."
A pause.
"You are the only one left."
Nolan's grip tightened around his teacup.
His eyes closed briefly.
"…Zepher already has an heir," he said.
"My niece."
Ines's gaze hardened.
"She is dead, Lord Nolan."
"No."
His eyes opened—steady, unwavering.
"Her body was never found."
His voice turned firm.
"Your Majesty is the Empress. Your words are law."
A beat.
"But I will not believe she is dead."
Something deeper flickered beneath his calm.
"Somewhere… I know she is alive."
"One day, I will find her."
Silence settled between them.
Then Nolan rose from his seat.
Ines sighed softly, setting her cup aside.
Stubborn.
Eighteen years of hope could not be undone with a few words.
"…Very well," she said.
She picked up the ruby bracelet and handed it to him.
"Release Lady Celine from the Imperial prison. Ensure she is treated as before."
A pause.
"And return this to her."
Nolan nodded.
"And tell Zarah to come see me."
He blinked.
"…Now?"
A dangerous thought crossed his mind.
The Empress wouldn't do anything in the open would she?
Surely not—
Ines caught the look.
And chose to ignore it.
"Now," she said simply. "I wish to have tea with her."
Of course.
Tea.
Nolan bowed, though the hint of amusement lingered.
"As you wish, Your Majesty."
He turned and left.
Moments later, servants returned, placing fresh ledgers before Ines.
She picked up her quill once more—
and buried herself in work.