DUKE EDRIC The imperial knight guarding the emperor's office stiffens as I approach. His gaze flickers nervously toward me, his posture snapping into a rigid salute. "I'm here to meet His Majesty," I say, my tone calm but firm.

Without hesitation, the knight steps aside, his hands moving quickly to open the heavy wooden doors. Perhaps my reputation precedes me—am I truly that intimidating? I chuckle softly to myself as I stride in.

Roland is seated at his desk, sifting through a mountain of documents. He looks up at the sound of my footsteps and greets me warmly. "You're here, Edric. How have you been?"

"Quite well," I reply, scanning the room briefly. My gaze lingers on the walls, now adorned with an array of portraits. "Your office has changed quite a bit since Xavier's return. So many pictures of him now."

Roland laughs heartily. "He's my dear son, after all. A father's pride is hard to contain. But let's not waste time. How's the investigation?"

Straight to the point, as always. "I believe it has something to do with the Browns," I say, my voice lowering slightly. "The monster attack—I'm positive it's Lady Margaret."

Roland's expression darkens. "His daughter?"

"That's right," I confirm, stepping forward and placing a small object on his desk. "When my knights searched the area where the monsters appeared, they found this nearby—a hairpin."

Roland picks it up, turning it over in his hands. His sharp eyes catch the faint engraving on its surface. "Mag..." he mutters, trailing off as recognition dawns.

"It's hers," I say, my tone certain. "She's been infatuated with your son for years. This isn't just an act of recklessness—it's desperation. Margaret is using black magic to eliminate Aveline and get closer to Xavier."

Roland leans back in his chair, his jaw tightening. "Duke Cedric Brown has been pestering me for months now. He's relentless, always pushing for his daughter to spend time with Xavier. I tried to brush him off, but he's as stubborn as a mule."

I cross my arms, my mind flashing back to a recent encounter. "I ran into him on my way here," I say.

Roland sighs, a weary smile tugging at his lips. "Yes, he had an audience with me earlier. Same agenda, of course. He asked me to let Margaret accompany Xavier tomorrow. I allowed it once, thinking it would appease him, but clearly, I underestimated him."

"No wonder my daughter was so gloomy that week," I remark, a flicker of irritation tightening my chest.

Roland nods grimly. "We'll keep this hairpin as evidence. If it comes to it, we'll need something concrete to implicate Margaret. But Cedric... he's another matter entirely."

"He's after the throne," I state bluntly. "He's not hiding it well. This isn't just about his daughter. He wants to end your reign, just as he tried ten years ago."

Roland exhales heavily, running a hand through his hair. "I know. After we settle this case, I plan to step down from the throne and make Xavier emperor. It's time."

A wry smile tugs at my lips. "Just admit you want to retire early."

He chuckles, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Maybe I do. I want to enjoy some peace, play with my grandchildren, and let someone else deal with the headaches of ruling."

"Big dreams for someone who hasn't retired yet," I tease lightly.

Roland grins, but the shadow of our conversation lingers between us. Duke Cedric Brown is a threat—a cunning, dangerous one. And Margaret's actions are only the surface of a deeper plot. I know this battle is far from over.

***

XAVIER I'm nervous. Why am I so nervous?

I glance down at the small box in my hands, fidgeting with it. Inside is the ring. The ring I've been holding onto for weeks, waiting for the right moment. Tonight is the night. It has to be. But how should I do this?

My palms feel clammy, and my heartbeat is erratic. I can hear it pounding in my ears as I crouch behind the bushes in the garden of the Duke's estate. Aveline is already there, standing under the soft glow of the moonlight. She's waiting for me. Of course, she is—I told her to meet me here.

Why did I think this would be easy?

Taking a deep breath, I step out from my hiding spot. My boots crunch softly against the gravel path.

"Aveline," I call out, my voice more unsteady than I'd like.

She turns to face me, her lips curving into a warm smile. "You're here."

The way the moonlight catches her eyes makes my breath hitch. They seem to sparkle, more radiant than usual. Or maybe it's just my nerves making everything about her seem more breathtaking tonight.

I close the distance between us slowly, every step feeling heavier than the last. My heart pounds harder with each one. When I'm finally close enough to see her delicate features clearly, I stop, unsure if I can trust my voice not to falter.

She tilts her head slightly, a hint of curiosity in her gaze. "Is something wrong?"

I shake my head, swallowing hard. My fingers tighten around the box in my pocket. This is it.

"No," I manage to say, my voice low but steady. "I just... I have something I need to say."

Her expression softens, but the curiosity in her eyes grows. She waits patiently, and it only makes me more nervous. I've fought on battlefields, stood before thousands as a prince, and faced countless challenges. Yet here I am, struggling to find the words for a single woman.

Not just any woman. The woman.

"Aveline," I begin, my voice shaking despite my efforts. "You've been by my side through so much. You've taught me what strength and kindness look like. You've... you've shown me a future I never thought I deserved."

Her brows knit slightly, her lips parting as if to speak, but she stays silent, letting me continue.

I reach into my pocket and pull out the box. My hands tremble as I open it, revealing the ring inside—a delicate band with a radiant stone that glimmers in the moonlight.

Her eyes widen, and she takes a step closer, her gaze fixed on the ring.

"I know this might seem sudden," I continue, my words tumbling out now. "But I've thought about this for a long time. Aveline... will you marry me?"

The silence that follows feels like an eternity. My heart threatens to burst from my chest as I wait for her answer, every second stretching into infinity. Her eyes meet mine, and I see a flicker of surprise, followed by something softer—something I dare to hope is happiness.