The day passed into evening without anything disturbing the palace’s routine.

  Yet, later this day, there was a knock at the door once again. She invited the visitor in, mistakenly thinking it was her handmaiden once more.

  This time, it was none other than the Emperor who entered. Cerena swallowed hard as she watched him cross the threshold. He closed the door behind him and turned with a casual gesture.

  “Good even,” he said. “Art thou rested?”

  Cerena remained silent, wary. The Emperor, standing at a distance, closed his eyes and smiled softly.

  “Thou seemest in good health. The years past have treated thee well, and thou art yet more fair than thou wert before.”

  Cerena’s heart leapt. Had she heard correctly? He had never paid her the slightest compliment before. Standing before him, she felt a slight dizziness.

  “I understand thy fear,” he continued. “I have not shown thee gentleness, yet I have acted only of necessity.”

  He seemed to search for the right words for a moment, then said,

  “But that time is past. Thou hast naught to fear.”

  He stepped into the room and settled onto the chaise longue.

  “I have been told what hath occurred,” he continued, “and how remarkable mine son hath become. I see clearly that thou hast watched over him… and it maketh me… grateful.”

  “Why did you send your men for me? Why bring me here?”

  “I heard that thou hast awakened certain powers… that thou art now capable of healing.” he continued as if he hadn’t heard her speak.

  “I… It’s complicated. I cannot… use it at will,” she replied, taken aback.

  “Yet thou wert able to do so for the girl thou didst wish to protect.”

  A shiver ran through her as she began to understand where he was leading. Cerena said nothing, staring at him.

  “It seemeth that Owen is no longer the sole one for whom thou wouldst risk thy life… is it not so? I understand. I hope she hath recovered from her wound. It would be a pity for so young a child to suffer for her family’s choices.”

  He rose and moved toward the door. But just as he reached for it, Cerena’s firm voice stopped him.

  “Answer me. Why did you bring me here?”

  The Emperor remained still for a moment, then turned slightly.

  “Because I need thee. So long as thou art here, I know he shall return.”

  She frowned.

  “So am I nothing more than bait to you? Do I truly hold no value of my own?”

  A smile appeared on his face as he advanced slowly toward her; she fought the urge to run. He gently placed a hand on her cheek. She felt an unsettling sensation that the past was about to repeat itself. Trembling slightly, her heart hammering in her chest, her breathing quickened.

  “Of a truth, thou hast worth. Far more than aught I could have hoped for,” he murmured, stroking her cheek.

  He continued to look at her with intensity for a few seconds, then withdrew his hand. He turned and moved toward the door.

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  “Good night,” he concluded as he left the room.

  Shocked, Cerena remained frozen for a moment before throwing herself onto her bed. She closed her eyes, attempting to put her thoughts in order… or perhaps to forget what had just happened.

  Unable to resist the fatigue and the turmoil of her emotions, she finally let herself be carried away by sleep, her mind still restless.

  ???

  The following days mirrored the last. The Emperor visited her in the evenings, yet kept a strange distance. A lingering unease remained in Cerena’s heart, but she could not comprehend the Emperor’s strategy. Why did he seem so different? Even in his presence, the atmosphere no longer felt as tense as in her memories.

  He questioned her about her life in the palace, matters of little importance.

  “Art thou satisfied with thy maidservant? Doth she perform her duties aright?” he asked one day.

  “Yes, she does everything required to satisfy me,” she replied.

  “Hast thou all that thou needest?”

  “Yes…” Cerena answered in a barely audible sigh, averting her gaze.

  The Emperor studied her intently.

  “Hast thou had a chance to explore the palace?” he asked suddenly.

  “I beg your pardon?”

  Cerena stared at him, incredulous.

  “Hath the door to thy quarters not remained open? Yet it seemed I gave command that it should remain unbarred.”

  “You… requested it remain unlocked?”

  “Indeed.”

  “But why? Am I… allowed to leave?”

  “Did I not tell thee? Times have changed. Thou art free to come and go, so long as thou remainest within the palace grounds.”

  Surprised, Cerena opened her eyes wide. She thought carefully before asking:

  “But… will you not ask something in return? Nothing is free… you said so yourself at the time.”

  The Emperor’s lips curved into a faint smile.

  “I said it, indeed. And I still mean it. But for this time… consider it a token of recognition for having cared for mine son all this while.”

  Cerena was speechless.

  “I am certain thy maidservant or a guard shall be honored to guide thee.”

  He stood and prepared to leave the room, but before reaching the door, Cerena said:

  “It is he who has cared for me.”

  He paused and turned to her, observing her as if expecting her to continue.

  “I have done nothing to deserve your gratitude,” she said. “It is thanks to him that I am alive. It is thanks to him that we have been able to live in peace. All that I owe is to him.”

  She paused, then continued:

  “Should you not, on the contrary, reprimand me for being so weak, so dependent on a child, and for putting your heir in danger?”

  Cerena stopped and swallowed, her heart racing, her interlocutor still gazing at her with an inscrutable expression. Finally, he stepped toward her.

  “Is that what thou wishest?”

  “No, I…”

  “Would it ease thy conscience if I were to reproach thee?”

  She opened her mouth to reply, but no words came. He closed his eyes before continuing.

  “Thou art not weak, whatever thou mayst think. Thou hast given me the son I hoped for. Thou hast survived the trials of the past, and yet thou standest tall before me in this very moment. Thou hast sacrificed thyself for the good of thy children. Thy worth doth not lie in thy strength. Thy strength lieth in thy mind.”

  The Emperor averted his gaze and walked once more toward the door.

  “Thou hast no shame to feel. Thy place at my side is now fully thine.”

  He left the room, leaving Cerena utterly speechless.