“If anyone else lays a hand on what belongs to me, regardless of who it is, their fate will be the same as King Aureliu’s.”

Heliam's tone was indifferent, like a cup of tasteless water, yet his words shocked everyone present.

“Let’s go.” His next words were directed at Tanya, sounding somewhat softer.

Tanya turned her gaze, and Alexander's eyes were like blocks of ice, cold and proud under the moonlight.

With Heliam’s arm around her shoulders, they left a striking silhouette behind.

“Wait… Mabel…” Tanya turned back, but the light in front of Nebula Tower illuminated the area as if it were a lamp, yet Mabel's figure was nowhere to be found.

“Are you looking for someone, my dear?” Heliam’s voice was low and hoarse, softened by the night breeze, melting away some of the coldness in his expression.

After some thought, fearing further trouble, Tanya replied, “It’s nothing.”

The night was just right, with stars twinkling in the sky, each one like a little light connected to her thoughts, weaving in and out of her mind.

Heliam brought Tanya to Fragrance Hall, where the palace attendants had lit candles in every corner, making it bright as day.

“Your Majesty,” Tanya reached the inner hall door and wanted to thank Heliam, but her slender waist was suddenly grasped in a firm hold. In a dizzying swirl, she found herself pressed against the door by Heliam.

“My dear, you look truly stunning tonight.” Heliam’s narrow eyes locked onto Tanya’s beautiful face.

The cold moonlight spilled over her delicate features, her gaze shimmering like autumn waves, sparkling like mesmerizing stars that left Heliam entranced.

Tanya felt a rush of warmth in her cheeks, her lips slightly parted, the wooden door behind her cool to the touch, while Heliam radiated heat.

“I... I thank you...”

Before she could finish her sentence, Heliam’s long fingers pressed against her lips. His usually proud eyes were now deep pools of darkness, laden with the night, “You don’t need to be so reserved.”

“I couldn’t come to see you in the past few times, but now I’m here to fulfill my earlier promise.”

His voice was deep and pleasant, causing Tanya to involuntarily think of that other person, also cold and proud, clad in silver armor that captivated hearts wherever he went.

Heliam’s words grew more ambiguous as his slender fingers pinched Tanya’s smooth chin, gently lifting it. “Your lips are truly beautiful.”

Tanya’s eyes rippled like autumn waters, yet as Heliam leaned closer, she turned her lips away.

The moment froze.

“There are many happy events tonight, and I find it hard to process them all. I fear that in submitting to Your Majesty, I might cause you discomfort.” Tanya blushed as she spoke, biting her cherry lips. “Could you come back in a few days? I promise to serve you wholeheartedly then.”

Heliam’s narrow eyes darkened, his shoulders swaying slightly, his breath deepening.

“Your Majesty…”

“I will come back another day.” He relaxed his grip on her chin, swiftly withdrawing, leaving behind a lingering warmth.

Heliam’s silhouette appeared proud and striking under the moonlight, his shadow stretching long, while Tanya let out a sigh of relief, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Moments later, Tiffany quietly approached from the side, “Your Highness… why did the Emperor leave?”

The blush on Tanya’s face hadn’t faded, she let out a lengthy sigh. “It’s nothing.”

“Should I spread word that the Emperor visited tonight? With your current standing, it could garner you a lot of respect.” Tiffany was genuinely trying to help Tanya, but her mind was elsewhere, too preoccupied to consider such gains.

“Just arrange things as you see fit.” Tanya turned and entered the hall, her cheeks still flushed, shedding her sleeves, sleepless through the night.

The next morning, Tiffany entered just as Tanya awoke. “Your Highness, the Astra Tower is under construction. As expected of the alliance’s power, such a large project has come together swiftly.”

Tanya replied softly, “Do you know the reason for building Astra Tower?”

Her brow furrowed as she noted the discrepancies between the current settings and the original story in the comment section.

Tiffany shook her head. “I don’t know, I only know that Nebula Tower was built for King Alaric's beloved, and I know nothing beyond that.”

Hearing Tiffany mention King Alaric’s beloved again, Tanya curiously asked, “Is it Seraphine?”

But Tiffany denied it. “Seraphine is said to be King Alaric's favorite consort, but she wasn’t deemed worthy of having Nebula Tower built for her.”

Tanya pondered for a moment. “Why is that?”

Tiffany seemed thoughtful. “Rumor has it that Seraphine was not worthy, the tower was constructed by King Alaric’s legitimate wife, the former empress.”

“What significance does Nebula Tower hold?” Tanya pressed, only to see Tiffany’s face cloud with concern.

“Your Highness, I’m just a lowly maid. My knowledge of the former dynasty comes only from hearsay from Eunuch Belmont, mere gossip over meals.”

Understanding, Tanya nodded and did not press further.

After dressing, Little Eunuch Yew entered at just the right moment.

He lowered his head, panic evident in his expression. “It’s bad, Your Highness.”

Tanya raised an eyebrow slightly, “What is it? Speak.”

Little Eunuch Yew bowed even lower. “Your Highness, people in the harem are spreading rumors about you, saying you’re arrogant and mistreating your servants.”

Little Eunuch Yew’s arms trembled slightly, clearly terrified, prompting Tanya to raise her eyebrows even more.

"Which palace started this?" Tanya took the hot tea from Tiffany, the surface rippling as she gently stirred the leaves and took a sip.

"Your Majesty, it originated from Lady Francois's palace."

Tanya leisurely finished her tea before placing the cup down, her exquisite face showing no visible emotion.

"Prepare the carriage, I’ll meet with that Francois."

Without waiting for an announcement, Tanya stormed in.

Francois sat inside the hall, her slender fingers propping up her delicate face, her eyes half-closed.

"What do you mean by this?" Tanya approached, her expression devoid of color, brows slightly raised, appearing quite impatient.

"You've certainly gained some courage, daring to barge into my palace." Francois's long hair was elegantly styled, a smirk playing at the corner of her lips, her beautiful eyes flickering over to Tanya, the sunlight casting a cold glare on her face, making even Tiffany feel a twinge of apprehension.

"Are you overestimating yourself? Is my palace so hard for me to enter?" Tanya's lips curled into a disdainful smile, her large eyes sparkling like clear springs under the sunlight.

Francois narrowed her eyes, her finely shaped brows arching high. "It's just a participation in a conference of various nations, I thought it was something significant. You dare to speak so rudely before me, truly a country girl who has never seen the world."

Tanya let out a cold laugh, a hint of mockery in her smile as she stared back at Francois with a touch of disdain in her enchanting eyes.

"Ha, you really think too highly of yourself." Tanya's words ignited a flash of anger in Francois's delicate features.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean you have delusions." Tanya strolled over to her side, deliberately wearing a blue long dress, anticipating that Francois would choose blue as well.

Of course, there had to be a comparison between their outfits, just like between Tanya and Francois.

"Which of your eyes saw me overjoyed at the prospect of attending the alliance banquet?" She scoffed, "And which of your ears heard me say you're brainless because you attended that banquet?"

"Is it necessary to flaunt that trivial banquet before me?"

Francois, successfully provoked, glared at her with growing hatred. "Who are you calling delusional?"

"I'm talking about you." Tanya's smile widened, "With your limited abilities, trying to play mind games? Do you know that in the harem, those who spread rumors have various fates?"

Tanya squinted her eyes, forming crescent moons, leaning closer to Francois without a trace of a smile.

Francois frowned. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

"Still pretending," Tanya cleared her throat, "Little Eunuch Yew."

Little Eunuch Yew knelt on the ground with a thud.

"I ask you, which palace started the rumor that I mistreated my servants?" Tanya raised her eyebrows, her tone devoid of emotion but icy cold.

"Your Majesty, it came from Lady Francois's palace."

Tanya raised her eyebrows triumphantly, looking down at Francois.

The latter bit her cherry lips, her eyes turning cold. "Just a servant’s words, and you take them seriously? Moreover, my palace cannot compare to your Fragrance Hall. Yours is small, while mine has many maids and servants, our chatter is merely casual talk. If you didn't mistreat them, why worry about what others say?"

Francois’s words struck Tanya like blows, eventually revealing her pettiness as she took a trivial servant's joke too seriously.

"In that case, Tiffany!" Tanya’s smirk deepened, "Issue an order stating that Francois physically punished me in her palace and slandered the emperor’s reputation."

Francois's expression changed dramatically. "What do you mean by this?"

Tanya's smile remained unbroken. "Lady Francois, why are you so petty? It was merely a joke from me. If you didn’t do anything, why worry about what others say?"

Francois's face darkened inch by inch under Tanya's amused gaze.

"Truly insufferable." A cold sneer crept across her lips, as if she looked down on Tanya. "Say what you will, those who spread rumors in the palace meet various fates."

"Ha, even using my words, you truly are teachable." Tanya raised an eyebrow, causing the latter's brows to furrow.

"Vivienne!" Her chest heaved with anger, seeing Tanya's smirk, she ultimately suppressed her fury.

"Bring her here," her tone softened, "and throw Vivienne out."