The journey to the Northern Kingdom was uneventful to say the least. Augustus kept himself busy with the array of books he bought along the journey. It was nice of him to offer me one instead of letting me wither away in boredom. Occasionally, Anne and Rodrick would start bickering outside and that was when I found out Augustus could voluntarily filter out noises but just completely ignored it. I wish I had that ability but alas, I was forced to play mediator to stop them from annoying each other to death.

　　It took us nearly two days on the road to reach the borders of the Northern Kingdom and we were harshly greeted by the fierce weather. Back home, we never had the cold season hence I found myself shivering from the chilly weather even when I was dressed in thick clothing. Augustus on the other hand was completely unfazed.

　　I found myself constantly trying to start a conversation with him, but my words could never properly form. It was as though I was worried he would deem me to be a nuisance or if the topics I started would not be an interest for him. Either way, he looked too preoccupied with his books to even spare me a glance.

　　A knock against the carriage wall caught my attention. “We are arriving at the palace, Your Highness.” Anne called out.

　　“Very well, thank you Anne.” I called back.

　　Augustus instantly placed his book down and inched closer to the window. He pushed the curtain aside and peered out. This must be his first time back at the main palace after so long since Augustus did not live with his family here.

　　Surprisingly, the staff and head butler greeted us warmly. They were all smiles and showed great hospitality. We met with Empress Veronica shortly after resting for a while in a common room. She looked incredibly fatigued, her skin pale, eyes sunken and dark. She must have been by Leonidas’ side ever since the accident.

　　“Thank you for coming all this way, Princess Cordelia, Augustus. Truthfully, when I sent the letter, I did not expect the both of you to come. I understand that Leonidas has made your life…difficult but I—” her eyes started to tear up. I looked over to Augustus in hopes that he would comfort his mother, but he merely stared at her.

　　I took a step forward and took hold of Veronica’s hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “We’re family now, Empress Veronica. I am here if you need a shoulder to lean on.”

　　“Oh dear, you are truly a Godsend.” She smiled through her watery eyes.

　　“Where is he?” Augustus asked.

　　“In his room. S-Shall we go pay him a visit?”

　　“Yes. I would prefer to head to my manor before it gets too dark.”

　　“Ah…y-yes.” She said, hanging her head low before pulling away from me to lead us to Leonidas’ room. I lingered behind to match Augustus’ pace.

　　“You could try to be a little nicer,” I whispered to him.

　　“And why is that?”

　　“Can’t you see that she is heartbroken?”

　　“I do not see how that is my problem.”

　　“Augustus—”

　　“Mother! There you are! I’ve been looking for you…” An unfamiliar voice called out. I turned to the source only to find a tall man walking towards us from the opposite side. For a second, I had thought he was Leonidas himself but upon a closer look, he just heavily resembles the emperor. If I had to guess, this was probably one of Augustus’ brothers. When he noticed Augustus, I could see his demeanour changing in an instant.

　　“Cyril…” Veronica called out, almost surprised. “When did you return?”

　　“Just recently, mother. I came as soon as I could.” His tone completely changed as he went to hug his mother, but his icy glare was fixated on Augustus. “How is father?”

　　“He is… well, the doctors have lost hope, but I want to believe that he will get better.”

　　“Mother…” he cooed, before turning his attention to me suddenly. “And this is…?”

　　“Oh yes, this is Augustus’ lovely wife. The future empress of the Southern Kingdom, Princess Cordelia.” Veronica introduced. I took this cue to give him a small bow out of respect. “And this is my oldest son, Cyril.”

　　“Wife. Ah yes, I had nearly forgotten that our Augustus had gotten married. Apologies that I did not manage to attend the wedding, I was preoccupied with military duties.” Cyril said apologetically.

　　“There is no need to apologise for that, Prince Cyril.”

　　He smiled but that smile seemingly faded when his gaze went to Augustus. He was not even trying to hide displeasure of seeing Augustus.

　　“I’m sure your father will be very happy to see that you have returned home.” Veronica said as she guided Cyril ahead. Augustus and I followed them from behind. I glanced up to my husband’s face and was not surprised to see that stoic expression.

　　When we arrived at Leonidas’ room, we entered quietly to pay him a visit. He was asleep on his grand bed, completely still and covered with layers of bandages. According to the letter that was sent, the incident happened a few days ago and yet Leonidas looked incredibly aged from his comatose state. Cyril and Veronica were by his bed as they spoke in a hushed voice, seemingly talking to the sleeping Leonidas. Augustus and I stood further away and after a moment of silence, he turned around and walked out of the room. I was about to follow him.

　　“He should not even be here in the first place.” Cyril’s voice made me stop in my tracks.

　　“Cyril!” Veronica scolded but he was not holding back anymore. That intense look in his eyes.

　　“I do not understand why you asked him to come, mother. He is this family’s bad omen!”

　　“Enough! You do not believe such superstitions!”

　　“The shaman said that if he is alive, our family will suffer! And suffer we did! Have you forgotten what had happened to Flavian? And now my father is going to suffer the same fate.”

　　“Cease this, Cyril! Not in front of Princess Cordelia.”

　　“Why not? She is family now, right?” he scoffed, turning to me. “Why in the world would you marry that thing, princess? Why would you damn yourself?”

　　“What are you talking about?” I asked. I knew of how Augustus was perceived by the public, but I never knew it was this bad for his brother to be speaking so ill of him.

　　“You are truly unaware of what that thing is?” Cyril asked, completely shocked by my ignorance.

　　“Do not speak of him like that, Cyril. He is still my son; he still has the same running through his veins.”

　　“He is a bad omen. The sooner you realise that father and the shaman were right, the better this family would be, mother.” Cyril snapped before rushing out of the room.

　　I stood there, unsure what I was supposed to do now but then Veronica started to sob. I instinctively went to her to comfort her. I place a hand on her shoulder, feeling her body tremble as she attempts to stifle her sobs and tears. She lowered her head and hid them in her hands.

　　“I am so sorry you had to witness that.” She said between sobs.

　　“Every family has their own difficulties. I am in no position to judge the discourse between your family members.” I reassured her.

　　“As a mother, I want to cherish all my children equally even though I have been through many hardships ever since Augustus was born.”

　　“Yes, I have heard the stories.”

　　“Whatever you heard, everything was true. My relationship with Leonidas nearly crumbled apart when I was accused of infidelity. It is rare after all, for a child to be born without an ounce of resemblance to its parents.” I nodded in understanding.

　　“Forgive me for prying but Cyril mentioned a Flavian? Is that your second son?” Veronica lifted her head when I mentioned the name. She then looked up at me.

　　“Does Augustus not talk about his family to you?” I shook my head. “Of course, why would he when all we ever do is push him aside.” She sighed.

　　“That’s…”

　　“Flavian is my second son, and he was in a very terrible accident when he was younger. He is now bedridden… unable to walk. He locked himself in his room most of the time and everyone blamed Augustus even though he was in the palace at the moment. I do not doubt that he will be blamed for Leonidas’ accident as well.”

　　“But if he wasn’t anywhere near them during the incidents then why would people continue to blame Augustus?”

　　“The people of the North are heavily superstitious individuals.”

　　“And you are not?”

　　“I am to an extent, but it is complicated when my own son is being deemed as a bad omen. Oh, what am I to do if Leonidas were to leave me. What would I do if anything happens to Cyril too…?” she sobbed. I stayed with her until she calmed down but the stories she shared to me was starting to make me understand why Augustus showed no care for his own family.