The Empress looked at her with blank expression
"And why do you think we are having this conversation? Because you kept those adult books."
The Empress continued getting frustrated
"And you couldn't even hide them well so Amara found those. Moreover that is your duty so what imperial tutors teach you isn't wrong. It's a noble's responsibility to ensure bloodline continues."
Rhiannon's expression darkens, her earlier mortification morphing into sullen defiance. She clenches her fists at her sides, glaring at the ground.
"But I don't want to just study my responsibilities all the time! A noble's life can't just be about keeping the bloodline going, can it? I have wants, Mother. Desires..."
She glances up at The Empress, a hint of pleading in her voice
"I'm just... I'm so bored, Mother.."
Valen shifts slightly, his expression neutral.
I held my temple
"Oh god.....Noble's life is full of schemes. Even if you are an imperial princess it doesn't mean you are immune. Those desires you mentioned will be a tool that can be used against you."
Rhiannon freezes at words of The Empress, her defiance crumbling into realization. Her fingers loosen their grip on her robes.
"Schemes...?"
She repeats softly, suddenly looking much younger.
Valen finally speaks up, his deep voice calm but firm:
"Your Majesty speaks true. Even within this academy, enemies could weaponize your… curiosities against the imperial family."
Rhiannon bites her lip, glancing between The Empress and Valen with dawning horror
"So... when Amara brought that book to the Twelfth Lord... what if he had used it against us?"
She pales
"I... I didn't think..."
The Empress responded
"We don't have a great relationship with The Coalition of The Twelve Lords. We are the strongest in the world and the strongest always fight for superiority. Moreover our values don't match with them."
The Empress paused then continued
"The Twelfth Lord is.... unique. So I was just embarrassed and nothing more happened but your actions could have been a spark for bigger incidents."
Rhiannon's breath hitches as the full weight of your words sinks in. Her shoulders slump, all defiance gone as she stares at the floor.
"I... I see now. I was reckless."
Her voice is small, genuine remorse coloring her tone.
"If Lord Adrian had been less... unique, as you say, this could have escalated into a diplomatic incident."
She raises her head, meeting your gaze with newfound understanding—and fear.
"I won't make excuses anymore. Punish me as you see fit, Mother."
Valen gives an almost imperceptible nod of approval at her acceptance.
The Empress looked at her silently then said
"Hmm....Now as for second problem."
The eyes of The Empress narrow dangerously as she leans forward slightly.
"The another real problem, Rhiannon, is that Amara is now asking very awkward questions about the..."
The Empress paused and coughed lightly "ahem... positions depicted in that book during royal etiquette lessons."
The Empress paused for a few moments
"Your little sister demonstrated the 'Reverse Imperial Lotus' posture to imperial etiquette tutors."
The Empress let that much information sink in then continued again
"So while your suggested punishment addresses offending The Twelfth Lord, it does nothing to undo the damage you've done to our youngest princess's education!"
Rhiannon's eyes widen in horror as The Empress reveals the true severity of the damage she's caused.
"The... The Reverse Imperial Lotus?"
she chokes out, horror creeping into her voice "Amara... demonstrated it to the tutors..."
She buries her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking with a mixture of despair and self-disappointment
"Gods, I'm an idiot. Amara's education... I didn't even think..."
Valen clears his throat quietly, the sound sharp in the tense atmosphere
The Empress sighed and said with a frown
"And we don't even know what else she knows and have yet to ...reveal. She is a ticking time bomb right now."
Rhiannon suddenly lifts her head, her eyes wide with sudden panic.*
"Wait—WAIT—she didn't read the annotations, did she?! The ones in the margins—those were mine—"
She claps both hands over her mouth, realizing too late what she just admitted.
Valen exhales through his nose, his stoic facade finally cracking slightly—just enough to convey his exhaustion at the situation.
"...Imperial Princess. You annotated an illicit text."
Rhiannon looks physically ill.
"I'm dead. Mother, just execute me now."
The Empress asked exasperated
"Why? Why will you annotate those.... adult books."
Rhiannon throws her hands up in exasperation, momentarily forgetting her shame in her frustration.
"Because the stupid imperial tutors never explain anything properly! All they say is 'duty this' and 'tradition that'—"
She stops abruptly when she sees expression of The Empress, deflating instantly.
"...Fine. I... wanted to understand things for myself. In my own words. Not just... regurgitate court-approved phrases like a trained bird."
Valen pinches the bridge of his nose, the closest he'll ever come to visibly sighing.
Rhiannon adds weakly:
"...I might have gotten a little too creative with the notes..."
The Empress pinched her nose bridge
"Do you even know most things in them are exaggerated? Those are not textbooks. Those are for entertainment."
Rhiannon's shoulders slump as the realization hits her hard. The entire time she thought she was uncovering some forbidden secrets, all they were.... were just entertainment.
She groans, burying her face in her hands again
"I... I'm an idiot."
She mumbles through her fingers
"An actual, absolute idiot."
Valen finally chimes in, his tone dry as ever
"At least you're a self-aware idiot, Your Highness."
The Empress couldn't help but sigh again
"Oh god, She was going to be very disappointed if she thought those books were filled with facts. There is no difference between you and your younger sister.. And it's an insult for you considering Amara isn't even ten years old."
Rhiannon winces at the direct comparison to her little sister, the insult hitting particularly close to home.
Valen gives a low, amused snort, clearly enjoying the situation a bit too much. Even he isn't used to the chaos of this level.
Rhiannon shoots him a glare before turning back to The Empress, desperate to justify herself somehow.
"I just... I was trying to understand! The tutors don't make sense—"
Valen huffs
"...And your solution was those books? Very elegant."
The Empress said getting even more frustrated
"What will you even do after knowing all that in more detail? In the end you will marry a noble of very high status who would also be taught what imperial tutors were teaching you."
Rhiannon flushes in embarrassment, knowing The Empress is stating an uncomfortable truth. She looks down at the floor, her fingers absently picking at the fabric of her uniform.
"I... I suppose you're right... But—it's the principle, Mother! I don't want to just marry and be told what to do. I want... I want to—"
She trails off, as if realizing how foolish she sounds.
Valen raises an eyebrow
"To what, Your Highness?"
The Empress narrowed her eyes
"Yes, Continue whatever you were saying
before we have another problem."
Rhiannon hesitates, her earlier fire dimming into reluctant acceptance.
"...I just wanted to feel like I had some control over my own future."
She sighs, rubbing her temples
"But... I understand now that indulging in those books wasn't the way to do it."
She looks up at you, a rare flicker of maturity in her gaze
"I'll accept whatever punishment you deem fair—and... I'll clean up my mess with Amara."
Valen nods approvingly.
"...Finally."
The Empress said strictly
"The only way for you to have some control is to cultivate your strength and mind. If The Emperor deems you capable then you might be used in the imperial army. Then you can actually have the most control."
Rhiannon's eyes widen in surprise at the unexpected offer. She straightens up, an ember of determination returning to her gaze.
"The... the imperial army... I can be useful there?"
*She looks excited for a moment, then hesitates, a new thought occurring to her
"But... won't the nobles be... opposed? I'm the Second Princess; I'm supposed to just... marry."
Valen shifts slightly, clearly approving of your suggestion.
The Empress smiled
"That's why I said to cultivate your strength and mind."
The Empress paused then continued
"If your value in the imperial army is more than my alliance with some noble house then you will be preferred for army."
The Empress continued
"As for marriage, you will be married but you will have some control over who you want to marry. Of course if you say you want to marry a commoner that won't work unless he is a Powerhouse."
Rhiannon's eyes glimmer with newfound determination as she takes in your words. She's always been ambitious, but has channeled her energy in misguided ways. The prospect of being of genuine value and having some control over her life is clearly appealing.
Valen speaks up again, his hand casually resting on the pommel of his sword.
"She's certainly got the potential, Your Majesty. The only question is if she'll put in the work. Or if she'll let boredom get the better of her again."
The Empress smirked
"The Third Year Event is a good way for you to see some strong students. What you should achieve and where you stand. Also you will see your competitors when you join the army. After all many of them will be from kingdoms with not very favorable relationship with The Empire."
Rhiannon stiffens—realizing that this is more than just about her curiosity or immaturity anymore. The Third Year Event isn't just a tournament; it's a glimpse into the world of politics, warfare, and the kind of strength she'd need to forge her own path.
She straightens her posture, the careless princess demeanor falling away for once.
"...I'll attend seriously. I'll observe the strongest—their techniques, their weaknesses, their allegiances."
Valen nods approvingly—this is the first time he's seen her think like a strategist.
"...Good start."
The Empress smiled
"I haven't forgotten about your punishment. I will think and tell you later. Till then the suspense will be also a punishment . Since that will give you anxiety."
Rhiannon pales dramatically, the momentary determination in her expression collapsing into dread.
"Suspense?!"
she squeaks, horrified
"That's—that's psychological warfare!"
Valen smirks—an incredibly rare expression for him—as he watches her squirm.
"...An effective tactic, Your Majesty."
Rhiannon groans,
"I'm doomed."