The towers of the capital appeared on the horizon.
Celestine remained silent as she watched the walls of the Empire of the Crimson Sun.
It had been some time since she had last seen them.
But nothing had changed.
The enormous stone walls continued to protect the city.
The red banners fluttered in the wind.
And above the main gate, the empire's golden symbol shone beneath the light of dawn.
However, something was different.
Soldiers were scattered along the roads.
Imperial patrols were checking every carriage approaching the capital.
Seris observed from a distance.
— They're looking for someone.
Celestine answered:
— They're looking for me.
Leonhardt looked at her.
— We can still avoid the capital.
— No.
Celestine continued walking.
— If I run away now, I'll be confirming everything they've said about me.
Seraphina stayed beside her.
— And what if they try to arrest you?
Celestine held the hilt of Lúmina.
— Then we'll have a conversation.
The Guardian looked toward the city.
— There are many soldiers.
— We don't need to fight all of them — Celestine said.
Lyra pointed toward a side road.
— There's another way.
Seris observed it.
— That road leads to the old districts.
Celestine nodded.
— Let's go that way.
The group left the main road.
---
Hours later, they reached the old districts of the capital.
The streets were narrow.
Stone houses crowded together.
Merchants were opening their shops.
Children ran through the streets.
For a few moments, it seemed as though the city was still normal.
But then Celestine noticed the looks.
People were whispering.
Some discreetly pointed at her.
A woman closed her window when Celestine passed.
A man pulled his child closer.
Leonhardt noticed.
— They're afraid of you.
Celestine lowered her eyes.
— Not of me.
— What do you mean?
— They're not afraid of me.
She showed him the imperial document.
— They're afraid of what they've heard about me.
Seraphina sighed.
— Lies can be more dangerous than swords.
Celestine put the document away.
— That's why we need to find the truth before it's buried.
They continued walking.
Then they heard footsteps.
Many footsteps.
Seris immediately placed her hand on her sword.
— Soldiers.
Everyone stopped.
A patrol appeared at the end of the street.
There were at least twenty soldiers.
At the front was a knight wearing red and gold armor.
He raised his hand.
— Nobody move!
Celestine remained still.
The knight advanced.
— We're looking for Duchess Celestine d'Arnoir.
Leonhardt stepped forward.
— For what reason?
— Direct order from the throne.
Celestine looked at him.
— Who gave the order?
The knight hesitated.
— The Imperial Council.
Celestine narrowed her eyes.
— The Imperial Council has no authority to issue an arrest order without the emperor's authorization.
The soldier became uncomfortable.
Seris noticed.
— You don't even know who signed the order.
The knight clenched his teeth.
— We have our orders!
Celestine raised her hand.
— Then show me the document.
The knight said nothing.
— Show me.
He finally took out a scroll.
Celestine examined the seal.
It was the imperial symbol.
But something was wrong.
She stepped closer.
— This seal has been forged.
The knight's eyes widened.
— What?
Celestine pointed at the symbol.
— The real seal has three small marks at the bottom.
She turned the document over.
— This one has none.
Seris smiled.
— Then someone is using the empire's name.
The knight looked at his own soldiers.
Some of them began murmuring.
Celestine realized that the patrol had been deceived as well.
— Who gave this to you?
The knight answered:
— An official from the Council.
— Name.
He hesitated.
— I don't know.
— Then you're arresting a duchess based on an order whose author you don't even know.
The man fell silent.
Celestine continued:
— Go back to your superiors.
— And what should we tell them?
— Tell them you found me.
The knight raised his head.
— And then?
Celestine stared at him.
— Tell them I didn't run.
She walked past him.
— I'm going to the palace.
The soldiers remained motionless.
Leonhardt followed Celestine.
Seraphina did as well.
When the group disappeared down the street, the knight looked at the document again.
A small black mark appeared over the seal.
The man's eyes widened.
— What...
The scroll began to burn.
---
At the imperial palace, a door opened violently.
An advisor came rushing inside.
— Your Majesty!
Emperor Edric IV raised his eyes.
— What happened?
— Duchess Celestine d'Arnoir has returned to the capital.
The room fell silent.
Edric remained seated.
— She's here?
— Yes.
— Was she captured?
— No.
The emperor frowned.
— Why?
— Because the arrest order they received was false.
Edric stood up.
— False?
— Someone is using the imperial seal.
The emperor walked toward the window.
— Who else knows about this?
— Only a few officials.
Edric remained silent.
Then he asked:
— And the First Inquisitor?
— Missing.
The emperor's expression became serious.
— Then it has finally begun.
The advisor looked at him.
— Your Majesty?
Edric closed the curtains.
— Gather the Imperial Guard.
— To arrest Celestine?
— No.
He looked at the man.
— To protect her.
The advisor was surprised.
— Protect her?
— Yes.
— But there are accusations against her.
Edric answered:
— Accusations that no one has been able to prove.
He walked toward a table.
Several ancient documents lay upon it.
One of them bore the name Aelira.
Another mentioned Aureon.
And the third contained a symbol similar to the one on Celestine's sword.
Edric touched the document.
— For centuries, someone has tried to erase this history.
He raised his eyes.
— And now Celestine has returned with the same sword.
---
Celestine and her companions continued walking toward the palace.
But before they reached the main gate, the Guardian stopped.
— Wait.
Celestine turned.
— What is it?
He pointed toward an alley.
— Someone is following us.
Seris drew her sword.
— How many?
— One.
Leonhardt looked behind them.
Nothing.
— Are you sure?
The Guardian nodded.
— He's hiding.
Celestine walked toward the alley.
— Come out.
Silence.
— I know you're there.
A shadow moved.
A hooded figure appeared.
Seris pointed her sword.
— Take off your hood.
The figure remained still.
Celestine spoke:
— If you came to kill me, you've come to the wrong place.
The person let out a small laugh.
— You still speak like her.
Celestine froze.
— Like whom?
The figure slowly removed her hood.
It was a woman with dark hair.
Around her neck was a small golden mark.
Celestine immediately grabbed Lúmina.
— Where did you get that mark?
The woman smiled.
— I was waiting for you to ask.
She took out a small pendant.
At its center was a black rose.
Celestine felt the Void awaken.
Danger.
The woman said:
— I have a message for you.
— From whom?
She looked directly at Celestine.
— From the man who was with the First Inquisitor.
Leonhardt immediately became alert.
— The golden-eyed man.
The woman nodded.
— He wants you to know something.
Celestine waited.
The woman smiled.
— Edran was never on Aelira's side.
Seraphina went pale.
— Lies!
— No.
The woman handed the pendant to Celestine.
— The truth is in the palace.
Celestine took the object.
As soon as her fingers touched the pendant, a vision appeared.
Aelira.
Edran.
The ancient emperor.
A ritual.
And at the center of it all...
A black rose.
Celestine opened her eyes.
The vision disappeared.
The woman was gone.
— She disappeared — Lyra said.
Seris looked around.
— She didn't leave a trace.
Celestine stared at the pendant.
— She wanted us to find this.
Leonhardt asked:
— Do you believe her?
Celestine closed her hand.
— No.
She looked toward the imperial palace.
— But I believe someone wants me to discover something.
The Void pulsed again.
Do not trust what appears to be the truth.
Celestine took a deep breath.
— Then we'll find out together.
She walked toward the palace gate.
The enormous doors began to open.
On the other side, dozens of imperial guards were waiting.
And at the top of the staircase stood Emperor Edric IV himself.
His eyes met Celestine's.
For several seconds, neither of them spoke.
Then the emperor said:
— Enter, Duchess Celestine.
Celestine climbed the first step.
— We have much to talk about.
And at that moment, she realized that her return to the Empire of the Crimson Sun would not be an escape from the past.
It would be the beginning of the truth.