The evening had settled into a quiet breeze as the slanting rays of the setting sun fell across the Imperial gardens.
Footsteps echoed through the garden as someone approached a rose bush.
Rosalia stood beside the pink roses, a single flower in her hand.
"You're late," she said without looking back. "I summoned you twenty minutes ago."
"I apologize, Aunt." Marceline stepped beside the Empress Dowager.
"I was delayed because Duke Merlion stopped me."
"Oh?" Rosalia raised a brow as she looked at her niece.
"He's too old for you. He's already married, has two children, and even has a grandchild on the way."
Marceline rolled her eyes.
"Aunt, really?"
Rosalia sighed, "Right. You wouldn't have stopped even if someone had tried to stop you for that reason."
She released a dramatic sigh.
"Will I die without ever seeing the face of the next generation?"
"Your daughter, my dearest cousin Ines, may soon give you a grandchild," Marceline said with a smirk.
"Ah, yes," Rosalia replied with a smile. "It may be possible with the Flower Maiden named Zarah."
"That reminds me," Marceline said tilting her head.
"Duke Merlion said Duchess Merlion stayed behind because their daughter, Young Lady Merlion, and her wife, Lady Beckett, received the Goddess's blessing and are expecting a child. Duchess Merlion stayed with her daughter, who's seven months along."
"I heard," Rosalia smiled as she plucked the rose from her hand.
"Duchess Merlion sent a letter when Young Lady Merlion and her wife received Aelthrya's blessing and conceived."
She handed the rose to Marceline.
Marceline accepted it.
"Macy, the brothel situation is too dire," Rosalia's expression became more serious.
"With the death anniversary banquet only a day and a half away, I'll need you to keep your ears open to what the nobility is saying about it."
"I'm aware, Aunt," Marceline replied with a nod.
"Also..."
Rosalia looked at her niece.
"Nolan requested that he select your escort for the banquet."
Marceline raised an eyebrow.
"Aunt, are you lying and using his name to try to matchmake me?"
Rosalia clicked her tongue.
"So little trust in your aunt. Unbelievable."
"Aunt, your manipulation won't work on me. Your daughter has made me manipulation-proof," Marceline replied jokingly.
Rosalia laughed.
"Really, Macy? Oh well. Unfortunately, it isn't manipulation this time."
Marceline raised a brow.
"Then what is it?"
"Ask Nolan."
Rosalia shrugged.
"Really, Aunt?"
Marceline deadpanned.
"I will be visiting the Imperial infirmary. Come along," Rosalia's voice finally became serious.
Marceline nodded.
"Yes, Aunt."
With that, the two women walked toward the infirmary.
"What's so interesting about the window?"
Ines's voice came from behind as she stepped into Zarah's chamber.
Zarah startled from where she stood near the window and immediately turned toward her.
"Your Majesty?"
Her voice was filled with surprise.
'What is Ines doing here?'
Had the Empress discovered that she had gathered Nolan, Jia, and Diana alongside Iris and herself for a meeting?
But how would she have found out?
Had a maid told her?
Had someone seen them entering her chamber?
"Why are you surprised?"
Ines raised a brow.
"Can't I visit you without summoning you?"
"Huh?"
Zarah became even more confused.
"You... you can."
She hesitated.
"But Your Majesty hasn't done this before."
"That doesn't mean I can't start now."
Ines stepped behind Zarah and wrapped her arms around her waist, pulling her gently against her chest.
"I was just a little shocked."
Zarah admitted it as she leaned her head back against Ines's chest.
She sighed internally, relieved.
'Thankfully, Ines didn't come earlier.'
Otherwise, she would have walked straight into their meeting.
It seemed Ines had simply wanted to see her.
"What were you looking at?"
Ines rested her chin against Zarah's shoulder.
"That plant on the window."
Zarah's eyes drifted toward the dried-up jasmine plant climbing around the window.
She had been trying to practice healing on the flower.
Unfortunately, she hadn't even reached the H in healing.
She didn't even know where to begin.
How was she supposed to control her powers?
She wanted to learn healing, but whenever she tried, her palms would heat up before suddenly becoming cold again.
'That's the only thing that happens.'
Zarah sighed internally.
Ines looked toward the plant before leaning closer and pressing a kiss to Zarah's ear.
"I'll have someone remove it."
Zarah's expression immediately fell.
Ines noticed.
Was the dried-up flower somehow upsetting her?
"No, no. It's okay."
Zarah shook her head.
"No?"
Ines glanced at her.
"But it looks like the flower is upsetting you."
"It isn't."
Zarah smiled.
"I was simply looking at it."
Ines's brows furrowed, but she didn't question her further.
Perhaps staring at dead flowers was simply one of Zarah's hobbies.
"Your Majesty?"
Zarah tilted her head back to look at Ines.
Ines looked down at her.
"Hmm?"
"What will happen to the Madam and Miss Jennifer?" Zarah asked quietly.
Ines's hold on Zarah became more protective as she pulled her closer.
"Jennifer will be imprisoned for life for assisting Rosetta with her crimes."
Her expression darkened.
"And as for Rosetta..."
Ines smirked as she leaned down and kissed Zarah's forehead.
"She will be dealt with separately."
A shiver ran down Zarah's spine at the Empress's voice.
It seemed the Madam would truly be getting what she deserved.
Ines turned Zarah around in her arms and cupped her cheek.
Zarah's breath hitched.
She knew that look.
Ines leaned closer, their lips almost touching.
'The Empress is so greedy.'
Zarah closed her eyes.
At that moment, a knock sounded at the chamber door.
"Your Majesty."
A servant's voice came from outside.
"Grand Duke Caelthorne is attempting to stir unrest within the Noble Council regarding the brothel fire."
Ines sighed, releasing Zarah's cheek.
She kissed Zarah's forehead once more before pulling away.
"I need to go. Take care."
"You too, Your Majesty."
Zarah gave a respectful curtsy.
Ines turned toward the exit.
"What did he do?"
She walked ahead, with the servant following closely behind.
The servant began explaining that Alexander was attempting to convince the nobles that Ines was destroying tradition by shutting down the brothel.
He was also claiming that the fire was something Ines had known would happen.