NOVPUBIllena gasped dramatically, covering her mouth. "Oh no, Selvia, you're soaked! I'm so sorry—I was just so excited!"
Selvia shook her head, chuckling as she reached for a nearby towel. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you, my lady."
Illena grinned, completely unbothered by her own enthusiasm, before throwing her arms around Selvia, hugging her tightly. "You're the first to know! My dearest Selvia, you're the first to hear that I'm going to be a mother!"
Selvia softened, gently patting the empress's wet hair. "And I am honored, my lady."
Illena pulled back, her face glowing with happiness. "Oh, I wish he were here right now! When he comes back, I have to make it special! Should I prepare a grand feast? Or maybe a quiet moment just for the two of us?"
Selvia smirked. "Knowing the emperor, he might just scoop you into his arms the moment he hears the news."
Illena giggled, already imagining his reaction. "I can't wait! I—I have to get dressed! I need to start preparing for his return!"
She suddenly tried to stand up too quickly, nearly slipping on the wet marble.
Selvia immediately caught her, sighing. "My lady, you're still wet! And naked, might I add."
"Oh. Right." Illena blinked, then laughed. "I should get dressed first!"
Selvia shook her head, wrapping the empress in a plush towel before guiding her out of the bath. "One step at a time, my lady."
But as Illena beamed with pure joy, practically buzzing with excitement, Selvia couldn't help but smile.
This child would be loved more than anything.
....
....
Arkanos' Study
The soft rustling of fabric and the clinking of glassware echoed through Arkanos' study as a handful of elven maids busied themselves with cleaning. The chamber was grand, filled with towering bookshelves of rare tomes, intricate mana-infused artifacts, and a massive obsidian desk where the emperor often spent his time.
Standing at the center of the room, Lirael, Arkanos' head maid, directed the others. Her blank expression never wavered as she instructed a young elf to dust the shelves, another to polish the mana lamps, and a third to dispose of the empty potion vials left behind on Arkanos' table.
"Be careful with that," she instructed a maid who was hesitating near a stack of delicate scrolls. "If even one gets damaged, His Majesty will know. And I am certain he wouod not be very happy about that."
The maid flinched and gave a hurried nod before handling the scrolls with caution.
Another elf, a younger girl with auburn hair, nervously approached the large wooden desk where several empty bottles were scattered.
"Head Maid Lirael… these are all empty. Should I dispose of them?"
Lirael's sharp gaze flickered toward her. "No. His Majesty does not leave things behind carelessly. Take only what is broken. Leave the rest."
The girl nodded quickly, but her gaze drifted to a small bowl on the desk—the only thing left untouched. Inside, a single ring rested, its emerald-green surface shimmering faintly.
Lirael followed her gaze, her lips pressing into a thin line.
The emperor left that here… why?
She was about to dismiss it when—
The ring pulsed.
The glow that had been faint suddenly intensified, flooding the entire study in emerald light. The mana in the air thickened, pressing down on them like an unseen force.
The elves let out startled cries, shielding their eyes.
"What's happening?!" one of them gasped.
"I don't know!" another yelped, stepping back.
Lirael, however, stood firm, her expression barely shifting. Her eyes remained locked on the glowing ring as the light condensed, forming the outline of a female figure.
The moment the radiance dimmed, revealing who had appeared, Lirael's eyes widened.
Her silver hair went down in endless waves down her back, nearly reaching the floor. Her ears were far longer than any elf's, tapering into elegant points that hinted at her ancient and powerful lineage.
She wore a gown of deep forest green, its fabric shimmering like sunlight through leaves, with golden trimmings across the edges that caught the morning light that came trought the window
in dazzling patterns.
But it was her eyes—radiant gold, softly glowing—that commanded absolute reverence.
An Ancient Spirit.
No—A Greater Spirit.
The realization struck the elves like lightning. Some gasped, others stared in awe, but those who recognized her immediately fell to their knees, bowing their heads in deep respect.
"Lady Selene Bloodbane," Lirael and a few others murmured.
The rest of the elves, confused, glanced at each other.
"Bloodbane?" one whispered. "That's the emperor's house name…"
"Why are you calling a spirit by the imperial name?" another asked hesitantly.
For the first time in a long while, Lirael smiled—a rare, fleeting expression. She turned her gaze to the younger maids and answered with quiet certainty.
"Because she is the emperor's mother. Wife of the late Emperor Veltharion Bloodbane."
Selene lowered her gaze to Lirael, her golden eyes gleaming with warmth as a gentle smile graced her lips.
The aura surrounding her was regal yet comforting.
"It has been a long time, Lirael," she murmured, her voice soft as a breeze through silver leaves.
"How is my sweet boy?"
Lirael trembled slightly, her usual composed expression breaking as emotion surged through her. She felt an ache in her chest—a mixture of joy, sorrow, and nostalgia all at once.
Her lips parted, but for a moment, no words came out. Then, as if a dam had broken, her voice wavered.
"All grown up now…" she said, her tone filled with pride and longing. "Already the emperor."
A single tear escaped, sliding down her cheek, but she quickly wiped it away. 𝚗𝚘v𝚙𝚞b.𝚌𝚘m
Selene's smile softened, but then she halted, her expression turning pensive. A shadow flickered across her face as she slowly straightened.
"How long… has it been?" she asked, a note of uncertainty in her voice.
Lirael inhaled sharply, composing herself before answering.
"A decade, my lady," she said quietly. Then, with a deep exhale, she whispered, "A long decade."
