Intermission

The girl's golden hair fluttered in the wind, gleaming in the sunlight like a field of wheat. She'd made it a habit to visit the garden daily, not only because she loved the flowers, but also because it was the only place the ornery aristocrats would leave her alone. It was the prince's private garden and entering without permission was punishable by death.

"Beautiful."

Her pale skin flushed and she turned away to hide her reddening cheeks.

"The gardeners work hard," she said. She knew he wasn't referring to the flowers.

"Not as hard as you, Sarah."

"Always the charmer, Your Highness."

"I've told you that you can call me by name when we're alone."

The prince took Sarah's hand and raised it to his lips. He held the kiss longer than was customary, as if the kiss were meant for her lips rather than her hand.

"What would people say if they saw you, Stolz?"

The golden epaulettes of Stolz's suit swayed as he shrugged.

"Why should the future emperor hide his affection for the future empress?"

Sarah shifted uncomfortably and pulled her hand away. She'd never expected to be in such a position and detested how she'd gotten. She loved Stolz with all her heart. He was her sun and the light that had illuminated the grey world around her. But her love had come at a heavy cost.

Not that she blamed herself. Not entirely. Aurelie Scelerat's own actions had led to her exile. Sarah just couldn't ignore the role she'd played. She'd known Stolz was engaged, known that it was inappropriate for a commoner to get so close to the Rising Sun of the Empire. It was love that had blinded her, that had caused her to ignore her morals. No matter how she justified it, she'd stolen Aurelie's fiancé. The lack of love between them didn't change that fact.

"You're thinking of her again."

Sarah nodded, straightening out the skirt of her pink dress. She still wasn't used to the weight of the extravagant garments she was forced to wear. She was the daughter of a baker and had only ever worn thin clothes of linen and cotton. The uniforms of Orattvis Academy had been stuffy enough; she could barely breathe in her new clothes.

"Of course I am. You read Richard's letter. She's alive and cavorting with the demons. I didn't want her to perish, but I can't relax knowing she might hurt Richard."

"That's why I sent Louis to help him. I know better than anyone what Aurelie is capable of. For all her faults, her earth magic was unparalleled. In a different world she might have even led the Mage's Tower."

"I've also heard… rumors."

Stolz's brow raised. "Rumors?"

"I dare not repeat them within the palace. But I'm sure you've heard them as well."

He didn't reply. Instead, he took his new fiancé's hand and squeezed it firmly.

"They're unfounded. Father would never order such a thing, nor would Duke Scelerat or his wife."

"But what if they did?" Sarah covered her mouth. She hadn't meant to raise her voice. "What if she'd been forced into it. It's no secret that the emperor was against our relationship in the beginning."

"Against it or not, he would never try to kill you." Stolz's voice was firm, his eyes confident.

"You're right. I'm sorry. I'm just so worried."

"I understand."

Stolz pulled Sarah closer and stroked her hair with the back of his hand. She nuzzled into his broad chest, basking in his warmth. His touches always soothed her. Maybe she was worried over nothing.

"Just focus on your lessons for now. Your tutors say you've been doing well, but there's much more you need to learn as the future Moon of the Empire."

"Yes, yes," she sighed. Then she paused. "Do you ever think of how different our lives would be if the church hadn't found me?"

Stolz's eyes hardened. He always tensed when she asked uncomfortable questions.

"It wouldn't have mattered," he eventually answered. "Our love was destined. Even if you'd never left your village I would have found you."

Sarah laughed and pushed Stolz away.

"Always with the flirting! You don't have to try so hard. I'm already yours."

He shook his head and pulled her to him again to embrace her. Her warmth soothed his heart, melted his worries. In truth he knew Richard's expedition was struggling and news of Aurelie's survival had plagued him with nightmares. He'd done a terrible thing to her; he'd confirmed the rumors himself. If his ex-fiancé wanted revenge, he wouldn't hold it against her. But he wouldn't roll over, either. He had too much to lose.

"Just promise you'll always be by my side," he whispered, kissing her hair.

"I promise."

***

"Are you sure this is it?"

Richard removed his glove and ran his hand over the cold stone. It looked like a regular cave in his eyes.

"Nearly positive, Sir. The mages all reported feeling the same spike of mana from this location last week and there's signs that these rocks collapsed recently."

"Of course they have."

He'd felt the spike as well, though not where it had originated. Exhaustion had dulled his senses and the deep bags under his eyes were only getting deeper. Louis's arrival had been welcome at first, but was getting more taxing with each passing day. His men simply ate too much and rumors of a ghostly woman wandering the woods had put them on edge.

"Why are you waiting? We have more than enough troops to crush the demon village, walls or no."

"We can't rush in. Even your mages say the mana spike could only have been caused by an exceptional mage. And we both know who they mean."

"How did she even survive? Didn't you say you watched that brute run her through?"

"Only for her pet Dusk to somehow heal her. I don't want to make the mistake of underestimating them again. If she's found the Essence Stones, there's no way of telling how powerful she and her Dusk have gotten."

"How long will it take to clear the rubble?"

"Around another week, Sir. We only have a few men who can use earth magic and, while I hate to disparage them, they aren't particularly talented."

"And Louis's men?"

"Sir Bourbon did not bring any earth users with him. His forces are mostly comprised of fire and light mages."

"Of course they are. When will those fools in the capitol learn that most demons are not weak to light magic…"

"I don't know, Sir."

"It was rhetor— It doesn't matter. Just get the mages started. I'll pay them double their daily wage if they clear it by tomorrow."

"Yes, Sir!"

Aurelie Scelerat. How had she survived? Despite being a shadow of her former beauty, her magic hadn't grown much weaker. And the Dusk. There was no explanation for it. He could only trust that Louis's swordsmanship was up to the task. Ajax had lacked the common sense and finesse of a trained swordsman and he'd managed to hold his own for a time. If Richard had just managed to arrive a few minutes sooner, if the brute hadn't run off, they wouldn't have so many troubles to deal with.

"What do I do with that woman… Should we capture her and bring her back to the empire? Or kill her here? Prince Stolz didn't say anything about imprisoning her."

He rubbed his palm over the grimoire strung to his belt. A gift from Sarah. How he wished he could have had her. They would have been perfect together! A golden haired goddess ruling the empire beside him through money rather than position. But she'd chosen Stolz and he had to accept that. Even the womanizer Charles had accepted their relationship.

Still, he needed an heir. His father's age was catching up to him and having another successor would be a comfort to the company as a whole. He just needed someone of exceptional stock. If love was out of the question, utility was of the utmost priority.

Perhaps Aurelie would prove useful yet.