Chapter 9: Questions and Hidden Memories
892 Words
The days passed peacefully within the Imperial Palace.
Since moving into the palace, Amelia had begun adjusting to her new life. Every day brought something new to learn, yet she couldn't shake the feeling that she still knew very little about the empire she now called home.
The original novel had focused almost entirely on romance and politics.
It barely explained the kingdom itself.
If she wanted to change her fate, she needed to understand this world—not just its people, but its history, customs, and magic.
After thinking for a while, only one person came to mind.
Crown Prince Lucien.
---
Amelia made her way through the palace corridors until she reached Lucien's study.
She knocked gently on the door.
"Come in."
She stepped inside.
Lucien sat at his desk with several books spread before him. Seeing Amelia, he looked up in mild surprise.
"Lady Amelia."
She smiled politely.
"I hope I'm not interrupting your work."
"You aren't."
He closed the book in front of him.
"What brings you here?"
"I was hoping you could answer a few questions."
Lucien motioned to the chair opposite him.
"Please, sit."
Amelia thanked him before taking her seat.
"I've been reading about the empire," she began, "but there are many things the books don't explain. I'd like to know more about the kingdom, its customs, its history... and magic."
Lucien nodded.
"I can tell you what I know."
For the next hour, he explained how the empire had been founded, the traditions the royal family followed, and the responsibilities carried by the great noble houses.
Amelia listened carefully, asking questions whenever something caught her interest.
Eventually, the conversation turned to magic.
"So," Amelia asked, "can anyone learn to use magic?"
Lucien shook his head.
"No."
"Magic is something people are born with."
"Some possess great power, while others have none at all."
"There are many different types—fire, water, wind, earth, healing, and even rare forms that appear only once in generations."
Amelia listened intently.
She wanted to ask more.
She wanted to ask whether someone could awaken magic later in life.
Whether strange powers could appear without explanation.
But she stopped herself.
She couldn't reveal that she possessed magic.
Not yet.
Instead, she simply smiled.
"That's fascinating."
---
After a brief silence, Lucien looked at her.
"I've been curious about something as well."
Amelia blinked.
"What is it?"
"The dessert you made."
"Ice cream."
"Where did you learn to make something like that?"
Amelia laughed softly.
"It was something I thought of."
"I wanted something cold because of the summer heat."
"So I experimented with the ingredients available in the palace."
"You seem to enjoy creating things no one has seen before."
"I suppose I do."
Lucien gave a small smile.
"It was delicious."
Amelia couldn't help smiling back.
"I'm glad you liked it."
"I did."
His answer came so naturally that even he didn't realize how gentle his voice had become.
The conversation continued with ease.
They spoke about books, travel, food, and even their favorite places within the palace.
For the first time in a long while, Lucien found himself enjoying someone's company without feeling exhausted.
He didn't notice it.
But little by little...
The wall around his heart was beginning to crumble.
Every smile Amelia wore made the palace feel warmer.
Every conversation with her felt surprisingly peaceful.
Without realizing it...
He had begun looking forward to seeing her.
---
As Amelia's gaze wandered around the study, a large portrait hanging on the wall caught her attention.
She stood and walked closer.
It was a portrait of the Imperial Family.
The Emperor stood proudly beside the Empress.
Lucien stood on one side of them in his formal royal attire.
But there was another prince.
He appeared slightly older than Lucien, with dark hair, calm eyes, and a gentle smile that gave him a warm and dependable presence.
Amelia frowned slightly.
She had lived in the palace for weeks now.
Yet she had never seen him.
Nor had anyone spoken his name.
Curious, she turned toward Lucien.
"Your Highness..."
Lucien looked up from his book.
"Yes?"
"I noticed the family portrait."
She glanced back at it.
"There's another prince."
"He looks slightly older than you."
"I've never seen him around the palace."
"What happened to him?"
The room suddenly fell silent.
Lucien's expression froze.
The warmth that had slowly appeared on his face disappeared without a trace.
His silver eyes remained fixed on the portrait.
For several long moments, he said nothing.
Amelia immediately realized she had asked about something painful.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly.
"You don't have to answer."
Lucien slowly stood and walked toward the painting.
Stopping before it, he stared silently at the older prince.
Finally, he spoke.
"He is my elder brother."
His voice was calm...
Too calm.
As if countless emotions had been buried beneath those four words.
Another long silence followed.
Then he lowered his gaze.
"...It's a story for another day."
Amelia nodded gently.
"I understand."
She didn't ask another question.
Some wounds were not meant to be opened so easily.
As she quietly left the study, she couldn't shake the feeling that the forgotten prince held one of the greatest secrets in the empire.
And somehow...
That secret was connected to the future she was trying so desperately to change.
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