"She didn't return to her chamber last night?" Matias set the scroll down on the table and looked up at his secretary.
"No, Your Majesty," the secretary replied. "Nelly informed me of her absence from the main palace. It seems she spent the night with her brothers."
Matias's brows drew together in a frown.
"Order the knights to bring her back to the main palace. She is a future concubine—she belongs here," he commanded.
"Yes, Your Majesty." The secretary bowed and quietly exited the office.
Matias leaned back in his chair, his eyes settling on the wedding ring in front of him. Today, he would marry the Princess of Oravelle. She would become the new Empress of the empire—the woman destined to bear his heir.
But once the war ended, he would name Jinny as his concubine. That way, she would still remain by his side.
A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. The servants entered, carrying his wedding garments.
"Your Majesty, it's time for you to change," the Head Butler announced respectfully.
Matias rose to his feet as the attendants moved to assist him into his ceremonial attire.
.
.
Jinny was quietly reading a book in the garden of Ruby Palace when a group of knights suddenly arrived.
"Good day, my Lady," one of them said with a respectful bow. "His Majesty has ordered us to escort you back to the main palace."
Jinny closed her book and looked up at them, her expression calm but weary.
"May I stay a little longer? I still want to spend time with my brothers," she asked softly.
The knight shook his head apologetically.
"Forgive us, my Lady, but His Majesty gave strict orders. We are to bring you back, no matter what. We'll be punished if we disobey."
Jinny let out a quiet sigh. She had no choice.
She had hoped to stay in Ruby Palace until the wedding was over. If she could help it, she wanted to avoid both the emperor and his bride altogether.
Why does Matias still want me around? she wondered. He's marrying another woman—he doesn't need me anymore, right?
"I understand," she said at last, rising to her feet.
Just as they were about to leave, her brothers appeared at the garden's entrance.
"You're taking her back?" Shuu asked, his tone sharp.
The knights bowed.
"Yes, my Lord. His Majesty ordered us to escort Lady Jinny back to the main palace."
"But he's getting married today, isn't he?" Harusheen interjected, frowning.
"Yes, my Lord," one of the knights confirmed.
"Seriously?" Rin scoffed. "What does he want with Jinny now? Why keep her in the palace at all? Isn't he afraid the empress might get jealous?"
Jinny's fingers curled tightly around her skirt.
One of the knights stepped forward and produced an envelope.
"His Majesty also asked us to deliver this invitation."
Rin took it, opened the seal, and read the contents.
"He wants you all to witness his wedding," the knight added.
"Fine. We'll go," Harusheen said curtly.
Shuu turned to Jinny.
"Are you sure you want to stay in that palace? The empress will be living there now."
Jinny lowered her gaze.
"It's His Majesty's order. I… I can't refuse."
Rin sighed and looked at her.
"We've already spoken with Princess Beatrice. Her people are helping Hajee complete the portal. Soon, it will be time for us to leave the palace. I hope you're not getting too attached to the emperor."
"I… I won't," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Good." Rin gave her shoulder a light pat before walking away.
Shuu lingered a moment longer.
"You only have us. Not him," he said, then turned and followed Rin.
Harusheen gave her a quick glance.
"Tsk. Don't even think about falling for him. He's way out of your league," he muttered, before running after his brothers.
Jinny bit her lower lip.
They were right.
She couldn't let herself get attached to Matias. She had to stay focused on the only thing that mattered now—leaving this world.
And when the time came, she would return to her real home.
To her mother's arms.
.
.
Matias stood alone at the altar. The grand hall was still empty—the ceremony would begin in an hour. He had come early, seeking solitude to reflect.
His thoughts drifted from the weight of his empire to the looming war… to the people who depended on him… and to the ones he cared about most.
Will this war ever end?
He planned to launch the attack on Montclairs the day after the wedding night. There was no time to delay. No one knew what the enemy was plotting, and hesitation could cost them dearly.
His silent contemplation was broken by the sound of footsteps. A knight entered the hall, bowing deeply. Behind him stood Jinny. After delivering her, the knight quietly withdrew.
Matias didn't speak. He stared straight ahead at the altar, expression unreadable.
Jinny stepped forward hesitantly, her fingers clutching the fabric of her skirt.
"You summoned me, Your Majesty?" she asked, her head lowered.
"I'm getting married," he said, his voice quiet but firm.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty." She curtsied politely, even though he still wouldn't look at her.
"I have to," he added. "For the sake of the empire."
"You are the emperor. You know what's best for your people."
There was a pause.
"Don't you want to stop me?" he asked suddenly.
Jinny froze. Stop him?
"I… I don't see any reason for you to stop, Your Majesty. Besides… I have no right. I'm just a mere servant."
She forced the words out, even as her throat tightened. She was holding back tears—desperate not to let him see her falter.
You don't care, she reminded herself. You must not care.
Matias finally looked at her, his gaze sharp and distant.
"Right," he muttered coldly.
Jinny straightened, forcing composure into her voice.
"Your wedding is about to begin, Your Majesty. It wouldn't be proper for others to see us here alone."
He gave a slight nod.
She bowed, turned around, and began to walk away, her steps slow and heavy. Her heart pounded so loudly she could hear it echo in her ears.
But something stopped her.
She halted… but didn't turn.
"About the child…" she whispered, her voice trembling. "I'm very sorry. I failed you."
Tears welled in her eyes and began to spill down her cheeks.
She sobbed quietly, trying not to make a sound, unwilling to let him see her pain.
Then she continued walking.
Matias watched her with a blank expression. Cold. Detached.
Suddenly, a loud boom echoed from outside the palace.
Jinny froze.
What was that?
The grand doors burst open. Knights rushed inside, urgency written on their faces.
"Your Majesty!" one of them called out breathlessly. "We are under attack!"
Jinny's eyes widened in shock.
The enemy… they're already here.
.
.
.
A few hours before the Montclair armies reached the Serolf Empire...
The troops of Montclairs were marching in formation, riding swiftly toward Serolf. At the rear of the army rode King Velnias, accompanied by Jean, who was followed by his monstrous horde. Jacques commanded the forces at the center, while Rameses led the vanguard.
Strategically placed, the Cerberus units were stationed at the front, middle, and rear of the formation—ready to unleash chaos upon the enemy.
As they emerged from the dense shadows of Barakuda Forest, Rameses pulled the reins of his horse and glanced briefly toward Wyrmholt Forest, the place where he had once met Jinny. His expression hardened.
I wonder how she is now…
Without another word, he kicked his horse into motion, and the army surged forward—thundering across the land like a coming storm—until the towers of Serolf Empire rose into view.
Just behind Rameses rode Maikell and Thane, tasked with a critical mission: to locate the emperor. They had gathered intelligence—word was that His Majesty was to be wed today. That gave them a clear idea of where to look.
As the Montclair army descended on Serolf, the empire's defenders met them head-on. Under the commands of Serolfian generals, their soldiers surged forward to engage.
Arrows whistled through the air.
Steel clashed with steel.
Monsters tore through artillery lines.
Bombs exploded in bursts of fire.
Blood splattered across the battlefield.
Bodies fell in rising numbers.
Civilians screamed.
They ran.
They hid.
They begged for help.
Chaos ruled the land.
Reinforcements arrived: the Crimson Blades, Barbarian clans, and soldiers from allied kingdoms.
Montclairs versus Serolf—who would emerge victorious?
Amid the chaos, Maikell signaled to Thane. The two veered away from the battlefront, slipping through smoke and fire in search of the emperor. Soon, they spotted the church—heavily guarded, with soldiers battling at the main entrance.
Maikell scanned for an alternate route.
His eyes locked onto the roof.
Without hesitation, he leapt into the air, scaling the side of the building with swift, supernatural agility.
Inside the church, Matias and Jinny were still alone at the altar when a sudden crash shattered the silence. Glass rained down from the high ceiling as a figure dropped from above.
The man straightened and turned to face them.
Jinny's eyes widened.
"M-Maikell?"
It was him—but why had he come through the ceiling?
Matias stood frozen, staring at the intruder. He couldn't tear his gaze away.
There was something familiar about him.
Why… Why does he look like Father?
A memory surfaced—Hajee once told him that his father had another son in a different world.
His thoughts reeled.
Could it be… he's my brother?