The atmosphere in Asier’s office was heavy with tension and expectation. Several nobles and their assistants filled the room, speaking in whispers while Asier reviewed documents at his desk. Amara, ever alert, observed from a corner. The group had recently returned to Nivara, and the attendants who had been at the ball in the castle of Aeloria had crucial information to share.

  One of the attendants began to speak, his tone formal but filled with curiosity:

  “While speaking with the castle’s servants, we discovered that the sacred sword might be protected in a room on the upper floor. That room is always locked and guarded, and according to what we were told, no one is allowed to enter except the king of Aeloria. Not even the prince or the maids are permitted inside to clean it. This has caused many rumors among the servants.”

  Asier nodded, his expression serious but analytical. He turned his gaze toward Amara.

  “Did you know anything about this?” he asked her.

  Amara shook her head.

  “I wasn’t allowed to walk through the castle without supervision. I never had access to restricted places like that.”

  Duke Lucas Livei then spoke.

  “Marquess Barbara and I found a corridor during the ball, but we couldn’t move forward because of the number of guards stationed in that area.”

  Asier frowned, thinking.

  “It’s likely that corridor leads to the room where the sacred sword is kept,” he said. Then he looked again at the duke and the marquess. “I need you to work together to create a map of the castle and mark the exact location of that corridor. I’ll send a draftsman to assist you.”

  Marquess Barbara, with her majestic yet gentle tone, replied as if she were drifting in thought:

  “Of course, we’ll take care of that, but I hope the draftsman arrives soon so we can include every detail.”

  Before Asier could respond, Amara intervened.

  “I’m good at drawing. I can do it myself. Besides, I know much of the castle, so the map would be more precise.”

  Asier looked at her thoughtfully and then nodded.

  “Very well. Work with the duke and the marquess on this.”

  Amara smiled, happy to be useful, and quickly left to meet with them. Asier and the others remained in the office, continuing to discuss the next steps.

  In a sunlit hall, Amara, the duke, and the marquess began working on the map. After giving Amara all the information he could remember about the direction of the corridor, the duke apologized.

  “I’m sorry I can’t remember more,” he said sincerely before leaving.

  Marquess Barbara, however, stayed with Amara. Her tone remained gentle, but at times she seemed to drift off.

  “You know, I remember the corridor had beautiful candelabras. Were they golden? No, no, perhaps silver. Although now that I think about it… maybe they were both,” she said with a light giggle.

  Amara smiled, growing accustomed to the marquess’s particular rhythm, and continued drawing the map while Barbara offered more details, though she occasionally digressed into comments about the castle’s décor or the ladies’ dresses at the ball.

  Finally, when they finished the map, Barbara turned to Amara with a radiant expression.

  “Would you like me to prepare some tea for you? After so much work, you must need a break.”

  Amara politely declined.

  “You don’t need to trouble yourself, Marquess.”

  But Barbara insisted with her usual sweetness.

  “It’s no trouble at all. It’s a pleasure! Stay here, I won’t be long.”

  Minutes later, both were comfortably seated, drinking tea and chatting. Barbara, with a dreamy expression, looked at Amara.

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  “And tell me, dear, how do you feel being in Nivara?”

  Amara answered honestly.

  “Everything has gone well. Everyone has been very kind to me… except for some young ladies who seem jealous that I’m with the emperor.”

  Barbara let out a soft laugh.

  “That was to be expected. Still, I’m glad you’re doing well. You know, not all marriages are perfect.”

  Amara, intrigued but careful not to seem indiscreet, asked:

  “Do you say that because of your marriage to the marquis?”

  Barbara laughed softly and shook her head.

  “No, not at all. My husband and I have had a very happy life together. But I’ve learned that marriage isn’t only about love. It’s a decision we make every day, choosing to stay with the other person. If both make the effort, they can be very happy.”

  Amara reflected on those words and then, a little shyly, said:

  “I suppose you’re right. As for my engagement to the emperor… my life hasn’t gone as I planned, but I’m happy to have met Asier. At least I feel comfortable by his side.” Then she shifted the conversation, somewhat embarrassed. “What worries me a little is being a good empress. I hope I don’t make mistakes.”

  Barbara, moved by Amara’s sincerity, smiled tenderly.

  “That shows you’ll be a good empress. If you worry about doing things right, you surely will. Besides,” she added confidentially, “I’m glad to see the emperor happy with you. It’s something he deserves and something I’ve always wished to see.”

  Amara, puzzled but curious, wanted to ask more, but at that moment the door opened and Asier entered.

  “Are you finished?” he asked, his gaze moving between them.

  Barbara immediately stood, resuming her elegant posture.

  “Yes, Emperor. Amara has great talent for drawing. You’re fortunate to have her.”

  Asier looked at Amara for a moment and nodded.

  “I already know that. Thank you both.”

  Soon after, Barbara said her farewell and, with her characteristic calm stride, left the castle, along with the other nobles and attendants. Amara felt pleased by the conversation she had with Barbara and by what she had said. Since arriving at the castle, she hadn’t had time to get to know the other noblewomen, and she was glad to know that Barbara was a clever and kind woman with a personality that put her at ease.

  Amara remained in the hall, looking at the completed map, proud of having been useful.

  That night, Amara was in her room, preparing for bed, when she heard a knock at the door. When she opened it, she found Asier, who looked serious but calm.

  “May I speak with you?” he asked.

  Amara nodded and invited him in. Asier sat in one of the nearby chairs and began to speak in a firm voice.

  “I want to inform you of the details of the plan we’ve devised. After our wedding, I will depart with the army of Nivara and the magical creatures toward Aeloria. Before entering the kingdom, we’ll stop to infiltrate a group into the castle. Their mission will be to obtain the sacred sword and replace it with a replica. Once we receive the signal of success, we’ll invade Aeloria with the goal of capturing the king.”

  Amara listened attentively until Asier added:

  “When the king is captured, I’ll force him to kneel and recognize me as the new emperor. After that, I’ll send someone to bring you to Aeloria. That will be when you can take your revenge as the new empress.”

  Surprise filled Amara’s face.

  “You’re going to fight without me?” she asked.

  Asier nodded.

  “I don’t want to put you in danger,” he said with a decisive look.

  Even though Amara knew that war could be dangerous—especially for her—she couldn’t help but worry at the thought of being far from Asier.

  Amara tried to argue, insisting that she wanted to be by his side, but Asier remained firm in his decision. Seeing she couldn’t change his mind, Amara sighed, yielding for the moment.

  “Thank you for telling me all of this,” she finally said.

  Asier leaned toward her and cupped her face in his hands. Whenever he held her face, she could feel how his fingers strove to touch her gently. She liked how his hands felt against her skin and couldn’t stop thinking about what Asier had told her recently—how he hoped to be able to kiss her someday.

  “When this war ends, we’ll be able to live in peace. I hope you’ll stop suffering from the resentment you feel toward Aeloria.”

  Amara noticed something in his gaze. Though Asier smiled, his eyes reflected a deep sadness.

  “Why do you always have that look?” she asked softly. “You may smile, but your eyes say something else.”

  Gently, Amara placed her hands on Asier’s face and traced the scar near his eye with her fingers. Asier turned his face away, but Amara insisted.

  “Tell me what’s wrong.”

  “It’s something that happened a long time ago,” he replied, avoiding the subject.

  Amara felt somewhat hurt that Asier wouldn’t tell her what had happened, but seeing the sadness in his eyes, she understood that whatever it was must have deeply marked him, and that instead of pressuring him, she should wait until he chose to speak about it with her.

  Amara hesitated, but decided not to push him. Asier stood to leave, but before he exited the room, Amara ran toward him and hugged him from behind.

  “Whatever it is, don’t give up on being happy. I’m sure you can achieve good things,” she said sincerely.

  Asier held her arms for a moment, as if considering her words, and then returned to his room.