"I see... So she's finally decided to come back, yet she didn't come here to greet me," Empress Selena murmured, her surprise evident in her voice and expression.
"That's not the only reason I called you all here, my dear. There's more to it," Emperor Philip said, his expression serious as he looked at everyone.
"What do you mean, dear? Is she injured? If so, let's go and see her right away!" Empress Selena rose from her seat, a worried look crossing her face. She considered Valeria a friend, and they had always gotten along well.
Emperor Philip sighed, shaking his head. "You don't have to worry about that devil... She's in even better shape than when she left. In fact, she might be twice as strong as before—maybe even more. However..."
"However?" Empress Selena raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.
"Yes, Imperial Father, say it already. Don't keep us in suspense," Princess Elara chimed in, nodding eagerly. She, too, was curious about what her father had to say.
Emperor Philip's concubines and other children urged him to continue, growing impatient and anxious to hear the news. With a deep breath, he finally spoke.
"Though my elder sister has returned, she didn't come alone. She brought a group of people with her—mostly women, each of them an exotic beauty."
"Among them, however, there's also a handsome young man. From what Minister Vesta told me, it appears she's very close to him."
"The young man is around 19—about the same age as Elara here. This news is shocking... and suspicious, given we know nothing about their identities or his relationship with my devilish sister."
The family fell silent, absorbing the surprising news. The peaceful sounds of nature and occasional gusts of wind were the only noises filling the balcony.
"What?! Valeria brought a man with her? Impossible! I don't believe it!" Empress Selena exclaimed, standing abruptly, her disbelief evident.
'So Aunt Valeria brought Yuan and his other wives with her, huh? It makes sense, seeing as Yuan is her husband and his other wives are her sisters,' Princess Elara thought, smiling inwardly and feeling happy for her aunt. But she knew she couldn't reveal this to her family, as Valeria had strictly instructed her not to. Valeria had even threatened to put her through training if she disobeyed.
'I'm really sorry, Father and Mother, but I can't reveal Yuan's relationship with Aunt Valeria... I definitely don't want to go through her hellish training again. I hope you understand my situation,' Princess Elara sighed inwardly.
Noticing Elara's expression, Empress Selena raised a brow. "What's with you, dear? You don't seem surprised at all. Do you know them?"
"Well, I actually met them at the Grand Banquet I attended in the Windfall Kingdom. I even chatted with them briefly, though not with everyone," Princess Elara responded with a soft smile.
"Oh, you met them before and even spoke with them? I'm... surprised," Empress Selena said, sounding intrigued by her daughter's unexpected connection to Valeria's mysterious companions.
A few seconds later, Empress Selena frowned at her daughter and asked, "Since you've already met them, what do you think? Are they people we can trust, or do they seem to have ulterior motives?"
Once the Emperor left, silence filled the balcony. Everyone exchanged glances, hoping someone would break the tension.
"Well, I'll take my leave as well. I need to check on my mother-in-law's health before bed," said Empress Selena, departing the balcony.
Princess Elara followed her mother, leaving the others behind.
"I'll also call it a night. I want to meet Yuan and his wives," Daniel murmured to himself. He paused, then turned to Fedrick and Agatha Morphy, saying, "Before I go, I have a piece of advice for both of you, especially for you, brother."
"Oh? And what might that be?" asked Concubine Agatha, raising an eyebrow before Fedrick could respond.
Daniel snorted slightly. "The women with Yuan are all his wives, and each one is stunning—like goddesses. If you have any ill intentions toward them, you'd be dead before you realized it."
"Each of his wives is far stronger than Aunt Valeria. I suggest you avoid even making eye contact with them. They wouldn't hesitate to kill you, and not even Imperial Father could stop them." With that, Daniel left the balcony and returned to his chamber.
Once he was gone, Concubine Agatha bit her lip in frustration. "Who do they think they are? Just because of some shady connection with Lady Valeria, they think they can throw their weight around in the empire?"
"Son, don't take that bastard's words seriously," she said to Fedrick with a serious expression. "I'll see who dares harm you. You're a rightful heir to the throne, and no one can touch you."
'Hmph! Does he think I'll be intimidated? How laughable! He doesn't even know me—I'm a woman who plans far ahead of the others,' she thought with a smile as she left the balcony with Fedrick and her other children.
—
The next morning, Yuan woke up, feeling a weight on his chest. Opening his eyes, he saw Valeria asleep on top of him, her body pressed warmly against his.
"She looks so adorable when she's asleep...so different from her usual proud and strong self," Yuan murmured softly, admiring her beauty.
Turning to his left and right, he saw Anna sleeping on his right and Valeria on his left, both of them holding his arms close.
Feeling him stir, Anna opened her eyes. Yuan greeted her with a warm smile, "Good morning, my beloved Anna."
"Good morning, my dear," she replied, smiling and kissing his forehead. "Did you sleep well?"
"I did. And you?"
"With you by my side, how could I not sleep well?" Anna giggled, placing her hand on his cheek with a warm smile.