As the sun began to set, Madam Hilda informed Elena that it was time to return to their pavilion for dinner.
"May I bring some books?" Elena asked.
"Of course, Lady Elara," replied Master Reed. "You may borrow two books at a time. Which books would you like to take?"
Elena chose the illustrated atlas and the introductory book on magic. Both books were wrapped neatly and carried by a servant who followed them.
Along the way back, Elena observed the Palace environment more closely, trying to match the locations with the map he had just studied. The Celestian Imperial Palace turned out to be a massive complex of buildings consisting of dozens of pavilions, towers, gardens, and courtyards spread over an area the size of a small city.
The Silver Moon Pavilion—his and Consort Valeriana's residence—was located in the eastern part of the complex, somewhat separated from the Main Pavilion where the Emperor and the Main Empress resided.
"Madam Hilda," Elena ventured to ask, "why do we live far from the Main Pavilion?"
Madam Hilda seemed a little surprised by the question. "Lady Elara, it is tradition. Each consort and her children have their own pavilion."
"Do I... have siblings?"
Madam Hilda paused for a moment, looking at Elena with an unreadable expression. "Of course, Lady Elara. You are the ninth child of the eleven princes and princesses of the Empire. Your mother, Consort Valeriana, is the Emperor's sixth wife."
Elena tried to hide his surprise. Eleven siblings? He was the ninth child, which meant he had eight older siblings and two younger ones. And his mother was the sixth wife, which meant—
"The Emperor has six wives?"
"Yes, Lady Elara. One Main Empress and five Official Consorts. This is Imperial tradition." Madam Hilda seemed increasingly confused by these questions. "Do you really not remember your own family?"
Elena realized his mistake and quickly corrected it. "I remember, I'm just... confused after the fall."
Madam Hilda nodded sympathetically. "Of course, Little Lady. Don't worry. Your memory will fully return with time."
They continued their journey in silence, Elena lost in thought. This complex imperial family structure added to the complexity of his situation. With so many siblings and a hierarchy of consorts, palace politics must be very intricate and dangerous.
Suddenly, the sound of children was heard from afar. Elena turned and saw a group of children—maybe around five or six years old—practicing some kind of hand movements in one of the open courtyards.
"What's that?" he asked, pointing towards them.
"Ah, those are the noble sons and daughters practicing basic magic gestures," replied Madam Hilda. "They study at the Palace Academy located in the west wing."
Elena observed them carefully. The children stood in neat rows, following instructions from a formally dressed woman with a long staff. They repeated the same hand movements over and over again seriously.
"When can I join them?" Elena asked, unable to hide his enthusiasm.
Madam Hilda smiled. "In a few years, Lady Elara. You are still too young. For now, focus on growing up healthy. Your time to learn magic will come."
Elena nodded, but a determination had already formed within him. He wouldn't wait for years. He would start learning on his own, secretly, using the knowledge from the books he could access in the library. With the intelligence and discipline from his previous life, he was sure he could accelerate his learning process.
As they continued their journey, Elena noticed how some of the servants and guards greeted them in different ways. Some bowed deeply, others only nodded politely.
"Why do they greet us differently?" he whispered to Madam Hilda.
"Palace hierarchy, Lady Elara," replied Madam Hilda. "Everyone has their respective position and status. As the daughter of the Sixth Consort, you have a fairly high status, although not as high as the children of the Main Empress."
Elena noted this information carefully. Social status would be an important factor in navigating palace politics.
"Who is the most powerful after the Emperor?" he asked.
"The Main Empress, of course, followed by the Crown Prince, then the Consorts according to their order, then the other children according to their birth order and their mother's status," explained Madam Hilda.
"How old is the Crown Prince?"
"Prince Solaris is fifteen years old, Lady Elara. He is the Emperor's eldest son from the Main Empress."
Fifteen years old. Quite young, but older than Elara's current body. Elena stored this information.
"And who will be the next Emperor?"
Madam Hilda looked at him with a mixture of astonishment and concern. "An unusual question for a child your age, Lady Elara. But of course, the Crown Prince will succeed His Majesty the Emperor one day, unless... undesirable things happen."
Madam Hilda's expression and tone of voice said a lot that was unsaid. Elena caught the implications—imperial succession might not always run smoothly. There might be competition, intrigue, even conspiracies surrounding this issue.
"I understand," Elena said simply, pretending to lose interest like a child whose attention was easily diverted.
But in his mind, a big picture was beginning to form. He was an emperor's daughter of royal blood, with access to royal resources and potentially strong magic. Although his position was not as high as his siblings from the Main Empress, he still had many advantages that could be utilized.
"Madam Hilda," he asked again as they neared the Silver Moon Pavilion. "Will I meet my father—I mean, the Emperor—often?"
Madam Hilda shook her head slightly. "His Majesty the Emperor is very busy with affairs of state, Lady Elara. Usually, you will meet him at official events and scheduled periodic visits—maybe once a month, or at important celebrations."
Elena nodded. This was in line with his expectations. In a family as large and complex as this, the Emperor's attention must be divided. Perhaps this also explained the sad face that sometimes appeared on Consort Valeriana.
They finally arrived at their pavilion as dusk began to fall. The magic crystal lamps turned on by themselves as they entered the building, creating a warm golden light.