"How is the Second Prince's recovery, Helena?" asked the general, answered only to the Emperor himself.
Arabella lowered her gaze respectfully. "Prince Ethannael is gravely ill. Not even my full efforts have managed to heal him completely."
The general's face darkened.
"But," she added, voice steady, "there is something that might help me save him."
"Excellent! Tell me what it is and I will have it arranged, whatever it takes." He sounded eager, desperate, even. "The Second Prince must be well before the wedding with the Princess of Gardenia."
Arabella's jaw clenched.
The Crown Princess of Gardenia.
Brietta.
The same person who had heartlessly pushed Arabella to her death. Her parents hadn't even waited for her body to go cold before placing the crown on Brietta's head.
"Yes, General." Arabella bowed. "What I require is in Gardenia. I'm certain that with the Sapphire Stone in hand, I can heal the Prince."
There were only two such stones in the world:
One was embedded in the royal crown of Gardenia.
The other lay at the top of the Gardenian Priestess's sacred staff. Both brimmed with power, but only responded to the blessing of the Goddess of Creation.
"This mission cannot fail, Helena. You know the consequences," the general warned, his tone colder. There was a hidden threat. Something she cared about, something he could take.
"The Emperor will send his first son to assist you. And if, by any chance, the Second Prince is not cured in time..."
He paused.
"...then the First Prince will proceed with the marriage instead."
Arabella's heart stopped for a moment.
If she failed, Brietta would marry the First Prince, Kaydan, the very one the Emperor wished to name as heir.
If the emperor insisted on naming Kaydan even after marriage, it could mean war.
"I won't fail, General," she said, bowing low.
And she meant it.