Stepping into the familiar warmth of their manor, the Duke and Duchess of Thomas immediately turned their attention to Daphne.
"We have to do something, my dear," Lady Elizabeth said, her voice filled with a mother's frantic worry. "The Emperor's words… they were a direct command. The entire court heard him."
"Let her rest for the night, my love," the Duke advised, his voice a calm counterpoint to his wife's panic. "She must be exhausted and overwhelmed. We will discuss it in the morning, after she has had time to think."
Daphne walked straight to her chambers, the words of her parents a distant hum. She closed the door behind her, leaning against the cold wood as the events of the evening crashed over her in a terrifying wave.
No one noticed Aidan slip out of the manor a short while later. The guards were too distracted by the chaotic return of the family.
He knew exactly where he was going. He bypassed the main roads and took a shadowed path toward the imperial district, arriving at Prince Alaric's private study, where he knew the General would be.
He found Alaric pacing, fury and frustration in his every step. The Prince looked up, his green eyes narrowed in surprise. "Aidan," he said, his voice curt. "How did you get here?"
"I have my ways," Aidan replied, stepping into the room and closing the heavy oak door behind him.
He looked at the man he had once thought of as a friend, now seeing him as the only man who could save his sister.
"What are you going to do?" he asked, his voice low and urgent. "You must do something, especially if you care for her as I've watched you do all these years."
"I cannot go against the Emperor's command, Aidan," Alaric said, running a frustrated hand through his hair.
"This matter has gone out of hand. The Emperor threatened to issue an imperial edict. It isn't so simple."
Aidan's jaw tightened, "So, you're just going to sit and watch?" he demanded, stepping closer. "Is that it? Were your feelings for my sister just a mere passing whim to you? You're the only one with the power to do something, yet you stand there talking about what you can't do."
"Do you think you care for her as much as I do, Aidan?" Alaric shot back, his voice filled with a raw intensity that made Aidan falter.
"You might be her brother, but how you feel right now is a far cry from how I'm feeling. I'm not just going to sit and watch. I'm thinking of a way that will not implicate her or harm her reputation."
"I'm telling you this now, do not be rash in any action you take."
Aidan's anger, though still simmering, was now mixed with confusion. "Isn't he your friend?" he asked, the question sharp.
"You should be able to convince him."
"It's the Emperor we're talking about here," Alaric said, "The ruler of Eldoria. He may be my friend, but he's still my Emperor."
Aidan stared at him for a long moment. The anger in his eyes slowly gave way to a look of trust. He had come here demanding action, but Alaric's words had laid bare the gravity of the situation.
Now he had to place his faith in his friend.
Without another word, Aidan turned and walked out of the study.
...
The Next Day
Daphne awoke with a jolt, the events of the previous night rushing back. The Emperor's command, the Empress's icy fury, and Alaric's tormented gaze, it all felt like a terrifying dream.
A knock on her door interrupted her thoughts.
Her personal maid, Elara, entered. "My Lady," Elara began, her brow furrowed with concern. "I heard what happened at the ball. Are you... are you well?"
Daphne forced a small smile. "I am well, Elara," she replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside.
"There is nothing to be done about what was said. We must simply carry on. Please, help me get ready for breakfast with my family."
Elara looked at her, clearly not convinced, but bowed and went about her duties.
After Elara had gotten her dressed, Daphne walked to her window and looked out at the gardens. The peaceful scene was a stark contrast to the war raging within her.
"Kael!" she called out.
Within seconds, Kael appeared.
"My Lady," he said.
"I need you to do something for me," Daphne said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Prepare six shadow guards to follow me wherever I go. Be sure to not employ just anyone. Run background checks on each of them. Be thorough. I want them to be in place in two days or less."
"My Lady," he said, "you know you can protect yourself. Is this necessary?"
"I can protect myself," Daphne affirmed, "but I need to be careful. The Empress is a cunning woman. She will not let this go. She will try to oppress me with her power, and she will find any weakness she can. I will not be unprepared."
Her gaze hardened, no longer that of a frightened girl but of a strategist. "This is not a game, Kael. It's a war. And I intend to be ready."
"Yes, My Lady."
...
Daphne descended the grand staircase. As she approached the dining room, she saw her family already seated at the table, but her gaze was immediately drawn to the maids and footmen hurrying about with armfuls of elaborate gifts.
There were delicate silk boxes, scrolls, and silver-wrapped parcels piled high on side tables.
"What is all this? What's happening?"
The Duke, looking weary, gestured to the pile. "They're gifts, my dear. For you."
"Your suitors.", Finn replied
Daphne's confusion deepened. "Suitors? The Emperor's proposal should have dispelled other men, not encouraged them."
Aidan, sitting beside Finn, let out a short, bitter laugh. "The opposite is true, Daphne. The Emperor's proposal was a declaration to the entire kingdom. He didn't scare them away, he made you a target. He publicly stated you are a prize worth having, and now every ambitious man in the court wants a chance to win that prize before he claims you."
"Even Finn," he said, nodding toward his younger brother, "received no less than six proposals this morning. Noble fathers are scrambling to schedule meetings with Father, hoping to secure an alliance."
Daphne stared at the overwhelming display of presents, a sick feeling settling in her stomach.
Lady Elizabeth sighed, her face etched with sadness. "We used to live so quietly," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "Now... there is no more quiet. You've become a celebrity overnight, my darling. And with this new fame comes a great deal of danger."
"Overnight, our family has gone from a quiet house in the countryside to the most talked-about family in Eldoria," the Duke said, "This attention... it's a double-edged sword."