章 55: The Invitation

In the grand hall of the Southern Empire's palace, the air was thick with the scent of incense and the tension of the conversation at hand. Prince Mateo stood before his parents, Empress Pauline and Emperor Leon, his posture rigid but his voice controlled, masking the undercurrents of his turbulent emotions.

Empress Pauline, a woman of striking beauty and shrewd intelligence, regarded her son with a calculating gaze. Her silk gown rustled as she shifted in her ornate chair, her eyes narrowing slightly as she absorbed the news Mateo had brought.

"So," the Empress began, her voice smooth yet sharp, "Heather has betrayed us, has she? A commoner daring to scheme against the imperial family." She paused, her gaze flicking to Emperor Leon, who remained silent but attentive. "And Lila's condition?"

Mateo inclined his head. "Lila is still recovering from her injuries. The doctors say she has a high chance of surviving, but her memories… they're gone. She doesn't remember who she is, where she came from. She's like a blank slate."

Emperor Leon, a man of few words but immense power, leaned forward slightly, his interest piqued. "And you wish to wed her, despite her condition?" His voice was deep, resonating through the hall.

"Yes, Father," Mateo replied, his voice firm. "Heather's betrayal has left a stain on our family, but Lila… she was always meant to be mine. Her marriage to Axel is null now that the Northern Empire has erased all records of her existence. As far as the world is concerned, she never belonged to anyone but me."

Empress Pauline's lips curled into a pleased smile. "How fortuitous," she murmured, her tone dripping with satisfaction. "Heather was never suitable for you—nothing more than a commoner who overstepped her bounds. But Lila… she has the blood of nobility, the beauty of a true princess. She will make a perfect wife for you."

Emperor Leon nodded in agreement, his expression one of approval. "You've made a wise choice, Mateo. With Lila at your side, you can secure your place on the throne, free from the taint of Heather's lineage."

Mateo allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. His parents' approval was crucial, and with their support, his plan was coming together seamlessly. "I'll make the arrangements for the wedding as soon as Lila is strong enough to stand by my side."

Empress Pauline's eyes gleamed with ambition. "Good. Ensure that the ceremony is grand, a spectacle that will remind the world of the Southern Empire's power. Let them see that despite everything, our family remains unshaken."

Mateo nodded. "I will, Mother."

As the conversation continued, Mateo's thoughts drifted back to Lila, lying unconscious in her chambers. She was the key to his plans, a pawn he would use to solidify his power and exact revenge on those who had wronged him.

But as he spoke with his parents, there was a part of him that thrilled at the thought of controlling Lila, of bending her to his will. She was his now, completely and utterly, and he would ensure that she never escaped him again.

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Axel sat in his study, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows on the stone walls. The palace was eerily silent, the weight of his responsibilities pressing heavily on his shoulders. He had just returned from another strategy meeting when a sealed envelope was brought to him by a servant. The wax seal bore the insignia of the Southern Empire—a lion wearing a crown.

His heart sank as he carefully broke the seal and unfolded the letter. As his eyes scanned the elegantly written words, the blood drained from his face.

"You are cordially invited to the wedding of His Highness, Crown Prince Mateo of the Southern Empire, and Lady Lila Elara of Montgrave..."

The rest of the words blurred as a cold rage swept over him. His hands clenched the edges of the letter, nearly tearing the fine parchment. This could only mean one thing: Raul, his trusted secretary and the man he had sent to find Lila, had failed. Worse, Raul might be in danger—or even worse, captured.

Axel's thoughts raced as he tried to piece together what had gone wrong. Raul was skilled, careful, and utterly devoted to him. If he hadn't returned or sent word, it could only mean that Mateo had outmaneuvered him. The idea that Lila, his Lila, was now in Mateo's grasp—worse, that she was being paraded as Mateo's bride—was unbearable.

The flames of the nearby hearth seemed to burn brighter as Axel's anger grew, his breath coming in short, controlled bursts. He slammed the letter down on the table, the sound echoing in the stillness of the room. His mind flashed back to the promise he had made to Lila, to protect her at all costs, and the guilt gnawed at him, deep and unforgiving.

Axel's hands trembled with fury. He could see it now—Mateo's smirk, the triumph in his eyes as he flaunted his victory. The thought of Lila, the woman he loved more than life itself, standing beside Mateo was too much to bear.

"Mateo..." Axel whispered, his voice low and dangerous. "You'll pay for this."

He knew he had to act, and quickly. Raul might still be alive, and there might be a chance to save Lila before the wedding could take place. But he needed to be careful—one wrong move and everything could be lost. Axel's mind raced as he considered his options, his fury and desperation pushing him to the edge of reason.

Axel stood, the decision made. He would not sit idly by and watch as Mateo took everything from him. He would go to the Southern Empire himself, even if it meant walking into the lion's den.

As he began to pace, Axel's thoughts were interrupted by the echo of his own words to Raul before he had left: "Find her. Protect her. And if anything goes wrong, don't hesitate to retreat."

Raul had been Axel's most trusted confidant, the one who had been with him through the darkest times. Axel's hands balled into fists again as he thought of what might have befallen Raul.

With a determined breath, Axel turned toward the door. He would not let Mateo win. Not this time.

As he prepared to leave his study, Axel's expression hardened. The Southern Empire's grand wedding would be its undoing, and Mateo would learn the true meaning of wrath.