Elias liked the mornings in Moonveil Palace.
Natural.
Fresh air.
Something he had never experienced back in Elaris City.
The tea Keiro made every morning was another blessing.
No tea powder, no caffeine — just herbs and natural ingredients.
If he had followed such a routine in his old life, his body would have become ageless.
Recently, he had also started exercising inside the palace.
Initially, he wanted to do it in the garden under the warm sunlight, but Keiro strongly opposed the idea, claiming it was “not manly behavior.”
Sometimes Elias felt Keiro forgot they were living in a deserted palace where even animals hesitated to enter.
This morning, Elias sat at the dining table while Keiro placed a single bowl in front of him.
Soup.
Only soup.
Elias stared at it in disbelief.
“Why only soup?
I wanted boiled eggs too.
I’m exercising now.
I need nourishment.”
“Master, we have a shortage of groceries.
We still haven’t received our monthly supplies from the royal kitchen,” Keiro explained nervously.
“Hm… so my guess was right.
We really don’t have enough treasury left.
That’s also why you couldn’t pay the restaurant bill that day,” Elias muttered thoughtfully.
“Yes… I thought you were already aware of that,” Keiro replied quietly.
“I forgot.”
Elias rubbed his forehead.
“Alright.
Let’s make a list of everything we need and request supplies from the treasury and royal kitchen.”
The two of them sat together and checked their remaining stock and money.
The results were depressing.
The supplies they had wouldn’t even last a week, let alone an entire month.
Elias frowned deeply.
He didn’t want to beg anyone just to survive.
Then suddenly—
An idea struck him.
Why not grow vegetables and fruits himself?
The backyard and garden of Moonveil Palace were large enough anyway.
Instead of wasting space on flowers, he could grow edible plants.
Thankfully, his school had forced students to attend “life skills” classes.
For once, modern education might actually save his life.
He immediately started writing down a list of vegetables, herbs, fruits, and medicinal plants that could grow quickly.
If they managed to grow their own vegetables, then the money saved could be used for grains like rice, wheat, and pulses instead.
Keiro looked at the list with sparkling eyes.
“Master, this is amazing.”
“Of course it is,” Elias said proudly.
Just as Keiro prepared to leave for the market, a messenger arrived outside Moonveil Palace.
Elias immediately stepped behind the curtain like before.
“Your Highness, I am here with an Imperial Decree from Her Majesty,” the messenger announced politely.
What now?
The messenger unfolded the scroll and began reading aloud.
By the order of Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Selene of Elyndra—
Noble Consort Elyas of Moonveil Palace has knowingly defied an Imperial Command and secretly left palace grounds without permission.
Such conduct is disrespectful toward the authority of the Throne and unbecoming of Noble Consort.
As punishment for this offense, Noble Consort Elyas is ordered to kneel within the Imperial Ancestral Hall for twenty-four hours in silent reflection.
During this period:
No food or water shall be provided.He shall not leave the Ancestral Hall without permission.No disturbances shall be permitted.
Let this punishment serve as a reminder that Imperial Decrees are not to be ignored.
By the will of the Throne,
Her Imperial Majesty.
Kneeling in the ancestral hall for twenty-four hours?
Elias bowed slightly behind the curtain.
“I accept the decree.”
“Master…” Keiro looked at him with teary eyes.
“I knew the consequences of sneaking out.
It’s only one day… and one night.
I’ll survive,” Elias assured him calmly, though internally he was panicking.
Wait…
Isn’t the ancestral hall basically a place for dead people?
I have to stay there ALONE the entire night?
“Keiro…” Elias lowered his voice.
“There aren’t any tombs inside the ancestral hall, right?”
“No, Master.
Only memorial tablets of the Imperial Ancestors.
We light lanterns and incense there while praying for self-reflection,” Keiro explained patiently.
Elias sighed in relief.
Slightly less horrifying.
“Will there at least be someone with me there?” he asked hopefully. Get faster updates on g.com.
“No, Master.
You have to stay there alone.
People visit during the day, but nobody spends the night there.”
Then Keiro quickly added:
“I can secretly come stay with you.”
“No.”
Elias shook his head firmly.
“This is my punishment.
I’ll handle it.
You go to the market and buy the things on the list.
Work shouldn’t stop because of this.”
Then he stood up dramatically.
“Take me to the ancestral hall.”
The ancestral hall stood tall before him like a sacred temple made from black stone.
Silent.
Ancient.
Heavy.
Elias wore a simple robe today — nothing worthy of a Noble Consort.
His long hair rested loosely behind him, secured only with a plain pin.
A thin veil covered his face as he walked toward the hall.
Once inside, he slowly looked around.
Rows of memorial tablets stood silently in the dim hall while incense smoke drifted through the air.
The atmosphere was sacred enough to make even Elias lower his voice instinctively.
He walked forward and lit the lanterns one by one.
Warm golden light slowly illuminated the hall.
Then he knelt before the ancestral tablets.
“Forgive me for disobeying your heir,” Elias whispered sincerely.
“But honestly… I didn’t have much choice.
You know how long a person can stay trapped in one place before going insane.”
He sighed dramatically.
“I had to do something.”
And just like that—
Elias started casually talking to dead ancestors as if they were old friends.
Far away, near the window of the Empress’s bedchamber—
Selene quietly watched the distant figure kneeling inside the ancestral hall.
From this distance, she could only see his back illuminated by lantern light.
“Hm.
This should make him reflect on his behavior,” she thought coldly before returning to her chambers.
The last time they had visited the ancestral hall together was after their marriage ceremony to receive blessings from the Imperial Ancestors.
Back then, Elias had looked genuinely happy.
The wedding night that followed, however…
Selene closed her eyes briefly and pushed away the unpleasant memory.
Court would begin soon.
Meanwhile—
Elias remained kneeling inside the hall.
After several hours, his legs had already started hurting badly.
“This punishment is torture,” he muttered under his breath.
As evening arrived, he stood up stiffly and refilled the lantern oil.
Then he resumed talking to the ancestors again.
At this point, he had practically told them his entire life story.
“I’m getting bored sitting here,” he complained.
“I think I should walk around a little.”
As he wandered through the hall, his eyes suddenly landed on a large full-length mirror.
His eyes widened.
“Oh?”
Elias immediately walked toward it.
The reflection staring back at him was breathtaking.
Lean figure.
Pale skin.
Sharp features.
Long dark hair.
Honestly…
Historical fashion suited him ridiculously well.
“I look amazing,” he whispered proudly.
Then suddenly—
Model instincts activated.
“Ancestors,” Elias announced dramatically while pointing at the mirror.
“Today I shall show you what a professional ramp walk looks like.”
And just like that—
He started doing runway walks inside the sacred ancestral hall.
Walking elegantly from one end of the hall to the other.
Turning sharply.
Changing expressions.
Practicing poses.
Completely immersed in his own world.
Meanwhile—
Princess Lynera stood silently near the entrance.
Watching everything.
She had arrived intending to witness his misery.
Instead—
She found Noble Consort Elyas talking to dead ancestors and performing mysterious elegant walks in front of a mirror.
And somehow…
It was mesmerizing.
Even the kingdom’s best dancers and performers lacked whatever strange charm this was.
Intriguing.
Very intriguing.
Finally, unable to hold back anymore, Lynera revealed herself.
“I must say… this is not the punishment scene I expected.”
Elias nearly jumped.
“You?!
Princess Highness?!”
His eyes narrowed instantly.
“She’s the snitch.
Women really can’t keep secrets in their stomachs… not even princesses.”
Lynera nearly laughed aloud.
“It’s Your Highness, Brother-in-law.”
She slowly approached him with amusement dancing in her eyes.
“I knew you would blame me.
That’s why I came here personally to explain”.
“Explain what?” Elias crossed his arms suspiciously.
“That you informed Her Majesty about me?”
“I did,” Lynera admitted honestly.
“That day at the restaurant, many people saw your uncovered face.
Some even recognized you.
If outsiders had informed Her Majesty first, the consequences would have been much worse.”
She paused briefly.
“So I softened the matter and requested leniency.”
“But I’m still being punished.”
“Yes,” Lynera nodded innocently.
“But this is much better than exile, a thousand lashes, or punishment directed toward your family… isn’t it?”
Elias froze.
Suddenly…
This punishment didn’t sound so terrible anymore.
“…Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Then Lynera’s eyes gleamed mischievously.
“Now that we’ve settled that misunderstanding…”
She pointed toward the mirror.
“Show me that walk again.”
“Ramp walk?” Elias blinked.
“Fine.
But on one condition.”
“What condition?”
“You help me meet Her Majesty.”
Lynera stared at him for a moment.
Interesting.
“Alright.”
Elias looked shocked.
“…That easily?”
“Yes.”
His mood instantly improved.
“Then watch carefully, Princess Highness.”
And once again—
Elias transformed into a runway model inside the ancestral hall.
Lynera watched him silently, her curiosity growing stronger with every step he took.
This man…
was becoming more fascinating by the day.
Later that night, Elias sat against the wall beneath the glowing lanterns and waited for morning.
Tomorrow—
Princess Lynera would take him to meet the Empress after court.
And this time…
he had something important to discuss with Her Majesty.
Author note: Thank you for reading
Poor Imperial Ancestors probably never expected someone to use their sacred hall as a fashion runway
Elias: punished starving talking to dead people still modeling Priorities.
Also… Princess Lynera has officially entered her “This man is extremely suspicious… and entertaining” phase
What do you think Elias wants to discuss with the Empress?
Your thoughts light up my universe!