Empress Selene was sipping tea in her study while reading reports from the southern border of Elyandra.
Everything appeared stable for now, but caution was always preferable to overconfidence.
Her old maid and confidante, Victoria, stepped into the study.
“Your Highness, this humble servant has come to remind you that tonight is Fourth Concubine Neron’s turn to spend time with Your Majesty.”
“Mm.
Prepare the carriage,” Selene ordered.
Fourth Concubine Neron was gentle, obedient, and exceptionally talented with musical instruments.
He never failed to impress the Empress with his artistic abilities.
Selene had not visited his residence for many days due to state affairs, yet he never complained and always welcomed her warmly.
That evening, Selene visited Neron’s residence.
He greeted her with the soothing melody of a flute and was visibly delighted by her arrival.
The Empress presented him with a ring as a gift, which he accepted with great joy.
After dinner, Selene waited outside the residence while servants prepared her carriage.
As she stood there, her gaze drifted toward a distant, neglected palace.
Moonveil Palace.
An old structure stood quietly beneath the winter sky.
Then she caught a scent.
Sweet.
Fresh.
Unlike anything usually found within the palace grounds.
Before she realized it, her feet were carrying her toward it.
Her guards exchanged glances but followed silently behind.
The closer she came, the more surprised she became.
From afar, Moonveil Palace still appeared abandoned.
But nearby—
It was different.
Greenery flourished throughout the courtyard.
Not flowers.
Vegetables.
Herbs.
Fruit vines.
Various plants filled every available space.
Different scents mingled in the air, creating an atmosphere unlike any other palace.
A clean pond reflected the fading evening sky, lotus leaves floating peacefully upon its surface.
Small lanterns illuminated neat stone pathways leading toward the residence.
The building itself remained old and weathered.
Yet everything was spotless.
Well cared for.
Alive.
A servant was crouched beside a small fireplace, tending the flames.
The moment he noticed the Empress, he froze.
Then immediately stood.
“Your Highness!”
Keiro hurried forward and bowed deeply.
“I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness for failing to notice your arrival.
I shall inform my master immediately.”
He was about to turn when Selene stopped him.
“Wait.
Let your guards inform him.”
Keiro blinked.
“Your Highness…
we do not have guards stationed here.”
Selene frowned.
Even concubines were assigned palace guards.
“Where are the other servants?”
Keiro lowered his head.
“I am the only servant serving my master, Your Highness.”
For the first time, genuine surprise appeared in Selene’s eyes.
This place required more maintenance than most residences.
Yet only two people maintained everything?
So Elyas and Keiro had done all of this themselves.
Meanwhile, Elias noticed that Keiro had not returned after going outside.
Curious, he walked into the courtyard himself.
The moment he stepped outside, he froze.
Royal guards.
The Empress.
Standing at the entrance of Moonveil Palace.
Keiro stood nearby with his head lowered.
Elias quickly approached and bowed.
“Your Highness.
This humble servant greets you.”
Today he wore none of the elaborate robes usually associated with noble consorts.
A simple pair of loose trousers and a long cotton robe covered him.
No jewelry.
No cosmetics.
No elaborate hairstyle.
Simple.
Comfortable.
Unexpected.
Selene’s gaze swept over him from head to toe.
She said nothing.
Elias became increasingly confused.
Why was the Empress here?
Should he invite her inside?
No.
She had rejected invitations countless times before.
Would she become angry?
Should he offer tea?
Water?
Something?
His thoughts spiraled while Selene stood waiting.
The royal guards also waited.
Expecting him to invite the Empress inside.
Neither moved.
The silence became awkward.
Finally, Elias bowed again.
“Your Highness, please excuse me for a moment.”
Then he turned and disappeared toward the backyard.
Everyone stared.
Even Keiro looked confused.
Where did he go?
After several moments, Elias returned carrying a clay pot.
He handed it to one of the imperial guards.
“Your Highness, these are grapes I grew in my backyard.”
A small smile appeared on his face.
“I hope you like them.”
Selene glanced at the grapes.
Then at Elias.
Every time he addressed her as “Your Highness,” a strange discomfort settled in her chest.
A feeling she did not particularly enjoy.
Still—
She remained unimpressed.
So he would not invite her inside.
Instead, he offered her a pot of grapes.
The audacity.
“Has my carriage arrived?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Without another word, Selene turned away.
She entered the carriage and departed.
Elias watched her leave.
He had offered her freshly picked grapes.
And she had looked at them as though they were worthless.
He should have fed them to the palace dogs instead.
Inside the carriage, Selene settled comfortably against the cushions.
One hand rested on her folded knees.
The other reached into the clay pot.
She plucked a grape.
Then another.
The moment she tasted one, sweetness flooded her mouth.
They tasted exactly as they had smelled.
Fresh.
Sweet.
Unexpectedly pleasant.
Selene closed her eyes.
An image surfaced briefly.
Elyas standing beneath the evening sky.
Dressed in a single cotton robe.
Without cosmetics.
Without ornaments.
Without pretenses.
So he had not been pretending?
Questions lingered in her mind.
About Moonveil Palace.
About Elyas.
About everything she had witnessed tonight.
But were the answers worth seeking?
Author’s Note: Finally, the Empress visited Moonveil Palace.
But…
She was not invited inside.
Instead, she was sent home with a pot of grapes.
Hehe…
Our Elias certainly has a unique way of greeting his guests.
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Lune5verse