Elias and Kiero reached Moonveil Palace safely.
No one noticed the two people leaving or entering the palace grounds.
Princess Lynera kept her word and helped them.
Elias and Kiero were relieved that they had survived the chaos they created.
This incident made Elias reflect on many aspects of his current life and the future he was about to live.
He planned to keep things calm for a few days before attempting anything again.
Completely unaware of the storm about to travel from the Main Palace to his deserted island, Elias relaxed peacefully inside his bedchamber.
Dawn spread across the imperial training grounds in pale shades of silver and gold.
Cold morning air drifted through the open arena while rows of female guards stood stationed along the stone walls surrounding the field.
The training grounds of the Imperial Palace were vast, built entirely from polished black stone marked with countless scars from years of combat practice.
Weapon stands lined the edges of the arena, filled with spears, swords, bows, and wooden practice weapons.
At the center of the field—
Clang!
The sharp sound of swords colliding echoed through the air.
Empress Selene moved across the arena with terrifying precision.
Her crimson training robes flowed behind her as she struck General Lunara repeatedly without pause.
Every attack was fast, sharp, and merciless.
Lunara blocked another strike and slid backward across the stone floor.
“Your Majesty seems unusually aggressive this morning,” Lunara commented calmly while adjusting her stance.
Selene said nothing.
Her sword came down again with enough force to numb Lunara’s arms.
Clang!
The surrounding guards lowered their heads further.
Everyone in the palace knew one thing—
The Empress treated every fight like a battlefield.
She was always prepared.
Another attack came toward Lunara’s neck.
She narrowly blocked it and exhaled slowly.
Definitely aggressive.
Before another strike could follow, a lazy voice interrupted from the entrance of the training grounds.
“My, my…
Impressive as expected of my sister.”
Princess Lynera walked into the arena dressed in dark violet robes, a playful smile resting on her lips.
Selene finally lowered her sword slightly.
“Lunara.
You may leave.”
The general bowed immediately, clearly relieved to escape alive.
“As you command, Your Majesty.”
The moment Lunara disappeared, Lynera stepped further into the arena.
“You are late today for practice,” Selene spoke coldly while wiping her blade with a cloth.
“I had to handle some issues outside the palace.” Lynera smiled, reminiscing about the incident at the dining inn she had visited earlier.
Selene nodded and asked, “What are you going to do now?”
Lynera’s eyes gleamed mischievously.
“A duel.”
Selene paused briefly before tossing another sword toward her sister.
Lynera caught it effortlessly.
The guards nearby immediately straightened in alarm.
A duel between imperial sisters was never simple entertainment.
The morning wind swept through their robes as silence fell across the arena.
Then—
Clang!
Selene attacked first.
Fast.
Aggressive.
Lynera barely blocked the strike before another slash came toward her waist.
She dodged sideways with a laugh.
“Trying to kill your younger sister this early in the morning?”
Selene remained expressionless.
“You asked for a duel.”
Clang!
Their swords collided repeatedly.
Unlike Selene’s overpowering attacks, Lynera fought defensively, retreating while blocking each strike carefully.
Step by step—
She was being pushed backward.
Selene’s swordsmanship was overwhelming.
Even Lynera clicked her tongue internally.
At this rate, she would lose within minutes.
Clang!
Another strike nearly knocked the sword from her hand.
Then suddenly—
An idea struck her.
A dangerous one.
Lynera smirked.
“Your Noble Consort looks elegant in black women’s robes.”
Clang—
Selene’s sword froze mid-attack.
For the first time since the duel started, surprise flashed across her usually emotionless face.
Lynera saw the exact moment Selene lost focus.
And attacked immediately.
Swish!
Selene lost her balance for half a second.
That was enough.
Lynera twisted her sword and struck Selene’s blade away before pressing her weapon against the Empress’s throat.
Silence.
Even the guards standing nearby looked horrified.
Princess Lynera had won.
By cheating.
Selene slowly lifted her eyes toward her sister.
Cold.
Dangerously cold.
Lynera smiled innocently.
“What?”
“You lost focus.”
The pressure surrounding Selene instantly became terrifying.
The guards lowered their heads further in fear.
Only Lynera remained relaxed.
Then—
“What did you just say?” Her voice was calm.
Too calm.
Lynera knew that tone well.
Ah.
Now she was interested.
“I never knew my brother-in-law had a knack for wearing women’s clothes.
That too black robes.” Lynera said, amused while spinning her sword.
“Why…
and how do you know this?” Selene asked.
“I think you should know the answer to ‘why’ yourself.” Lynera stalled deliberately.
“I haven’t seen him.
He is serving punishment right now,” Selene said, already agitated.
“Serving punishment?
Or perhaps enjoying it?” Lynera let out a throaty laugh.
“What do you mean?” Selene gritted her teeth.
Her patience was wearing thin now.
“I promised him this secret.
So my lips are sealed.” Lynera mimed zipping her mouth and throwing away the key.
“You are testing my patience, Lynera,” Selene growled.
Lynera looked at her amused and completely unfazed.
“Relax, Your Majesty.
It’s nothing major.
Your Noble Consort simply sneaked out of his palace disguised as a woman and…”
“Just dined at a restaurant without carrying money.”
A faint twitch appeared in Selene’s expression.
Lynera almost laughed.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
“Elder Sister…” Lynera leaned closer, amusement dancing in her eyes.
“Don’t punish my brother-in-law for such a small offense.
Honor my promise to him.”
She lightly patted Selene’s arm before leaving the training grounds.
Selene stood there silently, watching her sister’s retreating figure.
Her fist clenched tightly while her expression remained unreadable.
“Small offense?”
Her cold voice echoed softly across the silent arena.
“We shall see about that.”
And far away in Moonveil Palace, Elias was still proudly believing he had escaped trouble.
Author Note:
Princess Lynera officially entered the battlefield… and immediately chose chaos
Poor Elias still thinks he escaped trouble safely while sleeping peacefully in Moonveil Palace
But now the Empress knows everything.
And somehow… our cold Empress losing focus during a duel because of one sentence feels far more dangerous than anger.
What do you think Selene will do next?
Punish him?
Ignore him?
Or visit Moonveil Palace herself?
Your comments and thoughts truly light up my universe
Happy reading, and stay tuned for more drama in the Matriarchy Verse.
Updates on Tuesday and Saturday