The seventh night.
Moonlight poured over the Imperial Capital like silver silk.
The Crown Prince's Palace remained brightly lit.
Inside the study, Lucien sat before a mountain of intelligence reports.
Trade between the eastern provinces had declined.
Several noble families had secretly increased their private armies.
A few Spirit Stone mines were producing less than expected.
Each report alone seemed insignificant.
Together...
They formed the outline of a hidden storm.
Lucien closed the final document.
"They're preparing for something."
Just then—
A gentle knock echoed at the door.
"Your Highness."
It was Elena.
"Come in."
She entered carrying a wooden tray.
On it rested a steaming cup of tea and several delicate pastries.
Lucien looked at her in slight surprise.
"I don't remember asking for tea."
Elena placed the tray on his desk.
"You haven't eaten since this morning."
"You've also been reading reports for six consecutive hours."
"If this continues..."
"Even your body won't endure it."
Lucien looked at the tea.
The faint aroma filled the room.
"...Thank you."
Elena smiled softly.
It was a smile almost no one else in the palace had ever seen.
"As your guard..."
"It's my duty."
Lucien took a sip.
"The tea is different today."
"I prepared it myself."
"...It's good."
Those two simple words made Elena's heart flutter.
She quickly lowered her eyes so he wouldn't notice.
After a few moments of silence...
Lucien suddenly asked,
"Elena."
"How long have you served me?"
She answered immediately.
"Twelve years."
"So long?"
"I entered the palace when I was eight."
"My father died protecting His Majesty."
"The Emperor took me in."
"I was assigned to Your Highness."
Lucien looked at her quietly.
The previous Lucien had never asked about her past.
He had simply accepted her loyalty.
"You've sacrificed much."
Elena gently shook her head.
"I've gained far more than I've lost."
Without House Noctis...
She would have been just another orphan of war.
Without Lucien...
She would never have become captain of the Imperial Guard.
To her...
Protecting him wasn't an order.
It was a choice.
At that moment—
A palace maid hurried into the study.
She knelt respectfully.
"Your Highness."
"A messenger from the Moonlight Sacred Land has arrived."
Lucien raised an eyebrow.
"Bring them in."
Moments later...
A young disciple dressed in silver robes entered.
He respectfully presented a beautifully sealed jade letter.
"This letter is from Senior Sister Sylvia Evermoon."
Elena's eyes moved toward the letter.
For reasons she couldn't explain...
Her heart suddenly felt strangely uneasy.
Lucien accepted it.
The seal carried the fragrance of moon orchids.
He opened it.
Inside was elegant handwriting.
To His Imperial Highness, Crown Prince Lucien Draven Noctis.
I hope this letter finds you in good health.
I have already refined the Seven-Star Soul Orchid.
Thanks to your generosity, I successfully broke through to the Foundation Core Realm.
I wished to thank you in person.
Unfortunately, my Master has placed me in closed cultivation for the coming months.
One day...
When we meet again...
I hope I can properly repay the kindness you showed me.
Until then...
Please take care of yourself.
— Sylvia Evermoon
Lucien quietly folded the letter.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"So she broke through."
Inside his mind—
Ding!
Investment Successful.
Target: Sylvia Evermoon
Growth Milestone Achieved.
Calculating Return...
Multiplier: 22×
Rewards Obtained:
Moon Spirit Crystal ×10
Saint-Grade Cultivation Pill ×3
Villain Value +1,500
Lucien nodded with satisfaction.
Helping talented people truly produced worthwhile returns.
Elena stood quietly beside him.
She had noticed that small smile.
It was barely visible.
Yet...
It was genuine.
In all the years she had served him...
She had rarely seen such an expression.
For some reason...
A tiny ache settled in her heart.
She immediately suppressed it.
"What am I thinking?"
"His Highness deserves companions he can trust."
Still...
The thought lingered.
Lucien noticed her unusual silence.
"What is it?"
Elena quickly composed herself.
"Nothing, Your Highness."
Lucien studied her for a moment.
Then...
He reached into his storage ring.
A small black jade pendant appeared in his hand.
"I brought this back from the Forgotten Sovereign's Palace."
"It calms the mind during cultivation."
"I have no immediate use for it."
He handed it to her.
"Take it."
Elena froze.
"...For me?"
Lucien nodded.
"You've protected me for twelve years."
"Consider it... a reward."
She accepted the pendant with trembling hands.
For a moment...
Her usually calm eyes became slightly moist.
No priceless treasure had ever moved her.
But the fact that...
After all these years...
He had remembered her efforts...
Was enough.
She bowed deeply.
"Thank you..."
"...Your Highness."
As she left the study, she gently held the pendant close to her chest.
Outside...
She looked up at the moon and smiled.
It was small.
Almost imperceptible.
But for the first time in many years...
The cold captain of the Imperial Guard felt warmth blooming quietly within her heart.
Far away...
At the Moonlight Sacred Land...
Sylvia also stood beneath the same moon.
Unknowingly...
Two young women...
Separated by countless miles...
Were thinking about the same man.
And inside the Crown Prince's Palace...
Lucien returned to his reports.
Completely unaware...
That the first threads of love had already begun to weave themselves around his destiny.