The Emperor's Banquet had ended.
Yet the attempted assassination spread through the Eternal Imperial City like wildfire.
By sunrise...
Every noble house, sect, and merchant had heard the news.
But what shocked them most wasn't the attack.
It was the Crown Prince's decision.
Instead of executing the captured assassin...
He had spared her life.
Many mocked him.
Many praised him.
Lucien ignored them all.
An emperor could not rule according to rumors.
Inside the Crown Prince's Palace...
The morning sunlight filtered through the windows.
Luna stood nervously outside Lucien's study.
She had been given clean clothes.
Her injuries had been treated.
For the first time in years...
She had slept without chains.
Even so...
She couldn't believe any of it.
"Why would someone like him save me?"
Inside the study...
Lucien was reading reports when the familiar voice of the system echoed.
Ding!
Investment Complete.
Target: Sylvia Evermoon
Investment: Seven-Star Soul Orchid
Growth Milestone: Foundation Core Realm
Critical Return Multiplier: 100×
Lucien's eyes narrowed.
"One hundred times?"
The system had never rewarded such a high multiplier before.
Golden light filled the room.
A magnificent lotus slowly materialized before him.
Every petal shimmered with silver and gold.
Its fragrance alone made the surrounding spiritual energy surge.
Reward Obtained
Heavenly Dao Lotus
Grade: Divine
Effects:
Greatly enhances cultivation.
Purifies the soul.
Strengthens spiritual foundations.
Increases comprehension of Heavenly Laws.
Can evolve bloodlines.
Even Lucien couldn't hide a hint of surprise.
"A Divine-grade treasure..."
"Worth far more than the orchid I invested."
The system's potential was even greater than he had imagined.
Just then—
Elena entered the room.
She immediately sensed the overwhelming spiritual aura.
Her beautiful blue eyes widened.
"What... is that?"
Lucien gently stored the lotus inside his spatial ring.
"A reward."
Elena blinked.
"A reward?"
Lucien smiled faintly.
"One day, I'll explain."
He wasn't ready to reveal the existence of the system.
Not yet.
Before Elena could ask another question...
Cassius arrived.
He knelt on one knee.
"Your Highness."
"We've completed the first stage of our investigation."
Lucien gestured for him to continue.
"The Black Sun Organization has appeared in seven provinces over the past twenty years."
"They never leave survivors."
"They specialize in kidnapping gifted children."
"They either recruit them..."
"...or use their families as leverage."
Luna, standing quietly near the doorway, clenched her fists.
Exactly as she had experienced.
Cassius placed another document on the desk.
"We've also discovered something else."
"The Prime Minister's eldest son..."
"...has secretly met merchants connected to the Black Sun Organization."
Elena's eyes turned cold.
"So House Alton really is involved."
Cassius shook his head.
"We have suspicions."
"But not proof."
Lucien nodded.
"Suspicion is not enough."
"If I accuse them now..."
"They'll simply destroy the evidence."
He looked toward the city outside.
"We wait."
Luna hesitated before speaking.
"Your Highness..."
Lucien turned toward her.
"I remember something."
Everyone's attention focused on her.
"The people who controlled me..."
"They always mentioned a place called..."
"...the Ashen Market."
Cassius frowned.
"The underground black market?"
Luna nodded.
"They said..."
"'If anything goes wrong, retreat to the Ashen Market.'"
Lucien smiled.
"Excellent."
It wasn't much.
But it was the first real lead.
At that moment...
A palace servant hurried inside.
"Your Highness!"
"The representative of the Moonlight Sacred Land has arrived."
Lucien looked up.
"So soon?"
"Who is it?"
"The Third Elder..."
"...and Miss Sylvia Evermoon."
For the first time that morning...
A genuine smile appeared on Lucien's face.
"Invite them in."
Luna noticed it immediately.
She quietly lowered her head.
"His Highness..."
"He smiles differently when he hears her name."
Even Elena noticed.
For just a brief second...
Something unfamiliar stirred within her heart.
Not anger.
Not sadness.
A quiet sense of uncertainty.
She quickly composed herself.
As captain of the Imperial Guard...
Her duty came before her emotions.
The doors slowly opened.
Sunlight poured into the study.
Sylvia stepped inside wearing elegant moon-white robes.
Her silver hair shimmered beneath the light.
Their eyes met.
She smiled gently.
"It seems..."
"...I've arrived at the right time."
Lucien returned the smile.
"Welcome to the Imperial Palace, Lady Sylvia."
Outside the study...
Elena watched the scene in silence.
Then she looked at the black jade pendant hanging around her neck.
A small, bittersweet smile appeared on her face.
She didn't know what the future held.
But one thing had become clear.
The quiet palace...
Was slowly becoming warmer.
And perhaps...
Far more complicated.