Daphne looked at him quietly, not needing words to explain her feelings. There was something in his eyes, something deep that shone from them, making her feel as if she were the only person in the world.
She moved slightly towards Adonis and bowed her head slowly, as if thanking him in silence. But her eyes remained fixed on him, settling deep into his, as if searching for something more than just words. Her gaze held questions about him, about what the future held for her, but she didn't dare voice them.
Adonis felt the moment become more intimate than he had expected. Without thinking much, he cautiously reached out and gently touched the hem of her dress, as if a single touch could tell him everything about the beauty before him. Then, in a tone softer than before, he said,
"You don't need any more words. Your beauty speaks for itself."
Daphne stood before him, feeling the warmth that accompanied his words, and that look that said more than anything else. Time stood still between them, as if they were alone in this world that had completely transformed into a scene of magic and romance, where there was only Adonis and Daphne, and a dream whose details were completed by a touch.
That night, the palace was steeped in silence, save for the sound of the cold wind striking the large windows. In the royal meeting hall, the Emperor sat on his opulent throne, his eyes deep in thought. His features were composed, but they concealed a feeling of unease.
Helibor entered with confident steps, though turmoil brewed within him. He knew that what would be discussed tonight would completely change his future. He sat on the chair opposite the Emperor after a swift gesture from him.
Emperor (in a direct, stern tone):
"Helibor, tonight we will not speak as father and son. We will speak as Emperor and Crown Prince. A decision must be made, and I want to know your opinion clearly. Your marriage to Hyacinth, Princess of Callistar."
Helibor (narrowing his eyes slightly, trying to appear composed):
"My mother informed me of this decision beforehand. I know it is an important decision for the Empire, but I did not expect it to be this swift."
Emperor (tilting his head slightly, his eyes watching Helibor):
"Speed is sometimes necessary. This marriage will solidify our relationship with the Callistar Empire and grant us greater influence. Hyacinth is not just a princess, but a strong partner who can support you in your journey as future Emperor."
Helibor (in a low voice, but one that carried a hint of defiance):
"And do you see the Empire as more important than my personal opinion? Than my feelings?"
Emperor (in a stern tone):
"When you are Crown Prince, there is no place for feelings in your decisions. The Empire comes first. This is not an emotional discussion, Helibor, it is about all our futures."
Helibor (lowering his gaze for a moment, as if weighing his words):
"What if I told you that I have reasons that might make this marriage more complicated than you imagine?"
Emperor (narrowing his eyes, looking at him sharply):
"Complications? What kind of complications?"
Helibor (in a calm, measured tone that concealed an inner storm):
"Not everything is open for discussion, Your Majesty. But let me say that I understand the importance of this marriage, and I will accept it if it protects the Empire."
Emperor (leaning back slightly in his chair, but his tone remained stern):
"I am not unaware of the possibility of secrets in your life, Helibor. But I remind you, anything that could threaten your reputation, or the Empire's reputation, will not be forgiven."
Helibor (looking directly into his father's eyes):
"I have my responsibilities, and I understand that any secret can be a danger. But I promise you, Your Majesty, that this marriage will proceed without the Empire being affected by anything that has happened in the past."
Emperor (in a serious voice):
"You are my son, but you are Crown Prince above all else. Be careful, Helibor, for any mistake you make will not be excused. Hyacinth will be your life partner, and there is no room for failure in this matter."
Helibor (standing up, his tone firm):
"I understand. I will follow what is in the best interest of the Empire, but I hope you will one day understand that I am sacrificing much for it."
Emperor (quietly, but his voice carried weight):
"Sacrifice is what makes us leaders, my son. Go now, and think about your words and actions."
Helibor left the hall, his face bearing a mixture of calm and suppressed anger. Behind him, the Emperor sat in deep silence, lost in thought about his son's secret that he had been unable to uncover.
Deep within Helibor, he knew that his fleeting relationship with the woman and the secret he concealed was a burden that no one could know, especially the Emperor, no matter the cost.
As the rain began to fall gently, playing a faint melody on the glass of the wide balcony, Empress Amphiara stood at its edge, wearing a soft white gown with gold embroidery that reflected the faint light from the room behind her. Her gaze was fixed on the cloudy sky, and her eyes held a deep mystery befitting a woman who had ruled the Empire with cunning and skill.
Helibor entered the room with steady steps, but he could not hide the tension that churned within him. He stopped a few steps away from her, staring at her back, which seemed strong despite its delicate appearance.
Helibor (in a quiet but charged voice):
"So, where is that woman? Where is her palace?"
Amphiara did not turn immediately, but merely a faint smile appeared on the corner of her lips, as if she had expected this question. Finally, she turned to him slowly, her hands clasped behind her back.
Amphiara (with majestic calm):
"Leave all that to me, Helibor. Everything will end smoothly, as I promised you."
Helibor (narrowing his eyes, taking a step closer):
"But I fear that this smoothness will come at the cost of the woman's life. Will you kill her after you get the child?"
Amphiara now smiled clearly, a smile that held confidence, and perhaps something darker.
Amphiara (in a calm and reassuring tone):
"I am not that cruel, my son. The woman will not be harmed, as long as she remains obedient and does not cause trouble."
Helibor (raising his eyebrows with bitter sarcasm):
"Not that cruel? Shall I remind you of what you told me about your ascent to power overnight? About how much sacrifice you made to become Empress?"
Amphiara, instead of feeling insulted, laughed softly. Her voice was gentle but held the sharpness befitting her power as Empress.
Amphiara (advancing towards him with calm steps, looking directly at him):
"The crown, my son, is not something given. It is something taken. And to take it, you must be prepared to make sacrifices... any sacrifices."
Helibor (staring at her coldly, but feeling the weight of her words):
"Your sacrifices have always been harsh. And I do not want to be part of your cruelty this time. The child... and the woman... neither of them are just tools to achieve your goals."
Amphiara (quietly, with an underlying threat):
"You do not understand, Helibor. Every decision I make, no matter how harsh it may seem, is to protect you. The woman is not important in this story. The child is the future, and I will ensure that he grows up in an environment that makes him a strength for the Empire, not a weakness."
Helibor (taking a step back, looking at her warily):
"I fear that you see everyone as chess pieces on your board. But I will not let you destroy someone's life just to ensure the loyalty of an unborn child."
Amphiara (approaching him, placing her hand on his shoulder):
"You have the right to be afraid. But trust me, my son. When time passes, you will understand that everything I did was for you, and for the Empire. And I promise you, the woman will not be harmed, as long as she stays in her place."
Helibor (his eyes filled with doubt):
"I will watch this promise, Mother. And I will not forgive you if anything contradicts it."
Amphiara (with a broad but cold smile):
"I always keep my promises, my son. Play your part, and let me take care of the rest."
Amphiara stood firm, but inside, her emotions were churning. The tension that gripped her could not be concealed. She waited impatiently for the Emperor's decisive decision. Would he agree to the date she had proposed? This question ran through her mind constantly. Her fingers moved unconsciously along the edges of her gown, while her eyes focused on the Emperor, trying to read any change in his features.
Confusion touched her at that moment. Despite the strength she displayed, she felt as if the nerves beneath her skin tightened with every passing second. She couldn't stop herself from fidgeting in her place, and sometimes she moved slightly forward, as if waiting for a reassuring answer. Her gaze was steady, but from within, there was a strong yearning for a decision. When? When would the marriage be?
After that, she turned to the Emperor to hear his decision.
She knew that this decision was a pivotal moment, but the waiting was killing her. Her hands moved again, as if trying to calm her tension, but nothing eased the anxiety that raged within her. Every word Helibor had spoken, and every moment of waiting, stirred within her an intense desire to know when the marriage would take place. She knew that agreeing to the date would mean the end of the first phase of her plans, but she needed to know if the Emperor would agree to set it.
But when the Emperor entered, the silence that enveloped the hall made her heart beat faster. He knew what she would say; he was expecting her surprise.
Amphiara (quietly, in a decisive tone):
"The wedding must be tomorrow, not in two months."
She raised her eyes to the Emperor's face, whose features were composed but whose eyes held a hint of inquiry.
Emperor (raising his eyebrows, his voice firm but calm):
"Tomorrow? Amphiara, I see no reason for such haste. We have more than two months to prepare this wedding in a manner befitting us."
Amphiara (stepping towards the throne table with confident steps, then stopping before him):
"But the Empire needs this alliance today, Your Majesty. The sooner, the better. I cannot allow any opportunity to slip away from us at this sensitive time."
Emperor (looking at her with sharp eyes, but keeping his voice steady):
"You speak of the alliance as if everything is settled. Don't you see that haste might raise suspicions?"
Amphiara (a mysterious smile on her lips):
"Then we shall not allow suspicions to cause chaos. The wedding will be tomorrow, and you know very well that everything will be under control. If not tomorrow, hesitation will appear in the Empire, and that could weaken our position."
Emperor (firmly, looking at her intently):
"Amphiara... my decision has been made, and the wedding will not be tomorrow. Two months from now, the wedding will take place on schedule. Even if you have doubts about the delay, there is an order that must be respected."
Amphiara remained silent for a few moments, her eyes not leaving the Emperor's. She absorbed his words, but she knew that the matter was not yet over.
Amphiara (in a low voice, carrying a hint of defiance):
"As you wish, Your Majesty. But remember, time waits for no one, and we cannot predict what will happen in two months."
Emperor (with a steady gaze, gesturing with his hand towards the door):
"There will be no change, Amphiara. The wedding is in two months. If you are as confident in this alliance as you claim, then there is nothing to worry about."
Amphiara (taking a deep breath and leaving the room with confident steps, but in her heart there was a feeling of anxiety mixed with determination. She had no intention of giving up, and she would not let things proceed solely as the Emperor wished. She was planning something bigger, but she had not yet revealed all her cards.)
A month passed, and with the passage of time, Daphne and Adonis's relationship began to develop in a beautiful and unexpected way. Life between them became clearer, simpler, and more harmonious. Daphne forgot about the book and the world she came from, and she gave up searching for the reason for her arrival in this world. Everything became more stable in Adonis's presence. He became her world, the person who understood her without the need for words, the person who did not ask questions but extended his hand to help her at every step, without hesitation.