A day passed when suddenly, my brother came into the library with a smirk written on his face. I was not delighted to see him, but at least, he seems decent. 
Not unlike what he's been up to for a few days. I met Kalester after that as well and he keeps on avoiding me for some unknown reason. Eris and Kalester become pretty close, I don't know if that is a good sign or just a bad sign.
Anyhow, at that very least he won over Eris. My father's the one left he needed to tame, I am not pretty sure after the first experience, father will not want to see another man who wants to take my hand in marriage.
He seemed pretty firm when I asked him if Kalester could marry me. He said, "not until I am dead."
Eris is different to father, so he really needs to work hard. I mean, after the termination I am basically a free woman, who is not bound by the rules of engagement.
Kalester will have time to court me in a formal appearance. It would be suspicious if we announced our relationship only after my engagement was terminated. I may be freed from Daniel completely, but the influence of the emperor still lurks around. 
The main problem I want to complete is the second prince and my engagement's termination. That needs to be prioritized for now, and I have been ready to meet the empress as well.
Eris told me about the good news that I've been waiting for ages. The permission to unofficially visit the empress, and without doubt I did not think Kalester would be coming as well.
On that formal occasion, he said he was familiar with her majesty so he could be of help during the discussion. He told me that he has met the empress in this lifetime, pretty much often.
Until I discovered that Kalester was actually formulating plans to kidnap me during my time in the palace. So, he was acquainted with her majesty who was part of his plan.
The kidnapping plan was still new to me. I didn't know he did that just to take me away, but I was glad I recovered my memories before he got himself in trouble.
The only thing different in our situation is that I didn't know much about her before I became her student. She asked me to come during midnight when guards have been lazing around.
The cross forest of the palace that leads to the empress residence—in my opinion—is quite barren. There are no wild animals around, but I am more worried about people than animals.
Assassins are very sharp at this time of the night. It makes it even more unhinged knowing that I have to follow this path.
"I have eyes everywhere, that is why you don't need to worry," I made my first step when suddenly from behind, my body had shaken up from the breath that was blowing through my neck. 
"Can you please stop that," I silently whisper as I look at him. He intended to follow even if I refused his actions, in the end, I didn't even have a choice but to take him.
"I had to make sure you have calmed down a bit," he mumbled and he looked at me with his teasing gaze. "Just trust me on this, I vowed in my honor to protect you well."
I pouted. "So, you have an honor, my lord?" Well, I am quite surprised as he has been bold lately. Good thing my house is secret from gossip, if rumors spread people will think I sleep with another man when I am still engaged. 
We don't do anything! It's just that he comes there whenever he likes, and sleeps on the sofa. I swear he's been childish these days as well. 
"Calling me that tastes like bittersweet," he mumbled and then suddenly his hand advanced on my waist. "But I have you know that I still have honor left in me, as a knight, my lady."
Now he's just becoming childish. "Goodness," I said as I shaked my head. "I don't recommend staying here for far too long."
He looked at me for a while before he sadly let me go. "Fine, I guess I can endure it for a while," he mumbled as he walked forward leaving me behind. 
What is wrong with him?
I flustered and then I recollected myself. The way to the forest was quite silent, and frightening at some point. However, nothing happened till we reached the palace walls. The empress instructed us to use a crack opening in the palace wall.
This way we can avoid the guards, once we enter the land, a maid is waiting for us on the other side, who will guide us towards the empress secret passage that is used as an escape tunnel.
She mentioned that her palace is guarded by the first consort's people, so we can't just blindly use the main door. 
I quietly observed the wall before I noticed a crack, big enough for humans to fit in. "Is that it?" I asked Kalester and he nodded.
Once we got inside, a woman in her 50s suddenly appeared in front of me and I almost jolted in shock. The maid simply bowed her head, and she looked at me.
"I will guide you to her majesty," she said before she turned around and we started walking.
Since the guards in the empress palace are quite secured, it was not easy for us to sneak into the back, where no one can see us. The maid is also used to this by now, since she's not panicking.
She also knew a place to hide when we got in trouble with some knights. Good thing we passed through the obstacle without getting ourselves caught. The maid looked around a water well, and she then pulled a lever beneath it. 
Before I looked, a door suddenly opened from the walls. We have an escape route back in the mansion, but this one is surely advanced. The wall didn't even look as if a door was there.
Is this technology an advanced mechanism? The advancement of secret doors. 
"Quietly this way please," she said and we followed, but once we got inside, the door automatically closed and I was taken aback in surprise.
"First time? The Roqueves Mansion is filled with secret doors, you know," Kalester whispered to me.
"No, not my first time, but it is still quite overwhelming, and it's quite different from my place," I replied and he nodded.
Well, in the sense of secret doors, Baroness Lithia is good at it. She's been designing ours since my mother passed away. The mansion in the capital, as well as our territorial castle in the west, those builds are structural and not automatic. 
We went quietly as the only sound was our footsteps and the clusters outside the wall. Once we saw the end of the trail, the woman in front pushed another leverage which opened the door in front of us.
Just like the one in the exit, this opened the same as it did. 
Another room appeared before us, but it was more different. The room was veiled in white, and gold. The lightning also represents a cold blue color. Inside the room, elegant chandeliers hung from the ceiling, exuding a soft, warm glow.
And extravagant furniture was scattered throughout the room, inviting guests to indulge in comfort. A red carpet lay on the floor, and a marble ceiling was seen above us. 
Towards the soft couches in the room, we came across a woman in her late 40s, she looks old but her beauty makes her look younger. Her amazing brown hair wavers at those sharp brown eyes.
Her stare feels like she was looking at me, no in fact, she felt as if she was looking at me straight inside myself, as if she could see something I can't see for myself.
It frightened me how her glare was judging me inside, but I was lucky that I knew of her technique. The person who sat on the sofa was none other than the empress.
"Your majesty, they have arrived," the maid announced before she left.
That's right, those beauty like no other, pale yet strong skin, her eyes that shuns you upon display. She is indeed the humble empress of the Albania Empire, the person who ruled the empire alone and the one who saved the country from the emperor's wrath.
A beauty that stands to no other even if she aged quite well. 
I quietly walked in front of her and then I bent down, lowered to the ground, and I bowed my head. "Greetings, your majesty, mother of all," then I greeted leaving her speechless.
The empress, my former master, even in this life, she shows such a dignified appearance of a true ruler. She does not falter and she understands everyone whom she meets. She is not just an empress in my eyes, but also a master I respected even in this life.
Though my actions may bring dissatisfaction, I fear not for I believe in the empress and only to her. My actions are a standard that is truly used for the Imperial Family, and not mere greetings.
"My, have we met before, young lady? I seem to feel at ease in your presence, please stand up because you are my guest tonight," she said and I followed. She is still the same, even when her husband cheated on her, she remains the same but the empress is also a human.
It must be hard to accept the idea, but long has she gone to dearly endorse it without a choice in mind. She might as well ignore it, however, given the fact that she loved him so much, it must mean it was hard for her to let it go.
Other than fighting over a man, she chose to ignore it and she diversified to make the empire prosper. However, it was futile to resist the power of the emperor. Even if she's a good leader, her influence is slowly decreasing.
I quickly raised my head and I smiled. "No, your majesty, it's our first meeting actually."
She looked me in the eye, then slowly she turned forward. "I see," she said and then she chuckled. "You must have a tiring walk, please I insist, have a seat. Should our discussion be long, you might find it burdensome to keep on standing."
I looked at Kalester as he nodded, before he and I sat across the empress. 
"Thank you for giving us this honor, your majesty, I hope our visit does not spoil your comfort," I said and then I silently watched her as she giggled. 
"I do not mind because I have been lounging to talk to someone," she then paused before she breathed in. "Worry not, my lady, I know you are wary because of your identity as of the current."
She was right, I was wary earlier. I did not want to offend the empress, that is why I was wary about the things I might have to say. She is indeed a sharp woman, before when she became my master, she would always tell me that people are just desirable creatures who happen to feel.
I never understood her words because I lack the ability to see the metaphor's true meaning. I was not aware, or perhaps I was merely being dumb that I did not notice its full meaning.
That said, I am no genius, I am just standard smart but my intellectual development is lacking at some point since my time has turned back. If this was a condition for bringing our time back, it is but a priceless gift, known as a human condition.
Despite that, she is not but a leader, the empress is a politician. A good governance who makes decisions purely on the situations of the people. She is a miracle of the empire, but sadly, she withered under her husband's care.
"Your majesty, I'd like to know what you think about this current monarchy? If the question is not to your liking, I am fine if you ignore it," I said with determination.
The empress took a bit of a second before her gentle expression turned pallid. Then she looked at me as she smiled, and she bent. "I am not sure how to respond, young lady. As you know, I am not fond of small talk before you straighten up your intentions."
Even if the empress does not answer me, I already knew it. The fact that the empress hated her husband and his mistress, and the fact that she was unloved by a person like him, I knew fully how sensitive this question was.
That is why I asked her directly to confirm if she has this hate, even before. 
"If you asked me," I mumbled and then I smiled. "I will merely say that of a metaphor, wherein the palace is a grave of corruption that lounges no bound.."