Did he still have thoughts of coming to the Crown Prince's Palace?

Since I and Blake stormed into Tenstheon's bedroom three years ago, the two had never met face to face.

I wanted to force them to meet each other, but that could've given the Duke of Cassil an excuse to attack them.

The Emperor knew that, so he was holding back even though he wanted to see Blake too.

"How's he today?"

He asked about Blake's condition implicitly. He couldn't come to see him, but he was still worried.

"It's all right. He doesn't have a fever and he's enjoying himself."

"That's good. What about you, Ancia?"

"I'm very happy to see Blake and dad enjoy my food."

"Nonsense."

He spoke bluntly, but there was a slight smile hanging on his mouth.

"It's true, Father. Try some of this too. I boiled it for you."

"What about you?"

"I already ate."

"Don't you like spicy things? You wouldn't have eaten it when you were with Blake. Have a sip."

"Shall I?"

I thought I ate a lot, but when I saw the spicy stew, my appetite returned once again.

Should I try some of the stew? I couldn't overcome my desire and grabbed the spoon.

"Oh, it's spicy."

It was a bit disappointing that there was no kimchi in the soft tofu stew, but the tofu was very savory so it was tasty in its own way.

"It's delicious, isn't it?"

I was a little embarrassed after I said that. Was I boasting too much after I made it?

I was worried that I might come off as a little impudent, but Tenstheon had a subtle smile on his face.

"My daughter-in-law made it, so naturally, it can't taste bad."

"Hehe."

"Is there anything you want? Since you've served me such a precious meal, I'll give you a present."

Normally, I would have refused when he offered like that. Tenstheon sent me a gift every day.

It wasn't that I was greedy, and my room was so full of things that I didn't want anything more, but today was different.

"There's a place I want to go."

"Where? Just say it."

"Tenlarn Palace."

Tenstheon stiffened upon hearing my words.

"Tenlarn Palace?"

Tenlarn Palace was the last Palace of the Zelcan Empire, and at the same time, it was the first Palace of the Asteric Empire.

Phillip, the first Emperor, destroyed the Zelcan Empire, which had fallen to waste after indulging in luxury and pleasure, and established the Asteric Empire.

Although it was natural to build a new Imperial Palace when a new country was founded, Phillip used the Royal Palace of the previous era.

To build a new Palace, they'd need more money and labor. Phillip said he didn't want to burden the people who suffered from Zelcan's tyranny, so he changed the name of the Zelcan Altar Palace, to Tenlarn Palace.

However, his good intentions caused a tragedy.

Rakshul, the head of the Zelcan revival movement and the last prince of Zelcan, knew the structure of the Tenlarn Palace. Naturally, it was so since he was born and raised there.

He raided the Imperial Palace through the secret passage of the Tenlarn Palace and set fire to it.

The huge fire was said to have gone on for more than a month, and the Tenlarn Palace, as well as the Zelcan Capital, all disappeared into the flames.

Not only that, but also the Roums polluted the land and water with black magic, making the whole of Khan a lifeless land.

Emperor Phillip was forced to change the Capital city to Senion and build a new Senion Palace, and ever since, Senion had been the Capital of Asteric for the past thousand years.

Hence, Tenlarn Palace and the City of Khan became a 'prohibited land' where no one could enter.

"Why do you want to go to Tenlarn Palace?"

"I might find clues about the stone tablet when I go to the Palace."

An ancient language was carved on the stone plate found in the pond of the Amoria Palace.

I had been trying to uncover the secrets of the tombstone, but I felt like I was only going around in circles without finding any results.

But a few days ago, I had a vision.

A woman's scream, a blazing fire, a splendid ballroom decorated with jewels, and the stone plates on the other side...

The scene was still fresh in my mind...

The interior of the place was luxurious and unique. Based on the vivid memories, I searched for the materials and found that it was the architectural style that was popular during the Zelcan Empire.

In addition, the gold pillars decorated with jewels were said to be the symbol of Tenlarn Palace, which overflowed with luxury and pleasure.

Maybe it was Tenlarn Palace, and what I saw in the vision was the Tenlarn Palace at the time of the fire.

I didn't know why something that had happened a thousand years ago suddenly appeared before me.

I didn't know why, but if it was really a scene from the past, then I had to go to the Tenlarn Palace. I saw a stone plate just like the one found in the pond there.

"The huge flames swept through everything, and the land was polluted by black magic. I can't send you to such a dangerous place."

"I'll just take a quick look at the Tenlarn Palace. It'll only take a minute."

"There's nothing left because it was all burnt to ashes."

Tenstheon always listened to everything I said, but this time he was stubborn....

"But you never know. Maybe we can find a clue."...

"It's a forbidden land. The Imperial family cannot go there."

Just before he died, Phillip mentioned in his will that no one was to ever step on the land of Khan.

If anyone stepped on the land of Khan, misfortune would befall them, and if it was the Emperor, it would cause a great disaster for the entire Empire.

This made it a forbidden land, not only for individuals, but also for the Emperor.

"Do you believe in the will of Emperor Phillip?"

I thought that Tenstheon wouldn't believe such a will when we didn't know about the truth behind the curse

"I don't believe in will. I don't know if those words are true, and even so, it was a political statement aimed at Zelcan's remnants."

Tenstheon was also not misled by such nonsense. With a smile on his face, he added, "But others will believe it. If the Royal Family goes to the place that ordinary people don't even dare to walk past, there will be a strong backlash."

"I can go secretly."

"Ancia."

Tenstheon called me by my name, but I didn't want to retract my statement.

I didn't think Tenstheon cared about what Phillip said anyway. Wasn't it Phillip himself who betrayed the Goddess and brought her wrath upon the Empire?

"There's not many people who keep watch on me, so I can go quietly..."

"Then, ask someone else to go instead."

"No, I have the ability to decipher ancient languages to find clues in the Tenlarn Palace. I have to go myself."

I had to find a clue in the debris that had been burned. If someone didn't know the ancient language, it would be impossible for them to find the clue.

When I didn't retract my words, Tenstheon gently closed his eyes.

He had always been a proud Emperor, and I had never seen him dwelling over something so much before, but I couldn't give up.

"His Highness condition is unusual. He's fine today, but I don't know when he'll be sick again. I might find a way to solve his curse at Tenlarn Palace. No, I can definitely find it! I mean it...!"

Tenstheon continued, "Ancia, you're my child too. I can't send you to a dangerous place for Blake."

"....."

When did the ferocious beast come to look at me with such warm eyes?

"It's not dangerous. I'm just going on an outing to an old historic site."

"It's not an ordinary site."

"I can protect myself with mana stones. Blake is family to me, too. I might be able to lift his curse, so I can't give it up like this. Nothing's going to happen to me."

"Ancia."

"I'll really be right back. Ah, father."

"......."

The moment I called him my father, Tenstheon's crimson pupils trembled. I clasped his hand.

"Please. Father, please allow me this once."

"...just this once."

Tenstheon opened his mouth with difficulty. I smiled broadly and hugged him.

"Yes! Thank you! Thank you! Father!"

***

Eunhan was deep in his thoughts. The Crown Prince had caught him in his lies of turning into a cat and hanging around Ancia.

But the Crown Prince did not tell anyone about it. Eunhan wanted to be honest, but he felt uncomfortable because he felt as if he had deceived his master.

He wandered around the Phillion Palace, and then slowly went into the Emperor's bedroom. It was late, but the lights were on.

"Eunhan?"

Tenstheon was sitting on the sofa. He slowly opened his eyes when Eunhan entered.

"I beg your pardon. Did I wake you up?"

"No. I was thinking about some things, and I was waiting for you."

At his words, Eunhan immediately straightened his posture and bowed his head.

"Please give me the command."

"I wanted to ask you a favor, not an order."

Tenstheon was blunt, but he was kind-hearted.

However, it was the first time he had used the term 'favor'.

"You may ask for anything. I'll even give my life up for you."

"Why would I want your life anyway?"