It seemed like Lady Elara’s husband had fallen into the clutches of the ’leech,’ and that was why she was so bitter about the mention of the princess.

"Liora, dear," the Empress called, her voice regaining its fragile composure as she turned to her daughter. "Would you like to take your master around my palace? Cassian should be done with sword training by now as well."

Liora’s face brightened instantly as she hopped off her chair with no hesitation. She grabbed Julian’s sleeve with a small tug, her small fingers surprisingly strong.

"Yes, Mother! I want to show him the Glasshouse," Liora chirped, already pulling Julian toward the exit. "The flowers there are much more interesting."

Julian rose and offered a final, deep bow to the Empress and the assembled ladies, his [Mental Stability] holding steady at 28%. The relief that came with the tea party was over, and the reality of his confinement was waiting for him beyond the glass.

"Your Imperial Majesty, Ladies," Julian murmured, his etiquette remaining his only unshakable shield. "It has been an honor."

As they stepped out of the humid Conservatory and into the cooler, echoing hallways of the Empress’s palace, Julian felt the familiar prickle of eyes on his back. Liora didn’t seem to notice; she was skipping ahead, her silk dress rustling as she led him toward the lower gardens.

"My mother is tired today," Liora whispered as they reached the entrance to the Lower Glasshouse. The fierce light in her eyes dimmed for a moment. "She’s always tired. But she likes you. I can tell because she didn’t ask you to leave after five minutes."

"I am honored by her patience, Princess," Julian murmured.

"Yes, mother is very patient. I rarely see her get upset, but she used to be very sharp before she got sick," the girl stopped for a second, her shoulders slightly slumped. "She hardly got out of bed after getting sick, but I’m glad she got the strength to move today," she turned her head, smiling happily. "That means she’s getting better, right?"

Julian gave a light nod. Though he recalled how the Empress rarely maintained her teacup in the air and how her fingers trembled from time to time, but if she was able to stay up for an hour without fainting, then it was a great improvement.

"I’m sure she’ll get even better from now on," he said.

"Right?" Her smile stretched even wider, displaying her teeth. "So, don’t fall sick either, Master. It doesn’t feel good to be sick, you know."

Julian bowed his head slightly and said,

"I am already getting better, thank you for your concern, princess."

They descended the spiral stairs into the Glasshouse. Unlike the Conservatory above, this place was dim, bathed in a soft, emerald twilight. The air was cool and heavy with the scent of damp earth and something sweet yet faintly medicinal.

"Look over there, Master!" Liora pointed to a cluster of pale, drooping flowers near a trickling stone fountain. "They’re Sleeping Lilies. They’re moody. If you touch them when they’re dreaming, they turn grey."

Julian felt a jolt of adrenaline cut through him. Those were the lilies—the core of sedatives. He stepped closer, his scholar’s mind cataloging the silver-edged petals. If he could take just two or three, he could brew enough of a concentrate to force himself to sleep before the morning came and the waking madness began to tear at his insides.

But Liora was watching him with that unnerving, wide-eyed focus.

"Master? Your eyes look funny," she said, tilting her head. "They’re darker than they were at tea. Are you dreaming while you’re awake?"

Julian forced a smile, his fingers twitching near the stem of a lily. "Just admiring the botany, Princess. It’s rare to see such healthy specimens."

Before he could make a move, the heavy thud of boots echoed from the stone landing above.

"Liora! Master Astrea!"

Cassian descended the stairs two at a time. He was flushed, his training shirt damp with sweat, and a smudge of dirt across his cheek. He held a wooden practice sword in one hand, his expression a volatile mix of frustration and a strange, desperate relief.

He ignored the flowers entirely, his gaze fixed on Julian.

"I heard you were here, Master," Cassian panted, stopping in front of them. He looked Julian up and down, his eyes lingering on the high collar of his coat. "The maids said father... that he made you go to the baths. Master, your neck... why is it so red? Did he hurt you?"

He cut himself off, glancing at Liora, his jaw tightening as he gripped the wooden hilt of his sword so hard his knuckles turned white. Why were the maids so talkative in front of a child?

But then, was that why his affection had risen by 5 just like Liora’s?

> [Target: Prince Cassian — Affection level: 53% — Status: Angry & Helpless]

NOTE: "I want to hit something. Father is being mean to master, and all I can do is stand here with this stupid wooden sword."

Julian felt a pang of warmth in his chest that momentarily pushed back the chill of the Waking Madness. Seeing the boy’s genuine, clumsy concern was a reminder that he hadn’t just been "subduing" a menace—he had been earning a protector.

"It was merely a... vigorous cleaning, Prince Cassian," Julian said, his voice soft and steady. "The Palace takes its hygiene very seriously. There is no need for such a dark look."

"I’m not a baby, Master. I know when someone is being a bully," Cassian muttered, looking away to hide the fact that his eyes were stinging. He kicked at a loose stone on the path. "If I were bigger... if I had a real sword..."

Liora stepped between them, crossing her arms. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"You’d just get in trouble, Cassian. Father is still the Emperor, so if you were to point a sword to threaten Father, it would be considered treason. And you would put master in trouble. Didn’t you listen to Master’s lessons before? There is no one who can go against the Emperor, not even his wife."