The Royal Conservatory gradually returned to its usual tranquility after the Northern delegation departed.
Only the faint murmur of the fountains remained.
Suzanna gently set her teacup down.
"They certainly carry themselves differently from our nobles."
Marbella followed the direction in which the delegation had disappeared.
"They're soldiers."
"Even those who don't wear armor."
Suzanna smiled.
"You noticed that too?"
Marbella nodded.
"They move as one."
"For people like them, discipline comes before status."
Suzanna looked at her with mild surprise.
"You've become quite observant lately."
Marbella simply smiled.
"I've started paying attention to things I used to overlook."
Suzanna laughed softly.
"I suppose growing older changes everyone."
The two continued strolling through the conservatory.
As they passed beneath an arch covered in blooming roses, several young noble ladies greeted them.
"Lady Marbella."
"Lady Suzanna."
One of them curtsied politely before speaking with excitement.
"Have you heard?"
"The Emperor of the Northern Empire is said to be remarkably handsome."
Another covered her mouth with a giggle.
"They say he has silver hair."
"And that he's never married."
"I wonder if it's true."
Suzanna smiled politely.
"Rumors often exaggerate."
"But they're certainly entertaining."
The ladies laughed before excusing themselves.
Once they were gone, Suzanna turned to Marbella.
"What do you think?"
"About what?"
"The Northern Emperor."
Marbella shook her head.
"I've never met him."
"So I have no opinion."
Suzanna nodded in agreement.
"Neither do I."
"I only hope his visit ends peacefully."
As they reached the conservatory's eastern exit, a familiar carriage was already waiting.
The royal crest of Terraina gleamed upon its door.
A palace servant stepped forward and bowed.
"Lady Marbella."
"His Highness the Crown Prince requests your presence tomorrow afternoon."
Marbella accepted the letter respectfully.
"I understand."
The servant bowed once more before leaving.
Suzanna watched the carriage disappear.
"It seems His Highness enjoys your company."
Marbella smiled politely.
"We simply get along well."
Suzanna hesitated.
"…I'm happy."
Marbella looked at her.
"His Highness spends so much time alone."
"It's nice seeing him smile."
Marbella studied Suzanna's expression.
There was no jealousy.
No disappointment.
Only sincere concern.
For a brief moment…
Marbella wondered if she had judged her too harshly.
The ride back to the Grand Duke's mansion was unusually quiet.
Mia eventually broke the silence.
"My Lady."
"Hm?"
"Do you trust Lady Suzanna?"
Marbella looked out the carriage window.
"I don't know."
"She seemed kind."
"She always was."
"Then why…"
Mia hesitated.
"…do you keep watching her so carefully?"
Marbella closed her eyes.
"Because people change."
Or perhaps…
They simply revealed who they truly were.
That evening.
Marbella sat alone on the balcony outside her bedroom.
The cool night breeze gently swayed her platinum hair.
She unfolded Wilbert's invitation once more.
A simple tea.
Nothing more.
Yet…
Her instincts told her otherwise.
Someone as thoughtful as Wilbert would not invite her repeatedly without reason.
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.
"My Lady."
"Come in."
Mia entered carrying a small wooden box.
"This was delivered anonymously."
Marbella frowned.
"Did the messenger leave a name?"
"No."
"He disappeared immediately after handing it to the gate guards."
Marbella carefully opened the box.
Inside rested a single chess piece.
A white queen.
Beneath it lay a folded note.
She unfolded it.
Only one sentence was written.
When the queen moves first, the game no longer follows its original course.
There was no signature.
No seal.
Nothing to reveal the sender.
Marbella read the sentence again.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Someone…
Knew she had changed.
Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the note.
"Mia."
"Yes?"
"Don't tell Father about this."
Mia's expression immediately became serious.
"…Understood."
After Mia left, Marbella remained seated beneath the moonlight.
She turned the white queen over in her hand.
It was an ordinary chess piece.
Yet whoever had sent it clearly knew enough to leave her with an unsettling question.
Was this a warning…
Or an invitation?
Far away, inside a lavish guest residence prepared for the Northern delegation, a silver-haired man stood before an open window overlooking the Imperial Capital.
His aide approached quietly.
"Your Majesty."
"The preparations for tomorrow have been completed."
The man nodded.
"Good."
"And the gift?"
"It should have reached its destination by now."
A faint smile appeared on the Emperor's lips.
"I wonder…"
"…whether Lady Marbella understood its meaning."
He lifted his gaze toward the moon hanging above Terraina.
"The board has already begun to change."
"And I intend to see who is worthy of remaining upon it."