"ah!"

Aurelion sat bolt upright, opened her eyes, and woke up with a start.

She gasped for breath, her forehead covered in cold sweat.

Looking down, she found herself kneeling on a luxurious and soft carpet.

"Are you asleep...?"

Aurelion held her forehead, feeling a little dizzy.

Just now, she thought she heard a sound.

Aurelion touched her chest, feeling her heart pounding, her brow furrowed, and a sense of unease rose within her.

She longed to know what was happening in the outside world. However, she remembered her father's instructions—

No matter what happens outside, she must stay here.

Although Aurelian could not fully understand her father, Auberly's, intentions, she decided to obey the order since it was her father's command.

Then we can ask again.

Then she stood up and looked around at the quiet surroundings.

This is the underground level of the palace.

When her father brought her here, he told her that only the heir of each succession could enter.

At first, she didn't pay much attention to the underground room.

Now that I'm awake, I can look around at my leisure.

Inside the room, the hard, black stone floor covered every corner, with only a faint candlelight illuminating the cave.

She slowly raised her head and gazed at the cave in front of her.

On either side of the grotto stand seven towering statues.

Each statue's base supports a massive stone body.

At the top of these bodies are carved solemn and dignified faces.

Aurelion walked toward the seven statues with curiosity and awe.

Her footsteps were light, yet they echoed exceptionally clearly within the grotto.

Seven names are engraved on the base of the statue.

Aurelion's gaze fell on the statue on the far left—

Saul I.

She looked up at the majestic face on the stone statue, sculpted by the marks of time and the erosion of years.

She clearly remembered that this emperor was the founder of the Karencia Empire and the first national monarch to be called 'Emperor'.

Aurelion's gaze swept over the other statues, finally settling on the last one.

He was an old man wearing a long robe, his face covered with wrinkles.

His identity is engraved on his base—Saul VII.

This was Aurelion's grandfather, whom she had never met.

Behind the old man, in the empty space of the grotto, there is a stone statue that was half-built and not yet completed.

The magnificent stone body was covered by a layer of golden armor.

Although the head of the statue is not yet finished, the cast gold helmet has been placed on its body.

The design of that gleaming golden armor seemed quite similar to that of Aurelion's eldest brother, Obani.

But Aurelion knew perfectly well who had built the solemn statue before her.

After gracefully passing the majestic statues, Aurelion turned around again.

With a newfound curiosity and awe in his eyes, he turned his gaze toward the high platform.

In the center of the high platform, a crown radiating a holy golden light rests quietly.

The crown, which looks brand new, seems to have been a gift that was only recently created.

Different colored, pearl-like gemstones are set on the trembling crown surface, as if a mysterious and wondrous starlight flows between them.

Looking at the magnificent and mysterious crown before her, Aurelion suddenly recalled a past event.

She once asked her father why she had to be the one to inherit the throne.

...

"After I leave, only you are qualified to inherit this position."

In the garden, where birds sang merrily, Aubrey reclined on a deckchair with a soft mattress, rocking gently.

Watching the petals flutter down, she spoke softly.

He held the azure pendant gently in his hand; its crystalline brilliance resembled a tranquil tear.

He examined the pendant carefully, his long fingers lightly brushing its edge.

Those deep, weathered eyes were filled with overwhelming longing.

There was a time when Aurelion couldn't understand her father's deep love for her mother.

But at this moment, this warm, overwhelming current of emotion gave her the answer to everything.

The love between the two had long transcended language, existing only in the silent depths of their hearts.

That love that transcended time and space shines proudly in their memories.

She stood there, stunned, unable to find the right words to express her feelings.

Aubrey continued to gently stroke the pendant in his hand, whispering to her:

“I’ve said it before, child.”

"You possess a talent that no one else can match."

He handed the pendant back to Aurelion.

And those words seemed to have been carried into Aurelion's heart by the many whispers of the wind, echoing endlessly.

Looking at the pendant in her hand, Aurelion also recalled everything she had seen in the Kingdom of Kant.

She thought about it again.

This is a memento from my mother; perhaps my father would like it even more than she did.

Before she could say anything, Aubrey had already read her mind.

"This is a gift your mother left you."

"Let me see you put it on."

Aurelion stared intently at the blue pendant that was offered to her, but did not immediately reach out to take it.

His lips were pressed tightly together, with a hint of hesitation.

But in the end, she raised her head, nodded firmly to Aubrey, and accepted the pendant.

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