I was watering the flowers in the garden when Henry interrupted me. "Your Majesty," he greeted as he approached with a measured pace. I glanced at him, noting the tension in his eyes, though his posture remained as respectful as ever. "Speak," I demanded, sensing the urgency behind his appearance.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty's life is at risk," he revealed, his voice low but filled with gravity. The weight of his words immediately captured my full attention. I handed the watering can to Sarah, my hand trembling slightly. Without hesitation, I lifted my skirt and began to walk swiftly toward the palace.

"Edward, prepare a carriage. We leave immediately," I commanded as I passed by Edward, who was stationed nearby.

"As you wish, Your Majesty," Edward replied with a quick bow, already moving to fulfill my orders. I quickened my pace, my heart pounding in my chest. Henry kept pace with me, his expression a mix of concern and readiness.

"Your Majesty, what is your plan?" Henry asked, his voice barely above a whisper as we hurried through the corridors.

"Do not inform anyone of Her Majesty's absence. We will proceed directly to His Majesty," I declared, my voice firm and resolute. There was no room for hesitation, the situation demanded swift and decisive action. Hindi pwedeng mamatay ang Emperor, siya lamang ang makakatulong sa akin upang manatiling buhay dito sa mundong ito.

"Understood, Your Majesty," Henry responded, his tone now steady, reflecting the confidence he had in my decision. He did not question my capabilities, there was no time for doubt.

Sarah assisted me in gathering my essentials, her movements quick and efficient. Within moments, we left the palace under the cover of secrecy, our departure hidden from prying eyes. The gravity of the situation hung heavily in the air, but I was resolute—nothing would stand in my way.

Sa tatlong araw ng byahe namin, kada gabi nagpapalipas kami ng gabi sa bawat nahihintuan naming kabahayan. Si Sarah, si Edward at dalawang knights lamang ang kasama ko, ayaw kong magdala ng maraming knights dahil agaw pansin lamang iyun.

As we arrived at our destination—though not yet at the precise location where His Majesty was—ang sabi ni Henry ay nasa mismong karagatan sila at alam na iyun ni Edward kaya siya ang nangunguna sa amin sa bawat daraanan. The atmosphere around us felt unnervingly still. The moment I set foot on the ground, an unsettling silence greeted us, broken only by the rhythmic crashing of waves against the shore.

The small coastal village, nestled by the edge of the sea, appeared deserted. Every house along the shore was shut tight, doors and windows firmly closed, as if the entire place had been abandoned. Yet, I knew better—they were not truly empty. The villagers were likely on high alert, hiding away to avoid drawing any unwanted attention. The eerie stillness of the scene only heightened the tension in the air, the sense of foreboding growing stronger with every passing moment.

Naglibot pa kami hanggang sa nakarating kami sa pantalan. Akala ko wala na kaming makikita pang tao ngunit nagkamali ako, mayroon pang mga tao, mga lalaki na tila alerto rin.

I approached an old man who was busy securing the ropes of his small boat. "Are you a ferryman?" I asked, studying him closely, but it seemed my words didn’t register. "Maari ka bang maglayag? Kailangan kong makarating sa barkong iyon," I clarified, pointing toward the distant ship that was still visible from where I stood.

The old man squinted, his weathered face crinkling with a mix of caution and defiance. "Hindi ako nagpapakamatay, binibini," he retorted, his voice gravelly and resolute. His words were sharp, dismissive even, but I held his gaze, refusing to be deterred.

"Then no one among you can sail?" I pressed on, determined to find a way despite his rejection.

He let out a rough laugh, the kind that suggested he found my insistence ridiculous, "Hindi, hindi sa pagkakataon na ito," he replied, his tone carrying a hint of finality. But then, as if reassessing me, his eyes flickered with a trace of interest. "Ngunit kung mapilit kayo, maghintay kayo mamayang gabi. Abangan niyo ang bangkang dadaong dito," he advised, before turning away, leaving me to ponder his words as he walked off.

Kung ganoon, kailangan naming maghintay. Gaya ng sabi ng matanda, naghintay kami na gumabi at tama nga ang sinabi niya mayroong bangka ang dumaong.

I was about to approach the man on the boat, but Edward quickly stepped in front of me, holding up his hand. "Allow me to speak with him first, Your Majesty," he insisted. I gave him a nod of approval, and he immediately made his way toward the lone figure.

We waited for several tense minutes before Edward returned to my side. "What happened?" I asked, my voice sharp with impatience.

"He won’t sail for us, Your Majesty," Edward replied, his tone calm and unruffled, though the news was disappointing. I clenched my fists, frustration boiling within me. We had already wasted so much time; we couldn’t afford further delays.

As I noticed the man beginning to walk away, I acted on instinct, rushing after him. "Wait!" I called out, my voice echoing across the quiet shore. He didn’t even glance back. Gritting my teeth, I quickened my pace until I was close enough to reach out and grab his arm.

He halted abruptly and turned to face me, and I was momentarily stunned. I hadn't expected him to be so striking—his broad, muscular frame was imposing, his thick eyebrows furrowed in irritation, and his eyes held a seriousness that made my breath catch.

"I n-need you to sail," I managed to say, though my voice faltered slightly. His eyes narrowed, and his voice, deep and resonant like the depths of the sea, sent a chill through me. "Hindi mo ako utusan, binibini," he growled.

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stay composed. I couldn’t let him intimidate me. "Then I'll pay you," I asserted, my voice now steady and determined.

He studied me for a moment, then a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, sending another shiver down my spine. "Then, we shall go, and make sure you’ll pay me the maximum," he replied, his tone unwavering.

"No problem," I answered confidently, knowing I could meet his demands.

Without wasting another moment, we left the shore and made our way to the ship, the urgency of the situation driving us forward.

Naiilang naman ako dahil kanina pa ako tinitignan ng lalaki, nakaupo kami ni Sarah malapit sa kanya habang sina Edward at dalawang knights naman sa likuran namin. Mabuting nagkasya kami sa bangka dahil may kalakihan din naman ito.

"Are you related to Isaac?" His boldness caught me off guard. He didn’t even bother to address the Emperor by his title. Who is this man? "I am," I replied, my voice steady despite the surprise. His expression grew even more serious.

"And what are you to him?" he pressed, his inquisitiveness starting to irritate me. "I cannot answer that," I responded curtly, turning my gaze away to signal the end of our conversation.

"Isaac has no sibling, perhaps you are his concubine," he speculated, his words dripping with audacity. My grip tightened on my skirt, his arrogance testing my patience. I wanted to kick him for his insolence, but I restrained myself—such an action would be beneath me.

After several hours of travel, we finally neared the ship. I couldn’t help but be impressed by its sheer size ngunit hindi rin maitatago ang mga nasira nito at mukhang dahil sa labanan. There was another ship behind it, smaller and likely hidden by the mist earlier, which explained why I hadn’t noticed it from a distance.

Our boat bumped gently against the side of the larger ship, and almost immediately, a rope ladder was lowered for us. Sarah and I were the first to climb up, but I nearly slipped as my boots lost traction on the damp rungs. As I reached the top, a hand was extended toward me. I accepted it without hesitation, and the sailor helped me aboard.

Once I stepped onto the deck, I was met with the scrutinizing eyes of the crew, their gazes sharp and assessing. Sarah instinctively moved closer to me, seeking the comfort of proximity. I ignored the stares, focusing instead on the task at hand. Edward followed us up, and soon after, the boat was being hoisted by thick ropes, carrying the man aboard.

As soon as he was on deck, my knights swiftly took our belongings and the four chests from the boat, ensuring nothing was left behind. The tension in the air was palpable, but I remained composed, determined to my purpose.

"Father," the man who had brought us here called out as he approached the older man standing about five meters away from me. He whispered something to him before the older man turned and began walking toward me. His posture and the respect he commanded from those around him made it clear that he was someone of high standing here.

"My son told me that you are here for His Majesty," he inquired, his voice deep and measured. I nodded in response, and he scrutinized me for a moment, his gaze sharp and assessing. "I am Captain Ezekeil, and this is my son," he said, nodding toward the man beside him. "Gabriel," he added, introducing his son. So, he was the captain's son—that explained his boldness in setting sail.

My thoughts drifted briefly to the knights I had sent ahead. Had they managed to fulfill their duties? I hadn't realized they were fighting on the open sea, thinking their battles were confined to the shoreline. Yet, Isaac had mentioned how much they had contributed. Perhaps I shouldn't underestimate those knights—they might have more potential than I initially gave them credit for.

"Celestia," I introduced myself, keeping it brief. The captain extended his hand, and we shook before he led us below deck.

As we descended, a sense of unease began to settle in my chest at the thought of facing the Emperor again. We stopped in front of a door, which the captain opened, gesturing for us to enter.

When I stepped inside, I had expected to find the Emperor alone, but I was mistaken. A wave of disappointment washed over me as I took in the scene before me. A woman was tending to the sleeping Emperor, her every movement graceful and delicate. She was beautiful, with a gentle demeanor that only added to her allure. When she noticed our presence, she smiled sweetly, making her even more radiant.

"Father!" she whispered, careful not to wake the Emperor. So, she was the captain's daughter. I clenched my fists, irritation bubbling within me. Why was this woman allowed here anyway? There was a war going on, and yet she was here, playing the role of the caring nurse?

The woman quickly embraced her father before glancing at me. Her smile faded as she looked back at him. "Who are they, Father?" she asked, her curiosity evident. I almost wanted to laugh when I noticed the subtle irritation and jealousy in her expression. So, she wasn’t as innocent as she appeared—there was something hidden behind her demure, angelic façade. Maybe she knew that I was more beautiful than her, and it bothered her.

"She is Celestia, and these are her companions. They are here for His Majesty," Captain Ezekeil introduced us. I saw a flicker of concern in her eyes, but she quickly masked it with another smile as she released her father and turned to me.

"Hi! I am Lilieth, the ship's surgeon," she introduced herself, extending her hand. So she is really a surgeon. I accepted it, but as I moved to withdraw, she didn’t let go. I smirked and tightened my grip, causing her to wince before she finally released my hand.

Don't you dare mess with me, bitch.

What annoyed me most was that none of them recognized me. It seemed they were well-acquainted with the Emperor, but he hadn’t mentioned me to them.

But it didn’t matter. They were nothing more than commoners, familiar with the Emperor perhaps, but I am his wife.