Chapter 46: Isabella (1)

Chapter 46: Isabella (1)"Then, I’ll go first." Seira stretched her stiff body and shot Nolan a teasing glance. Nolan rolled his eyes but said nothing. He’d rather his sister leave quickly and stop bothering him. After all, she was a troublesome woman. "Why do you look so indifferent, Nolan? Are you happy I’m leaving?" She raised an eyebrow, her expression turning slightly annoyed. "Ahem." Nolan cleared his throat, trying to stay composed. "What are you talking about, Sister? How could I be glad you’re leaving?" "Heh..." Seira gave him a suspicious look. "So, you’re happy that I’m staying here longer?" "No!" Nolan blurted, instantly regretting his words. He glanced at his sister and saw her puffing out her cheeks in a pout. "Humph! I knew you were lying!" She snorted, crossing her arms over her ample chest. Nolan fell silent, speechless. He’d been caught in her tricks for years and knew the routine well—so why did he always end up playing along with her game? What kind of magic did this woman have that always made him so careless around her? Maybe I should visit Lyra and ask if this woman put a spell on me, Nolan muttered in frustration. "Alright, I’m leaving now," Seira said as she reached for the doorknob. But just as she was about to walk out, she stopped and turned back to Nolan. "Oh, by the way, dear brother. There’s something I need to tell you." Her expression suddenly turned serious. "What is it?" Nolan inquired, curiosity sparking within him. "Come here for a second. It’s really important." Seira motioned him over with a wave of her hand. Without much thought, Nolan stepped forward. Seira leaned in and whispered close to his ear. Just as Nolan expected to hear something important, the unexpected happened. "Muah~" Seira gave him a quick peck on the cheek, then spun around and ran off. Nolan froze, eyes wide in shock. It took a few seconds before he snapped back to reality, his face flushing with anger. "That woman..." he muttered, clenching his fists in frustration. Watching him, Elina rubbed her forehead, unsure whether to laugh or feel sorry. "You really are too careless, Brother," she sighed helplessly. She stepped closer and added, "By the way, Mother called us. She wants to see us after we finish eating." Nolan looked mildly surprised but gave a small nod. "Alright, let’s go see Mother now. Since the old man announced the succession, we haven’t had a chance to talk to her." They should have informed her right after the announcement, but Nolan got distracted and forgot. He could only hope their mother wouldn’t get angry—because if she did, it would cause a lot of trouble. Elina smiled softly, hooked her arm through Nolan’s, and pulled him out of the room. ... The Imperial Palace was vast, sprawling over thirty-five acres. The complex was divided into three main sections: the Main Palace, the Palace of Light, and the Palace of Darkness. The Main Palace was the largest, serving as the center where ministers carried out their duties. Its courtyard was also used for military training by the soldiers. This palace was home to princes and princesses like Nolan, Elina, Seira, and others. The Palace of Light was the second largest section and housed the Queen and the Empire’s concubines. Since they were Ragan’s wives, each concubine was given her own private courtyard to prevent any possible conflicts. The Palace of Darkness was reserved for servants, soldiers, ministers, and other Imperial officials. Of course, strict divisions separated the higher-ranking officials from the soldiers and servants, reflecting their different statuses. At this moment, on the south side of the Palace of Light, Nolan and Elina walked side by side toward a small gate. The gate was painted white, with delicate floral patterns intricately carved into its surface. This was the residence of the sixth concubine and their mother—Isabella. "Good afternoon, Prince Nolan, Princess Elina," greeted the two maids stationed at the gate, bowing respectfully. "Good afternoon, Maya, Miya," Nolan replied warmly. The twin sisters served as their mother’s personal guards and maids. Like Nolan and Elina, they were twins. Because they had been with Isabella since Nolan and Elina were born, the twins shared a deep connection with the siblings. Maya, the maid on the right, lifted her head and smiled at them. "Lady Isabella is waiting inside. Please come in," Maya said politely as she opened the gate. "Thank you, Maya." Elina smiled and quickly stepped into the courtyard where their mother awaited. The courtyard was spacious, with a stone path bordered by grass running down the center and leading to a large building at the far end. On either side of the path were vibrant gardens filled with various kinds of flowers, creating a scene that was both beautiful and calming. At the far right end of the courtyard stood a small pavilion. There, a beautiful woman sat leisurely, sipping tea. She was Isabella—Ragan’s sixth wife and the mother of Nolan and Elina. Her beauty was arguably the most striking among all the concubines, even compared to the queen herself. Her face was flawless, as if sculpted by the hands of gods. Her long black hair was loosely braided and pinned in a bun to the right side, while her purple eyes shimmered like sapphires. She was of average height—neither tall nor short—giving her figure a natural and elegant proportion. Clad in a black dress that hugged her slim and graceful frame, Isabella looked particularly enchanting. If Clarisse deserved a hundred points, then Isabella easily deserved two hundred for her beauty and poise alone. Upon seeing her, Elina—who had looked indifferent moments before—suddenly broke into a smile. "Mother!" She let go of Nolan’s arm and ran straight to Isabella. Isabella looked up and smiled warmly at the two of them. "How are you, my children? Did you miss me?" She asked softly, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness as she hugged Elina and gently stroked her head. Elina nestled against her mother’s chest, savoring the warmth and comforting touch. "I’m sorry, Mother. It’s not that I didn’t want to come, but Father announced the start of the succession just yesterday. So Brother and I haven’t had the chance to visit you yet," she said, her voice heavy with guilt. "Pfft! I’m just teasing," Isabella chuckled softly. "I know how things are. Don’t worry—I’m not upset." She turned her gaze to Nolan, who stood in front of her, and narrowed her eyes with a look that could only be described as dangerous. "By the way, I heard from your father that you asked your sister to take your place in the succession. Is that true?"