The Empress noticed the lavaliere around my neck. ‘Little girl,’ she asked, ‘where did you get that?’ I had completely forgotten about it.


    The Empress studied it from her throne and gasped. ‘The Blood Tear of the Dragon Queen!’


    The entire hall erupted into whispers. The Empress, who was infertile, requested that the Emperor adopt me. To confirm my identity, he summoned mages to test my blood. They discovered that I had imperial blood, and I was officially adopted.”


    Maroon, wide-eyed, asked, “And what about your brother?”


    Long Yan’s expression darkened. “He was reincarnated too—into the body of the Grand Emperor. Now, he is after my lavaliere, determined to destroy it. He already knew I had been reborn, but I only discovered his existence while meditating in the Grand Imperial guest room.”


    Maroon murmured in awe, “You’re not just a saintess. You’re more than a goddess. What could have earned the lavaliere the name—the Blood Tear of the Dragon Empress?”


    Long Yan chuckled. “Amid the war between the Dragon Empress and rival dragons, every village dragon under her, met its demise. This sent the Dragon Empress into utter despair, making even her blood mourn, and she perished on the spot. Our forebear deity gathered her sacred blood and entombed it within this lavaliere. The deity forged a pact with the fallen knights and the Dragon Empress: should they desire resurrection in their own forms to battle for the next era, they must be bound within the lavaliere. When they are asked to summon, they would be awakened. Embracing this fate, their spirits became enshrined within the lavaliere. Now enough talk—let me sleep now.”


    They both drifted into slumber.


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Meanwhile, in the North-West Grand Empire…


    Leonos knelt before the throne. “I apologize, Your Majesty. I failed to capture her. But I did confirm that the Blood Tear of the Dragon Empress is in the Princess’s possession. The lavaliere only appears when she performs rituals or summons it.”


    The Grand Emperor, Herbio, turned to his knights. “There is no time to waste. We march to conquer the South-East Empire!”


    Lady Kial hesitated. “But what about finding the lavaliere?”


    Herbio smirked. “The lavaliere is with Long Yan. Once we have secured the empire, I will send my men to retrieve it.”


    Lady Charlos turned to Leonos. “You must remain vigilant. I know you resigned from knighthood due to your health, choosing instead to serve as the Empress’s lady-in-waiting. But you cannot afford any mistakes.”


    Leonos bowed.


    At dawn, Long Yan and Maroon awoke with empty stomachs and set out in search of food and shelter. As they wandered, they marveled at the village’s beauty. The streets were clean, the villagers joyful, and even the animals seemed content.


    A woman from a bread shop called out to them. Long Yan turned back, and the woman handed her a loaf of bread.


    “I have no money,” Long Yan said.


    The woman smiled. “No need to pay. ‘Service to God is service to mankind.’ You seem like an outsider, though. You look Chinese.”


    Long Yan hesitated, unsure how to respond. She simply thanked the woman.


    Just then, she noticed Maroon lost in thought, oblivious to an approaching carriage.


    “Maroon! Look out!” she screamed.