Orizio, who had been cursed by the vicious queen and had therefore committed wrongdoing, arrived at Lenichua.
At this moment, the first prince Sulttus was focused on reading. Suddenly, a faint gleam flashed behind him. Sensing something unusual, Sult turned around. "Orizio, is that you? I have said this before. Send word before you come, and I can arrange for someone to properly receive you. But why do you always barge in silently like an abandoned ghost?"
A flash of golden light passed, and Orizio instantly appeared before Sult. Looking at Orizio, who seemed somewhat dispirited, Sulttus raised black curtains around them. "So, how many people did you kill this time?"
Orizio answered, "I do not remember."
Sult stepped forward and grabbed Orizio's wrist. "It has not even been three months since the mass execution, yet your hands are already stained with blood again."
This time, Orizio said nothing and only looked quietly at Sulttus with those sorrowful eyes. Seeing this, Sult continued, "Was this done by Queen Avarisha? You need more than one purification to wash the smell of blood off you. I need to ask Lenichua for more cleansing water."
Crystal tears slid down Orizio's cheeks like pearls from a broken string. "Will things really get better? Even Sult's divine power no longer works on me."
Thinking of this, Orizio closed his eyes in pain. My hands are stained with blood. But for some reason, he suddenly wanted very badly to see Luciana. After suddenly opening his eyes, he came back to his senses and mocked himself inwardly. Orizio, you really are a fool. At a time like this, you are still thinking of that human girl.
At this moment, Sult came over carrying a basin of cleansing water and spoke with a worried expression. "You are a judge, but more importantly, you are also the sun prince. A son of the sun cannot send to death people who should not have been sentenced to death. If this situation continues, your solar divine power will be stripped away and your essence will gradually disappear, unless you want to live in hell forever like Yama. I heard that you gave your virginity to a fairy. Which family is she from? When I first heard the news, I even thought you had already gone over to the queen's side."
"That is absolutely impossible."
Sulttus continued, "You should accept Tara's proposal and then consider the next step. Only then can you survive."
"That would not save me either. The Pyros family would gain even greater influence within the royal family. Let me ask you something. Do you want Kaleo to inherit the throne?"
Sulttus froze for a moment and did not answer. So Orizio stood up and said, "Dear brother, if Kaleo ascends the throne, then there will be no need for war, because whether there is war or not, I will turn Bovias into ruins."
Hearing this, Sulttus frowned. "Being able to rule Lenichua is enough for me already. You should know that no matter what our father Sol has done, anyone who opposes him will be seen by the world as a traitor. So stop wasting time supporting me. Take care of yourself first."
But Orizio merely curled the corner of his mouth indifferently. "I would be very happy to oppose our father."
Luciana, asleep in a dream, was suddenly awakened by a shout and sprang up from the bed. The one who had come was Gino. He had brought the items on the mage's list. With a serious expression, he said to Luciana, "You can begin practicing."
Luciana was a little confused. "Are you sure you received his highness's permission?"
Gino crossed his arms. "You cannot dance and you cannot sing, so you should at least become proficient in handling silver crafts. And Nicole, when Lady Luciana is working, I want you to read these poems to her."
Then he turned to Luciana again and said, "Fifteen days from now, you will attend the empire's new moon festival as a fairy."
"But I am human."
"So you must pretend to be a fairy. You should know that humans are not allowed to enter the heavenly palace. If anyone discovers that you are human, the three of us will all be struck dead by lightning."
Hearing that, Luciana's heart jolted. This is even more serious than I thought. She then asked, "What will happen after that?"
Seeing that Gino had not understood what she meant, Luciana explained, "After I deceive everyone and make them believe I am a fairy, what will happen?"
Hearing this, Gino was briefly speechless. I cannot tell her that once all of this is over, she will be burned to death. So after a pause, he said, "His highness will marry the woman his family has chosen for him, and then you will be free."
Luciana suddenly grabbed Gino's hand. She gripped him so hard that even Gino staggered from the force. "Are you telling the truth? You mean I will gain my freedom?"
Hearing that, Gino quickly pulled his hand back, covering his mouth. He coughed lightly. "You might become free."
Luciana instantly flushed red with excitement. "I promise I will work hard. I'll start right now."
Ten days later, in Tesca Palace, Luciana was diligently practicing handling silver crafts. Beside her, Nicole looked exhausted. "Can you remember these poems?"
Luciana looked confident. "I think I have memorized at least twenty volumes."
Nicole then asked, "Then can you recite the poems you remember?"
Hearing that, Luciana closed her eyes and began reciting calmly. "Whenever I see her smile bloom across her face, my heart starts pounding."
Nicole suddenly shuddered all over. Then she instantly reverted to her true form at the speed of light and vanished from the spot with a whoosh.
Not noticing anything unusual, Luciana kept reciting. "Just by secretly glancing at you once, my heart bursts into flames. Your radiant smile—"
A familiar and pleasant male voice suddenly rang out. Luciana froze instantly. At that moment, that beautiful voice in the palace continued, "—makes my heart ache. When I see you, I do not know what to say. Your graceful eyelashes and sharp gaze. Oh, so beautiful. Apollo's song is sung for you, my beloved."
Only after hearing all of it did Luciana come back to her senses and turn to look.