But it was a useless territory. The public order was terrible, and the land was barren. The province had been left to fend for itself. Without a way to communicate with the capital, itd become a haven for thieves and bandits.

Its just like the rumors. Its an area filled with outlaws, and natural disasters happen often. Its a very dangerous place. Sid had just returned from visiting the province.

But Grandpa gave it to me.

Or maybe you still have it only because no one else wants it?

Thats possible.

But Apollonia really did want to go there, and see it with her own eyes. She hadnt told anyone about this even Sid but her grandfather had told her a secret about Lishan. His words rang vividly in her ears.

The most dangerous place. The impassable place. A place no one can predict. In that place, I hid a piece of the empires heart.

Pascal III often said such things in front of Apollonia when hed been alive. Sometimes hed hummed the words as a song, and sometimes hed murmured them under his breath as if he were talking to himself. But hed never said those words in front of anyone other than Apollonia. As if they were a riddle only for her.

The last time shed heard those words had been the moment before he died. Gaius had killed her mother Elenia in front of her only hours ago, and shed been hiding in her grandfathers room. Hed comforted her, and she recited the words back to him between her tears. That was her last memory of Pascal III. So it was important to see the land, even if it was dangerous, or the riddle turned out to be fruitless.

And if it was possible, there was a certain person she wanted to be her escort.

Is the wizard ready? she asked Sid.

Of course. Hell pretend to be one of my family members.

Apollonia and Sid smiled.

After the coming-of-age ceremony, when she was free to do as she wished, she needed to find a way to confront the emperor. If she succeeded in getting Uriel Biche, that would be the perfect start to her plan.

The princesss coming-of-age ceremony was going to be a magnificent party. Although it wouldnt be as grand as it might have been, since she wasnt in the emperors favor, it would still be quite lavish. After all, she was the only princess in the empire.

It hadnt been long since the Queens welcoming party, but the nobles whod been invited didnt want to miss out on the opportunity to impress influential people. So it was no surprise that countless carriages galloped frantically through the palace gates on the day of her coming-of-age. The chaos was a good thing for Apollonia, though, since she had to smuggle in a wizard.

What a pity I wanted to start the day by seeing Your Highness in your coming-of-age dress!

Sid had been appointed to escort her to the palace for the ceremony, and he grumbled to her as they walked.

Its just a white dress with some lace. Its boring.

No, the dress itself doesnt matter! What matters is how you look in it. By the way, why am I so invested in a womans dress? he laughed.

Im wearing a dress now, though. How is it any different?

Theres surely no other woman throughout the empire as indifferent about her coming-of-age as you, Your Highness.

Apollonia retorted that shed been looking forward to her coming-of-age ceremony for months. But Sid contradicted her.

Its different to be interested in becoming an adult than to be interested in the ceremony itself.

He seemed like he had more he wanted to say, but he kept silent after that. He left the Star Palace early. He didnt think Apollonia would listen to him anymore. Of course, he didnt forget to remind her to be wary of men before he left.

It wasnt really a necessary reminder for someone whod spent her entire life trying not to die

at the hands of her treacherous father, but Apollonia thanked him anyway, and sent him off.

The preparations were completed that evening, and Apollonia entered the banquet hall right on time.