“That seems... odd,” Nadrina commented. Lilianna agreed. Going from royal bodyguard to common adventurer was quite the step down on the social ladder.

“Not especially,” the empress said lightly. “Particularly when you consider what a boorish hooligan he can be. He was never very suited for life in court.” Her words were harsh, but her voice had a teasing tone. “Besides, the things he accomplished as an adventurer were far—”

A sudden coughing fit from the professor cut her off. She gave him a flat look before sighing. “Very well. I suppose that’s not my story to tell. However, you may rest assured that your professor is rather brilliant, if unconventional.”

“Wait, if you were the Demon, then you must have known the Empress’s Angel, right?” Nadrina asked.

Lilianna could have sworn she felt the temperature in the carriage drop by several degrees. Both Professor Aldric and the empress went stock still at Nadrina’s question. The empress had a pained expression as she looked at the professor, his long hair hiding his face. He said nothing, but Lilianna could see his fingers going bone white from gripping his folded arms.

Nadrina noticed the change too, as her usually bubbling curiosity dwindled to nothing in a matter of moments. “I-I’m sorry,” she stammered quietly, clearly knowing that she’d said something she shouldn’t have but not knowing what. The empress gave her a kind but sad smile.

“It’s alright, dear. To answer your question, yes, we knew her. She was a wonderful mage and friend. The rumors you have heard about her probably pale in comparison to the actual thing, but she was always difficult to truly describe, much less understand. She deserved far more than to... leave the way she did.”

She looked at the professor with a mournful expression. “I owe you an apology, Aldric. What I said earlier was needlessly harsh.”

An eternal moment passed before he responded. “Don’t be. You were right, Gran. She’d hate me.”

“No.”

The empress’ one word was not especially loud, but rang with an absolute authority and certainty, enough to snap even the professor out of his mood long enough to look at her. With but a word, she demanded attention and belief in equal measure. Lilianna had almost forgotten who this affable and mischievous old woman really was.

“She adored you, deeply. More than I think even you knew. There is not a single thing you could do in this life to cause Miraea to not love you. I would know, for I feel the same, as do Kedrin and Zasia.” She gave him a gentle and motherly smile. “Whatever great sins you believe yourself guilty of, she would have forgiven you the moment you asked for it. I pray you will one day grant that same forgiveness to yourself.”