All night Remesis thought about what she had seen and even admitted to herself that Asil might not be such a soulless monster as she had seemed. Even she was not a stranger to something human.

  The love Remesis saw in the princess's eyes could not be faked. Like a mother tenderly looking at her child, or spouses who had lived together for decades. That very unconditional love that the girl had never experienced herself.

  No actor could portray such sincere emotions.

  Therefore, even if at first it was hard to believe, after seeing it with her own eyes, Remesis had no more doubts. Deep down, she felt relief and joy. If the princess loved this girl so much, Remesis still had a chance to talk about divorce again.

  After all, since she promised to be with Gardenia until the end of her days, it would be foolish to continue being married to Remesis in such a situation. And the daughter of the head herself would hardly want to remain in the role of a mistress for long. What truly loving woman would like that?

  So Remesis gathered her patience and intended to wait until Asil herself spoke to her about divorce. The girl only hoped it would happen as soon as possible. Killing Asil in order to leave the North was a last resort. If possible, the girl didn't want to take such a dangerous risk at all…

  Remesis was mulling over her plans for the upcoming divorce until she fell asleep. And in the morning, when the sun was just beginning to appear over the horizon, the girl was awakened by shocking news. All the inhabitants of the northern castle were talking only about it.

  Last night undoubtedly became the most fateful in the history of the empire.

  All members of the Alseid family were killed in just one night. Including Remesis's older sister, Katrina, who had not long ago married Iliana. Jumping out of bed, Remesis, without even washing, began questioning her maids about what had happened. And they reluctantly shared information with her.

  As it turned out, by morning almost all residents of Nadal knew the details of this bloody massacre. News from the capital spread at the speed of light. All news publications wrote about the fall of the Astrological Order and the future of the empire. No one could believe that an organization that had been the empire's stronghold for centuries had collapsed in just one night.

  And the reason for it was love…

  After yesterday's conversation, Gardenia, without warning anyone, brought Asil to the Alseid residence for a family dinner. The girl wanted to introduce her beloved more closely to her relatives. Of course, no one expected how it would end.

  Halias Alseid flew into a rage that his daughter had dared to bring the "cursed demon" into their home. He demanded that the princess immediately leave the estate and never bother Gardenia again. A scandal erupted. And then Asil gave Gardenia a choice:

  "Decide. Will you stay with me or obey your father's will?"

  The princess's quiet and insinuating voice was like the hiss of a serpent tempter. As Gardenia trembled from head to toe, not knowing what to do, Asil approached her from behind and whispered in her ear:

  "Do you love me?"

  "Y-yes…" the girl swallowed.

  "Then you won't let anyone separate us, will you?"

  Slowly, she placed a knife in her hand. Gardenia's fingers clenched it painfully. At that moment, it was as if some veil clouded her eyes. The very thought that she and Asil would have to part made her mind darken. Instead, her eyes filled with rage. And she cried out, rushing with the cold dagger at her father.

  The Supreme Astrologer's bodyguards had no time to react. Neither did he. The man didn't believe until the very end that his daughter was truly capable of such a thing. And he realized it only at the moment the metal pierced his heart.

  The corpse of her father, who died quite quickly, lay at her feet. Gardenia's hands were covered in blood. She turned to Asil with hope in her eyes that everything was finally over. No one else could stand in their way.

  "Your Highness…" the girl's eyes sparkled. "Now you promise to be with me forever?"

  Asil smiled tenderly at her. She stroked her head. The nickname "little bird," which the princess often called her in private, escaped her lips:

  "My little bird, as long as you're with me, you will always be happy."

  Gardenia's bloodied face contorted into a happy smile. Asil's hand slowly descended from her hair to her neck. She whispered quietly to her:

  "Even if I make a sheath for my sword from your beautiful skin, you'll still be happy, right?"

  Gardenia's pupils dilated. But she had no time to react. The next moment, Asil's fingers closed around her neck, and a corresponding crunch was heard. The princess slowly squeezed her fingers until all the ligaments cracked. Like wringing a little bird's neck.

  When Asil released her hand, Gardenia's corpse fell before her like a bag of trash. The girl's neck had turned into shreds of broken bones that could barely hold her head. A bloodstain began to spread across the white carpet.

  Everyone around could only watch in horror. Soldiers of the northern army, who had been secretly following the carriage all this time, had already burst into the estate. Within a couple of minutes, a terrible massacre began. From that night, almost no one survived.

  When Remesis learned of what had happened, she was horrified. Nausea rose in her throat, and the girl even vomited. Although, fortunately, she hadn't witnessed it live, just imagining it was enough.

  Remesis couldn't believe it.

  Just yesterday, the princess had professed eternal love and looked at the girl she wanted to spend her life with with shining eyes. And today she ordered her knights to dismember her body and feed it to the pigs… She skinned the still-warm corpse to use as material for her new scabbard.

  "Oh, I always knew it. My little bird's skin is so smooth and elastic. Like suede. Much better than any deer's."

  Remesis overheard all these horrible conversations from Asil's lips after her return to the castle. The princess casually chatted with her master, who made weapons and armor for her. The next day, she returned as if nothing had happened and immediately went back to work, as if nothing had occurred.

  Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  Only then did Remesis realize — that all her hopes had been but a fleeting illusion. The beast had merely learned to pretend to be human. Asil couldn't experience real emotions, but she knew how to portray them so plausibly that she seemed more realistic than real lovers. All her beautiful speeches and actions were only a performance.

  Necessary for carrying out a long-planned revenge.

  Despite her usual cold-bloodedness, the princess was still very cunning. With her capabilities, it would not have been difficult for her to simply storm the central astrological tower, Glensia, whose location was no secret to anyone. But she acted much more sophisticatedly: she seduced the Supreme Astrologer's daughter, whom he cherished most in the world, and then forced her to kill her father with her own hands… And all this in front of not only the Order's subordinates but the entire empire. A stain on the great cult's reputation that would never be washed away.

  Now, as the girl recalled this, many vivid images flashed before her eyes. Meeting Iliana was perhaps the most unpredictable event in her new life. For some time, Remesis couldn't tear her eyes away from her and almost forgot that they weren't even acquainted.

  "They really do look alike…"

  The sisters had the same hair and eye color. Nevertheless, it couldn't be denied that Gardenia was still more attractive. The younger sister was sweet and charming, like a fresh May rose. Iliana, on the other hand, didn't have such soft features or a pretty face. Although she was pretty too.

  The young noblewoman, who had recently turned fourteen, was slightly embarrassed by such close attention from a little girl. Especially since they hadn't been introduced before.

  The priest broke the silence first.

  "Lady Alseid, to what do I owe your visit?"

  The Holy Father treated the guest extremely unfavorably. He couldn't even hide the disgust in his voice. Iliana noticed his hostile aura but remained calm. She greeted the head of the temple as was proper.

  "Iliana Alseid greets His Eminence."

  "…"

  The Holy Father's eyes narrowed as he observed the bowing heiress of the Astrological Order. As members of two opposing organizations, they didn't meet often. So he couldn't help but wonder what had prompted such an unexpected visit.

  "I heard that you are conducting the Ancestor Worship Rite this year," she continued. "As it happens, due to my busyness, I couldn't attend the previous services. It's a pity I didn't make it this time either…"

  The man tightly compressed his thin lips.

  "You wished to attend the service?" he clarified abruptly.

  "Of course. The temple is an integral part of our empire's culture. As its subject, I wanted to show my respect for traditions. Can't all who wish to do so?"

  Although both had relatively neutral expressions on their faces, the atmosphere was tense to the limit. Remesis suddenly felt she couldn't get enough air.

  The clergyman ground his teeth:

  "God's mercy is open to the heart of every needy person. However… This applies only to believers."

  "Is that so?" Iliana inquired calmly. "So, there's no place for me here?"

  "Lady Alseid, our services are intended for believers to turn to God, not for you to put on a show… Such behavior in our flock is considered 'blasphemy.'"

  "…"

  "Allow me to ask, do you consider yourself faithful to the Lord?"

  Although the question was clearly provocative, Iliana's expression didn't change. Despite her youth, she behaved surprisingly maturely and knew how to control her emotions. The girl's lips stretched into a polite smile.

  "First and foremost, I am faithful to our empire and the people living in it. Your commandments speak of love for one's neighbor. Isn't that enough for me to be able to come here?"

  The Holy Father clenched his fists. Iliana had managed to deftly evade his question, and in such a way that the priest couldn't even counter. "Just as expected from those hypocritical bastards. They have a way with words."

  "We may have different methods, but we adhere to the same mission. To bring good to people. Therefore, I see no reason for contradiction between us."

  The Holy Father was silent. After the aristocrat, who smelled of expensive perfume and who clearly denied herself neither comfort nor pleasure, spoke about "good" for people, he nearly grimaced with bile. Yet the priest restrained himself.

  This was no place for swearing and quarreling. Iliana had come to the temple on her own, and according to the temple's own rules, he couldn't simply throw her out. The main charter of believers stated that anyone wishing to confess had the right to do so. Moreover, if this became known in Glensia, the situation would take an even worse turn…

  No matter how much he hated it, he could do nothing.

  "Then I wish you a good prayer, and may the Lord hear you," he uttered dryly. "I won't interfere. I'll leave you now."

  The priest's long white robe billowed as Remesis watched his retreating back. The man left very quickly. Soon they were alone in the hall.

  "And you, I presume, are Princess Rania?" Iliana addressed her casually.

  Remesis looked at her with a dark gaze before answering. The feelings she had for this person were mixed. Unexpectedly, pride stirred in the girl, which wouldn't allow her to bow her head before the heiress of the order head. She remained standing where she was.

  "You know me?" Remesis asked quietly.

  "Oh, of course," the other replied with pleasure. "Our families have been planning a betrothal for several years. Naturally, I know everything about your family. You are the youngest daughter, Remesis Carter. There are rumors that you've been called a genius born once in a century."

  Remesis answered bluntly:

  "You seem to be very well informed."

  The Supreme Astrologer's heiress couldn't suppress a smirk. In such situations, it was usually customary to say "you exaggerate my abilities," or "I'm not as good as you think," but Remesis simply acknowledged it as fact. Such boldness, especially from a child, was not often encountered in noble society.

  Iliana became somewhat interested.

  "So you really are a genius?"

  "Who knows," Remesis shrugged. "But since everyone says so, I suppose it's true."

  Iliana laughed again. They sat on the same bench, leaving a decent distance between them. Despite this, Remesis could still clearly see every emotion on her face.

  "I heard that a professor from the Imperial Institute even personally intended to take you under his wing. You had every chance to become part of the respected scientific community. Why did you refuse?"

  "And why should I have agreed?" Remesis countered. "Maybe I dreamed all my life of becoming the Princess of the North?"

  Iliana looked at her, somewhat surprised. Then she asked:

  "So, are you happy now?"

  "More than."

  Iliana was silent for a moment, then said with a smile:

  "Then I congratulate you on your new title, Your Highness."

  "Thank you, Lady Alseid."

  Remesis answered briefly and strictly formally. The antipathy growing in her could not be diminished by anything. At that moment, she suddenly understood what the residents of Araken village had felt when they beat her… Because of the Astrological Order, Remesis's life had been ruined from the very beginning. And now the heiress of this lousy organization was next to her.

  Deep down, the girl understood that it was wrong to hate a person she didn't even know. Iliana was only fourteen years old. Essentially, she was as much a child as they were, and had nothing to do with the deeds of her ancestors. That was the logical point of view. However, Remesis still couldn't cope with her feelings.

  "I suppose our wedding with Lady Carter will take place in the next few years. I hope you'll be able to attend the ceremony."

  "I'll try."

  "Really?"

  "I can't know for sure, but… Please accept my advance congratulations on your wedding."

  Iliana smirked.

  "Thank you for your wish."

  "Don't mention it. I'm sure you and my older sister are perfectly suited for each other."

  Remesis didn't even try to ingratiate herself with her as the heiress of a great family. What was the point? In any case, she and Katrina would die just a few years after the wedding. But Remesis felt sorry for neither of them. She just sighed.

  "I must be going," the girl stood up from the bench. "My wife is probably waiting for me."

  Iliana smiled and also stood up.

  "Of course. I won't detain you, Princess Rania."

  The girl extended her hand, and Remesis did the same in response, initially thinking of a handshake. But Iliana's soft lips suddenly touched the back of her hand. The girl almost shuddered from the unexpectedness.

  "May the stars bless you, Princess Rania."

  Iliana was still holding her hand. At these words, Remesis couldn't suppress a barely perceptible smirk. She really said that in the Temple? And to her, of all people? It was funny. The girl didn't know if she had done it with malicious intent or simply didn't attach any importance to the situation.

  In any case, it was time to end this display of feigned politeness.

  Remesis pulled her hand away and answered with the same casual smile:

  "Oh, yes. The luck of the stars, something I'll definitely need."