Ceres exhaled sharply, forcing herself to calm down, but the anger simmering beneath her skin refused to fade.
The way the people from the Emperor's palace treated her people only meant one thing, something she had known all along.
They did not respect her.
And if they refused to give her respect…
Then she would make them fear her.
Fear her so deeply that the mere thought of offending her would send shivers down their spines.
Fear her enough that they wouldn't even dare to touch what belonged to her.
Not her people.
Not her home.
No one.
"Take some time to fix yourself," she told Delphine. "And when you're ready, you and Legion, join me at the Empress Garden."
With that, she turned on her heel and left the room, making her way through the empty halls of the Empress Palace.
As Ceres walked through the first floor, she couldn't help but laugh softly at the sheer emptiness surrounding her.
Bare walls.
No luxurious chandeliers.
No ornate furniture.
Whoever had once served this palace had likely stolen everything before they left, except for one thing.
A large, hideous painting of the Host Ceres wearing a crown, displayed prominently in the grand hall.
It was painted on the day of her wedding to the late Emperor.
And, as much as she hated to admit it, it was absolutely hideous.
Out of everything that could have been stolen, they had left this behind.
Ceres shook her head, moving past it without a second glance.
The only things that remained in the palace were suits of armor, standing stiffly in various corners of the hall, positioned as if they were guarding a grand empire.
But even if they could come to life, there was nothing left to protect.
When Ceres stepped into the Empress Garden, the first thing she noticed was the newly placed table between the Golden Cherry Blossom and the Malvera Tree.
It was set with four chairs, and she was certain it hadn't been there before.
Her lips curved slightly.
It must have been Legion who placed it there.
Thoughtful.
She walked over and took a seat, her gaze drifting toward the Cherry Blossom and Malvera Tree, before taking in the entirety of the garden.
She hadn't had the chance to admire it yesterday.
She had been too overwhelmed by returning to her old form, too focused on her plans and sketching dresses.
But now, she could appreciate it.
The Monarch's Blessing was truly overpowered.
Despite the snowfall, the ground wasn't wet, and the plants looked as radiant as they would in spring.
The air wasn't frigid, instead, a gentle warmth brushed against her skin, as if she were being wrapped in comfort.
And yet, there was still a cool breeze, blending perfectly with the warmth.
It wasn't oppressive.
It wasn't freezing.
It was perfect.
"Ori, if I bless someone with an ability, do I have to explain it to them? Or do they just automatically know how to use it?"
'No, Your Highness. The moment you bless someone, the skill or ability becomes embedded in their being. The Voice of the World will inform them about their new skill and provide them with the basic knowledge to use it.'
Ceres's brows furrowed.
"The Voice of the World?"
'It is something like me, Your Highness, but more… generic. It does not converse, nor does it answer questions. It simply informs individuals when they gain a skill or when they level up. You could consider it an older, limited version of me.'
Ceres nodded, absorbing the information.
"So, if Azrael hadn't given you to me, I would have been able to hear the Voice of the World instead?"
'Yes, however, ' Ori hesitated for a moment before continuing. 'The original owner of your body had no ability to detect or control mana. Because of this, she was never able to level up. It is safe to say that she only ever heard the Voice of the World once when she learned of her abilities. And nothing after that.'
Ceres narrowed her eyes.
"Then why couldn't she detect or control mana when she has high water magic affinity?"
'I cannot answer that question, Your Highness.'
Ceres's brow twitched.
"Was it something the Celestial Beings did on purpose?"
'I cannot answer that question, Your Highness.'
"Was there a way for her to unlock her mana that she just never discovered?"
'I cannot answer that question, Your Highness.'
Ceres let out a frustrated sigh.
"Do you not know the answers, or are you just refusing to tell me?"
'I cannot answer that question, Your Highness.'
Ceres rolled her eyes.
"Alright, alright, I get it. Azrael put limitations on you. I won't push."
Just as Ceres was about to lean back in her chair, she heard the approaching footsteps of Delphine and Legion.
She turned her head toward the entrance of the Empress Garden.
Delphine looked much calmer, though the slight redness in her eyes was proof of her earlier breakdown.
Ceres watched them silently, still uncertain if what she was about to do was the right choice.
Would it be worth it?
Would they stay loyal?
She didn't know.
But one thing was certain,
As long as they did not stab her in the back, she would place her trust in these siblings.
"Have a seat," she said as they reached her, both of them standing stiffly before her.
They hesitated, as if unsure if they should comply, but then quickly sat, remembering that she hated repeating herself.
Ceres didn't waste time.
"You can manipulate objects, right?" she asked, directing her words to Legion.
He looked surprised by the sudden question but still nodded.
"Show me. Get me nine Malvera fruits and a small knife."
At the snap of his fingers, Legion's Object Manipulation activated.
The golden fruits floated from the Malvera Tree, gracefully landing in front of her.
A small knife also came drifting from somewhere within the palace, settling onto the table with delicate precision.
Ceres raised a brow.
"So, you just snap your fingers?" she asked, genuinely curious.
Legion shook his head.
"I have to envision what I want to control first," he explained. "And I have to know where it is. The snap of my fingers activates my Object Manipulation skill. But if I don't know where the object is, the skill doesn't work."
Ceres nodded.
"How many objects can you control at a time?"
Legion hesitated before answering.
"It depends on their size and weight," he said. "But in total, I cannot manipulate objects that weigh more than my own body."
"I need a plate," she said next, reaching for the knife. "Get me one. But this time, use your teleportation thing."
Legion immediately stood and vanished.
Exactly ten seconds later, he reappeared, placing a plate on the table.
Ceres, already slicing the fruit, gave him a glance.
"Does it take ten seconds for you to teleport?"
Legion shook his head.
"It's not true teleportation, Your Highness," he admitted. "It's called Blink Step. I can move from one place to another, but only short distances at a time. I had to do four Blink Steps to get to the plate and return."
Ceres paused, considering his words.
"Can you carry someone with you when you do that?" she asked.
A flash of disappointment crossed Legion's face.
"No, Your Highness," he said reluctantly.
"Why? Because of Blink Step's limitations, or because your level is too low?"
Legion lowered his gaze slightly.
"My level is too low, Your Highness," he admitted. "Right now, I can only move myself and objects lighter than me."
Ceres hummed.
"So, the stronger you get, the more your abilities evolve?" she asked, continuing to slice the golden fruit.
Legion nodded.
"How do you level up?" she asked.
"We need to use our skills and abilities constantly, Your Highness," he answered.
Ceres nodded thoughtfully and continued arranging the sliced fruits on the plate.
Legion and Delphine remained silent, simply watching her.
"I want you to go back to the Royal Kitchen and get our food supply," she said, directing her words to Delphine.
Delphine's breath hitched.
Legion's fist clenched under the table.
They both understood what that meant.
Ceres ignored their reactions and pushed the plate of sliced fruit toward them.
"Eat," she instructed.
The siblings hesitated.
They couldn't refuse a direct order from the Empress, that would be a crime punishable by death.
Disappointment settled heavily in their chests.
They had truly believed she was different.
That they had finally found a noble who would treat them as people.
But in the end, they were still just commoners.
Still just servants to be ordered around.
Even if she was a powerless royal, she was still royalty.
They ate the fruit silently.
Yesterday, the Malvera fruit had been the most delicious thing they had ever tasted,
But today, it was bitter.
And then, they felt it.
Something was changing inside them.
Their HP and MP were rising.
They froze, eyes wide with shock, and turned to stare at the Empress.
Ceres then placed her hand over Delphine's and began to chant.
"From shadows deep where terrors creep,
Let fear take form, let sanity weep.
By your cursed touch, the dream decays,
Nightmares rise, with your will, the light betrays!"
A radiant glow burst from their joined hands, wrapping around Delphine like a cocoon of energy.
Before Delphine could even react, Ceres moved her hand away and placed it over Legion's.
Another chant followed.
"By will unseen, let fate entwine,
Strings of power, now be thine.
All you touch, obey, extend,
Your grasp unbroken, bend, transcend!"
A second wave of light engulfed Legion.
Before the glow could fade completely, Ceres spoke one last time.
"Through space untamed, where echoes wane,
Unseen roads shall heed your name.
By will alone, let distance bend,
Step unbound, arrive, transcend!"
A final pulse of energy surged outward, disappearing into Legion's body.
Before the siblings could even fully process what had happened, the Empress stood.
Her golden eyes locked onto theirs, a commanding weight behind her gaze.
"Use it properly. Use it well. Do not disappoint me," she said.
"Bring me all seven of the Malvera fruits later in my bedchamber."
And without another word, she turned and walked away, heading back toward the palace.
The moment the Empress left, a new presence invaded both Delphine and Legion's minds.
A voice, cold, distant, and ancient.
A presence that did not converse but merely delivered an announcement.
And at that moment, they both heard it.
— Inside Delphine's Mind —
Notice. New Ability Granted.
Veil of the Endless Dread
To activate, say the word 'Nightmare'.
Effect: When activated, the person you touch will be plunged into their worst nightmare. The visions will feel real, overwhelming the victim with fear, dread, or paranoia. The effect lasts until the caster releases them by saying 'Daylight' or the victim breaks free through sheer willpower.
Delphine shivered as the knowledge of her new ability settled into her mind.
Her entire life, her skills had only ever been used for small things, for chores, for survival, for making ends meet.
She had never possessed an ability that could be used for her own protection.
But now…
This power, this gift, was different.
She could use it to defend herself.
To strike back if anyone dared to corner her again.
To make sure no one could ever take advantage of her again.
She clutched her hands together, still in disbelief.
The Empress gave her this.
Not just a skill, but something that would change her life forever.
— Inside Legion's Mind —
Notice. New Ability Granted.
Threads of the Sovereign Hand
To activate, say the word 'Marionette'.
Effect: Touch an object and say 'Marionette', and it will be bound to you as long as you will it. You can control the object as if it were an extension of your own body. You can see and feel through the controlled objects.
New Ability Granted.
Path of the Unbound Step
To activate, say the word 'Teleport'.
Effect: You can instantly teleport to any location you have previously visited. Distance does not matter as long as you have a clear memory of the place.
Legion's breath hitched.
Teleportation?
Actual teleportation.
Not just his short-distance Blink Step, but true, unrestricted teleportation.
His mind raced.
This wasn't just a simple skill enhancement.
This was on a whole other level.
And the first ability, Marionette?
He could control objects.
See through them.
Feel through them.
If mastered, he could practically control an entire battlefield without even being physically present.
His hands shook.
This was not something a mere human should be able to bestow.
Delphine and Legion exchanged glances, their thoughts mirroring each other's disbelief.
Delphine was the first to speak, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Did… did she just give us a gift?" she murmured, still unable to believe it.
Her whole life, she had accepted that she would never amount to anything but a commoner, a servant.
Her abilities had always been meant for servitude, for helping others, never for herself.
But now, the Empress, their Empress, had changed that.
"And not just any gift," Legion said, his voice tight with disbelief.
"She gave us an incredibly powerful one."
His hands clenched into fists, his mind reeling.
How?
How had she done this?
Gifts, true blessings of power, were only something the Celestial Beings could grant.
And yet, she did.
Which meant only one thing.
Their Empress was not just a powerless noble.
She was something more.
Something beyond their understanding.
Despite all their questions…
Despite all their doubts…
Something inside them shifted.
Slowly, but surely, something grew.
Their loyalty…
Not just because of duty.
Not just because they served her.
But because she had given them something no noble, no royal, no ruler ever had.
Power.
A chance.
A future.
Guilt settled in their chests as they thought back to their hesitation earlier.
To the moment they doubted her intentions.
Never again.
Silently, without saying a word, they both swore to themselves.
No matter where the Empress went…
No matter what path she chose…
They would follow her…
They would never doubt her again.