When summoned by the Empress, one naturally needed to go at once. Even though Henry Lewis and the current Empress Harris had little personal connection, now that he was part of the royal family, he couldn’t afford to neglect his duties, lest he attract gossip and annoyance.

After bathing and changing clothes, once everything was ready, Henry Lewis didn’t bring many attendants—he only had Paul Carter accompany him as he headed to the Empress’s residence.

At this time, there were two palaces in the city, called the Southern Palace and the Northern Palace. The Emperor and Empress both resided in the Northern Palace, and Henry Lewis also lived there, so he didn’t have to walk far. In just a short while, he arrived outside the Empress’s palace, instructed Paul Carter to go announce his arrival, and then stood there waiting.

In any case, he already knew the reason for the Empress’s summons thanks to the white crane, so he felt prepared and unhurried.

As he waited, a young boy came out from the Empress’s palace, about twelve or thirteen years old—it was his younger brother, Brian Lewis.

Originally, he hadn’t had much interaction with this brother, nor had he made any special effort to befriend him. Yet, for some reason, this brother seemed especially close to him. Normally, Brian Lewis was rather quiet and didn’t like to talk to people, but he always sought out Henry Lewis for conversation.

Now, seeing Henry Lewis, he happily approached, greeted him, and then started chatting.

“Imperial brother, why are you here?”

“Mother has summoned me to talk, so I’m waiting to be announced.” This was nothing unusual—following protocol was normal. But unexpectedly, Brian Lewis said directly, “I’ll take you in myself, why wait here for nothing?”

Henry Lewis really couldn’t figure out why Brian Lewis was so close to him. Sometimes, he would shamelessly wonder to himself, “Could this kid have noticed how extraordinary I am?”

What he didn’t know was that, when Brian Lewis was younger, because the Emperor didn’t like him and he was a bit withdrawn, he had no friends his age in the palace and usually played alone. Once, while flying a kite, it got stuck in a tree. Just as he was at a loss, Henry Lewis happened to pass by, and with a single kick to the trunk, knocked the kite down.

That one act left an indelible impression on the child’s heart. Brian Lewis greatly admired his older brother Henry Lewis, and this admiration only grew stronger with age.

Unfortunately, Henry Lewis had no idea about any of this—he’d even forgotten he’d ever done such a “great deed.” But that was just his nature: if someone was warm to him, he’d be warm in return. So the two brothers chatted for a while and had a rather enjoyable conversation.

They only stopped when someone came to invite him in.

“Since you’re here, imperial brother, I’ll stay a bit longer!” Brian Lewis wanted to accompany Henry Lewis while he spoke with their mother, but a palace maid close to Empress Harris, knowing what was going on today, managed to persuade him to leave. Reluctantly, he headed back to his own quarters.

Henry Lewis understood the situation, but didn’t show it. After bidding farewell to Brian Lewis, he followed the maid into the Empress’s chambers, greeted Empress Harris according to etiquette, and after she returned the greeting and sat down, he knelt on the prepared seat. From start to finish, his manners were impeccable.

At this point, the palace maids brought out the food and wine that had been prepared in advance. After Empress Harris took the first bite, she sat there looking at Henry Lewis, her gaze carrying a hint of challenge, as if she was certain he wouldn’t dare touch the food in front of him.

Life in the palace could be simple or complicated, depending on how you looked at it.

Empress Harris’s son, Brian Lewis, was the current legitimate heir. Although not the eldest son, his status as the legitimate heir was crucial. By rights, her son’s succession to the throne should have been a certainty.

But the Emperor didn’t like this son, and later had a younger son whom he favored greatly, which made Empress Harris very dissatisfied.

Fortunately, although the younger son was clever and lively, he was not strong in health and fell ill every few days. It was uncertain whether he would even survive to adulthood, so for the time being, she set her worries aside.

What she hadn’t expected was that the old Emperor, rather than naming her son Brian Lewis as crown prince, chose to keep his not-so-favored eldest son Henry Lewis in the palace. Empress Harris, though not of noble birth, was no fool—she had long since seen through the meaning behind this, and had been trying to find ways to respond.

Unfortunately, years ago, she had murdered Lady Wang, which greatly angered the Emperor. In recent years, her words had lost their effect. If not for her brother still holding great power, she likely would have lost her position as Empress long ago.

She had thought she would have to wait patiently for an opportunity, but unexpectedly, the Emperor’s health suddenly declined, his illness worsening by the day, and it looked as if he wouldn’t last much longer. If she didn’t act quickly, the throne might truly slip away from her son.

It was for these reasons that tonight’s banquet was arranged.

Looking at Henry Lewis sitting there, Empress Harris was also pondering everything about this young man.