The palace hosted a grand feast in the temple to celebrate the return of the crown prince after a week of absence. I encountered Laverna on our way to the temple, but everything seemed anything but a temple. It was a complete palace, with just one room and a highly elevated, intricately adorned seat on which a single man sat. Underneath the seat were a series of consecutive steps that led to a row of candles. The worship was limited to women only, and everyone knew it was a foolish attempt by the emperor to escape bowing down to his son, whom he himself declared a goddess.Everyone made sure to wear light, white fabrics and have a clean face. However, any woman would know that the wife of the crown prince, Petra, whom Laverna pointed out, wore a lot of makeup on her face. Petra stepped forward first, accompanied by a line of women, to light the candles, while the rest of us stood in rows at the back of the room.Laverna began introducing each important woman, engaging in some gossip when necessary. Next to Petra was Achil's fiancée. She expressed regret at not knowing any information about her, but Achil's funancée face spoke volumes. She seemed like a child trying to avoid conflicts, and she didn't attempt to steal the spotlight from Petra, despite a clear effort to enhance her natural and innocent beauty.Laverna didn't care to introduce the emperor's concubines or the emperor's daughters, except for Achil's and Aaron's mothers and a concubine who seemed to be our age. Pity appeared on my face. How could such a young beauty be with that old man? But Laverna smiled and said, "Wipe those expressions off your face. That fool boldly drags her son towards the throne." Then she continued mockingly, "Even the empress didn't dare to ask the emperor to reinstate her son, but this one says it everywhere she goes."

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