In the Shadow of the Crown

Raen woke early, his mind already set on the night’s grand event.

He wanted to finish all his work before breakfast, so he could enjoy a meal with his Empress and prepare for the private gathering with the noblemen of Luvein.

The chamberlain entered.

“Your Majesty, do you require anything?”

Raen smirked.

“Tonight, I am hosting a gathering for noblemen. Prepare one of the royal halls.”

The chamberlain hesitated but bowed.

He knew what this meant.

Tonight, the noblemen would see the ultimate masterpiece.

Raen’s greatest treasure.

The first and last of its kind.

Eliza.

As Raen and the chamberlain discussed the details, one of Eliza’s maids arrived, carrying a sealed letter from Princess Celestina.

“Her Highness, Princess Celestina, has sent this for the Empress.”

Raen broke the seal and read it.

"She wants to have tea with her?"

"She still believes she can awaken Eliza?"

He laughed softly.

Celestina didn’t know the full truth.

Only the noblemen understood how deeply Eliza obeyed him.

But if the princess wanted to play…              

Raen would allow it.

“Eliza will write a response. But the message must have a hidden meaning. Let her believe there is still some humanity left in my doll.”

***

Raen went to Eliza’s chambers.

She was seated motionless, already flawlessly dressed by her maids.

Raen brushed his fingers over her cheek.

“Write.”

A maid brought parchment and ink.

Raen dictated:

Honorable Princess Celestina,

I would be delighted to accept your invitation for tea.

Your words warm my soul…Sometimes, I fear I am forgetting what it means to think and feel, but perhaps a conversation with you will help me remember.

I look forward to our meeting.

Eliza, Empress of Luvein.

Raen was pleased.

The message was perfect.

Celestina would believe it.

After Eliza sealed the letter, her hands went still, her eyes dimming.

She no longer moved.

Raen stroked her cheek.

“Good doll.”            

He ordered the letter to be delivered immediately.

***

Before sending Eliza to Celestina’s tea party, Raen decided to test something new.

He placed a barely visible device on her ear, something only he could see.

He wanted to know…

"Would she obey me through this?"

To test it, he left the chamber and walked toward his own quarters.

Then, he spoke into the device:

“Find me.”

Moments later, Eliza arrived.

She stood still.

Waiting.

Raen smirked.

“Beg me.”

Immediately, her voice filled the room, soft yet desperate.

“Please…”

“Kiss me. Passionately.”

Her gaze burned with artificial longing as she pressed her lips to his.

Raen felt a wave of satisfaction.

"It works perfectly."

He ordered her to stop, and she froze in place.

Now he was certain.

"Celestina’s game will be even more entertaining."

Satisfied, he summoned Eliza’s maids.

“Prepare her for the tea party.”

***

For the meeting, the maids dressed Eliza in an elegant white gown with delicate gold embroidery, making her look pure and untouchable.

Her hair was styled into intricate braids, adorned with small pearls.

Raen observed her with pride.

Before sending her off, he pressed a kiss to her forehead.

“Go to the royal garden.”

***

Princess Celestina was already waiting in the royal garden, seated at an ornately decorated table.

She wore a deep blue gown with silver embroidery, giving her an air of quiet determination.

When Eliza arrived, Celestina stood up with a smile.

“Eliza, I’m so happy you came.”

Eliza sat gracefully.

Celestina poured tea for both of them.

The conversation began with pleasant topics - the weather, the beauty of the garden.

But soon, Celestina’s voice softened.

“Eliza…do you ever feel lonely?”

Eliza’s expression did not change.

“Sometimes, I fear I am forgetting what it means to think and feel…”

Celestina’s eyes filled with warmth.

“Then let me help you remember.”

Raen, listening through the device, smirked.

"Foolish girl."

The tea party continued, with Celestina carefully choosing her words.

She thought she was slowly breaking through.

She thought she was winning.

When it was time to leave, Celestina gently took Eliza’s hands.

“Next time, I want you to invite me instead.”

Eliza nodded obediently.

Celestina watched her walk away and felt a flicker of victory.

"I’ve taken the first step."

"Maybe within a year…"

"I’ll be able to save her."

She smiled to herself.

Completely unaware.

***

As soon as Eliza returned to her chambers, her maids were already waiting.

Tonight was important.

They needed to prepare her perfectly.

They helped her undress and led her into a warm bath.

Eliza sat in the water, unmoving.

Raen, still monitoring the time, decided to test the limits of her obedience.

“Stand.”

She rose immediately, droplets of water sliding down her flawless skin.

The maids rushed to dry her, carefully tending to her every inch.

Raen let them work, noting how long the process took.

Once finished, he ordered:

“Return to your chambers and stand.”

She walked silently, her movements effortless, graceful, controlled.

The maids finished dressing her in the most exquisite gown for the night’s event.

Finally, when everything was perfect, Raen entered.

Dressed in an imperial black and gold coat, embroidered with the insignia of Luvein, he looked like a ruler above all rulers.

And beside him - his perfect creation.

“Come.”

Tonight, the world would witness his ultimate masterpiece.