Chapter 36

"We've arrived, Lady Adele."

Zimmer's voice finally pulled Adele back from her horrible thoughts.

The carriage rolled to a stop, and as Zimmer opened the door, a brightly lit southern villa came into view.

This place, called the Marble Palace, had been built for members of the imperial family to stay in. Because of that, though it stood within the grounds of the imperial palace, it had its own separate entrance and was entirely self-contained.

True to its name, the small building was built of marble, and in the moonlight it gleamed like a jewel. The sight was mirrored perfectly on the quiet lake that lay before it.

Adele stood lost for a moment in the almost magical scene, when—

"You've arrived?"

Henry, as neatly turned out as ever, greeted her with a respectful bow.

"Henry!"

Behind him stood Tanya and a few other familiar faces — all of them…