I stood frozen for a long time after he disappeared, the drawing still held out toward the empty path. He had not looked back. He had not acknowledged me beyond those few clipped words. He had dismissed me as if I were nothing. As if I did not exist.

My hands dropped to my sides. The drawing fluttered in the slight breeze, and I clutched it tightly, this pathetic piece of paper I had spent so long creating. It felt like a tangible piece of his rejection. I had failed. The thought was a cold stone in my stomach. I had faced the Emperor and been utterly, completely dismissed.

But he had not thrown the drawing away. He had not torn it up or ordered me to destroy it. And he had spoken to me directly, which was more interaction than the original Charlotte had received in her entire life. I had forced him to acknowledge my existence, to make a decision about me, even if that decision was rejection. I had planted the first seed. Now I just had to hope it would grow before the dark magic strangled it.

"You should not be out here alone, Your Highness."

I jerked upright, my heart leaping into my throat. A man stood at the entrance to the fountain area. He wore the uniform of the palace guard, but something about his bearing suggested he was more than just a simple soldier.

"I am sorry," I said automatically, falling back into the role of timid child. "I was just resting."

He studied me with an expression I could not quite read. It was not hostile, but not warm either. After a moment, he stepped closer and executed a proper bow. "Captain Marcus, Your Highness. I have been assigned to escort you back to your chambers."

Assigned. The word jolted me. Assigned by the Emperor, presumably. He had not forgotten about me the moment he walked away. He had actually given an order regarding my safety. That was… something. I stood up, smoothing my dress and carefully tucking the crumpled drawing back into my pocket. "Thank you, Captain. I did not mean to cause trouble."

"No trouble, Your Highness." He gestured toward the path. "If you will follow me?"

We walked in silence through the gardens and back into the palace. I snuck glances at him as we went. He was young for a captain, probably in his late twenties, with a stern face that suggested he took his duties very seriously.

"Captain Marcus?" I ventured. "Does… does His Majesty often walk in the gardens?"

"Every morning, Your Highness," he said, his tone carefully neutral. "It is his time alone. He does not like to be disturbed."

The implication was clear: I had intruded on sacred ground. But he had answered my question, which told me something about his character. He was not cruel, at least. When we arrived at my chambers, he opened the door and waited while I stepped inside.

"Your Highness," he said before I could close the door. "The Emperor has requested that you remain in your chambers unless accompanied by a guard."

My stomach sank. "Requested?"

"Ordered," he corrected gently. "For your safety."

So I was confined now, trapped more completely than before. The one moment of freedom I had claimed for myself had resulted in tighter restrictions. I should have expected that.

"I understand," I said quietly. "Thank you, Captain."

He bowed again and left. I heard his footsteps fade down the corridor, and then I was alone. I walked slowly to my room and collapsed onto the bed, staring up at the painted ceiling. The cherubs seemed to mock me with their serene, golden faces. I had succeeded in getting the Emperor's attention, but not in the way I had hoped. He had acknowledged my existence only enough to have me locked away more securely. The spell had turned his confusion into something like paranoia, making me a problem to be contained rather than a daughter to be protected.

Unless…

I sat up slowly, a new thought forming. He had assigned a guard, and not just any guard, but a captain. Someone competent and trustworthy. He could have had servants escort me back, or simply ordered that my chambers be locked from the outside. Instead, he had ensured I had protection. The curse that afflicted him was strong, but it was not absolute. Not yet. There was still a part of him that remembered being a father, even if he could not access those memories directly. I could work with that.

I carefully smoothed out the wrinkles in the paper and placed the drawing on my desk. Then I pulled out a fresh sheet and began to sketch again. The Emperor wanted to lock me away and forget about me. I would not let him.