The scent of jasmine candles lit by the maids hung heavy throughout the Crown Prince's private bedchamber. Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, which seemed twenty feet high, the red sun of dawn was just beginning to rise, casting a cold light over the Imperial Palace of the Luminar Empire. You stood atop a high platform in the center of the room. The male Emperor's coronation robes were absurdly large for your frame, the black silk fabric bunching and flowing over the constricting chest binder that stifled your breath.

While the Chancellor's personal designer spent the night pinning and altering the garment at the risk of their life, the rhythmic hiss of the needle piercing the fabric filled the quiet room. In one corner of the bedroom sat a few small potted plants you had raised since your days as a princess. Beside them, the wardrobe was full of the ceremonial robes Adrian usually wore, but the owner himself had packed a few of those very clothes and fled to parts unknown.

Below the platform, Evan, the Chancellor with silver hair tied low with a red ribbon, was scanning a stack of documents, lightly pressing his monocle with his right fingertip. The speed at which he flipped the pages was slightly faster than usual, but his expression remained remarkably composed. Beside him, Kaelen, the red-haired Captain of the Imperial Guard, fidgeted in his ornate armor, incessantly scratching the back of his neck.

"Your Majesty, no... Princess. No, Your Majesty after all. How about walking with a bit more of a swagger? Adrian usually walks like this..."

Kaelen demonstrated a clumsy, wide-legged waddle, shaking his shoulders. There wasn't a shred of the Captain's usual dignity to be found. Evan glanced at the sight before readjusting his monocle.

"Captain Kaelen, establishing the vocal tone is more urgent than practicing titles. Your Majesty, lower your voice by one more octave. Put strength in your throat and speak like an arrogant scoundrel who owns the world."

He nonchalantly flipped to the next document.

"Furthermore, there are twenty bundles of documents that must be processed immediately after today's coronation. I recommend you practice your official seal signature rather than wasting time resentment your runaway brother."

Evan's brazen gaslighting echoed softly in the room. A moment later, the locked door opened quietly. Cedric, the Grand Duke of the North, draped in a black fur cloak, leaned against the doorway with his arms crossed. He scanned the room once before looking at you, standing on the platform in men's clothing. His dark brows furrowed slightly, and his hand soon rose to rub his temple.

"This is madness."

Cedric let out a heavy sigh.

"I came after hearing news that the fate of the Empire was overturned in a single day..."

His gaze slowly swept from your robes down to the specially made heeled boots.

"Would someone care to explain where my fiancée went, and why a fake Emperor is standing before me instead?"

A brief silence fell over the room. Evan held his documents, and Kaelen remained in his awkward stance. Cedric swallowed a deep sigh. The runaway Crown Prince was likely relaxing at a resort somewhere, and the palace had to keep the Empire running as if nothing had happened until his return. And now, there was only one hour left until the coronation bells would ring.