Volume I: Chapter 9: The Royal Harem
1127 Words
"And there they are the diplomatic wives of the emperor" Duke Oliver stated while watching from the window.
"Wow, Look at that, they are all beautiful. Oh, that one is my type" He said pointing, peeking on the other side.
The other three officials were seated having tea.
"Stop being a p*****t Prince Caster," Princess Beatrice said. "Isn't that man your fiancé, will you stop him?" she added talking to Princess Shanon.
"Don't bring up undesired problems here" she said calmly as she took another sip.
"Look at that, that one looks a lot younger or she is just small? She seems like your age Prince Orion" Prince Caster said.
"Is she Blonde?" Princess Shanon asked.
Prince Caster nodded.
"Perhaps she might be the youngest daughter from the Flower capital of the empire, Churia. She is Lianes Lovelle Meringue?" then she sips silently.
"She is young, about the age of Prince Orion" she added.
"What? So she is already a wife candidate?!" Caster exclaimed. "I think, she might be a perfect wife for Prince Orion instead" Prince Caster careless words.
"Yes perhaps that's true and yes she is a wife candidate to the emperor and yes her diplomatic standing is perfect for the emperor itself. You see medicine is their specialty" The imperial princess has entered the room.
They all stand up to honor her.
"They will be staying at the Rose Garden Palace where the harem ought to stay. On the day after tomorrow, there will be a banquet and everyone will be there to welcome our lovely ladies. I am here to notify the 5 officials, that there are strictly no absences" She said.
Everyone gave her their regards with the matter and she said, "If I made myself clear then I will take my leave," and left.
"I'm always amazed by her courage and tactfulness" Caster commented.
"You did not even spare the honorary lady from your jokes," Says Princess Beatrice.
Meanwhile...
That very afternoon...
Another bow hit the target. Indeed, the imperial princess is training herself in her private training ground.
And she turned around to see the invited ones for her little tea party. The Honorary lady sent an invitation to the brides of the emperor but rather than a tea party it was a training spar.
"Shall we start?" she uttered.
Along her way because of her late arrival, Lady Luxsiel Veramine Cervanta accidentally bumped into Duke Oliver.
"Pardon me. You're? -you're uh..." he helped the lady to get up and pick up her things while seeing a folded metal cross-bow.
Lady Luxsiel took it hastily covering it with her thick skirt and apologized. She stooped her head that her big hat covers her lovely face. She bowed and then took her leave.
The duke releases a sudden laughter. "Oh, Liz. You brought yourselves playmates" he said. Thinking about his cousin, the imperial princess.
"or perhaps?" he smirked.
I never thought that you're starting to build a sorority in the palace' he thought. 'But why? Are you interested in the throne?' he added.
At the same time after the conversation about his plan. The chief priest met the emperor once again but this time not in his office nor meeting room.
"So, the harem bother you, my emperor?" Kal, the chief priest asked.
"Why on earth are you here?" the emperor responded rudely.
"If I say I'm strolling around will you call for your soldiers to take me? or call for your assassins to terminate me?" he asked in sarcasm.
"Like your death is beneficial for me nor the empire?" the emperor said knowing that the death of the chief priest would only be a loss in general.
"However, I will. If you won't tell me why you trespass," he said coldly, thinking. 'The temple can reselect a new chief priest anyway.'
Kal burst into laughter. "My! you never changed" he said, enjoying his old friend's company.
There is a spot in the 2nd prince's castle where Evan goes every time he feels frustrated or agitated or when he just wants to be alone and think. Although this place served as his dungeon somehow it became his personal peaceful space.
"Emperor, this time you should learn. Killing is inhumane no one is forcing you now so at least refrain. Although some existence for you are useless some might be essential and not easily replaceable. As someone who rules you should know the word 'potential'. It is not that easy to choose a person who will turn around and sacrifice everything because of a single oath. Even losing the right to have for oneself and be under invisible chains." he said.
The emperor's expression turns solemn and Kal burst into laughter again.
"Anyway, I usually do the union (like marriage) in the Royal or noble family. Even to some commoners. However, I am here just to check if you are doing fine before the next ceremony begins and seeing you here gives me the answer I needed." he said.
"Unnecessary," The emperor said briefly.
Sacred gifts are different from sacred weapons. Sacred weapons are merely used for battle but sacred gifts are mostly used for divinity. The chief priest has a sacred gift which is the Leaena Ocula which is also known as the eyes of truth.
"Why does a servant of the Heavens want to know more about a sinner like me?" The emperor asked.
Few minutes of silence had passed and the emperor speak again.
"As the new head of the Royal Family, I am in charge of my family's affairs. I am in charge of my little sister. She is concerned about my well-being. I should as well be concerned about hers." he smirked.
"So,?" Kal asked.
"I am marrying her off to the Serpentine Dukedom." He said.
Kal holds his laughter. "How clever," he said.
After the fake ceremony, he declares the engagement of his younger sister the honorary lady.
It was a great uproar in the kingdom but to look at it roughly, there is nothing wrong with the emperor's decision. Two days after the announcement, Duke George Sheldon traveled to the central kingdom.
Duke Oliver Cannon was trying his best to be formal but seeing this obvious objection. He voluntarily leaves for formality purposes. It was said that the Duke's arrival was because of the empire's crisis but everyone doubted that reason.
"Damn, I believe actions speak louder than words. I can't believe this silent man is that bold. It was obvious that he was not here because of the crisis but because of the imperial princess' engagement. Only a fool will not know that, it is like common sense to people to know that he is madly in love with the princess" Prince Caster stated.
- Writer
