Seeing how the Silver Serpent Queen suddenly stood up in anger, everyone in the room flinched and the atmosphere became even tense. They all subconsciously held their breath, lest the ire got directed in their direction.
Emery, who was the main focus of this pressure, finally couldn't handle it any longer as his knees eventually buckled and forced him to fall, kneeling on the ground.
Seeing this, Vizla quickly said, "Just say yes, you fool! This is a good thing for you! What are you hesitating for?!"
Emery did not respond to his words despite the excruciating pressure all over his body. He just closed his eyes, as if he was prepared for all the consequences that would befall him.
It was at this moment that Silva finally couldn't hold herself back anymore and spoke to the queen - her mother.
"He has a certain sensitive matter which he couldn't conveniently reveal, Your Majesty. As such, it would be best if this audience with you was conducted in private instead."
Emery was taken aback by Silva's words, by what she was trying to do. However, he was now unable to do anything as the pressure was still there, bearing down on his entire being.
A gripping silence still prevailed in the grand hall as the queen still had yet to respond to Silva's words. But luckily, everyone in the hall could feel the tense atmosphere starting to recede like waves.
The queen, who stood up and had a sinister expression earlier, was once again sitting on her throne. With a gesture of her hand, everyone swiftly left the hall with the exception of Duke Syre and the two siblings.
The queen stared at Emery once again. "Tell me, what is this business of yours? I will listen to it."
Hearing the queen's words, it was clear that she was willing to hear Emery's own consideration. However, Emery was just silent. He has his reasons, but at the moment he was still confused about what it was that Silva was trying to say. Did Silva even know what his reason was?
It was at this moment that Silva took action by speaking again, this time it was she who was so furious.
"Mother, don't ask him such questions!" Silva glared at the queen. "I only said those words to send everyone else away and save our family from embarrassment!"
Emery was shocked by the bluntness in Silva's words. He became even more shocked when he saw how the queen's expression softened a bit upon hearing her daughter's temper.
"Daughter, no one such as him should reject such honor! Of course, I am furious!"
"Aahh, just stop it, Mother." Silva said in frustration while rolling her eyes. "I know that's not it! You're just embarrassed about being rejected in front of everyone.."
The queen seemed to want to say more to refute her daughter's words, but ended up holding back. This sight naturally couldn't help but cause Emery to think that what Silva said was really the case.
It was Duke Syre who interrupted the bickering between mother and daughter.
"That is not how you talk to the queen or your mother, young lady." The duke said as he looked at Silva disapprovingly.
Silva's eyes turned to the duke before saying, "I am sorry, Uncle. But that's what she will get for doing such a thing to my…my... friend!"
Emery could clearly see the queen took a deep sigh. It was obvious that she was speechless by her daughter, unable to say any word. The situation had turned a little amusing somehow, but Emery still had enough intelligence to know he should not laugh, not even a faint smile.
Rubbing her forehead, the queen took her eyes off her daughter and returned to Emery again. This time, she spoke in a much calmer voice.
"Young man my offer still stands. I'll accede to your request and give you time to consider your decision. I sincerely hope your answer will be satisfactory."
As soon as the queen finished her words, Silva grabbed Emery's arms and quickly dragged him away, leaving Vizla completely speechless. In the end, he woke up from his daze and quickly followed the two of them after bidding goodbye to the queen and the duke.
After the trio left the grand hall, the queen took another deep sigh.
"I really spoiled that girl, didn't I, brother?" said the Queen to the man standing next to her.
Duke Syre just nodded wordlessly, while the queen sighed again.
"Tell me, My queen. Why did you have to go that far for the boy? Even though he did reach the rank 8 bloodline, it is still unclear whether he can successfully become a magus or not.. Such a decision greatly confuses me."
Another sigh, this time soft, rang out in the great hall.
"As I said, brother, I really spoil my children.. You didn't have a child of your own, so it's understandable that you don't understand my feelings. You asked me why I was willing to go this far for the boy? For what else but for my daughter? I did all this just for her."
Under the stunned look of Duke Syre, the queen continued her words.
"With him reaching rank 8, I got a good and right reason to bestow the title to the boy without raising too much question in the others. In this way, we might be able to keep the young man here staying with us. I was so sure she would be happy with my decision before, huh! have you ever seen her act like this before?"
There was a silence between the two before the queen suddenly said,
"You know brother, I wouldn't be surprised if she actually lure you to help the White Fang for the sole purpose to impresses the young wolf"
Hearing this, Duke Syre was startled for a second, it was as if things finally clicked in his mind and made some sense to him. Afterward, however, the duke took his turn to sigh.
"What is it, Brother?" The queen asked because she noticed the oddity on the duke's expression.
With another sigh, Duke Syre told the queen his findings - about Emery's complicated condition concerning two Primordial Wisp, about the complex situation of his lower realm planet, and the Nephilim faction within the equation.
"Two Primordial Wisp, huh…" the queen muttered to herself. "It's only normal for the Nephilim to not let that planet go so easily. Then, the boy really should not be allowed to graduate without having a faction standing behind to support him, otherwise, he and his world will become one of those Nephilims little projects"
Duke Syre opened his mouth. "My queen, are you really willing to challenge the Nephilims for the young wolf?"
"No. The patriarch has always been the cautious one.. Even with such valuable wisp involved, he will not agree to such a proposition"
The queen thought for a second and said,
"It will be easier if I finally reach my breakthrough. But then again, brother, I'm sure there is something more between them. I need you to check it out. Do not let that boy out of your sight, you understand?"
Duke Syre nodded. "Yes, My queen."
—--
Not knowing about the scheme planned for him, Emery returned to his residence.
"I'm sorry about my mother earlier, Emery."
"Don't worry about it, Silva. Also, thanks for standing up for me."
Emery was about to enter the residence, but he noticed how the girl didn't move from her spot. Her facial expression looked as if there was still something she wanted to say to him.
He calmly said, "What is it?"
Silva looked at him awkwardly and said, "We are still going… right..? I mean, what my mother did just now won't affect our plan, right..?"
For a second, Emery had no idea what she was talking about and it showed on his face.
Silva realized this when she saw his expression. Her face turned red as she said, "Shopping! You idi… errr… you… you said you will come with me to go shopping."
A look of realization appeared on Emery's face. "Ah yes. Of course, I will."
"Good! Then, I will come and pick you up early tomorrow morning."
"Alright."
Emery could see how happy Silva was as she turned and left the residence. When he turned around, he only realized that the servants in the residence were standing behind him all along with Ginette among them.
The latter asked if Emery needed anything, to which he replied no. Emery then told them to get on their duties and leave him.
Before going, Ginnete suddenly said something that stopped Emery in his tracks. "The princess really likes you, Master. You really are a lucky man."
Her words quickly reminded him, if he did something wrong at the moment.
Emery entered his bedroom where he then walked towards the balcony and thought about the two girls; His heart truly beats for Klea and he was committed to her but the truth was Emery still sometimes thinks about that incident with Silva.
A deep sigh escaped from his mouth as he really didn't want to hurt any of them.