Before Aether caused the commotion….. just a few minutes earlier,
“Your Majesty…” The Empress’s maid leaned in to whisper something into Empress’s ear, her voice carrying a sense of urgency.
“Interesting…” The Empress murmured with an amused tone, her gaze fixated on the unfolding events. She hadn’t anticipated Alfred resorting to such underhanded tactics.
Alfred, ever the cunning strategist, had spiked the drinks with a potent blend of vodka and other ingredients designed to get drunk very fast and reveal their true feelings. The mixture was carefully crafted to be nearly colourless and odourless, a sign that Alfred had been planning this moment. Moreover, he had utilized Selene as a pawn in his scheme.
It became evident that Alfred’s intentions were to stir up turmoil before the Empress, who, in turn, was well aware of her uncompromising stance regarding any disruption to her daughter’s engagement.
And since, the way Aether was being treated… She somehow expected what kind of commotion Aether going to cause!
‘Does he want me to kill Aether?’ Her mind raced with possibilities, but she quickly dismissed the thought. Any harm to Aether would cause Kai also to suffer and Mortimer would kill anyone if something happened to their grandchildren.
“Aha! I understand now,” The Empress exclaimed, her eyes alight with comprehension. “He needed my daughter’s acknowledgement for his son.” She nodded in realization, her smile tinged with malice. She marvelled at how a mere butler dared to manipulate her, a woman who had grown up amidst deception and enmity… to reach this position.
She wanted to watch the unfolding drama unfold and…
Thus, she casually witnessed everything not interfering, observing how her daughter would react. Would she be manipulated by others, or would she carefully calculate every move?
But then,
“You, How dare you kiss me?”
When those words reached her ears, something inside her heart snapped, and she crushed the armrest without realizing it.
“What the…?” Shock registered on her face as she witnessed her own intense reaction.
“Presumptuous!” One of the followers of the revered Archpriestess materialized before Aether.
“Hmm?” Aether inebriated and with a gaze softened by the haze of alcohol, tilted his head in mild confusion.
“You dare defile our esteemed Archpriestess with your despicable words!” The follower’s voice dripped with anger.
“…Hey, brat! She’s the one who dared to defile my lips!” Aether’s retort was sharp, edged with disbelief and a touch of anger as he grappled with being accused and labelled as disgusting.
He didn’t do anything wrong… did he?!
“Grrrr!” The followers, their faces hidden by the shadows of their hooded cloaks, visibly bristled with anger, their collective fury manifesting in the flickering of candlelight around them, as if the very air crackled with tension, ready to unleash retribution upon the filthy slave when,
“C-Calm yourselves. He’s clearly intoxicated,” the Archpriestess interjected, her voice a soothing balm amidst the escalating conflict. Her tone carried a blend of authority and compassion as if she were a deity extending mercy to a wayward soul, “His words may be but the ramblings of a troubled mind. Let us escort this young man out with gentleness and understanding.”
“See, this is our benevolent Archpriestess,” the follower remarked, their voice dripping with sarcasm as they turned to address Aether, “And yet you claim she kissed contact with you… You insolent fool!”
Aether chose to ignore the follower’s accusations, instead fixing his disbelieving gaze upon the Archpriestess whose acting far better than him, and couldn’t help but utter these words, “Are you being serious?
The Archpriestess’s cheeks tinted a faint shade of crimson, a fleeting sign of vulnerability amidst her composed facade, before she regained her serene composure, veiling her expression in a mask of maternal forgiveness… like a good godmother, while inwardly thinking, ‘Come on, Aether calm down first!!’
Though the Archpriestess adeptly concealed her inner turmoil from the prying eyes of those present, the Empress, with her keen intuition honed by years of navigating court intrigues, sensed the underlying tension, ‘This… bitch!’ The Empress seethed inwardly, her displeasure palpable, especially as it became increasingly clear that the Archpriestess had indeed kissed him.
With a tightening grip on the already fractured armrest, the Empress grappled with a surge of unexpected anger. She wasn’t sure why but she was getting angry over a kiss… and she didn’t like it for some reason.
“You need not fret, Archpriestess. I shall seek justice from the ruler of their Empire,” the follower remarked, their tone carrying a thinly veiled threat as it addressed the Empress directly. “Is this the manner in which Empress Marisandra Naiadia extends hospitality to esteemed guests? By allowing a mere slave to become embroiled in such controversies and insult our revered ruler!”
The Empress’s expression darkened at the insinuation, her gaze piercing as it settled upon the Archpriestess, silently conveying her disapproval. “Rest assured, I will conduct a ‘THOROUGH’ investigation into this matter.”
Everyone present was visibly taken aback to hear that the Empress wanted to investigate rather than immediately resort to beheading a slave, but still… ‘What exactly was she planning to investigate instead of killing a slave?’ They wondered, their curiosity piqued.
Hearing that, Alfred’s face turned a shade paler as he immediately nudged his son to initiate the planned act; otherwise, their heads would undoubtedly be rolling on the unforgiving ground.
“I certainly hope so!” The Follower snorted, a hint of scepticism underlying their words. Though the followers desired immediate action against the slave, they were aware of the limitations imposed by their position, refraining from taking matters into their own hands.
The Archpriestess couldn’t help but be filled with apprehension upon hearing the Empress’s intent. It would be a simple matter if everyone believed Aether was just drunk and blurting unconsciously, yet If Empress got involved… She knew everyone might find out, and major problems would arise in her empire.
“T-There is truly no need for such drastic measures, Empress. He is clearly intoxicated. Why should we inflict harm on an innocent soul? Let us simply leave this matter be,” the Archpriestess implored, her voice tinged with concern and compassion.
But then,
“Archpriestess, while I understand your sentiments, this matter pertains deeply to our Empire’s honour and dignity!” The Follower’s tone grew sombre as they emphasized the gravity of the situation.
The Archpriestess furrowed her brow, a flicker of frustration crossing her features. ‘Is she overstepping her bounds now?’ With a stern countenance, she asserted, “Hey, know your place, Saintess.”
“!!!” The follower flinched and immediately bowed their head in contrition, seeking forgiveness, “F-Forgive me, Archpriestess!”
Acknowledging the apology with a nod, the Archpriestess then turned her gaze to the Empress, her expression now resolute, “There is no need to expend our resources on a mere slave. Please escort him out.”
The Empress’s lips twitched imperceptibly, her suspicions growing stronger as she observed the Archpriestess’s peculiar behaviour.
“How dare you act insane before the princess!” Timmy arrived at the scene with a visibly angry expression, his emotions simmering beneath the surface.
“P-Princess, are you alright?” Timmy’s voice held genuine concern as he looked at the frustrated Princess, his eyes filled with worry and uncertainty.
“I am fine,” the Princess replied curtly, her gaze shifting to her mother, who awaited her decision with a patient yet expectant demeanour. She understood that her mother wanted her to demonstrate the resolve befitting a future Queen.
“Throw him into the battle arena!” She commanded, her voice laced with fury and determination.
Hearing her command, Timmy and Alfred exchanged triumphant smiles, while the Empress let out an inward sigh, recognizing that her daughter still needed time to grasp the intricacies of politics and manipulation.
“You are easily swayed by anger… just like a younger version of me,” the Empress mused silently.
“I will carry out your orders, Your Highness!” Timmy’s voice held a note of victory as he bowed deeply before the Princess and seized Aether’s collar. Aether, already slipping into a drunken stupor, struggled to maintain his balance.
“Come with me, you worthless slave!” Timmy shouted, preparing to drag Aether away, but before he could act—
‘Thud’
Timmy’s eyes widened in shock as he found himself lifted effortlessly by Aether, who then forcefully slammed him down with a swift throwing manoeuvre, leaving Timmy sprawled on the ground in disbelief.
“Don’t… Don’t you… ‘hick’ dare touch me!” Aether slurred, his words laced with drunken defiance as he glared at Timmy.
“Useless!” The Princess spat disdainfully at Timmy, dismissing him with contempt. Without further assistance, she strode purposefully toward Aether, her intent clear….
“BOOM!!”
Aether was sent hurtling through the air like a comet, crashing onto the battleground below.
“Those who beat him to a pulp will receive generous rewards from me!” The Princess announced, her tone resolute as she dismissed Kai with a disappointed gaze and called him back.
The Empress was clearly dissatisfied by her daughter’s actions, observing how easily she was manipulated by others. Meanwhile, the Archpriestess bit her nails nervously, consumed by fear and concern for what fate might befall Aether due to the unfolding events.
She had arrived with the intent to buy him, not to witness his suffering.