Now that everyone finished their desserts, Inna bid goodbye to the empty plate as it disappeared from view. Then, she was about to question what the next stage of the exam was when a voice suddenly spoke to her side.
"Esteemed Empress, to close this meal, this subordinate implores you to lead us in our prayers of thanksgiving towards our Supreme god for the bountiful meals that he has given us."
Inna's eyes bulged at the request as she wracked her brains for any prayer in her mind. She doesn't have a religion and she proclaimed herself as atheistic in general so prayers are way out of her league. But despite her inner turmoil, she still held her smile as she spoke.
"I believe it would be better if Sir Galen were to lead it instead. This important role of leading such a special prayer must be given to the celebrant, after all."
Since she didn't know any prayers, and she might get a mistake trying to make one out of the blue, better deflect it back.
Galen was speechless as he tried to look for ways to deflect the role back at Inna. But hearing her words, it would seem rude if he were to force it now. So, with no choice left, he simply smiled and responded.
"Our Empress truly is thoughtful and benevolent! For her to think of this subordinate to such an extent. Then, this subordinate will gratefully accept the role and will now lead the prayers."
Galen stood up and placed both his hands on his chest as he bowed his head. Inna and everyone else soon followed suit in silence.
"From nature we take, for the meals we make. We will be eternally grateful for the wonderful food the Supreme God has given to us yet eternally cursed with the feeling of sadness as we consume these food knowing that we have no way to repay nor revive back what we had taken. But we offer to the Supreme god our gratitude and our whole being and may the Immortals use it as they deem fit to make the Supreme god's excellence and magnificence be known throughout this world."
After the prayer, Galen placed down his hand and went back to his seat. Everyone else, including Inna, did the same. Then, as Inna comfortably sat on her chair, Galen spoke to her as he bowed.
"Esteemed Empress, this subordinate will eternally be grateful for your presence in this subordinate's special day."
Inna looked at Galen curiously, trying to be wary of what he's planning again. It seems like all throughout the test, Herad and him has been trying hard to compel her into commiting a mistake.
But that's probably just her being overly paranoid as always…
"As I have said, dear friend, there is no need for such formalities. Your hapiness is more than enough to make this Empress happy."
Herad's mouth twitched as he sinisterly smiled at Inna.
"Empress, my good noble brother's happiness would be even greater if our dear Empress would give him a very simple gift as an show of benevolence in our Empress' heart."
Inna's eyes narrowed slightly as she cautiously looked at Herad.
"And could you enlighten this Empress on the contents of this 'very simple' gift?"
Knowing that she took the bait, Herad's smile widened.
"It is as it is, my dear Empress. A simple act of kindness is what my dear noble brother asks. A gift of great words to be given towards the Emperor on how my dear noble brother's leadership ability is the best of the best among the nobles. He has worked hard for over twenty years but I feel that my good brother has been neglected by our greatest leader, the Emperor, for he has let him remain by the West border for the entirety of these years."
Uh, oh. Politics.
Inna's mind was in full red alert as she tried to think up of ways to retort. She tried to recall more about the political situation in the tv drama she's using as reference and how the female lead in the said drama was able to overcome this dangerous political statement.
If she were to decline, it would be saying that she doesn't have a 'benevolent' heart or she refuses to do a 'simple act of kindness' towards the birthday celebrant.
But if she were to agree, that would mean that the Empress is supporting a government official and using her connections to promote her favoured officials.
And that would be against the law!
Actually, she just learned that law from the first test and she's thankful that she did. Because if she didn't, knowing herself, she would've agreed immediately in order to avoid the trouble.
Ughhhhhhhhh! Inna, think! What can you say in this situation?!
Before she can find the right words, a delicate voice spoke by the table.
"Sir Herad, cease this insensitive request of yours. The presence of the Empress in our most special day is already the greatest gift any noble could ever hope to receive. To ask for more is already the greed taking form in you."
After saying what she had to say, Drona picked up her wine glass and sipped the wine slightly while trying to warn Herad with her eyes.
Seeing the warning in Drona's eyes, Herad gritted his teeth as he tried to keep his smile in front of Inna.
"Apologies, dear Empress. I have failed to be grateful. I was blinded by the greed brought forth from concern over my dear noble brother's working situation. I hope our dear Empress has not taken any offense from my words."
Inna nearly sighed in relief when she heard what Drona said. But she stopped herself since she was supposed to be an 'Empress' as of the moment. So, the best she can do to show her gratitude was to give Drona a genuine smile from her heart before addressing Herad with a sarcastic smile on her face.
"It is quite alright. I do understand your emotions hence I have not taken offense in any of the words you have uttered."
Herad held in his disdain as he bowed in gratitude. Then, seeing that another attempt of theirs have failed, Galen signaled Herad to stop for the meantime. But it seems that Herad refused but instead, his eyes traveled to the direction of Drona before snapping back quickly to Galen.
Galen thought about it for a short while.
Surely if they disqualify Drona, then no one else would stop them from picking on the idiot next.
Galen picked up his wine glass as he drank his wine, trying to block everyone except Herad from seeing the miniscule movement of his eyebrow that signaled the start of their plan.