I stepped aside when the Emperor stand up from his chair. He raised his hands and looked at me. What does he want me to do? Take his hand?
I slowly raised my hand then he gently took it knowing it was my bandaged hand then he walked forward taking me with him.
"I am aware that you are all baffled as to why I entered the hall with Lady Reenste here. " He let my hand go and talked to everyone. His voice is crisp and clear to everyone here. You can't help but to listen to what he has to say. Well, looking at everyone, they are listening. Even me, because genuinely I am the most confused here. Am I being punished? Am I about to be humiliated here in front?
"No, I have not chose her. I haven't chosen any one at all. I saw her earlier, she was lost and didn't know which way to go. When Lady Reenste saw me, she was relief," I looked at him wide eyed then I slowly felt embarrassed. This guy, he'll really tell what happened earlier in detail? Is he slowly sending me to my doom?!
Deep breaths, Reen. Deep breaths.
"She didn't recognized me at first, but she was really courteous and respectful. So I applaud you, Lady Reenste." He turned to me and I felt like I saw a smirk on his face or a couple of seconds before he returned his attention to the crowd.
"My intention of having her with me on entering earlier was to see everyone's reaction and to sent out a message. It is easy for me to chose whoever I would like to be part of my harem. I could point at any of the ladies and let them be my consort, yet I didn't. Because to be the Mother of this Empire, you must prove your worth." I looked at him a bit surprised. Did he really thought of that? That's amazing...
" There's no use on selecting someone I fancy if she won't be able to stand by me to help everyone."
I looked at his back, he's not any older than I am when I died, not even to my brother. His back shows strength that carries heavy responsibility affecting simply not him but all of the people on the Empire.
"To the ladies and also to my Ministers, Prove your worth to me and everyone." He said then turned around to go back to his seat and drink again, but his words are still buzzing to everyone's mind as they stare at him full of reverence. I looked at him, I remembered what I stories I heard about him. He is pitiful, but he's strong and that makes me feel sad more. I don't know. I just do.
----------------
After His Majesty's speech, I didn't dare to sit anymore near him. I excused myself to him and he let me go and join my friends. I didn't go to the middle table, there wasn't a sit for me there so I went to the three girls.
"Effreila! Resitaire! Joie!" I said to them as I spread my arms to hug them. Then they hug me all together, was overwhelming but I ain't going to complain.
"It seems you're all doing great. I am glad." I smiled and looked at them one by one. I really like them all, even though it was really short bonding with them but the mere fact they showed kindness and love in the short time really warms my heart. I felt like they're my siblings or even daughters if I had a family of my own.
"You look amazing, Reen!"
"Yes! You really do!"
"I'm rooting for you to join the harem, seeing you standing there, I can just tell you belong there!"
I looked at Effreila's sparkling eyes as she looks at me and says those. I felt slightly embarrassed as I am still getting attention from other people. I am glad that His Majesty didn't say how I casually talked to him. I was even surprised when he said that I was courteous and respectful. Maybe for using me as a sample, he called it quits . I hope he really do, I don't want any trouble.
"By the way, let us introduce you to our parents!" Joie said then pulled me and we went to a table where there's a circle of gentleman and some fancy ladies talking.
"Dad! I brought Reen!" As soos as Joie said that, all that circle of people turned around and looked at me. Now this is uncomfortable...
"Greetings, Sir. My name is Reenste Ermyntrude. It's a pleasure to meet you." I was going to shake his hand, force of habit from corporation, but quickly bowed down a bit instead. I looked up to Joie's Dad then I saw a bit of astonishment on his face before smiling back at me.
"Pleasure's all mine, Lady Reenste. I'm Abner Starke, Joie's Dad. Feel free to call me, Uncle Abner. I want thank you about my daughter, if there's anything you need, don't hesitate to tell me." He said and shook my hand all smiles. I looked at him quite surprised, he's really friendly and welcoming. I'm a bit taken off guard, but her daughter is kind so her Dad would also be like her. Well, not always, but nonetheless.
"Thank you for your kind offer, Uncle. But I am just doing any person would do for their friends. Plus I love the girls, they're like my little sisters and I would repeat what I've done for them." I said and looked at the girls who is almost tearing up. Geez.. This girls.
"You guys, don't cry. People would say I'm bullying you." I said to them and chuckled as I check on them. They wiped their tears and smiled. Then Resitaire held on to me and introduced another one, which I think is her father.
"Hi Reenste, do you mind if I called you that?" Resitaire's Dad asked which I chuckled and then shooked my head side to side as to tell I don't mind.
"Good then, you can call me Uncle as well. I have heard so much about you from my little girl. As I am impressed, I am also really thankful for what you've done. Feel free to contact me as well if you need anything and I would personally get it done." He said and heartily gave me a quick hug before shaking my hand enthusiastically. Then I looked at Resitaire face palming and sighing. I just laughed and went along.
"Now, now. Easy there, Minister. Reenste here is wounded on her hand. " Then there's Effreila and which I assume is his Dad. Same as Effreila, he smells like herbs, but his was stronger but it isn't unpleasant, rather it was really soothing.
"Reenste, if you would, use this cream again when you went back to your courtyard. Just one application of this cream and let it sit for an hour, your wounds would heal flawlessly. As your Uncle I am concerned." I looked at him as he handed me some round wooden container. I looked at it, coming from a famous Doctor and by his explanation, this medicine must be really great quality. Plus the fact that it must be really expensive.
"No fair, Doctor Nigel. You already gave
something to her." Uncle Abner said then he took something out of his robe. A small golden token with insignia of the Starkes'. I looked at Uncle Abner as he handed it to me.
"This is nothing special, but with this you would be able to say that Starke Clan supports you." He said and smiled. Huh? Supports me in what? Well, thanks I guess? But it doesn't really matter to me. I'm just glad their Dad's are really welcoming.
"Right, this is ours. You may also say to others that Herschel Clan supports you as well." Uncle Herschel grinned to Uncle Abner, but Uncle just smiled but I didn't missed that subtle tension.
"I would give you a token too, but I don't have any at hand, but when they asked you can say that we the Green Clan have your back." Uncle Nigel said and patted me on the head. They sure are nice.
"I'm really thankful for your support, meeting you all and being friends with the girls was enough. I at first, really thought I would disapproved off since comparing to the girls standing and also to you Uncles, mine is not a lot. Thank you for that. I felt like I had a family here." I told them with all my sincerity. With seeing my friends smile and how accepting their Dad's are. I suddenly felt emotional, it so stupid. I missed my mom and dad.
"Don't worry, Reen. We'll be your family." I looked at Joie who's looking at me with saddened and worried eyes. Then I felt Resitaire and Effreila holding my arm as to comfort me. I swear I think might be really weird this day as I am overly emotional.
"Anyways. Nice Meeting you all Uncles. Great seeing you again, girls. I would love to stay to talk more, but I am a bit tired. I'd like to retire early." I told them.
After some more talking and comforting. I took my leave out the banquet. The guards looked at me and nodded as a greeting which I also returned with nodding before proceeding to walking alone out the hallways onto the gates.
I think I just been there for an hour and a half. So it'll be 30 minutes more before Rory would come back here. I would just take a stroll into the garden I guess? I did saw a garden just near the entrance. It would be nice to breathe some fresh air after that crazy hour.
The guards at the Entrance door looked at me and bowed to me as I walk out the palace. There wasn't a lot of patrolling guard, but I do feel presence that seems to be guarding the place. Maybe they're like a secret guards of the Emperor stationed everywhere the palace. Just like that black clothed guy that suddenly appeared on the hall near the Emperor.
I walked towards the garden and hugged my arms. I can feel a bit of chill, but it isn't that unbearable. I hummed a mellow tune as I walk and look at the moon shining. As I looked at it, I remembered an eyes that glistens from the moonlight.
"I wondered why he didn't stay? and what was given to the Emperor that came from him?" I asked myself as I walk. "Well, whatever it is. It confirmed some theory I had in mind, like how Erden might be one of the Emperor's closes confidant or so." Well. It would be nice if misunderstanding about him will be cleared up.
"You're really something aren't you?"
I looked backed and saw the familiar face.
"Erden!"