Chapter 46
"Your highness the Empress." A man wearing a long white cassock with gold lining bowed in respect to the Ruby kingdom's Empress.
"High priest its a pleaseure to see you again, please sit down." Empress Vivian said offering the high priest a seat.
"Maid. Go get the finest tea I have and brew it for the high priest."
"Right away your majesty." The Empress maid then bow before leaving the room to prepare the tea for the Empress's guess.
"To what honor do I owe for the Empress to invite me in this fine day?"
"I'll cut to the chase high priest, I heard that you're the one who will be in charge of hunting tournament."
Thomas chuckled, "I'm only required to see the fairness of the hunt."
[Did she call me here to bribe me so that the crown prince will win the tournament?]
Just as the priest said those the maid from earlier came back this time with the tea that the Empress requested.
When the maid served the high priest the tea, the Empress ordered her maid to leave the room.
"I heard this tournament you'll be giving a changing stone to all candidate to hide their identity."
The high priest took a sip of his tea before leaning back on his chair.
A lopsided smile plastered on his face. "Yes that is correct. In order to protect the identity of the participants this year we decided to give them a changing stone. That stone will conceal their identity changing their eyes, hair, nose and even the color of their skin any many more. That way they may hunt at ease without revealing their identity."
Empress Vivian couldn't contain her smile, "High priest, I heard you're not particularly fond of the Viosta bloodline."
The high priest flinched at her sudden words. The Viosta blooodline! The reason why the temple has so little power is because of that bloodline!
The Temple rely on the people's money and support in order to gain money and power.
But because many people believe that the Viostas are the one that has been blessed by god instead of the temple. Many people didn't even bother believing the temple instead they all believe that the Viosta will be the one to protect them.
Thinking of this made the high priest's blood boil. "Those cursed bastards---"
The Empress aggressively putted her tea cup down the table making a clamping sound.
"High priest! Watched your mouth! I will not let you insult Grand Duke Leon Viosta!"
The high priest was taken back at the Empress's attitude.
He immediately apologize to the Empress. "Forgive me for my insolence Empress." He said bowing his head.
[Tsk. I really don't know whats going on in her head. Is she in favor of the Viosta or is she one of us who hated the Viosta?! ]
"You're forgiven. I will not let you insult the Grand Duke consider it your last and final chance--"
"Yes Emp---"
"However, I will help you achieve want you desire." The Empress smiled mischievously.
"What do you mean?"
"Have you heard about the Duke's adopted Child?"
With one brow raised and his hand cross to his chest, high priest Thomas looked at the Empress skeptically.
"Yes, I have heard about that child. But I haven't seen her personally, rumors has it that the Duke cherishes her dearly. Although the Child's mother is still in question people who has seen her said she is without a doubt the Grand Duke's daughter since her hair and eyes are like of the duke, unique Red. A color that belongs to the Viosta."
The Empress's forehead twitch as she clenches her tea cup. Looking at the high priest in anger.
"That brat is nothing but an orphan, nothing more and nothing else!" The Empress shouted.
[The Empress... I really can't understand her.]
"Empress, cut to the chase. What exactly do you want from me?" High priest said in a monotone voice.
The Empress smirked at him. "The same thing you want, to not let the Viosta bloodline continue."
[This stupid priest. You dare to insult Leon. I'll use you to get rid of that pest of a brat, after that I'll get rid of you.]
The Empress got the Priest's attention. "How?"
"That child is going to participate in the hunting tournament. I want you to just give her a little disadvantage. Think of it high priest, she is a girl who can reproduce numerous Viosta descendant if that happen the Viosta bloodline will continue and if that happen it will only be a matter of time before the Temple fall into ruin completely."
[I just need to let him think that I also want the Viosta bloodline to not continue. But of course thats a lie, my Lionel is a Viosta by blood he will surely continue the Viosta bloodline even without that brat. And beside he doesn't know that Lionel is also a Viosta]
"Im confused Empress, are you in favor of the Duke or are you not?"
"I'm in favor of the Grand Duke, but I don't like that orphan, that's why I would like to make a deal a with you. Help me get rid of that child not only will you be able to stop the Viosta Bloodline but you will also gain my favor in your 'charity' work."
[Although he doesnt like the Grand Duke, just by the thought of stopping the bloodline of the Viosta is enough for him to take my offer. Lionel should be the only one to spread the Viosta bloodline no one else, although Lionel has not been recognize as the Duke's son soon he will.]
The Empress let out a grimacing smile. "Well? What do you say high priest? Will you accept my offer?"
The high priest then smiled. "Yes. If I could stop the Viosta bloodline after the death of the Grand Duke the temple will gain power."
[As if I'll let that happen you old hag, you are nothing but a pawn to my plan.] The Empress thought but on the outside she showed support for the high priest.
"Then, lets talk about my plan, all you have to do is....."
-
"Leonna!"
"Lady Leonna!"
Leonna turned her attention to the voices who were calling her.
Leonna with furrowed brow looked at them confusedly.
"You know her Jaljiz?" Kaleb asked his friend.
"I want to ask you the same thing, Kaleb." Jaljiz answered back. With his fist clenched and a smile that hides his anger Jaljiz looked at Prince Kaleb menacingly.
He looks like he wanted to kill his friend right there and then.
"Yes, well. They visited our kingdom as few months ago." Kaleb answered.
"Ah is that so...." Jaljiz's aura just became even more intense making Kaleb flinched.
"Hey! What's wrong with you?" Kaleb asked, taking a few steps back.
Before they could even realize it, Leonna left them.
"Lady Leonn--" Jaljiz was about to invite Leonna when he realized she already left.
Kaleb was taken back too, the both of them scanned the entire hall, they saw her walking to the buffet table.
On the side other candidates are looking at Leonna like she was some kind of prey.
But before she could even reach her destination her first hunter came in front of her.
"Lady Leonna, its a pleasure to meet you, I'm princess Tria Velicia Alexandrite, princess of the Alexandrite kingdom." Tria stated smiling viciously. Like a snake ready to devour her prey.
-
[END OF CHAPTER]