" My sincere greeting to the Brightest Sun of the kingdom. " These are the lines that she hates the most, yet she utters them with elegance in front of the emperor, bowing her head.
She should have her eyes closed, but she was busy looking at the patterns drawn on the floor of the Emperor's personal chamber.
Everybody knows that the emperor is summoning Lady Flazear to discuss the inheritance of the Dukedom with him. But, only a few people know that Lady Flazear was once supposed to be the crown princess. But, now that position has been given to Lady Celesars.
Venessa lived a heavily sheltered life. Being a delicate child, her life was full of restrictions. Her father, Duke Flazear went to great lengths to ensure his daughter a comfortable life.
But, the Duke's illness was catching up to him. To ensure that his daughter lived a good life after he passed away, the Duke arranged to have his daughter marry the crown prince when she was of age.
However, to everyone's surprise, Vanesa shifted to her late mother's estate immediately after her father expired. Her mother was a foreigner, a citizen of a small kingdom- The Serenity Kingdom.
Vanessa grew up in the Serenity Mansion. She lived there till she was 23 years old, way past the age of marriage that was promised.
She went against her father's promise and effectively betrayed the Emperor. If she wasn't a Flazear, she might have been arrested or worse executed for humiliating the Royal Family.
The Emperor decided to leave her alone for any but one reason- she is a Flazear. To still have the nerve to return to the empire and reside in the capital mansion again. She better have her excuses ready.
" Rise, My Child. " The emperor said. The aged voice made him sound like a wise old wizard. But his dark gaze made him seem like a hunter stalking its prey.
Her elegance suggests that she has taken the etiquette lessons. She has grown up as a noble and to be a noble. It was enough to infuriate the Emperor further. But, unlike the other nobles, she looked him directly in the eye.
" You have grown up well. " The emperor commented. " The last time we met, you were hiding behind your father's back. Too afraid to look me in the eye. " As expected, nothing misses the Emperor's eye.
" Your Highness was far too bright for a child's eyes to meet. " She spoke
" It seems the sun isn't as bright in the Serenity Kingdom. "
" I simply learned to adjust my eyes, Your Highness. "