"Your Majesty, we will be departing now. Thank you for your hospitality during these past few weeks." , Ethan said.
" I hope that we will meet again, Your Majesty.", Sebastian added.
" Have a safe journey, Ethan and Sebastian. Prince Nathan and Princess Margaret will be missing you dearly."
Ethan and Sebastian had to leave two days earlier than planned because there was an urgent issue that had to be addressed back in Asterin.
Violet looked at Daniel who stood beside her.
"When will you be leaving , Daniel?"
"In four days."
Violet felt her chest tighten as she realised that Daniel would be leaving soon.
Violet didn't know if she could see Daniel off with a smile.
But she wouldn't ask him to stay for her sake.
She did not even have the right to do so as they weren't in a formal relationship.
But even if they were in a formal relationship, Violet was not that selfish to keep Daniel here in Iretonia when Daniel had more important work and responsibilities in Asterin.
"Hmm."
That was all Violet could manage to answer.
" But don't worry , Violet. I will do my best to help all of you leave this place."
_________________
Violet was in her office signing documents and adjusting the budget late in the afternoon when a knock sounded on the door.
Xander stood beside Violet as he rearranged the documents that Violet already read and signed.
" Announcing His Majesty the Emperor , the Sun of Iretonia."
' Why is he here?'
"Let him in."
The Emperor strode in to Violet's office and sat on the couch.
" Greetings Your Majesty."
"Empress."
Violet ordered the maids to serve tea and gestured them to leave with a wave of her hand after they were done with the task.
"What brings you here , Your Majesty?"
" We have an important matter to discuss today , Empress."
" An important matter? What matter is Your Majesty referring to?"
Violet looked at the Emperor carefully as he sipped his Earl Grey tea.
" Prince Nathaniel Lee Schidmt."
"What about the Prince , Your Majesty?"
Violet grew nervous at the mention of Nathan.
Violet was sure that Nathan did not do anything to offend Lady Olivia or the Emperor.
Nathan was an intelligent and obedient child . And Violet knew that the Emperor would never make a trip to her Palace for the sake of the Prince or the Princess.
' What could it be?'
" His birth."
" Your Majesty, what do you mean?
I ..I don't understand. Please don't tell me that..."
Violet was interrupted by the Emperor before she could complete her sentence.
" We will disclose the secret of Prince Nathan's birth to the public."
" Whatever for , Your Majesty?
I cannot allow this !
This is illogical , Your Majesty.
There is no basis for making such an announcement."
Violet could not understand why the Emperor decided to tell everyone about Prince Nathan's birth secret.
There was no advantage for the Emperor if he made such an announcement.
It would simply serve no purpose than hurting Nathan's feelings along with her relationship with Nathan.
The Emperor had no reason to interfere in this matter.
' Unless it was Lady Olivia's request.'
Violet silently thought.
" Is the Empress afraid that this announcement will bring humiliation to you as people would realise that the Empress has no offspring?
I thought the Empress was such a person who did not care about things as people's opinion of her. Did this Emperor judge the Empress wrongly? "
Violet could hear the sarcasm and contempt in the Emperor's tone.
Violet was not worried about the rumours and gossip that would spread about her because of the announcement.
She was worried about Nathan.
If Nathan found out the truth that Lady Olivia was his biological mother, Violet was sure that it would hurt Nathan deeply.
As much as Nathan was mature for his age, he was yet to be five years of age.
He would be hurt and disappointed.
" Your Majesty, please reconsider.
This isn't the right thing to do.
Your Majesty has already entrusted Prince Nathan in my hands.
Is Your Majesty going back on His words?
If Your Majesty insist on letting the public know the truth about the Prince Nathan's birth,
can we not do it at least when the Prince grows a little older?
I am afraid that this would be too deep a wound for him."
" If the Prince cannot even bear this much pain, then he doesn't deserve to be a Prince. This Emperor and His Empire does not need weak and useless people."
"Your Majesty! Prince Nathan is your child.
He is still young.
Please reconsider, Your Majesty.
The Prince will be hurt if he knows that Lady Olivia is his birth mother."
"Empress! That's enough."
Violet felt furious at the Emperor for being so cold and inconsiderate to the feelings of his own child.
She felt an even greater rage at Lady Olivia for influencing the Emperor to hurt Nathan's feelings.
Violet took a deep breath to calm herself down.
' I cannot lose my cool here .'
Violet repeatedly told herself even though it seemed impossible to calm down at this point.
" Your Majesty, it is disadvantageous to disclose the truth about the Crown Prince's birth. I will not allow it!
Has your Majesty forgotten the resistance you faced because of the blood that flows in your veins? I cannot allow the Prince to go through such injustice and discrimination!"
Violet hoped that the Emperor would at least sympathise with the Prince of he remembered all the hardships he had to go through because his birth mother was a commoner.
But Violet was left disappointed as there seemed to be no room for compassion and sympathy in the Emperor's heart except for his mistress.
"Empress , I've already made a decision.
There will be no further discussion."
"Your Majesty, please reconsider."
Violet said as the Emperor got up from his seat ready to leave the office.
"Empress! This isn't a discussion.
It is an order."
" Your Majesty, give me at least some time so that I can talk to Prince Nathan to make him understand about this whole situation."
Violet got up and asked the Emperor .
" You have till tonight. The announcement will be made tomorrow."
Violet turned towards the door that the Emperor was heading to when she caught the sight of a pair of teary eyes staring at her through a small opening of the door.
Those pairs of eyes disappeared as soon as Violet made contact.
" Nathan! Wait."
Violet glared at the Emperor as she ran after Nathan.