Last night's episode played inside my head countless times. I shook it off. I get the idea that if they could retrieve such items, they might get what I am looking for. The question is what the payment for such service will be. Token? They have many of that just from the auction itself. I have the whole day to brainstorm before nightfall.
Kirai and I were able to return to the palace the same way we slipped past undetected. That was what I thought. I changed my clothing while Kirai went to see Ara with the remedy. I was nervous to wait for news from her. I was supposed to join her immediately, but our clothing appeared suspicious, and as I was in the middle of changing, one of the palace maids came with an urgent request from the Throne Hall.
"Don't worry. I will go to Ara. You go do what your role demands." Kirai persuaded me to go. I was reluctant. I have better things to do. But I can't even delay the departure to the Throne Hall. The palace maid insisted that I should depart immediately.
"Alright. Let me know immediately..," I obeyed her suggestion with low spirit."Or I will try to finish as early as I can and drop by on the way back."
Kirai nodded, and she left.
I headed to the Throne Hall with a train of palace maids as usual. Lady Pom was not feeling well for three days ago and now resting in her own bedchamber. At the same time, Lady Lando has other responsibilities with the rest of the ladies in waiting in the main palace.
"Announcing Her Highness, Crown Princess entering the Throne Hall." The Hall Guard announced my present. Without waiting for him to finish with the long official rank, I step into the Throne Hall. As always, I never get enough of staring and watching the magnificent Throne Hall. Its interior design was uniquely built with the outdoor plant seep into the Hall through the stone windows.
The Throne Hall was humongous, with two football fields and a height of three-storey with open windows. The hall was cast with magic to make sure the hall is always warm in whatever season, bad or good. Lady Lando once told me that the Throne Hall is also sealed from any black magic. Unless the ruler of the empire passed, the magic would be strong and impenetrable. Maybe because of that, I can feel the warmth of Emperor Aleq while inside the Throne Hall.
"There you are, Lady Coraine."
"Greeting the Great Guardian of the Empire," I bow slightly at him as he strides towards me.
"I missed you so much." He reached to me and gave me a bear hug. "Come. Let's go to the Royal Garden."
"Your Majesty." It felt awkward to receive a hug from a male companion without care like that. But he doesn't seem to care at all. He smiled at my protest. He grabbed my hand and took me to his favourite garden.
I was surprised by what was in front of me. It is beyond comparison to how spectacular the view was with the night view the last time I came here. The lake just below the tree reminds me of the summer lake at the village back in my world. Despite the summer season, the breeze was cold and windy. Blowing the dry dirt gave out the familiar scent, but this is much fresher than ever. Under the huge canopy tree, I saw a spread of food on the spacious mat. I was amazed by his effort—a picnic. Thought of it makes me sad thinking of the silent Ara.
"What do you think?" He smiled brightly. I nodded at him. I can't respond happily, knowing that Ara is still in that state. "Why the long face?" He sat down on the mat and gestured to me to sit down as well.
"I apologize, your majesty." I smiled sadly. "I was just thinking of the tree in the greenhouse."
"Ah, that ancient tree," he didn't look surprised at all. I figure he must know about it since he was the owner of this huge palace. "I grew up there with my royal mother. Before she passed away." he stared far to the lake, reminiscing the past.
"Ah, so you're familiar with that palace."
"When I was young, I always played there while my royal mother was resting. Sometimes, my royal father will join us for tea. But never like this," he showed the spread he had the palace maids prepared. I was taken aback by his story. So, he got the idea from the last time I set a picnic under Ara's. "What a great idea."He smiled happily.
We had our breakfast there while chatting away until baron Bak arrived and informed him about his scheduled meeting. I watched the baron leave the royal garden. He turned to me with his serious expression.
"Lady Coraine, I received reports about your request for a group of knights to train under you. May I know what you're planning in that request?" He asked. So Ephraim did submit that report. It makes me frown, thinking about what he's planning on helping me. I was planning on carrying out this training secretly. I don't want him to misunderstand my intention.
"I apologize for doing that before consulting you, your majesty?" That realisation makes me flustered. "I don't mean to disrupt their training or gain any means to stay here." I looked away awkwardly.
He chuckled. "Nah, you are the crown princess of this empire. You deserve to do so that you see fit for this empire."
'No!' I shook my head. 'Please, I won't stay long here anyway.'
He stared at my response. Frowning. "Are you still planning on leaving?" I can't reply to him. I looked down at my fidgeting fingers, turned pale. I didn't dare to say anything to his questions, afraid he'll be upset at it. I nodded.
He heaved a heavy sigh.
"Your Majesty." I look up to him for mercy. From the first day I met this man, I hated him for every scheme he had for me. After knowing him well, I'm not sure when it starts, but I begin to have a strong feeling like sisterhood with him. His style was so much like a woman, but underneath that emperor is a man. I care about him. I wished he was a woman. Maybe we can be friends, and she'll understand my predicament.
He smiled bitterly. He blinked a few times and looked away.
"I believe you excel in your study with the tutors, no?" He asked, with a low spirited tone in his voice. I nodded reluctantly. I am aware I'm a protege in my world, and luckily it is still with me despite many modern things disappearing when I transmigrated into this world. Satisfied with my answer, he continued. "I envy you. You might already know this, but in this world of gifted women, this empire's ruler must be a man. When that idiot little brother of mine becomes the next emperor, I'll be relieved to know that you'll be by his side as his empress."
I am well aware of his claim. According to the history of this land, the emperor was never a woman. That's the sole rule of many rules in the empire when the first commandment with God is sealed.
Man.
Next Emperor.
Something tickles my memories, and last night's incident flashes out, reminding me of someone. Kaen!
"Your majesty," I can't let the mystery of the man haunt me. "May I ask you something?" I asked, unaware my voice turned serious.
"Yes," He turned to me.
"I was made aware that you get to be the emperor because the previous crown prince was deceased after he met his untimely death." I carefully pour out a sensitive question to him. He nodded, wondering what I was trying to say. "How did you know that your brother has already died? What I mean is how sure are you that he is dead?"
"Well, his tutor was the witness of the terrible accident," he replied, frowning in puzzlement.
"I think I saw…."
"Greeting your majesty, the guardian of the empire."
A familiar voice cut into our conversation in a hurry. I realised it was Ephraim, the crown prince.
"Ah, Ephraim. You're here. Come join us."
"I apologize for interrupting your high tea, your majesty," he said and glanced at me as I quickly turned away, avoiding his eyes. "But I'm afraid the fellow noblemen are waiting for your present right now."
Emperor Aleq complained about his mistake, and yet he was still seated there. "Now that my cue to leave you two youngsters to chat. Don't bother to stand, Lady Coriane." he let out a relieved sigh as he was about to leave and waved me to sit still. "And you, accompany Lady Coriane back to her quarters."
He smiled at us as he slowly returned to his daily meeting and other official works.
The breakfast turned into high tea, but I was not in the mood to continue with high tea and excuses myself to return to the Yellow Palace. Ephraim insisted on accompanying me as per the emperor's royal order. I couldn't refuse such an order myself and nodded weakly.
Walking side by side with him, I stole a glance at his handsome profile and down to his familiar wide palm on his side. I almost blurted out that I saw Kaen. I smacked my mouth lightly. 'Bad, loose mouth!' Luckily, I didn't. Or he will start to ask why I was there in the first place. Thanks to this man, I am still able to travel outside the palace again.
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing," I looked away from him, trying to hide my flustered face. The palace maids were snickering at the back. Damn! I glared at them. "Ah, I changed my mind. I won't be going back to my quarters, after all, your highness."
"Why so?"
"I don't want to bother you. And, I remembered I have somewhere I need to go."
"I see," he paused. "I am not that busy myself today. Maybe I can accompany you to where you want to go?"
I blinked at him several times in puzzlement. "Aren't you supposed to go to visit Lady Maia?"
"She was under the weather today. She won't be receiving guests these few days." He looked disappointed. 'The hell I care.' I glared at him annoyingly. But, I recalled Lady Maia the night before. So, she was there last night.
"Suit yourself," I replied nonchalantly and headed in the opposite direction to the Royal Library. Ephraim waved the palace maids away and followed me. Surprisingly, he didn't ask many questions.
I need to find something useful for tonight's meet up.