The Annora household. A house that has sworn their loyalty to the imperial family after they were awestruck to witness the greatness of the imperial family.
They were the shadows of the imperial family who would provide them with information needed to efficiently take care of the problems within and outside of the empire.
They are also known as one of the five pillars supporting the empire.
"Greetings, baroness. I am glad to finally meet the baroness who knew about so many things that you shouldn't even know about"
A threat right after a greeting? How amusing.
"It just proves that I am resourceful enough. I will take that as a compliment marquis Annora"
"Does that resourcefulness also includes the fact you knew I hate roses?"
"Yes" I said with a wide smile.
Earlier, I had the maid to serve tea with honey to count and baron Olbrecht because they secretly like sweet drinks. Meanwhile, marquis Annora hates roses of any kind since in the novel it was said that the marquis was often punished by his mother using the thorns of the roses she has in their garden.
The marquis scoff and sat down on his chair.
"You have a talent at getting on the nerves of people"
"That, I am aware of"
"So, what does the baroness want from me?"
"Information. I want to have a list of all the members in the temple of life and creation. Of course, that would include the cardinals and the high priests. I will also like to include those who are in other places as well"
"Hah!"
Bam.
He violently kicked the table, wasting the tea and food in the process.
On the other hand, I knew he was going to do that so I was able to get my tea cup and plate before it fell.
"Why should I take your orders, huh?! A mere girl wants to commission something a marquis? You may have earn a title but that does not excuse you for having such a wild imagination for you to think everyone would bend and do as you say, brat!"
"If you do not want to, then don't. I have other ways to do it anyway. I hope the next time we meet, you would be less grumpy, marquis"
I stood up and walk to the door.
"The servants will clean up the mess you've made. Goodbye"
After eating the éclair on my plate, I gave it to the maid and went back to my room.
"Was it really necessary to anger him, my lady?"
"Yes, it was."
Besides, although his anger for the place that he was led to, he wasn't mad about what I said at all. If it wasn't for the novel, I would have been fooled by his acting already.
Days passed with joyful noises everywhere as everyone prepares for the winter festival which is even grander than any winter festival in the history of Vanifi since the victory banquet for subduing Chejada will also be held at the same time.
During that time, the servants and some knights outside of emerald palace started to look at me with indifferent eyes.
It was normal.
After all, I was the reason why the first prince, whom is well respected by all, cut his hair in order to court me. Especially for the nobles. They thought it was outrageous and kept on complaining to the empress.
But the empress who is supporting prince Diego ignored her subjects' voice regarding this matter.
Meanwhile, the younger nobles found it romantic.
For a prince to throw away his status as a prince and honor as a knight of the empire, it became the main topic for younger nobles to gossip about.
Some support the prince's action while some took it as breaking the tradition that has existed for hundreds of years, ever since the creation of the Vanifi empire.
...
"My lady, you have a visitor"
"Who is it?"
"He says that he is a cardinal from the temple of life and creation"
"Okay, lead me there"
The temple of life and creation that worships the Goddess Thesis, who is also the Greek primordial goddess of creation from our world. Despite the o holy name that rings in the mind once you read it, it is not that good at all.
As the temple of life and creation, their doctrine involves a statement "Death and life is one. For thee shall ascend to greater heights after completing the trials of life. Thyself is objected to spread her majesty's will and complete it through action ".
While it sounds divine, killing people is the norm for them since it is also a way to 'purge' evil from said will in the entire world. They then use this statement to justify their methods of doing things.
Seriously, why can I not get involve with churches that does not commit any crime?
Once I entered, the man stood up and bowed.
"Greetings, baroness Emond. I am one of the seven cardinals from the temple of life and creation, cardinal Isaac MacQuoid. And I am here to ask you about some things"
"Is it about the first prince?"
"Yes. Will it be alright to take a moment of your time in such short notice?"
"You are already here. It would be a waste of your time if I were to send you back, no?"
"Ahahaha"
The cardinal laugh softly and sat down.
"Then, without further ado, baroness Emond what is your relationship with his highness the first prince?"
"Nothing"
"Nothing?"
"Yes. Nothing"