"A game of monopoly won't hurt you, right?" He grinned.
"If I get what I want, it is fine if I get hurt, I'd risk my skin for it." There was it again, the arrogance the atmosphere that loomed around her, growing, manifesting still.
"The mechanics are simple, I say."
Her eyes brought a bright light in will to listen. No matter what prize it would cause her, the goal is not to fear the prize but to step ahead. Life is a gamble, she quoted to herself. If no one place a bet, no one will win.
"Do tell," she spoke.
"Within the reach of Thuhelda are three zones that are yet to be owned under the empire. The ministers could not convince the landlords to put their pieces into retail, I do tell that they have stubborn heads. To put bluntly, I want you to take part in this infinitesimal matter. Whichever of us purchases a larger number of regions will get the prize."
Selestia snickered, a giggle came forward with such that she found nothing hilarious. "I thought it was something worth to shed blood for. Though I ask you, are you sure to duel with me? I know no loses."
"We are an equal pair, Selestia. I, the Emperor, and you, the Empress. We're a tight battle. I do expect that you as my wife won't lose, or you would have to save face in front of me."
Venemiah stood up and dusted his pants with his palms. "I have to lead myself to my chamber. Rest assured that I won't touch you not unless I win."
After his regards were spoken, he vanished into the halls leading a path to a room next to Selestia's. Selestia stood in daze. What could he possibly want to achieve with such? He could easily demand the right to the regions, with a swing of his sword, he could easily get what he wants. Why would he want to involve her into this?
Selestia stared at her window, muddled in thoughts. Later that night, she awoken herself, leaden she may be, she pushed herself to get up. On her hand, she held tightly on a map which marks the reach of Thuheldian conglomerate.
"Shamar, Cubes, and Yurendel. These are lands by the south of Celeste. Cubes being a fragment of Hestown, Ishkamir." Her brows furrowed through concentration. "What could this empire be plotting?"
Shamar and Yurendel laid as an unbridled land for more than a century under the ownership of the village men of Urvashis, it is to great wonders why all the sudden would Thuhelda want to own such land. The Urvashis are bizarre and old-fashioned tribal men, no matter how barren the land may be, they knew not how to let it loose.
"What could be so important within these regions?"
The daybreak defeated the night, earlier than day, Selestia started to flip the manor upsidedown to saddle the horses and prepare the carriages. Venemiah woke from the boisterous noises from outside his chambers.
"What could be transpiring to cause such commotion?" He aggravatedly inquired but dared no one hear.
"Prepare the clothes I bought and carefully place them in my luggage, I want them unscathed and protected even amidst my journey. Furthermore, the rubies I arranged shall be put on a chest. Everything shall be packed with firm care, understood?"
The handmaid nodded as Selestia gave orders after orders. Her hair was still a mess knowing that she had only woken up, her garments were snarled still, though her face already had an awoken mood.
Venemiah looked confuse. "What is occuring this early?"
His hands crossed with an expression that bore an interrogative manner. "What deed and duty do you owe this day?"
Selestia turned around to see him flaring with both confusion and an unknown irritation on his countenance. "I will set foot to Celeste."
"Without conforming me?"
"I did conform with you last night. The game you challenge me with, is it not conformity?" She glimmered.
Venemiah was silent. He knew not that Selestia would immediately embark on a journey for a mere child's play she called.
"I will take the regions nearest to Celeste. Isn't it an easy win?" she grinned menacingly.
"Then I will come with you." His hands lifted to signal a handmaid. "Prepare my clothing and my necessities. Tell the coachman to prepare the largest carriage, I and my wife will be embarking on a journey."
"Immediately, sire." The handmaid bowed.
"What do you think you're doing?" Her hands crossed.
"What are you talking about? I can't risk to lose to you, moreover, I aspire to meet Celeste's splendor. It would be dubitable of you to leave Thuhelda without your husband and return to your homeland days after marriage. What do you think they'll presume if you act this way? Did it come to mind that you could easily leave this place without me?"
Selestia scoffed. "You overthink lots. I only wish to meet my family, moreso, be the first to win this race."
Venemiah smiled, "And I'd wish to do the same."
Footsteps laid heavy on the floor once someone entrance himself. "What's taking you so long, my Empress? Shouldn't you be in the carriage by now? The sun's about to rise, the journey is not as easy as walking in the park. Have you forgotten that you only have two weeks for this? We still have to tread upon a long road."
Selestia looked at him astonished. Therefore, her brows furrowed in disappointment. "Grandel, did I not tell you to remain inside the carriage and wait for me?"
"How could I wait when you're not even dressed? It's exhausting to wait, I've been there for half an hour now..." he mumbled.
"He's coming along with us?" Venemiah looked baffled. How could she be so feisty of him coming but welcoming when this mere man was?
Selestia facepalmed. She sighed of great grief.
"Oh, greetings, Your Excellency. I knew not that you would be tagging along with us." Grandel bowed.
"What is the meaning of this Selestia?" Venemiah looked at him rather irritable by the occurrences.
"What meaning could it give other than he's coming with me? You can embark on a separate journey." Her apertures were austere as she viewed him. Her attention paced to Grandel afterward. Her hands wondered inside the long sleeves of her garments and reached for an object she clipped inside.
Her hands relieved her sleeves when she placed an envelope out from it. "Have this message sent to my brother that he may know of my arrival."
Grandel glistened enthusiastically. "As fast as I can, my Empress." He bowed and left.
"If you can't bring yourself to take this travel. I would admire you if you'd sit still here and do your duties as this empire's ruler." Her words pierced an unknown emotion inside his heart, though he could only sigh.
Selestia left and so did he thereafter.