Back in her previous life, Neirin had saw the face of the emperor only once. There was an event in the palace that she needed to attend as the duchess of Halstead back then. They engaged themselves in some conversation with the attempt to ask Neirin for favor but she declined. She had been running to all royals back in her previous life afraid that she would make a mistake that would lead to her death.
However, despite of their past relationship, Neirin can vividly remember the emperor's significant features. Just like the crown prince the emperor had dark hair and dark eyes. Regardless of how strong they were, the evidence of time will gradually show no matter what. He now looked old, his hair was starting to turn gray and he had wrinkles on the side of his mouth and on his forehead. Still, despite of how he look, the emperor had a mysterious aura beside him that often makes him unfathomable.
He was the symbol of power in this whole empire.
So, Neirin her prejudices aside and stood there as his humble subject. She slowly lifted her dress a little, moving her feet as she gave her little greetings. "I greet the sun of the empire, the embodiment of power, I am Neirin Circe Halstead, your majesty, Emperor Gideon Hendrous."
The emperor stood to where he was seating and made his way to Neirin. His gaze were sharp and calculated as though he was in an important meeting. As he reached her, his expression suddenly changed into a gentle smile.
"I am honored to have you, Duchess of Halstead. Please raise your head."
With the given command, Neirin raised her gaze and slowly met the emperor's black ones. The emperor then ushered Neirin to sit on one of the sofa placed in his room. Neirin followed without any objection. Her gaze traveled to the whole room where everything was so sophisticated and elegant. the room itself was befitting for the emperor. With the flick of the emperor's hands, the servants came inside to prepare a light snack for the two important figures of the empire.
"Please have a drink, duchess." The emperor was polite. It was odd for many nobles to hear and see the politeness of the emperor but Neirin wasn't vexed about it. This was just the visible power of the Halstead duchy.
Neirin heaved her breath and grabbed the tea cup sipping the tea inside. The emperor watched her every movement before doing the same. Time passed as both of them were silent. However, Neirin wasn't just going to stand there idly and waiting for the emperor to take the lead, hence, she opened her mouth to initiate a conversation.
"Your majesty, is there something you need or want from us the Halstead?"
Emperor paused as he smiled. His eyes carefully looking and observing the duchess of the Halstead. In his perspective, his attitude will be the one that decides whether he can command her like the former duke.
"Yes," he answered quite frankly. "But before that, I would like to express my deepest condolence to the former duke, Sebastian is one of my priceless ally. If I could only turn back time, then, I would not let him die in vain."
Neirin gave a polite smile accepting the condolence of the emperor. "I am quite honor that your majesty thinks highly of our father. I know for sure that he's already with the former duchess enjoying the afterlife." In the back of her mind, Neirin remembered the duke's words and all of his regrets. If after life really exist, then she sincerely hope that he was with his wife now.
Emperor Gideon gave a satisfied nod. Despite of the smile in their faces, the atmosphere surrounding them turned serious.
"You have ascend to your current position with the duke's power and position," the emperor started. Neirin's eyes flickered with different emotions but before anyone could see it, it disappeared without any traces. She nodded as an act that signified that she was agreeing with what the emperor had said.
"With that said," The emperor deliberated wanting to choose the right words. However, he was the emperor, he should stop using honorifics and being polite now that he was in front of the duchess. "should I be able to conclude that you also inherited the position being the leader of the court of miracles or what we called Cours des miracles?"
Court of Miracles, unlike its name everything in that place was hideous. It was the slum without any rules. However, the duke made it as his own and used criminals to take more and more power from the nobility. No one knew who was the owner of the court of miracles except for the emperor since it was his plan with the duke to take over everything in this whole continent.
The court of miracles does not only exist in the empire but the entire world. Every slums in every specific corner of a kingdom or an empire were ruled by different guilds that were under duke Sebastian.
It took him several years for him to achieve such feat but now, every information and every crime committed will be reported to him no matter what. The sole reason they were afraid of the duke and the sole reason why no body had crossed him for years. Those people who had attempted can now be concluded as dead or paralyzed for the duke won't let his debts remain unpaid.
That was the reason why he made so many enemies and why he needed Neirin to be his son's shield. That was also the reason why her decisions and her future path was critical for her. Right now, even if Neirin liked it or not, she was under several gazes and different judgement if she was worthy enough to lead them.
Neirin paused for a minute contemplating in her mind what course of action she should take. There will be many events that involve the nobility and the royal family. She did not want to change any major even in the future except her death. However, she needed to strong connection. The throne! A power that cannot be bend like the sunlight itself.
Hence, she needed this. She already decided what she should take.
Neirin squared her shoulders as she gave an answer, "yes your majesty. My father had already gave me the position until Vincent came of age. I am in charge of everything that happen there. Whether is be death or grace, I know it all."
With that confirmation, the emperor's eyes flickered with greediness. In this world, a person cannot sit on the throne with just being a son of the former emperor. He should be qualified enough. He should be greedy. He should be able to know his wants and needs and what lengths would he take in order to get it.
A calculative mind and the power to take action. Those were the first requirements to be an emperor. And of course, Emperor Gideon Hendrous excelled in those aspect. He was the embodiment of all the sins in this world. A person without a heart. That was what Neirin concluded with all of her memories and experience.
But Neirin was also greedy. The only difference was, she wanted and needed to protect someone. It was Vincent.
"Then, if he had put you in charge of a large criminal organization, I can conclude that the lady can kill and do crimes heavier than treason, right?" The emperor pressed. Eyes not leaving Neirin's figure.
Neirin chuckled. "Yes, your majesty."
With her confirmation, the emperor laughed so loud without even bothering to keep all the etiquette he learned since he was a prince. His chest bounce back and fort with his laughter. From the looks of it, he was very pleased.
Neirin pursed his lips and grabbed the tea that was already cold. She downed it to the last gulp feeling the sensation of liquid spreading all over her chest. She waited for the emperor to finish his boisterous laughter.
"Is there any command the duke left to you before he die?"
"Yes your majesty."
"And what is that?"
Neirin flashed her confident gaze and begun to utter what the duke had told her before and emphasized the important matters.
"Under the respect and partnership of the House of Halstead and to the throne, and as a new reining duchess, the duke commanded to have an harmonious relationship to those with royal blood and would prioritize their request no matter what. Whatever their request is, even if it's murder, it would be accomplish in absolute excellence."
Neirin smiled. "However, this partnership will only valid for three years. It meant it will only be until I step down with on this position. When the rightful heir of the duchy, Vincent Raphael Halstead, take over the position of the duke, he had the right to cut the ties any bonds to the royal family no matter what the consequences."