(Present)

The Imperial palace really lived up to it's name even more luxurious than before for today's event— the banquet for the newly crowned emperor.

However, even if this event is taking place, none of the people invited can find themselves to enjoy.It wasn't lively as it looks like.They know how much blood was shed within the past few years in the empire, They weren't in the mood to celebrate.

From the fight within the Imperial family, battles outside the empire, and natural calamities...It was like a curse has been placed in the empire.

A gruesome curse.

Though the mood isn't very enjoyable, nobles that doesn't have anything better to do whispers amongst themselves.

"Gold can't cover blood, They can't tamper everything with money"

"Exactly, do they really think that this kind of luxury will be enough to forget just what kind of a tyrant he is"

"No one is even enjoying here..."

"I wouldn't have come if I could"

"Try doing that and they'll see you as an enemy, Count",One chuckles as he jokes while the others just gave off a fake laugh, knowing what the meaning of 'enemy' is— it meant having an instant slash to the neck.

While they were busy chattering, the main protagonist of the event finally arrives.

"THE FIRE OF THE EMPIRE, OUR EMPEROR, HIS MAJESTY, THADEUS CASSIAN DEMETRIUS, HAS ARRIVED!"

As this loud voice echoed throughout, everyone bowed their heads while placing their palm on their heart as he stood at the top of the stairs, looking down at them.

No one dared to look up for fearing of suddenly making an eye contact with those bloody ruby eyes.His eyes remained cold as his gaze swifts from left to right, staring at everyone that came today.If someone had the guts to look up they'll probably be mesmerized with such a sight.

His stance alone can make anyone take a second look at him.Even if his expression right now can be compared to a block, it doesn't erase the fact that his facial feature is unmatched.

Perhaps playing a prank, It's been a few seconds since everyone has bowed their heads.It is an unsaid rule that you mustn't look up until the emperor has said so.

everyone has the same thoughts right now, just what's taking so long?!

Perhaps sensing their minds, The emperor finally spoke, "You may raise your head now"

Silent sighs can be heard from everyone as they feel the relief from their back.

Emperor Demetrius grabbed the wine specially served next to him and raised it just above his shoulders

"I hope everyone can enjoy today's banquet.The rooms are open for today's event so feel free to use it for those who have come far away", he raised the wine higher as if toasting, "Please have a good night"

A couple of thank you's for him were heard as Emperor Demetrius walked across the hall finally seating on his throne.

The long night, had just begun.

༻✦༺ 　༻✧༺　༻✦༺

A few minutes within the celebration and all Demetrius has heard is 'Congratulations, your majesty' this repetitive greeting is sucking up his patience.

Demetrius wouldn't have bothered coming here if it wasn't because of formality.For them to formally know that he is the emperor and as he seat at this chair with a couple of stairs alighting him, he is looking down on them

A bunch of two faced hypocrites.All they know is to hold on to who has the power.Demetrius knows how everyone talks badly about him and if it wasn't for the consequences, He would've killed every noble person inside this hall.

His face speaks of boredom as he watch this old men trying to latch on to his good side. As his face just gazes straight ahead his peripheral vision caught something happening in the entrance of the hall.

He asked his secretary that is standing by his side, "What is happening at the entrance?"

"Your majesty, A subordinate said earlier that someone wants to enter right now"

If this wasn't provocation, Demetrius doesn't know what it is.

just like you can't raise your head until the emperor says so, Once the emperor arrives, the door shall be closed and no one is allowed to enter.

This is to show respect and to show that the Emperor ranks high among everyone inside the hall.It is also so that no one is late for the banquet, so once the emperor arrives, you cannot enter.

If such case happens, One will have to give up and just go back home but seeing as this person insist on still entering...

Demetrius gained interest as such person, maybe it's time to show everyone just well he can wield the sword.

"Let them enter"

The secretary, Rion, wanted to refute but he knows that once the emperor says so, he'll just have to agree.Not because he might die but because he might see him as incompetent.

"Yes, your majesty", he bows then proceeded to make his way towards the entrance.

A few minutes later, the knight announced with hesitation, "DUKE ALEANDER FROM THE FLORIAN EMPIRE HAS ARRIVED"

As if snakes being aware of their enemy, everyones head panned towards the entrance, wondering, who had the gall to enter after the emperor does?

But then, their eyes were fed with magnificence.There stood someone wearing a dark violet mask covering half of the face etched with a monster like pattern with small horns sticking on both sides. Its dark color doesn't seem to over power the tanzanite like eyes.

The person's long black hair was half tied gracefully that paired with the person's elegant attire of black slacks with black long coat with it's white inner polo layered with golden jewels.

This was someone who carried a bewitching appearance even if they're covered with a mask, a person that seemed to captivate all genders.

and right now everyone's thinking, /Sigh...such a waste... he's gonna die soon./

As everyone's attention is on Duke Aleander, No one noticed how the Emperor's hand gripped the throne tightly with his eyes shaking for a second.Demetrius quickly composed himself after feeling the emotion that passed by on him.

Duke Aleander bows at her left and right and began to make her way towards the Emperor.She stopped infront of him and kneeled with one foot down, bowing then says, "Greetings to the fire of the Seraphina Empire, Your Majesty The Emperor"

She stood up while still isn't lifting her head, "Deepest apologies, Your Majesty.I was late."

༻✦༺ 　༻✧༺　༻✦༺

/Yes.You're very...late/

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Some notes ^^

Kyra is androgynous on that present part because no one in the Seraphina empire knows her yet and she came out so androgynous they just thought she was a boy so stay tuned on why she came out like that and if it would continue to do so in the future (⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠)⁠❤

BTW, this is just an epilogue and the very start of the story starts on chapter 3 ^^