"Your Highness, His Majesty the Emperor is waiting for you."
It was past 7 o'clock at night and Ariana knew her father would call her. She accompanied the eunuch who came to inform her.
They walked towards the throne room. It was present outside the inner quarters.
The inner quarters were the place where the royal family stayed and no one else was allowed inside.
As she walked out of the inner quarters towards the throne room, she could see many eunuchs and officials going around. She knew there were also people guarding in secret everywhere.
As she walked past, the people around her bowed and greeted her.
Soon she reached in front of a grand door. Inside the throne was present where the emperor sat. The eunuch waved at her to enter.
She pushed the door open.
The throne room of an empire is a grand and imposing space designed to reflect the power and majesty of the ruler.
She could see high, vaulted ceilings adorned with intricate carvings or murals depicting historical events or deities. The walls might be lined with rich tapestries or ornate paneling.
The room was a bit dark. She saw the high throne at the center of the room. It was a lavishly decorated seat, possibly made of gold or adorned with precious gems, elevated on a dais to emphasize its importance.
And on top of it sat her father, the emperor of Lunaris, a Transcendent being.
She looked at her father. He looked like a young man and had a majestic aura around him.
"Father."
The emperor, Adrian Mooncrest, looked at her for a while.
Then he smiled and said, "You have become a rank 4 warrior now, I am proud of you."
"I was lucky father."
"It's your luck. Luck is also one's strength."
"Yes, Father."
Ariana loved her father as much as she loved her mother. However because he was busy always, she interacted very little with him. He would see her once a day or sometimes when there was more work, she would only be able to meet him once a week.
This was one of her regrets. She can have everything for she was the eldest princess but this she cannot have!!
"I have heard what happened in the forest. I will look into it, you do not need to worry about it."
"Yes, father."
"Ariana, I planned to send your brother to Valoria province in disguise to take part in a local competition to gain experience.
I think you should accompany him, it would be a relaxing trip for you and you can gain some experience in planning things."
"I understand Father."
"Alright, go rest now."
After Ariana left, Adrian took out a report and looked at it.
"You really found no clues about who could have lured those monsters?" Adrian seemed to talk to empty air.
Suddenly a man appeared from behind him.
He hurriedly knelt down and said, "Forgive me, Your Majesty, we found no clue."
"Alright get up."
Adrian looked at the report thoughtfully, he looked extremely serious.
----------
Ariana returned to her room.
She actually had no brother. However, she had a half-brother born from her father and his concubine, Clara Whitefield.
He was a few months younger than her.
"Zoe what rank is Julian now?" She asked her maid who was standing behind her.
"Your Highness, I heard that he had broken through rank 3 last month."
"Ohh."
She didn't have any conflict with her half-brother. The Emperor did make all decisions for the emperor however if the elder group intervened then he would have to follow their wish.
The elder group consisted of Transcendent beings. Ariana wanted to become a Transcendent and join the elder group.
She never told anyone but actually had no wish for the Throne.
She had seen how busy her father was and she didn't wish to live like that. She only wanted to live freely with Darius.
"Father told me to accompany him to a competition in disguise. I think you should come."
"Ah! But your Highness just had an accident and what if someone was behind it?"
"Don't worry Zoe, I think Father will send a power protector with us. Plus he told me he would look into the matter. Moreover, we will be going in disguise. "
"When would we be leaving."
"Tomorrow. We are going to Valoria Province."
"I understood. I will get everything ready."
After thinking for a while Zoe asked, " Your Highness, should I inform Darius to get ready for tomorrow?"
"Yes ofcourse, he will be part of my guard." Ariana replied.
"Yes, Your Highness," Zoe replied and was about to leave when Ariana suddenly stopped her.
"Wait a minute!"
"Your Highness ?" Zoe asked puzzled.
"I need to reward him something for saving me in the forest!"