I am so confused about what just happened earlier in the garden, but how can the Emperor be so calm sitting on the center of the dinner table now as if he didn't say weird things to me.
The Emperor joined us at the dinner that is supposed to be for the two engaged families only. What is really happening here? Should I tell my mother about what the Emperor told me?
"We are surprised to see you here, Your Majesty." The Grand Duchess said, eyeing the Emperor at the center of the table. "Are you here to witness the final preparation of the wedding of my son and Lady Valeraine?"
From the sound of her voice, I feel like she's teasing or provoking him to speak, which is what is real reason that the Emperor is here. I wonder why too.
"I am here to speak with Duke Mandel, I am not aware that your son and Lady Valeraine are engaged." he answered. He looked at me, and our eyes met. I look away. I saw the Grand Duchess and Rydell looked at each other, suspecting.
Did Rydell hear what the Emperor told me earlier?
"Forgive my wife's foolishness, Your Majesty." Grand Duke said. "Tonight is final preparation for the engagement, after this, our family will announce this in public."
He looked at his wife, angry. The Emperor smirked and looked at my father. "I'm sure that the entire empire is aware that Lady Valeraine is my childhood friend. "
CHILDHOOD FRIEND? WHO? ME?
Everyone looked at the Emperor except my own father.
"The late Emperor, my Royal Father and Duke Mandel are great friends because of his great contribution in the name of medicines that don't consume magic. Lady Valeraine was promised to marry me," he said, leaving everyone speechless. "I believe that Duke Mandel is aware of it."
My mother looks at my father with disbelief. If it's true then my family will be accused of not following the late Emperor's wish and the Grand Duke family will be a laughing stock for proposing to a family who belongs to others already.
"Are you aware of this, His grace?" Grand Duke asked towards my father who remained silent at his seat. "This is a very important occasion in our entire family, why didn't you tell us about this?"
"Come to think of it, if it's true then the whole nation should know," Grand Duchess said, panicking but still sound suspecting the Emperor's words. "You must speak, Duke Mandel."
I took a quick glance at the Emperor who is now enjoying his wine while looking at the people in front of him. Is he enjoying this? What is he up to?
My father then stood up. "I apologize for this sudden news, Grand Duke. My daughter was indeed promised to marry the Emperor but it's not an official announcement yet since the Late Emperor died without passing a decree, so we don't know if he is certain about it. However, a few days ago I was called by the Emperor about this."
"You don't have to sound so sorry to them, Duke Mandel." The Emperor said while looking at us. "Is anyone against the late Emperor's orders?"
Everyone became silent even though the Grand Duke was about to speak but soon held by his wife.
"No one is against it? How about my orders?"
He smiled but that expression is something else, not joy obviously but more like the feeling of winning.
The Emperor stood up, "I, Eryx Vincent Seraphinius, the Emperor of the Westeria Empire, is punishing the Thornfield family for their ignorance of the late Emperor's wish. I will break off this engagement because Lady Valeraine Thornfield is going to marry me."
I can't move, that voice is not loud but deep and scary. He even punished my father and my family just because of this. Are we really childhood friends? Do I really know the Emperor?
____________
After the intense talks at the dinner table, I was told to speak with the Emperor at the receiving area in the living part of our mansion.
"Excuse me," I said before I greeted him by lowering myself a little and bowing. "My father said you wish to speak with me, Your Majesty."
This time, he's not paying attention to me. A man with snow-silver colored hair is standing beside him, handling some papers. I didn't move because I'm afraid to make a mistake in front of the Emperor.
"Why are you standing there?" he said, without even looking at me. "Sit."
I chose to sit in the vacant chair in front of him and waited for him to talk again. Is he really going to punish my father?
"I won't punish your father if that's what you wanna ask." he said, again, he's not looking at me. Did he just hear what I said in my mind? "This is Arzael, tomorrow morning he will escort you to Westeria."
The man bows to me and smiles. "It's a pleasure to meet you finally, Lady Valeraine." He looked at the Emperor mischievously. "She's indeed a beauty. Now I know-,"
"Will you wait outside, Arzael? I want to speak with her alone." he said, giving him a death stare.
As soon as Sir Arzael left he stood up, I watched him sit in the chair beside me. "I did your father a favor." I waited for him to finish what he's about to say but he stared at my eyes directly probably waiting for my reaction.
"W-what do you mean by that, your Majesty?" Is it about his sudden proposal to me and breaking off my engagement to the Grand Duke's son.
"Your father doesn't trust Grand Duke Bastian at all. It's because they are the Empress Consort's dog." he said. "He thinks that your marriage to them will hurt you and that they will pressure your family to join them if they start a dispute against me."
Empress Consort? I remember before when I was still Ayaka, Grand Duke often mentioned the Empress Consort when he's drunk.
"Your father promised to help me separate them, and in exchange you will pretend to be my wife," he said, getting closer to me. I gasped for air when he smiled. "You don't have to worry, you're not my cup of tea, Lady Valeraine."
Somebody take this man out of this room!