Chapter 15: My Little Craftsman

"My lady, you are a dazzling beauty, yet this empire will turn into ruins if you get to be the empress," Kal stated.

It was unexpected but the chief priest or rather the Heavens was on the emperor's side right now.

After the meeting, they gave the lady of Europia a room to stay. She also sent her servants a message to her father.

The emperor and the chief priest are heading back to the study room when they run to one of his officials. When they stopped to greet Duke Oliver Cannon, he suddenly grabbed him by the collar and gave him a great awakening punch.

"I should have erased that pretty face of yours," he stated. No one seems to stop him, believing he has all the right to retaliate.

Gemma's noble family has two options for their daughter. It is either the duke or the emperor. If the duke was thrown into marriage to another woman, his fiance would be given to Emperor Evan.

"THEN IF YOU ARE USING YOUR HEAD, YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE COMMITTED WHAT YOU DID BACK THERE!!!" the emperor exclaimed. He was getting sick with this petty issue again and again. The emperor is a back schemer and he deals with everything with violence. It doesn't appear that way in court. Politics is a lot more crucial than merely killing and becoming a tyrant.

"The empire needs help!" The duke insisted.

"SO WHAT!? Then that's why you foolishly let an outsider stay. Are you that desperate? Or you're not really using your head?!!" He said.

He clenched his teeth. No matter how great the trust issue that the emperor has, he still has a point.

The land is one of the unconquerable lands outside the empire. It means it failed to be conquered by the previous emperor, not because of the eternal threader but their government and ruler.

The previous emperor is not entering into a treaty if he knows it will turn him upside down. So, a rushed decision has never happened before.

The duke was quietly swallowing the guilt. He is being dragged away by his emotions.

That evening, he went to see his cousin, the honorary lady.

"Leaving?" she asked, gently placing the teacup on the table.

"I'll be away for a few days," he said as he was comfortably seated at the honorary lady's receiving area.

"Where are you heading and why? I heard about what happened yesterday from my butler. Is that the reason?" she asked.

".." He chuckled and sighed.

"Maybe a part of it. I was so careless that I missed something important but that is not the only reason." he said, baring a nostalgic smile.

"You should rather use your sacred weapon, at least," she said.

The duke chuckled and said, "To whom? The emperor? That will be useless. No complex mind weapons will work against him," he said, and that made the princess disappointed.

"At least to some servants" A reasoning that is out of line.

He sighed and continued the conversation: "The feast of oaths is near," he stated.

The Feast of the Oaths is the anniversary celebration of the eternal promise between the Heavens and humans. It's the time when the Heavens bestows eternal gifts on man.

It's a one-week celebration for most of the people in the empire and it is also a special day for lovers.

"Are you?" The honorary lady read between the lines.

Her cousin, the duke, seeing that she caught up, smiled.

He nodded. "I'm going to Gemma, I need something to make my distress go away. I want to see her," he said, leaning on his right hand.

"It was also the day we first met," he added.

"Look, Liz, I want to celebrate it with her," he continued.

The honorary lady, while holding her tea in front of her lips, looked down, and pondered.

Then, look straight at him after one sip.

"I'll give you consent to leave and also the wish that you won't be lonely this time in this joyful celebration," she stated.

The duke's unrequited love is not something his close cousin doesn't know.

The duke's departure is not noticeable because of the announcement of the celebration in the Center Kingdom. He told the emperor and his request was granted. Then he left.

During the celebration, there will be a contest for the bride-to-be of the emperor. All the brides are joining the competition. Aside from receiving the gift from the emperor, they will give him something in return and the main goal is to win his heart.

Then she will be the lucky bride of the night. She will be crowned, exalted, and adored by many.

Since there's no empress. If there is an empress, the expression of love between them is shown to many. It is a sign of good fortune and the fruitfulness of the land.

Legend said that the ancient kingdoms where the Heavens shared an oath to, had made the last day of the feast a night for the beloved bride.

And the Heavens seeing this and everything that is an act of love, will grant the kingdoms and the empires a new birth.

What kind of new birth? No one knows exactly but it is said that different kinds of miracles happen because of it. One is the birth of an heir from a barren womb, one is the resurrection of the dead from the rotten grave, one is the restoration of a hopeless case; and the other is granting an impossible desire.

Last night, after the announcement, Duke Oliver gave his farewell.

Prince Orion, the emperor's craftsman, is assigned to create a lot of gifts for the upcoming celebration.

"You're lucky that you are single. "You won't have time to create one for your special someone just in case," Prince Caster teased.

He was called by the emperor, assigning him to create Love gifts for the brides.

And what makes him so pissed off at that time is. Emperor Evan says it like he doesn't even care.

"Go give them gifts, whatever you think is good. It's your choice," he stated and then left.

So the responsibility of thinking about what gifts to be given will be according to his brain-storming.

"I might be squeezing all my wits out," he said with an irritated face.

In his free hour, the brides secretly sneak to talk to the young prince, merely requesting help.

Only his sacred weapon, the Metal Frost, can make them win and stand out.

So, they persuade the little prince to help.

On that special night.

Lady Lianes presented a heart of undying fire that signifies undying love.

Lady Luxiel presented a sword that pierced into death for the salvation of her beloved life.

Lady Sa-rang presented a never ending water fountain that is located in the central garden for the eternal flow of love.

Lady Oscel presented a stone of healing to care for the one she loves

Lady Lianell presented a shield to represent protection for the things that are important to your love

And the Foreign Princess of Europia, Princess Adellyn.

Presented, the ancient treasure of Europia is found with the help of Prince Orion's self-made item.

But before the special night, the emperor made him confess all the hidden transactions that occurred.

"Your punishment will be determined later," the emperor stated.

Then the jury is out.

A special lady is to be selected and the winner will be chosen by the Emperor itself.

The decision was discussed by the chief priest, the emperor, the honorary lady, and the 5 officials.

So, the emperor declared Prince Orion the winner.

Why?

That is all Prince Orion's work and the emperor explained it in front of the crowds and it was settled.

"The winner is none other than the one who truly put an effort into it," he clarified.

Since it was a female competition, the young prince was forced to cross-dress.

Prince Caster could not stop laughing while hiding behind the other officials.

"I can see you, jerk!" Prince Orion said, irritated.

At least there will be a female figure selected.

"Do you want me to complete the ceremony?" the emperor teased.

The young prince felt chills from his head up to his toes and since then he made an oath to never betray his emperor again.

However, to cut it short, no special lady was chosen.