Chapter 05 – The Emperor of Forsythia

The thought of House Wales using this opportunity to put Arthur on the spot as her brother and the lord of Versailles terrifies her but she feigned her emotions, not wanting to give the lord the satisfaction of seeing her helpless.

“Versailles would stand on its own without anyone’s help. Our house isn’t interested with power or anything sort of that so don’t assume that the commander, my brother will just stand quietly and marry me off, especially to someone like you.”

Lord Wale’s eyes wavered in anger and shame that she could see his face turned red at the insult. He then put a hand around her neck and inched his face closer to her. She still did not budge. After all, she has a dagger under her dress if things will escalate negatively.

“What makes you think that you can speak to me that way, you dumb whore? Have you forgotten that the Duke de Croix is also not fond of House Calypso even though he married his useless daughter to your brother? No matter how the king favors you, what makes you think that you’re invincible? If two powerful houses are to strike you down, I know that you also know that you’ll turn into ashes.”

This time, she has already thrown out all the courtesy she’s left with. Not minding of what’s going to be the outcome, she spat on his face which fueled his anger more.

She can endure the insult if it’s directed to her but not for Rosalind. A slap is about to come her way when they suddenly heard a shout.

“Young master!” a servant is rushing towards their direction. The lord let go of her hand harshly that she almost hit the balcony if she’s not alert.

“Who told you to disturb us?” the lord is obviously enraged that she’s not wondering anymore that the servant will be harmed especially now that the lord’s true colors has been revealed.

“I really do apologize for the insolence my lord but,” the servant paused then looked at her. “Someone came to see the lady.”

She raised a brow at that, unsure whether the lady that the servant is referring to is her.

Lord Wales is still pissed but it’s obvious that he’s equally surprised as her.

“What kind of brazen bastard is brave enough to see the lady I am with that a mere servant will come rushing like this. You must be tired of living, aren’t you?”

The servant shook in fear and even collapsed on the floor. Judging by the looks of it, Eve has already concluded that the Lord Wales is nothing but any other nobles who does nothing but abuse their power and those people below them.

She wants to strangle him right now but she stopped upon going back to what the servant said.

“My lord.. the person isn’t just any other person. He.. From what the marquis and the other nobles downstairs said, he is the emperor of Forsythia.”

Her eyes widened at that. Forsythia. Emperor.

Since when did Forsythia have an emperor?

“Bring me to him,” she told the servant even though he isn’t sure what to expect. Questions are swirling in her mind that her head feels like exploding.

While descending the stares, everyone’s attention instantly darted to her. She can’t faintly make out what they’re whispering about but absolutely, everyone is just as confused as her. Why not? The emperor of the neighboring empire is at the banquet!

“Eve!” it was her brother and Rosalind walking towards her direction. She wants to talk to them but she can’t help but feel like collapsing especially upon seeing the uniform of the knights gathered around from Forsythia.

Before she could take another step, a knight is now standing in front of her bowing his head.

“I am here to escort Lady Guinevere Calypso to His Majesty. We hope you’ll come with us without causing any commotion.” Eve did not need ask but she knows that they’ll take her by force if she tried something.

Not wanting things to stretch further, she let the knight took the lead. Several knights stood by all her directions as if protecting her, until she’s now standing in front of a man whose face, she can’t see yet because he’s on his back at her. All she can see is his tall stature and wide shoulders where a red long cape hangs.

“We have brought the lady, Your Majesty” the knight who escorted her announced. The way the knight salute by putting his right fist on his left chest is nostalgic but she stayed unnerved.

That’s when the man turned around. When their eyes met, she did not feign her stupor anymore. Not in this lifetime will she forget the face of the man standing in front of her. Especially that red jewel eyes, eyeing her voided with any emotions.

“Arsene?” she said above whisper.

“It’s been a while, Aurora.”

Being a knight who have experienced the worst let it be in the battlefield or during her past life, nothing surprises Eve anymore.

Or so she thought.

“Ugh,” she wanted to respond to his majesty but unfortunately, no words came out. A lot of things are going through her head right now that she deemed not making any sense yet she doesn’t know how to begin with. She feels like dreaming and if she is, she wants to wake up already.

The emperor seems to not care about her foolishness. Instead, he faced Marquis Wales whose face is as pale as an ash.

“Is there anything that you need, Your Majesty?” the lord asked with a nervous tone but Eve can’t help but to admire the marquis for being still surprisingly calm despite of what’s happening unlike her who is in verge of collapsing.

“I just want to express my gratitude for accepting me as a guest tonight, although I didn’t announce my arrival beforehand.”

Marquis Wales relaxed upon hearing that. He gave the emperor a huge smile then waved his hand as if saying that there’s no big deal about it. Except that it is and just thinking about it is now making Eve’s head throb. She’s more than sure that later on, the news of the Forsythia’ emperor at Durham will spread like wild fire.