Chapter 06 – Deck of Cards

“We are pleased to make the Emperor Arsene as our honored guest tonight. If there is anything that we can do for you, please tell us,” The marchioness seems to have also recovered from her trance since as of that moment, she has already walked towards where his majesty and his husband are.

“Actually, there is. And I would like to talk with you about it privately.”

The lord agreed hurriedly, feeling delighted by making the emperor of an enormous empire his acquaintance even though he can’t come up of any reason for the emperor to talk with them. Sure, House Wales is a powerful household but not to the extent that they’re worth being paid attention by the neighboring empire’s leader.

Everyone around is shocked upon hearing those words except Eve, who’s just standing still with her fists balled tightly, unsure how to react.

Marquis Wales announced the party will resume and everyone should feel at ease. He then asked the emperor to follow him to the second floor.

Arsene looked at her so she’s forced to look back at him. He obviously wants to say something. She may find everything not making sense right now but the last thing she wants to do is to offend the emperor who’s capable to do a lot of unimaginable things if she is to test his anger.

“I would like Lady Guinevere and the rest of the members of House Calypso to join the conversation.” before she could even ask, Arsene has already turned on his back to be accompanied by the marquis.

“This way, my lady. The other knights will have your brother and sister-in-law follow us so you can be at ease, now,” the knight told her and guided the way to the stairs. She can feel the gazes following her like daggers being stabbed at her back but she did not mind.

They then stopped in front of the last room located at the second floor of the mansion.

“Eve,” it was her brother Arthur, looking worriedly at her once they have already caught up with her.

“I’m okay, though I am not quite sure what’s going on” she admitted. Rosalind then walked to her side then clutched one of her hands.

“Everything will be fine. We’re here.”

Before she can mutter her gratitude, the knight has pushed the door open revealing the library of the House Wales. There is a wooden, oval table in the middle vast enough for ten people to gather.

The marquis, marchioness, Arsene, and even the young lord of the Wales, surprisingly are already there seated and seems to be just waiting for them.

“Please sit down, my lady,” the knight pulled a chair for her beside the emperor. She wanted to pick a different seat instead but she knew better that it isn’t the right time to misbehave.

When everyone has already seated, Arsene shifted on his seat and tapped the table with his long fingers. Eve just eyed him curiously, bracing herself with what’s he’s going to say next.

“It has come to my attention that the young lord of Wales proposed a marriage to the lady of House Calypso,” he started in a cold tone.

“Well.. that is accurate, Your Majesty. My son has been harboring romantic feelings towards the lady for quite some time now, hence the marriage,” the marquis confirmed with a pride on his tone. Eve looked at the young lord to see his reaction but his face isn’t showing any emotions. She recalled what happened between them back then and she can’t help but wonder what could’ve had happened.

If it wasn’t for the servant’s news announcing the arrival of the emperor, the young lord has surely already struck her.

And if that would be the case, she would have hit him back or worst, stab him.

Arsene did not respond at that as he just kept on tapping the table. A servant came in and served a tea in his front but he did not even bat an eye. After a minute of silence, he spoke again.

“From what I was told, there is no courtship or any marriage letter given to Lord Arthur Calypso, so I guess it won’t be insolent of me to assume that the marriage isn’t formal yet, am I right?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“If that’s the case then, let me tell you this; I won’t allow the young lord of Wales to marry Lady Guinevere.”

The people in the room except for her and Lord Arthur did not feign their surprise upon hearing that. Eve looked at his brother and from what can she can tell, he’s obviously uncomfortable and pissed at the same time.

“I do not intend to offend His Majesty but let me ask you this,” the young lord of Wales trailed off, inching his face towards the emperor though the distance between the two are still a meter and a half because of the table. It seems to Eve that the young lord wants to intimidate the emperor. “What makes you think that you can decide about the marriage affairs of Durham’s citizens? You are not in Forsythia; in case you’re forgetting.”

Lord Wales and his wife could only hold their breaths, hearing what their son just said. The young lord may have said that he did not mean to offend but his tone says otherwise. Yet Marquis Wales can’t help but agree. After all, the emperor maybe an esteemed guest of their kingdom but he doesn’t have a jurisdiction over its people especially with something so trivial like marriage.

But then, Arsene just found the words of the young lord amusing because he smiled. Even though it’s a sardonic one from what Eve can tell. He obviously has a deck of cards that he’s playing right now.

She can't help but hold her breath, bracing herself for his reply.

“My young lord, Calix Wales. Of course, I’m totally aware that I am not supposed to mind the marriage affairs of Durham’s citizens but Lady Guinevere isn’t one of you.” he said in with certainty