The Emperor and the Frank Woman 1

The duchess told them to never look the Emperor and the King in the eye for longer than three seconds. So Evie just took a quick glimpse.

As usual, King Adamos' face was void of expression. But his smoldering eyes penetrated hers, making Evie uncomfortable.

Before the three-second was up, Evie managed to look at the Emperor who was also looking at King Adamos and then at her.

Evie lowered her head immediately.

"We are honored to be standing in front of His Royal Imperial Highness and His Majesty. May your kingdom reign forever," Evie and Joyce greeted them with one voice before they made the bow that the duchess taught them last night.

There was complete silence in the throne room as they waited for how the Emperor might respond.

Fortunately, he seemed to be pleased with the ladies, as he opened his hand up and responded, "And so we are. Both of you looked lovely. Are you daughters of royalties in your homeland?"

Joyce's cheeks immediately lifted, and her shimmering eyes glanced at Evie.

"Thank you for your kind words, Your Imperial Highness. But we are just ordinary citizens in our country. And our parents, too," Joyce answered him with a bow.

"Very well. I believed Singapore is a modest but wealthy land. Your government has exemplary administration," the Emperor added up.

With his comment, Evie's eyes widened in surprise. Her head bobbed up, but it immediately bowed down as she recalled the duchess' instruction.

'The Emperor might just know how we can get back.' A wind of relief brushed her doubts aside.

"Now tell me, how do you find Edin so far?" the Emperor's composed face lightened up the atmosphere, making Joyce bubble up with her usual self.

"Oh, everything is breathtaking. It's like I'm in Dream Land. Only that it is not a dream, but a reality. Both the Emperor and the King's sovereignty have outdone the other kingdoms and empires in the world," Joyce lifted her skirt up and made a courtesy.

The other Royal Ministers' chests thrust out as they nodded their head, proud of Joyce's compliment.

Evie thought that everything was already coming to a conclusion. She couldn't wait to get out so she could breathe normally again.

But to her bewilderment, the Emperor turned his attention to her.

"How about you, my lady? How do you find Edin and its people?" He leaned forward, his hands forming a steeple.

Evie froze, as she didn't think that the attention will be focused on her. Unlike Joyce, she is not very good with words. And she doesn't care. 

"They were - odd," she answered truthfully, making the Royal Ministers' eyebrows knit together, their mouths opened as if negative remarks were about to come out, but they just controlled it because of the presence of their rulers.

Joyce looked at Evie with both her eyebrows shot up in the air as if she was telling her to add something else.

But the Emperor already gave his response even before Evie could open her mouth.

"That is a surprising statement," the Emperor stated, making the Royal Ministers nod their heads in agreement.

But their heads immediately tilted to the Emperor with a confused look as he added, "I just heard that phrase a few moments ago."

With that, he looked sideways to the King, who immediately straightened himself and looked sideways at the window nearest to him.

"And why is that, my lady? Enlighten me," the Emperor leaned back as he placed his hands on the armrest of the throne.

His grass-colored eyes, which looked like the King's, narrowed at her.

Evie glanced at Joyce and then at the Royal Ministers. They were all anticipating what she has to say.

The corset seemed to tighten up all the more as her heart rate started to get faster and faster.

Public speaking is not her forte. She never likes it. And she doesn't force herself to like it no matter who is in front of her, which she also applied now.

"It is probably because I came from a different culture. If you come to our country, I am sure you will also find it odd, too - Your Imperial Highness," she answered the Emperor.

With that, the Emperor burst out in laughter, bewildering the Royal Ministers. They haven't seen that side of the Emperor in a while, making them join their ruler's mirth.

"Of course, I could just imagine," he commented after his laughter died down. "I have never been to Singapore. Likewise, no Singaporean has entered our land, either. It is because Edin has been living independently for centuries."

Then his eyes glinted as he leaned forward. "Do you think it would benefit Edin if we would open up to the rest of the world?"

With his question, a loud commotion stirred up the Royal Ministers, making Evie confused.

But she decided to answer at once so she could get out as soon as possible. "No, Your Royal Imperial Highness."

"And why not?" he prodded her on.

Evie paused as she thought about why she answered no. But she was already getting dizzy. So she quickly gave her response, "The peace that both worlds have created for years might be destroyed - Your Imperial Highness."

She slightly glanced up to view the expression of the Emperor. But she couldn't comprehend what he was thinking.

Her lips unconsciously clamped together, hoping that it was already the end and they could leave the room.

But to her horror, the Emperor asked another question again.

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The well-being of mankind, its peace, and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established.