The Woman In The Prophecy

EVIE

Everyone seemed to be in a joyous mood as the night deepened. The merry laughter of the noble lords and ladies complimented the euphoric music in the air.

Evie's lips curved in a tepid smile.

It was not because she was affected by the mood. But because she had achieved her plans of gaining allies.

She told the King purposely of the Emperor's intentions to gauge his view. And as she sees it, he is also against his idea.

The Duchess of Miteia seemed to think that way, too. She even helped her by giving her a bird to ride out of the Palace and a potion to ward off the guards.

She was still having doubts if she would leave Edin because of her issue with her father. But an incident happened that made her hold firmly to her resolve.

"Calling on everyone's attention. The Great Emperor has an announcement to make," the Royal Advocate rang the bell, alerting everyone to come back to their seats and listen carefully.

Evie sucked in a quick breath, feeling nauseous all of a sudden.

'It could not be about our negotiation. I haven't made a decision yet,' Evie comforted herself as she went with the flow.

She sat at one of the chairs, without minding who was beside her at that moment. But her eyes scanned for Joyce, who seemed to be not in the Great Hall.

With sparkling eyes, the Emperor said in a cheerful tone, "I am glad that everyone is present to witness what I am about to say."

The noble lords and ladies sit attentively, their faces bright with adoration and love for their chief ruler.

Some of them stood and bowed to him in respect. While some others leave their plates and wait for the Emperor to make his next statement.

"After a long-awaited time, it seemed like the prophecy had finally unfolded in front of our eyes," the two corners of his lips lifted together, making his raven mustache and beard touch each other.

A loud commotion waved throughout the room as they seemed to be awakened by the King's announcement.

'Please don't say that you met your Hyouka,' Evie closed her eyes as she slightly loosened the ribbon on her back. She was having a hard time breathing.

Then she opened her eyes and quickly searched for the nearest exit from her chair, in case what she was hoping for didn't come true.

"I have the assumption that the prophesied Hyouka is in the midst of us," the Emperor said in a loud, booming voice as if he was introducing a boxing contender in the ring with the audience roaring.

"I knew it!"

"No, it couldn't be."

"Could it be one of the two lady strangers?"

The people in the Great Hall have differing opinions while looking at her since Joyce wasn't around.

Evie bit her lips as she wanted the ground to swallow her up, whole. Or just hid inside the fluffy skirt that she was wearing.

But all she could do was hold on tight, for now. She didn't know if she could fight off the guards if she ran away in the midst of his speech.

'This Emperor is one tricky man.' she narrowed her eyes on the Emperor, but she quickly withdrew it since she wasn't allowed to make eye contact with the ruler of the Elysian Empire.

But before she withdrew her attention away from the podium, she noticed the King standing up and seething, "Father", through clenched teeth.

It seemed like he was controlling himself as his face was surprisingly calm, but all the veins in his neck were bulging out, and his lips pressed hard together.

"Please speak up, Your Majesty," Evie whispered as the people at her table were now giving her weird smiles.

As if the King heard her pleas, he jerked up from his extravagant chair and spoke to the crowd and said, "Forgive me, your Imperial Highness. But there seemed to be a mistake."

But the Emperor seemed unperturbed as he asked King Adamos. "Enlighten us, Your Majesty. Indeed, perhaps I am mistaken. The guards said that they saw you and Lady Evie together in cloth leaves. Is it perhaps you were molded by Iviwon, as one, in one pod?"

King Adamos' eyes widened in horror as he glanced quickly at Evie, who was as horrified as he was.

Her hand flew to her stomach as it seemed to roll inside her, giving her a sinking feeling.

One of the nobles stood up and sang the song that the Duke of Thurelis sang when she first landed at the Castle.

The other nobles sang with him.

It was of a different language. But Evie felt like she understood now that they were singing about the prophecy that King Adamos told her.

Evie wanted to run away at that moment. But she couldn't help but think about what the Emperor said.

Indeed, both she and the King have no idea why they woke up together in one place without their clothes on.

Fortunately, after they sang, the King spoke again in a more determined and stronger voice. "There is still not enough evidence that she is Hyouka. As per the rules in Edin, every prophecy needs to be proven at least in three instances before we consider it the truth. Besides, Lady Evie has no plans to stay in Edin. Am I right, my lady?"

Evie nodded her head at breakneck speed before she stood up and bowed to everyone. She was relieved that the King didn't like the idea, too.

She was about to say something when the Emperor's bellowing voice echoed throughout the hall, "I recognize the rules and regulations in the land since I am the one who created them."

Simultaneously, thunder and lightning growled in the sky, silencing everyone in the hall, including the King.

Then he mellowed down as he added, "I didn't affirm that she is Hyouka. However, I don't want the Edinians to be clueless, either, that the prophecy could be in the midst of them. As your Emperor, I want to give Edin hope for a better future."

The Emperor gave them a proud smile as he now darted his attention to Evie. "And out of that kindness, I give Lady Evie a choice to go back to their homeland or stay here and be our Hyouka. It is still for her to decide."

The nobles now faced Evie and bowed to her. "Please consider being our Hyouka, our lady."

Evie drew in a slow, steady breath. Indeed, the Emperor gave her an option.

But he is pressuring her at every corner to give in to his whims while appearing kind and compassionate to everyone. He is indeed a cunning man.

'As if I am not used to those kinds of schemes,' Evie smirked as she recalled her own father's tricks.

'I am not an empathetic person. Compassion doesn't work on me.' she gave them a plastered smile before bowing down to all of them. "Thank you for your kindness, your Imperial Highness, and everyone present. I shall gladly accept the call if I am found to be the woman in your prophecy."

She imitated the cunningness of the Emperor. But she has already made a firm decision while holding on tightly to the potion that Clio gave to her.

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Sometimes you have to wear masks in front of other people. But don't let those masks wear you.