CHAPTER#33:Encounter

The Imperial Palace of Amanécer...

The conference hall was boisterous once again. The aristocrats and the imperialists were more aggressive than ever.

Cornelius sat on his seat and watched them argue and debate with or against each other. He glanced at Helios from the farther end. The Emperor was silent. He did not react to their opinions.

-"He looks paler than the last time I met him."

He looked at Rudolf who sat on his right side. He rarely participated in their heated debates.

"Yet another messed up day... "he sighed.

-"She makes me realize that the entire court's power belonged to her."

He returned to his senses when his eyes met Helios's.

He understood why the Emperor kept his eyes on him. It meant business.

He grinned and banged on the polished conference table. The hall echoed with a loud bang gaining the nobles' attention. The voices hushed down gradually.

"It seems like my part here is done."He walked out of the room as the speechless nobles watched him leave.

The huge doors shut behind him as a voice or two reached his ears.

"This is the reason why we never associate with the Alchemists."One raged.

"My lord! This is an insult to the people and your grace. You must take immediate action. Or they will rebel against us."

-"Rebel my ass... It is we who don't give a damn about the laws forged by scums."

"What a pain in the neck."He grumbled. He walked down the hallway frowning.

"Ahh~I might as well go see Aria!" his spirits lifted after the thought of meeting his childhood companion.

"I wonder what she's doing right now. Probably skipping her lessons by now." he chuckled.

A shadow appeared and crashed into him suddenly.

"Kugh!!"

He lay on the ground with his wits almost knocked out.

"Ow! Ow ow," he heard a voice cry in pain.

He squinted and saw golden locks gleaming under the sunshine.

"A-Aria?" his eyes opened wider than before.

Her golden eyes fixated on his face.

"W-who? "

She started at him surprised.

"Long time no see, partner?"He grinned.

After a brief moment, she let out a long gasp in astonishment.

"Neli?!"She shrieked.

"Princess!"She heard her lady-in-waiting call out for her.

She took a glance and before she knew she was dragged away.

"Ahh!-"

"Shh!"He put his hand on her mouth to silence her as they waited for her maids to pass by the hall.

He let out a small sigh of relief and saw Aria struggle to breathe.

"Oh sorry about that."

"That could be been dangerous! Jumping out of the hallway that's on the fourth floor are you crazy?"

"My bad. But I just saved you there. Besides wouldn't you want to be in my arms?"

Aria glared at him without a response.

"Yes yes the princess is always right." he flew down and gently let her on her feet.

"So I assume you're running away from your lessons?" he asked her teasingly.

"No..." there was a longer silence. She didn't look at him.

Her head hung as she stared at her hands clenched into fists.

The wind danced and sighed carrying the scent of Jasmine around the west gardens.

He frowned upon looking at Aria's sullen face.

"Let's take a walk around the garden shall we?" he smiled and offered her his hand.

They walked around the west garden which was also known as the empress's private property.

All kinds of rare plants grew in that area of the palace.

"It always surprises me how well these species have adapted to the environment here." he took a closer look at the red spider lilies that were originally from Wahrheit.

"Luci took care of this place... That is before... She left."there was yet another awkward silence.

-"I heard the crowned princess was married off into a political marriage against her will. This sucks. I don't have a knack for consoling people."He groaned.

"Alright! Out with it," he said to her.

"Huh!" his words caught her by surprise.

"What are talking about?"

"Surely it's something else other than Princess Luciana that's been biting you off. I know you better than anyone else." he leaned closer to her as she sat on a white marble bench.

"Is that going to change anything?"

Before she could turn away he leaned closer and placed his hands on either side of the bench.

-"So close! It's been three years since I last saw him. He's grown more handsome."She blushed and pushed him away.

"You're too close you idiot!" she flushed in embarrassment.

"Finally... You're speaking up."He got up and grinned.

"I'll listen to you... So get everything off your chest... Ria."He got up and brushed off the dust from his robes.

Looking at his smile made her break down into tears.

He was taken aback by her sudden breakdown.

-"What has she been enduring to cry like this?"He clenched.

He sat beside her and hugged her.

"Don't cry, Ria... You'll make me cry too."He wrapped his arms around her more tightly.

"Neli.... Ugh... Wahh! Father... He's so cruel! Wahhhh!! Hicc... Wahh!"

"Calm down Ria...Slowly..."

'Hicc... Sniff... '

He wiped off her tears. But she wouldn't cease welling up more tears.

"What do you mean... Why say like that about his majesty?"

"It's because you of all people don't know that's why! "

"I'll only know when you tell me..."

-"How could he be so clueless?! "She was enraged.

"He is marrying me off to Octavius you dummy!"She cried out.

This struck him hard enough to lose his senses.

"W-what!"

She slowly managed to tell him the entire story and how both of them had come to a disagreement.

He listened to her quietly.

"First mother left us... Then sister Luci became a sacrifice for me... And now he plans on marrying me off in the name of protection... "She started crying again and vigorously wiped her tears until her eyes and cheeks reddened.

"I-I don't want to be sold off like this... Neli... Ugghh... I... Hicc... I don't want to marry someone who I don't love... I can't live a life like that... I'm not like Luci...h-how can I... Hicc... I don't want to"

He suddenly caught her hands.

"That's enough Ria..."

There was silence for a moment except for Aria's occasional sniffing.

"You'll destroy your face if you keep rubbing your eyes."

"B-but what else can I do... Other than hopelessly crying... Tell me Neli..."She sobbed silently.

"You won't need to cry any longer..."

"Huh?"

"You heard me..."He knelt on the ground on one knee and looked up. He still held hands in his.

"Ria... Let's get married!"