Emperor's Reckoning

Her answer sparked everyone's eyes as their dumbfounded looks were a sight to behold. The time seemed to freeze and only the wind was blowing.

With a smile, Clemora put the glass back to Raynoldus's hand. Only a second later that Raynoldus and the onlooker awoke from their state.

With a furrowed eyebrows, Raynoldus asked, "Which of the question is the 'yes' one?"

Clemora shook her head, "That is for me to know."

She averted her gaze to her older sister, "Let's go taste some of the finest dishes, It's been too long since we had one."

Biane answered with a smile, "Yes, I'm really starving."

The two of them left Raynoldus without blinking an eye. This kind of attitude toward the son of a duke was unprecedented. Normally they were the one that should feel honored being in an arranged marriage with someone of high status.

"Did that just happen?" the onlookers started to chat among themselves.

"I couldn't believe my eyes either," said another.

The Elgome house was famous for its kissing ass attitude, the only two being different was the latest generation of theirs. These two women were not the kind that can be pushed around as the world sees fit.

One youth was shaking his head, "They are not only beautiful, but they also have integrity. I respect them more now. No wonder many wanted to take their hand."

Raynoldus's left hand was making a fist as he gripped it tightly as he heard what the onlookers said. To him, this was the same as humiliating him in front of a crowd. He stared at the back of the two sisters as he whispered under his breath, "I will make you two pay for this!"

Clearly, he could not act anything rash now. If he did so, he would be offending the hosts of this banquet, the four candidates. If that were to happen, not even his father Duke Armand would take his side.

Gritting his teeth, he took a step back from the attention of the crowd, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

Clemora and Biane were enjoying the dishes as they discussed the current situation.

"Which banner does he belonged to?" Biane suddenly asked her sister.

Clemora contemplated for a while before answering, "I think it was Prince Weiss or at least that was the last information I heard from eavesdropping the other nobles."

"I see, so 'he' tried to get into two banners at the same time so 'he' would have a backup," sighed Biane after she gulped a red wine. The 'he' they were talking about was none other than their father.

"Maybe, but we must focus on the matter at hand, the banquet is about to start any minute now," said Clemora as she averted her gaze to the entrance. from the north door.

*creak

Sure enough, the door on the north side was opened slowly. The room was in silence as their attention landed on the slender figure that opened the door.

Her chestnut hair was draping on her shoulder as her glowing skin further enhance her ethereal beauty. She had a cute dainty nose that was perfect for her sorbet-pink cupid lips. Her dreamy blue galaxy-blue eyes were orbit shaped together with her seashell-shaped ears, made her look like an angel sent from above.

She wore a white corset that wrapped her svelte figure perfectly. Her white steampunk skirt looked amazing with her knee-high stocking. Her royal bearing was beyond comprehension even for the nobles.

The young men inside the room could only gulp down their saliva. The beautiful woman in front of them was beyond their reach. They could only feel envy to the man that could make this woman his wife.

"Ah, its Princess Aelina, the number one beauty of Luderia, maybe Deo!" the group of young men started their own discussion.

Even the women couldn't help but admit their defeat. Her looks and status were too high for them to reach.

Clemora and Biane looked at the leader of their banner. With all the events that recently happened, they will not easily trust someone, even if they were close, especially Biane.

Princess Aelina was the first of the four candidates that came to the banquet. Her presence was surely felt by everyone in the room. Many of them wanted to curry favor to the princess even though they were from a different banner. She answered all of them with a sincere smile that was void of impurities.

"Good evening Princess Aelina," said both Clemora and Biane at the same time with a bow.

Princess Aelina was a bit surprised seeing the two of them before accepting their gesture. "Ah, Clemora and Biane I never thought you would be able to make it to the banquet, your mission must be done then? Thank goodness I sent the invitation," chuckled Princess Aelina.

The onlookers left them alone since they didn't want to be a sore thumb. Three beautiful ladies were chatting if someone was dumb enough to suddenly interfere them, that someone probably offended all the young men in the room. There was only one more beauty left that could withstand their conversation, but she was evidently late.

The trio headed to the balcony that was facing the sea. The sound of the wave crashing the cliff was capable of calming one soul.

Princess Aelina swirl around before facing Clemora with an amusing look, "Clemora, I heard all about it, you have a lover now, haven't you?"

Clemora chuckled before saying, "Princess Aelina believe that rumor? Everyone was just making their own assumptions. Besides I'm just using him to chase away my suitors."

Princess Aelina shook her head, "No, no, no, you must not do that to an innocent man. Oh, what a poor driver, what kind of fate do you have to meet this cold lady."

Clemora had her mouth twitched while Biane was bursting in a laugh. Their relationships were evident from their conversation.

"Ah, you must introduce me to this scapegoat of yours, I'm not that fool you know, you wouldn't snuggle up to a man even if it's to chase your suitors," said Princess Aelina with a calm tone.

Clemora sighed, "Yeah well, it's not that I don't want to introduce you it's just that..."

"Hmmm??? Do I smell jealousy?" said Princess Aelina while her eyebrows moved up and down in an effort to tease her.

Biane shook her head, "I don't think jealousy is the right word..."

"Oooh! Now you got me really interested, I must meet this man!" said Princess Aelina with her determining eyes.

Both Clemora and Biane sighed.. They knew there was no helping her when she made up her mind.