In Time And Memories

Chapter Fifty

Azelaine stormed in the Ezckelian Palace, on her way to meet the emperor. The butler was surprised to see her infuriated expression, even the servants are worried about her.

"I need to meet the emperor."

The butler were hesitant at first but he went inside the office and then announced her arrival. "Your imperial highness, Princess Azelaine is asking to meet you." Ytrius looked at the butler, puzzled with the sudden arrival of Azelaine.

He sighs. "Alright. Let her in."

Without any second, the butler let Azelaine in an left the room; leaving Ytrius with Azelaine. She greeted Ytrius and he acknowledge her greeting.

"Is there something you have to tell me, Princess Azelaine?"

"Your imperial highness." Azelaine knelt on her one knee. "I ask you to bestow the Laurenze dukedom to me." If her mother won't show up, then she has to make another option and that is the emperor. The vasal heads didn't let her inherit the duchy since she has no enough power but the emperor has.

Ytrius let out a low groan. "You already have the Therilian Palace, Princess Azelaine, and you want more?"

"It is all for Prince Urus, Your imperial highness. I need more power in order to ensure his position on the throne," she answered without any hesitation. However, Ytrius didn't like her words. It looks like she only dug her own grave.

"You need more power? And how is that going to ensure Prince Urus' throne?"

Azelaine's mind was shaken. The only answer to that question is by answering it with the truth; Azelaine needs more power to fight Celestia and Frizella. But how is she going to answer that without saying the truth? Frizella is still the queen of this empire, a higher position than hers.

"B-By gaining more power... we can fight Queen Frizella's influence and secure the throne." Azelaine shut her eyes tight.

Ytrius laughed; a reaction Azelaine didn't expect. "You are being greedy, Azelaine." Ytrius voice became serious which made Azelaine tremble in fear. He may favor her more than anyone else but he can't still stand those people who are greedy.

"Someone is out there who are greedier, Your imperial highness," Azelaine said without any thought.

"Like who? Your adopted sister? Queen Frizella?" Ytrius stared at Azelaine, who's still kneeling down but her head is hanging low. He can't see her reaction. His eyes squinted before turning his back on her.

"So? Are you going to fight their greediness with your own greed?" A question that is stucked on Azelaine's mind.

It made her think about many things. What made her different from them? She gritter her teeth. However, she won't back down. Azelaine will never back down, if that's how it takes then she will gladly face it.

"I am willing to do anything to make it all worth it."

Ytrius smirked at her. "I can not help you, Princess Azelaine. The appointing of new duke is out of my power." Azelaine's effort to meet the emperor is just a waste. She left the office with disappointment; now, her mother is the only option she have.

After Azelaine left the emperor's office, Urus entered the room because he was called by Ytrius.

"Did you know that your wife was here?"

"Azelaine? What is her business here?" Confussion is written all over Urus' face. Ytrius let out a heavy sigh; his meeting with Azelaine gave him a headache.

"She wants to have the Laurenze dukedom." Ytrius looked at him. "To secure your throne," he continued.

There's a ghost smile on Urus' lips which didn't escaped Ytrius eyes. "Why would she do that? I mean... with or without the dukedom, I will have the throne." Ytrius squinted his eyes on Urus.

"You're enjoying this?" Urus became serious.

"Enjoying what?"

"Your wife is like defending you." Ytrius forehead is creased while examining Urus' facial expression. A exasperated sigh left his lips after seeing Urus' grin.

Urus bit his lip. "Why not?"

"You have fallen for her." That's not a question.

"Maybe?" Urus shrugged and his grin never left his left. Ytrius couldn't believe that one day, he will see his son smiling widely because of his wife.

Ytrius massaged his temple and lean on his chair. "Anyway, I didn't help her. Not because it's out of my control but I'm scared of what will happen if ever I helped her feed her greediness." That made Urus lose his smile and he turned his head to his father. Ytrius looked back at Urus.

"You know what will happen to her, son. If she obtained more than what she's supposed to have, no one knows what will Frizella do to her," he said as if reading Urus' mind.

Urus knows that his father is right. Azelaine will be in grave danger if she tries to interfere more. Her destiny got tangled with Frizella since she was Pierre's lover and now, she wanted to take her revenge.

Azelaine is already included in this matter.

"Father," Urus called Ytrius. He looks taken aback since Urus rarely calls him father. "Move the coronation as soon as possible."

"In five months, that's the fastest I can do."

"It's more than enough, Your imperial highness."

Urus is not afraid of losing his title as the crown prince, he was never afraid of it. What he fears is when his mother's death was all in vain. His mother's death shouldn't be useless.

All because of the prophesy. His mother died and now, they are trying to avoid it in all other circumstances.

They have to fight Frizella, the one who will cause the catastrophy.

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