I went to the palace the next day to the East wing where the brunch was held. I arrived with a carriage of gifts. I was to be engaged to the princess, who would soon be my duchess.
I made it to the room where brunch was held; it was a big celebration of her engagement to me. Long tables draped in white dining cloth were arranged in rows in the east wing. The golden sunlight lit up the room through the tall, beautiful windows.
The emperor and Empress were standing in the very front of the tables, greeting other nobles. I approached them.
"Good evening to the ever-lasting sun of our empire." I bowed deeply, greeting the Emperor and Empress.
"Rise, my boy. I'm so joyous to have a smart young man like you as my son-in-law." He chuckled, smiling at me.
Holding on to the emperor's right arm was the empress, who was also smiling happily at me. She called Xia over to come greet me.
"Keying!" Xia shouted, beaming as she ran up to me. "You made it to our engagement party!"
"Of course I would. It is such an honor to be wed to you," I bent down on one knee, took her gloved hand and kissed it politely..
I smiled warmly at her, and she smiled back, a little pink with embarrassment.
"You have a wonderful family," I say, letting go of her hand.
Xia sighs softly, "It's not always that way. We have conflicts here and there"
"Keying, let's talk to my brother!"
Before I even had the chance to respond, she was already dragging me towards him. He stood out among the crowd, being the tallest of them all.
As soon as we approached him, one of the royal maids rushed over to Xia, "Your Highness, your seamstress has arrived! Your parents want to discuss some important matters related to your wedding dress. Come, miss!"
"Oh! Please tell them I'll hurry over in a little bit!"
"As you wish, Your Majesty," The maid curtsied and disappeared into the crowd.
Xia smiled, "Enjoy the party, you guys!I'll leave you two to talk now" Her smile was warm yet as if it was taking credit from the lights in the room.
Then she hurried off.
I was too busy scanning the room that I hadn't realized her brother was staring at me.
"Keying."
"My apologies, Your Highness, it seems I have zoned out," startled, I gave him a simple smile and then bowed deeply.
"Don't make that mistake again," He hissed at me, glaring coldly.
"It won't happen again, Your Majesty," I mumbled.
"Good. Now, I have more important matters to tend to. Now, excuse me."
I ignored his manners and just headed over to a group of nobles who were talking about the newfound rumors. The little respect they had for me filled me with hatred As I stepped closer, they turned around to look at me in surprise.
what rats....
I clenched my fist in anger. I put on a fake smile and greeted them. But they had noticed earlier how I was glaring at them.They knew I was pissed. I am. They suddenly shut their mouths.
"My lord..!" one of the noblemen exclaimed nervously.
"What were you fellows discussing just now?" I put on a strained smile, doing my best to keep a friendly atmosphere.
"O-oh nothing that may interest you!" The nobleman seemed scared to look me in the eyes.
"No, please go on. Now that I'm so interested, I very much want to hear what you have to say." my smile faded, eyes boring right into their souls.
"I assure you, my lord, we didn't mean any of that...!" All were shaking with fear.
I smirked, seeing them shake from the sound of my voice. "Pathetic weaklings...that's what you all are"
