"My sword is one inch away from slicing your neck. My victory is one inch away, yet why can't I do it, Althea? What kind of spell have you cast on me to have me thinking about you all day?!"
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Byeol meets a tragic death at age nineteen...
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It wasn't long before everybody was leaving, and only few people stayed behind. And by few, I mean the royal family's inner circle. This consisted of The Ashfords, The Hayes; much to my dismay, and ever since me and Aias got closer, the Astens.
The dining table was decorated with golden tableware, and a servant stood at each corner of the room, who would come to you with a simple gesture of your hand.
The chefs introduced themselves to us before several maids came in with our meals in hand, first the appetizers with the drinks and after the entrees. It surely was luxurious, everything about it; from the tableware to the service.
"Let's all have a toast to the new emperor!" Delia's father, Marquis Ashford declared as he stood up from his chair. Everyone else did the same, me included, as we all toasted by clinking our champagne glasses together. Aias, who sat on the head of the table with his mother and sister on his right and left, chuckled as he clinked his glass with them.
Delia sat beside me, and I sat beside Callie. Across from me sat Eris and next to her her parents, who were chatting with my uncle and Aunt. Atlas wasn't here, considering he wasn't at the appropriate age. Marquis Ashford and his wife were lost in a conversation with the Late empress.
Everyone seemed to be in their own world, yet Count Hayes couldn't stop himself from making the one comment which brought everybody out of their conversations. "Your majesty, forgive me for asking, but have you thought about the woman who's going to become empress yet?"
Everyone's eyes fell on Victor, except for Aias, whose eyes found mine. I bit my lip in nervousness, shrugging. What could I tell him to say? It's his decision, after all.
He took a deep breath, almost looking as if he was holding himself from lashing out at Victor, before replying, "no, not yet. Count Hayes."
Victor nodded skeptically, his gaze locking with his daughter's, Eris, who seemed way more nervous than just a second ago. "Well is it wrong to assume it's going to be my daughter?"
His words silenced everyone, even Aias, and I choked on my champagne. "Why would it be your daughter, if I may ask?" Asked marquis Ashford
Count Hayes chuckled nervously. "The agreement has been signed by his majesty's father." Suddenly this seemed nothing like a dinner between friends. Though again, was it ever?
"You mean the late emperor? The agreement doesn't stand because he's not emperor anymore, Count Hayes. I am, and my word is law. You forget that." Aias deadpanned. All that could be heard was the scraping of the knives as they cut the steak, nobody seemed to have anything to say except for those two.
"A good emperor needs an empress to help him lead. My daughter is the best choice, your majesty." His words were taking on a different tone, a more aggressive one, yet Aias didn't seem to be phased.
