In the heart of Inferos,
*Chatter*
The wine glasses touched, echoing the clinking sounds. People cheered, some sharing pleasantries, some talking business forming alliances.
The imperial palace's ballroom adorned lights and flowers. The empire's flags placed in every corner of the brightly lit hall.
It was the day of the imperial consort selection.
But for most it was a place for connections and alliances. For Celyn it was a place where blood could spill.
"That's funny, your highness. You are being paranoid." The young girl laughed. Her voice was soft. Her laughter, distinct like wind chimes in hot summer. Her brown hair moved with her movement. Inspiring a stare down from her attendant standing behind her. Her mischievous eyes opened, to show her distinctive dark blue eyes. "Why would the emperor find you in contempt? A guy showing up to a consort selection....."
"...." Out of politeness Celyn couldn't sigh out of frustration. Etiquette forcing him to entertain the lady. He took a sip. The glass containing plain water that Serpens had swapped for him. "Miss, how many letters arrived at your house?"
"Huh?" The young girl felt puzzled. Her inexperience in social situations.....clear. She couldn't hide her expression even if her life depended on it. Under Celyn's gaze the young girl's attendant was ready to intervene.
Even though the young man was from the small kingdom of Luxuria. The crown prince wasn't someone they could offend.
"I think there were two." Just then the girl finally remembered. Her hand on her lips in surprise. "But it can be a bureaucratic error, right?"
Celyn's expression remained neutral. While conversing with the lady he had been keeping tabs on other nobles and royals. The occasion just packed with them. Both people from inside the empire and foreign.
The thing that distinguished them....fear.
The nobles from the empire were more guarded and reserved. For Celyn who had studied different cultures and practices. This clearly wasn't from cultural differences.
"So how is your brother, miss?" Celyn handed the glass to Serpens who was standing on the side. A polite smile hung on his face. He could see the guards and servants moving in the background. It was time for the emperor to finally enter.
Unlike Celyn who had too much going on. The young girl opened her mouth in disbelief. "Do you know my brother, your highness?"
The girl kept talking not realizing the air around them stagnating. The murmurs in the hall either stopped or were surpassed from the music.
*Bang*
The large doors to the hall sprang open. The usher loudly announced the arrival of the emperor. Celyn took a step back and stood still. The young girl beside him now, panicking.
"Shu!!"
He placed a finger on his lips. Warning her through the corner of his eyes.
*Tap*
The knights walked in followed by the knight captain. A man with brown hair and green eyes. Vance Windertide, the second son of duke Wintertide. Known as the closest friend of the emperor.
Celyn took a deep look at the man. His hands clasped together. He tilted his head a little to look at Serpens. His aide nodded, returning the look.
The music heightened. The emperor finally walked in.
The murmurs of the crowd intensified. But the next dying out instantly.
The man walked with intensity. His steps echoed on the marble floor. His red eyes looked through the crowd. Light shining off of his blonde hair. The white uniform adorned with a red cape captivating the crowd.
Celyn bowed lightly. His eyes were not looking directly at the emperor. But his eyebrows furrowed. Whoever dared to say the emperor was a tyrant forgot to add about his face. It simply belonged to an angel.
Everyone lifted their heads up as the emperor finally stood at the stage. Celyn put a hand on his heart, patting. His heart beats not slowing down. The music had ended, but somehow it didn't calm down. His eyes were glancing at the emperor. But his focus rested on the sword hanging by the latter's waist.
The Emperor's aide handed him a wine glass. But rather than cheering the crowd with it and starting the ceremony. The man swirled the wine glass in his hand. The red wine lifting and falling in the boundaries of the glass.
"Out of 150 invitations sent.... A measly 80 showed up." His voice was crisp. The red eyes glinting under the bright lights. Danger.
The emperor held the glass forward. His lips lifted up, the wine poured from the cup. Striking the white marble ground, staining it red. A small red puddle resembling blood.
*Crash*
The glass shattered in pieces.
"If you can't respect the empire. The empire reserves the right to not recognize you anymore." His eyes scanned over the crowd before turning around to resume his seat. "Let the ceremony commence."
The nobles standing in the front flinching visibly. The lively mood from earlier disappeared completely. Celyn finally understood the real reason for the nobles from the empire being guarded.
He could feel the young girl from earlier shaking. Tears forming in her eyes. But she covered her mouth from making a sound.
Celyn pursed his lips. His right hand entered his pants pocket to pull out his handkerchief. He held the handkerchief in front of her without turning. His eyes still glued to the front.
The young girl hesitated to grab the handkerchief. Her hands shaking in fear. The tears stained her cheeks. The light makeup she had applied was starting to fade.
Celyn pulled his hand back. He leaned to the side. Serpens filling him on the time of their entrance. Their whispers were getting buried under the soft melody playing in the hall.
"After the prime minister and Wintertide family we are supposed to go forward for the greeting." Serpens could feel the body of the crown prince tightening as he spoke. His eyes softened. "Or should I go tell them to delay...."
Before Serpens could finish Celyn told him to stop. "No, that will garner more attention." His hands clasped together waiting to be called on.
His head lowered. Repeating everything that had happened in his mind. From the exaggerated entrance to the dramatic declaration by the emperor.
'They are setting an example.' Celyn turned to Serpens. His eyes wavering. It wasn't just fear but a mix of uncertainty. But before both of them could completely react to the revelation....
"You may now meet the emperor." The knight lightly bowed to Celyn before disappearing in the crowd.
Before his mind worked Celyn was already approaching the emperor's seat. His hands open, hanging helplessly on the side. He took a deep breath. His eyes, starting to focus.
He walked to the centre. All the eyes in the ballroom one way or another resting on him. His eyes strained from excessive lighting.
Celyn bowed, not too far from where the emperor was sitting. His hand resting on his heart as he greeted the emperor. "Celyn Excelentus of Luxuria, greets the sun of the empire."
He finally lifted his head. The intense lighting fading in the background. What was left? Two red eyes staring right through him. It felt like the temperature had dropped. Cold metal chains holding him down in place. It was almost a pity....the beautiful face that belonged to an angel, looked at him with indifference.
The emperor blinked, the smile on his face deepening. Enjoying the effect he had on people. He rested his face on his hand. Looking down at people from above. A sword hanging down from his waist. Loose enough to be used as he pleased.
"The crown prince of Luxuria? Are you smart or just a coward?" Carlos' eyes glimmered with ridicule. He bit his little finger, his sharp canines visible to the naked eye.
But Celyn was crowned the heir the moment he had opened his eyes. He didn't flatter. Nor was he enraged.
"Smart or cowardly.... it's not my place to judge. I would let the people I serve decide." He clasped his hands behind looking up at the emperor. The emperor moved, removing the little finger from his mouth. A drop of blood visible to his eyes.
"People must think highly of you." Carlos spoke, his words sweet as honey. The sword dragging on the ground with his every movement. "Even today I heard people talking about how you are a ladies' man."
"A true gentleman."
The emperor's aide moved in the background handing the emperor a white handkerchief. Carlos wiped the blood off of his hand. The flawless piece of cloth stained red. Yet a mischievous smile hung on his lips.
"The nobles must be swarming you with requests for marriage?" The questions were asked but Celyn wasn't given the opportunity to answer.
"No, it's...." The youth managed to utter before getting cut off.
"Really?" Carlos exclaimed, his eyes getting darker. The grin on his lips deepening. "That's unexpected."
There were more people tuned in on this conversation than ever before. It was bad. Why? Because the conversation was taking too long. This meant those of lower status or from a small kingdom wouldn't get to greet the emperor.
"You are my sister's son.....Even though she wasn't noted in the genealogy." The emperor spoke like a caring elder. His words were coated in honey. But inside, it was full of poison and insult. "Why don't I find you a young lady, today?"
Celyn's grip tightened behind his back. His nails digging into his own wrist. His mood had hit a new low. But he couldn't be irrational. He bowed lightly.
"It's an honor, your majesty.....But I am in mourning. My mother passed away just three months ago. It's too soon for me to hold any...." His tongue emphasized the words of his mother passing. At this point he just hoped the emperor could at least not insult the dead.
His eyes shook, not wanting to accept. 'He was powerless.'
"Oh...." The emperor paused. Even if he was omnipotent in the whole continent. Pushing a mourning person in a corner was definitely going to look bad. 'The kid was smart.'
"My condolences to you." His voice was a lot softer than earlier. Finally....
Celyn was ready to bow and move. Even the other nobles that looked at the exchange thought it was over. But they forgot to take the reputation of the emperor into account.
"Well, other people are waiting. Let's continue this conversation in private." Carlos looked at his aide as he spoke. He acted like a ruler who cared about rules. But everyone just had one thought. 'Tyrant.'
Celyn opened his mouth but what could he even say at this point. He bowed leaving the suffocating position behind. His fist clenched.
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