Chapter 2: Chapter 02 – An Ice for A Heart
They started walking together in a steady pace, making their way back to the castle.
“If you do not wish to accept Sir Vivar’s heart, I think it’s best not to spend time with him alone.” this time, he’s talking to her as a brother and not a commander.
She sighed at that. “Well, it just happened today because we had a sword fight. I didn’t expect that he will use this moment to confess.”
“You’re unbelievably so innocent with these things.”
“Look who’s talking,” she said with dry humor and the commander just shook his head.
“My wife is looking for you. She wants you to have a taste of the rose tea she created,” she threw a furtive glance at him. Eve secretly smiled to herself thinking how his brother is completely bound by her sister in law’s charm.
“I’ll go straight to the kitchen, then.” she shrugged, imagining the taste and scent of the rose tea, her sister-in-law Rosalind, made this time.
It’s the spring season and fortunately, the roses around the castle started to bloom so House Calypso decided to participate at the Spring Festival soon. So far, Rosalind have made several specialties using the roses like jams and candies that they can also sell if it will be successful.
“And there is also another thing.”
They both stopped when they’re just a few steps away from the castle’s front door. She looked at his brother and braced herself on what he’s going to say since it seems to her that it’s serious.
“An invitation from House Wales arrived this morning and they’re inviting us. There’s a note from Marquis Wales himself saying that we should bring you along.”
She raised a brow at that, remembering her last encounter with Lord Wales – the son of the Marquis Wales himself before they went to the North. He doted on her all night like a child cajoling a puppy.
“Well then, there’s not really much we can do about it, isn’t it? I’ll ask Anita to go to the capital tomorrow with me for a dress,” she said impassively, since truth be told she’s not that interested with the banquet but she knows better not to reject the marquis invitation because it won’t do good to his brother and the House Calypso.
“You know that you don’t have to oblige yourself to come if you really don’t want to. I’ll just make an excuse that you’re not feeling well,” his brother suggested but she shook her head before he could even talk to her about it further.
After all, she knows more than anyone what it means to reject an invitation from a noble. A lot of them would take it as an insult.
“No, it’s fine,” she said with determination. She can’t allow even a simple thing to tarnish their house’s name and going to a banquet is really not much of a big deal to her though she would have to think of different ways to evade Lord Wales herself if she finds him misbehaving.
“I trust your decision on this.”
“Thank you, commander.”
***
“Send him in.”
Upon hearing the baritone voice of the man in the room, the knight opened the door to let him enter. He can’t help but feel the chill run down his back, seeing the menacing figure of the man behind the desk whose attention is fixated on the documents he has on hand. The weather outside ironically is scorching because it’s the heat season but being in the same room with a person who’s got an ice for a heart, the temperature seems to drop.
“Your Majesty, I bear news about the person you tasked me to follow around.”
Upon hearing that, the man just dropped the documents carelessly on the desk then looked at him sternly. He swallowed hard seeing how it seems like he’s going to meet death any moment by now judging by how His Majesty is looking at him.
“Do I need to beg for you to open your mouth? If you’re not going to use it, then it’s better to just cut off your tongue, don’t you think?”
His eyes widened then he shook his head vigorously almost dropping to his knees while he asked for forgiveness.
When he has already calmed down, that’s when he broke the news to him. At first, His Majesty did not respond but after a few moments, he stood up from his seat with his hand balled into a fist looking at the portrait of the woman on the wall.
“Those fucking bastards.”
At that moment, he just wishes to disappear instead of taking His Majesty’s wrath. Despite hearing how the new ruler of the empire is a tyrant, merciless demon who killed everyone to ascend the throne, and doesn’t care tainting himself with the blood of his enemies, that was the first time he’s seeing him that infuriated up close as if he’s going to kill someone.
His eyes are quivering, and his fist is shaking.
“Just tell me Your Majesty what would you like me to do. I can just have him killed like the others,” he suggested, desperately trying to alleviate his angst.
“Summon Lord Jaeger.”
He did not need to be told twice, after bowing his head he turned on his back then went to find the Imperial Advisor himself. Fortunately, he found him just outside the garden talking to a knight.
“My lord..” he asked in a hoarse voice. “His Majesty wants to see you right this instant.”
Lord Jaeger narrowed his eyes wondering why he’s being summoned again when he was just talking with the emperor an hour ago about state affairs.
Looking at the man in front of him, he realized that it’s nothing to do with the empire at all. He sighed, suddenly feeling uneasy.
When they arrived, the man’s eyes widened seeing the disastrous state of the room. Lord Jaeger looked around and found the emperor on the settee, holding a goblet of brandy.
“Get me some of the best knights from the Imperial Army. I’m going there myself.”
“Your Majesty –”
“I’m tired of this, Lord Jaeger. I’m going to reclaim what’s mine.”
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone