Chapter 66: Inevitable Meeting
Clara Brownheart was respected by everyone in the empire. Among her peers she was unopposed to become the empress; such was her grace and elegance.
Men and women regardless of their status bowed and knelt in reverence in her presence. She didn't let the worship and deference get to her head as was required of someone of her station. Instead, she worked hard alongside her husband to prove that she was worth all of that and more.
Even when she was betrothed to a rather unpleasant man like Edgar Phoenix, she didn't complain to her family and opted to do her duty by accepting the marriage. Fortunately, her sweetheart Elmer had managed to surpass his brother and ascended the throne.
And the fact that he had done so on the day of the Phoenix festival all those years ago, only made this occasion much more special for her. She wouldn't miss it for the world.
She had instilled the importance of this festival in her two children and wouldn't forgive them if they didn't join in on the festivities.
Today was just as special as the day her husband ascended the throne because her son, the first prince, was going to be appointed as the crown prince in front of the public.
She beamed with pride thinking about her children. Both of them hadn't disappointed her so far with their conduct. Even if her daughter Scarlett was somewhat of a rebel, Clara didn't mind it too much. It was only natural for youngsters to rebel when something didn't go their way.
Pushing open the door to the guest hall of her daughter's courtyard with a wave of her hand, she was met with a rather strange sight of Scarlett hooking her arms around a man's elbow. A man who was unknown to her.
"Hmmm," Her legs skidded to a halt as she scrutinised the man before her. He was handsome by all means and as far as she knew she hadn't seen him in any noble circles before.
"Mother, I didn't know you were visiting!" Scarlett quickly released Raymond's arm and hurriedly went to welcome her mother.
"Scarlett, are these your friends?" She gestured towards the duo. "Why don't you introduce them?"
"Of course," Scarlett nodded eagerly as she led her mother close to Raymond. "This is Ray and his partner Jasmine…"
Scarlett watched as her mother introduced herself to Ray, dreading the moment when she would ask about how they met. In all honesty, she hated lying to her mother but she found herself not that bothered when she could hide her secret endeavours as a mercenary if lying is all it took.
Acting as someone else and doing missions was one of the very few things that kept her sanity in check. She would've lashed out at some irritating aristocrat by now if it weren't for relieving her stress by being Sasha. As such, she didn't mind lying to her mother in this case.
"Mother, Ray is the one who rescued the third brother when he happened upon him in the forest while he was carrying out a mission nearby," she shot a pleading look at Ray who eyed her questioningly. "He works as a mercenary along with Jasmine here," she added.
Whatever displeasure Clara had felt when this man hadn't bowed to her as a show of respect all but disappeared at her daughter's words. She had heard about Egon's plight and was relieved to know he had returned to the safety of the Imperial Palace.
Even though she hadn't sired him, she considered him as one of her own. Not only him but all that shared Elmer's blood was family to her. It wouldn't paint a good picture to the outside world if she appeared partial after all.
"I see… then I must show my utmost gratitude to you for saving our son," she bowed slightly only to be waved off by Raymond.
"No need, it was nothing," Clara frowned, hearing the casualness in his tone. Was it so easy for him to defeat a Martial Emperor to brush it off as nothing?
She still found it ridiculous to believe that a man who was barely in the beginning phase of his cultivation could do what he did. If it wasn't Elmer who had told her about the incident then she wouldn't have believed it.
Quickly schooling her features, she insisted: "No, that won't do. It may appear trivial to you but you have done a tremendous favour for us by rescuing Egon. It should not appear as though we have been ungrateful for what you've done."
*******
Raymond felt the starting of a headache as the empress kept thanking him.
'Where is the damned money? Give me some gold coins, I don't want your flattering words.'
Raymond groaned inside his mind. He would much prefer it if she showed her gratitude in action rather than drowning him in praise. Alas, even if he was shameless, Raymond wouldn't go so far as to directly ask for money from strangers, and definitely not from the empress herself.
"Haha, you're exaggerating. I didn't do much," Raymond scratched the back of his head sheepishly as the empress went above and beyond to express her gratitude.
Finally, for what seemed to be an eternity, she removed a ring from one of her fingers and handed it to Raymond.
"You may receive your reward from my husband later but this is personally from me," She raised her hand to stop him from refusing. "No, you cannot say no to this. This is a mother thanking you for saving her son. You must take this."
'I wasn't going to refuse,' Raymond thought as he took the ring without any reservations and examined it carefully.
"It has all the common medicinal pills you will ever need, there are even some that can cure magical illness," The empress added. "I concocted them myself."
"Thank you very much, Your Majesty."
Even though Raymond was disappointed to find that it was not money, he still thanked her. These pills would certainly come in handy if Lyla or Jasmine fell ill someday. He would have an easier time with these pills.
He held back from probing the ring with his mana. He didn't want to end up breaking it in the process. He would let Jasmine or Lyla take a look at it later.
"Mother, where is father?" Scarlett asked, barely concealing her eagerness. "He would be delighted to meet Ray."
"Your father is with Julius. He is giving him some last-minute advice," The empress replied, having seen her husband and son discussing something important. "Perhaps we can meet him if we make our way towards the Grand Hall," she suggested.
"Follow my lead."
Raymond reluctantly let himself be dragged by Scarlett towards this grand hall. If he knew he had to deal with these short meetings with the Imperial Family, he wouldn't have accepted the invitation. Still, he felt it would be worth it if he could get some alone time with Scarlett.
*******
Jasmine was led through a series of winding streets to reach the majestically standing Imperial Palace which housed the Grand Hall.
The carriage they had been riding on was wide enough and comfortable to travel. Jasmine was trying hard to not exclaim in awe at the sheer size and grandeur of the palace. Looking at her master, he too was opening and closing his mouth, finding no words to describe his feelings.
"Jasmine, stay inside the carriage. I will be back soon," Jasmine nodded to him. It would be risky to bring Lyla inside the palace.
Raymond walked beside Scarlett as he was given entry into the palace. After crossing a long hallway they arrived at a sturdy door. Pushing it open he was met with the throne room where the emperor was sitting and a young man who resembled the emperor was conversing with him animatedly.
"Ahem! Your Majesty," The empress called out. "I would like you to meet our guest."
Whatever conversation they were having was interrupted which caused the young man to frown.
The emperor watched between his wife and daughter curiously before his eyes landed on Raymond.
Feeling the burning eyes on him, Raymond met the emperor's eyes. Instantly they were locked in a staring contest, neither willing to back down.
The more Raymond peered into the steely gaze of the red-haired man on the throne the more he felt like there was something inherently wrong with this person.
Raymond couldn't quite put it into words but it felt as though an essential part was missing from the emperor. He seemed to be bizarrely incomplete which made Raymond up his guard.
He was unsure why he was feeling like this. But Raymond trusted his gut feeling more than anything and was cautious of the emperor.
The emperor held his gaze firm, his instincts screamed at him to look away but his pride wouldn't let him back down. He was the ruler of this land, he wouldn't let some youngster scare him.
Truth be told, the emperor was feeling his back drenched in fear with each passing second. This young man in front of him was not simple. His Phoenix senses were going haywire.
"Who are you?" The emperor asked guardedly.
"What happened, Your Majesty?" Clara climbed the golden stairs leading to the throne and asked worriedly. Her husband seemed to be in a trance as he stared at Ray.
-Gulp!
He took an audible gulp to regain his bearings. His neck reddened in embarrassment, having been caught off guard by this man.
"Cough! Nothing, dear. I am fine," He squeezed his wife's hand reassuringly.
Clara heaved a sigh of relief, noticing the confidence returning to his voice. She had been worried about his health ever since he had experienced that deviation while cultivating.
"Ah! Who is this young man?" The emperor asked curiously.
Scarlett quickly took Raymond's arm and brought him forward.
"Your Majesty, this is Ray," she said, a small smile hanging by her lips. "You must be aware of his deeds."
"Haha!" The emperor stood up, positively beaming. "Finally, we meet, young man! I have been looking forward to this day."
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone