Flowers and floats turned Triumph Square into a beautiful explosion of colors, but not a single female aristocrat looked interested in it. This was a performance ant only for the lowborns. What fun was there exchanging banal pleasantries with them? But if the Emperor was still enjoying the sights, then they had to pretend to be enjoying it as well.
Elric was the sa. It was strange, actually. He used to be so happy taking part in the festivities back ho. Hed laugh, sing, and dance with the other villagers. Elric thought hed be excited to see what the Day of Triumph celebration would be like here in Karth, but now that the day was here, Elric could say he was just tired of it all. The noise, the people, the colors; everything.
What was going on with him? Had he pretended to be a noble for so long that he was actually thinking like one? Was it possible to turn back the sands of ti and revert to his past self and not so sort of dolled-up princess? Was it possible to be Elric again?
He sunk deep into self-reflection and beca lost to the flow of ti. The sun had already set and the celebration was beginning to wrap up when Hughesin gently shook his shoulder to rouse him.
I wonder what it is on your mind, lady Fantasia. Are you peckish, perhaps? The banquet youve been looking forward to all this ti is coming up soon.
Wearing these garnts is rather tiring, Elric mumbled softly, A looser change of clothes would be preferable than a bite.
Lady Fantasia, A woman cut into the conversation first before Hughesin, I fear Duke Hughesin will find it rather hard and embarrassing if you were to let loose.
Her lips twisted into an evil smile.
Somiret shot his sister a furious glare while Hughesin sputtered at her statent. His glare was ant to shut her up, but the beautiful woman ignored it. In fact, she gave Hughesin a knowing wink right afterward.
Elric wasnt sure what to think about the relationship between Hughesin and this woman. She wasnt an old fla of the duke, of that he could be certain. But being able to communicate through the eyes rather than an exchange of words indicated beyond that of an acquaintanceship. Even more surprising was actually how bold and confident this woman was toward Hughesin. How in the world was soone known as the Empires greatest pervert not be able to win the heart of a stunningly beautiful woman like her? Was his nickna just for show?
The duke seed afraid of her, if anything. Elric couldnt think of any reason why he would be, however. Maybe Hughesin actually fancied this woman or sothing? Maybe the duke mistook his romantic feelings as feelings of deep friendship, or maybe he was actually afraid of ruining whatever friendship he had with her by confessing? If that was the case then Elric was more than willing to play the role as matchmaker behind their backs. Hopefully hed do such a good job at it that hed no longer be considered Hughesins number one choice and would be given freedom.
Truth be told, Elric had actually so begrudging amount of respect for Hughesin and his mother in the span of the five days he resided in their ho. Matchmaking Hughesin and this woman would be a way for him to pay them back in a sense and soothe the tiniest of guilt he felt about this entire thing. Reading the family journal endeared Elric a little to their plight. History reared its ugly head far too many tis to Hughesin and his family, and Elric really did feel sympathy for them. But as much as he wanted to help the ducal house, marriage was without a doubt out of the question.
Those thoughts softened the grim smile on Elrics face. Hughesin, on the other hand, was growing more and more apprehensive. The wink was a declaration of a ga he no longer wished to play. This woman was actually trying to make a trophy out of the one he lovedhow utterly preposterous. In what manner of way did she view Fantasia? As a prized prey to be claid after a hunt? As a testant to her ability to give chase?
The losses he was dealt at her hands before re-erged in his mind, striking another blow to the dukes confidence. She was always the victor whenever they competed and it always stupefied him whenever it happened. Only the fact that he didnt actually have interest in any of the won they competed for gave him any consolation. But Fantasia wasnt the sa case. He deeply cared about her and the fact that this detestable woman was trying to win her away was absolutely infuriating to him.
The emotions that danced across Hughesins face in turn earned a hidden smile from Somiret. Sotis he had to admire his sisters strength. Already she was playing with Hughesins deep-seated fears, though Somiret knew the duke wasnt the type to back down so easily. The only thing stopping the duke from doing anything that might sully his reputation was consideration of his own image in front of Fantasia. It was completely unlike Hughesins normal attitude, and Somiret firmly believed his sister was the only person in the Empire capable of putting Hughesin in such a state.
All in all, Somiret was quite pleased with the outco and the preparations he made earlier. Yesternight, the emperor summoned him to discuss the matter and Somiret managed to extract a promise from the emperor to keep a leash on Hughesin by limiting the ti he had together with Fantasia. If Hughesin had less ti with Fantasia, then his own sister would inversely have more ti and opportunities to lead Fantasia away from the dukes clutches.
On one hand, Somiret was worried whether or not the Emperor would beco infatuated with Fantasia himself. He couldnt discount that possibility based on their past history together, but nothing was certain. Even after all this ti he knew the ruler, Somiret had yet to confidently claim he knew the man and what drove him as a person. On the other hand, Somiret wasnt actually sure what Hecaris III would do or if hed change in any way. The man had always been an enigma in their group, a wild card. The man had never really concerned himself with matters of the heart. Now that Hughesin was seemingly trying to reform himself and be an excellent suitor, Somiret didnt want to see the Emperor dip his hand into the dirty waters and claim the jewel for himself.
Hughesin, Elric, Somiret, and Somirets sister were led away from the temple by the guards. Striding through Hero Square, Elric soon ca face-to-face with the place where all his troubles in Karth started. The al that took place here in the temple had changed his destiny irrevocably. Just thinking about it caused trendous pain for Elric, though he managed to hide his grimace well before clearing his mind of the thought.
Fortunately for Elric, todays banquet would not be taking place in the sa hall as before, where all whispers beca shouts. They were led into a different hall that had neither statues or art or architecture. The place was completely level with marble flooring and had nothing else. Not even a roof. He couldnt comprehend the reasoning behind the construction of such a square and why they decided to omit any semblance of a roof. Aesthetically, though, the square did look quite nice with the sky being reflected on the ground. Even the outlines of the white clouds above were visible on the marble.
A tall white wall stood in the way of anyone wishing to go beyond and into the palace behind it. Preventing access to the centermost part of Waldsk was a single gate ten ters tall.
Drawing closer to the walls, Elric noticed how they were made from sothing white like snow and sturdy like granite. The door was made of so kind of alloy and had gold and silver casted into it to form a beautifully complex pattern. The Imperial Emblem of the Karth Empire.
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