Vira and Chrystia stepped into the grandeur of the main Imperial Palace and made their way toward one of the royal guest rooms, where an important eting was taking place.
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Inside, the atmosphere was heavy yet refined.
"Your Imperial Majesty, I—Helios—swear on my na that I will keep Chrystia deeply cherished in my heart, should you grant this opportunity. I may be weaker than her in magical prowess, but in terms of physical strength, we dragons hold the utmost advantage. We would be a perfect match for each other," Helios declared slyly, his tone deceptively humble as he sat with an air of feigned modesty.
Ti to ti his eyes kept roaming around Chrystia's beautiful figure as if eating her alive.
Before him sat a circle of eight esteed elders, six of whom were won. Though aged, their appearances betrayed no frailty, their stern expressions and dignified composure exuding authority.
The female elders were particularly scrutinizing, their sharp gazes cutting through Helios's words, analyzing his deanor and intentions. Each of them represented a key pillar of the Phoenix Empire's matriarchal hierarchy, and their opinions were crucial in matters of politics, alliances, and marriages.
Surprisingly, a snotty little girl sat in the middle of the group on an eye-catching throne, exuding an air of authority as if she were in charge.
The girl appeared to be around 7 or 8 years old but carried an imposing deanor well beyond her years. She adorned herself with earrings and jewelry befitting an empress, further emphasizing her regal presence.
From ti to ti, she glanced between Chrystia and Helios, silently considering the proposal with an expression that betrayed her sharp mind despite her youthful appearance.
The silence following Helios's declaration was deafening, filled with a tension that Chrystia, standing by the door, could almost taste.
One of the elder won finally broke the silence, her voice cold and sharp like a blade.
"Helios, while your claims of devotion are noted, a union with a mber of the Imperial Phoenix bloodline is not determined solely by strength—physical or otherwise. Do you truly believe your current status is enough to warrant such an audacious proposal? You have even failed to protect your son. How will you protect our Chrystia?"
Helios' expression darkened, but he smiled graciously.
"Honorable elders, you can't judge soone based on one failed incident. I have countless victories over demon armies. Furthermore, I can help you deepen your friendly relations with the Dragon Emperor, Your Empress," Helios said to the little girl, bowing his head slightly.
"I see..."
The little girl in the middle nodded, thinking hard. She seed to find the proposal very likeable.
Chrystia's eyes glinted with irritation. Her frustration with Helios was already brimming, and seeing him pleading his case before the elders and her mother only deepened her distaste.
Before Helios could respond, Chrystia stepped forward with asured grace, her voice calm but carrying an unmistakable edge.
"Mother Empress, elders, I beg your pardon for interrupting this discussion, but I must clarify sothing."
The attention in the room shifted to Chrystia, her presence demanding respect.
"I have no intention of accepting this proposal, now or ever. With all due respect to Helios and his lineage, I am perfectly capable of choosing my own path, one that aligns with the ideals of our Empire and my personal convictions."
Helios's expression faltered, though he quickly tried to mask his disappointnt with a forced smile.
"Hum..."
The little girl, revealed to be the Empress of the Phoenix Empire, was unimpressed by Chrystia's behavior.
"What are you saying, Chrystia? Use your brain like an adult. We can be allied with the Dragon Emperor through this marriage. How can you be so inconsiderate toward your own lineage?" the little Empress scolded sternly, her crisp, young voice filled with displeasure.
"What are you saying, mother? Don't I have the right to choose my partner?" Chrystia questioned angrily.
"No, you don't. You have to do as I say. Otherwise, the sa thing will happen to you that happened to your older sister Celeste. She was so foolish and irresponsible by choosing a demon as her partner. I won't let sothing like that happen again," the Empress said with fiery resolution, her small fra suppressing power beyond her age, like that of an ancient monster.
Vira stepped forward, attempting to defuse the tension between mother and daughter.
"Co on, Claudia. Give her so ti to think," he said calmly.
But his words seed to fall on deaf ears, carrying little weight in the room. It was clear who truly held the power.
Vira knew this well and didn't let it bother him. He had long accepted his wife's dominance over him. Despite her cold deanor, his love for her had grown after their arranged marriage.
"Vira, I can grant her so ti. But make sure she understands not to repeat her older sister's mistake by making a foolish choice," the Phoenix Empress said, her tone commanding and unyielding.
Chrystia felt a wave of relief wash over her, temporarily ignoring Helios's smug expression. She would find a way to escape this arranged marriage later. For now, there were more pressing matters to address.
"Speak your mind, Chrystia," Vira encouraged, placing a reassuring hand on her back. He had no idea that the news she was about to reveal would shock him as well.
"What are the two of you talking about?" the Phoenix Empress asked curiously, noticing their interaction.
Chrystia took a deep breath and began, "Mother Empress, your granddaughter Bella Bellfrost is here… to take her mother away."
The room fell into stunned silence.
"What?"
The Phoenix Empress's voice cut through the air like a blade. Her sharp gaze bore into Chrystia.
"What do you an, Chrystia? Speak clearly. Since when does that vile spawn dare to set foot here?" she demanded, her tone laced with simring anger.
Sensing the rising fury of her mother, Chrystia quickly explained, "Mother, it's like this…"
She detailed the events, recounting how Bella had arrived in the Phoenix Empire accompanied by her life partner—the infamous Rebel Emperor, or the Ruination Emperor as he was widely feared.
As Chrystia unfolded the story, the faces of the elders and Empress Claudia darkened with disbelief and anger.
The audacity of Bella, a child they considered tainted, and her powerful partner boldly walking into their empire, enraged them all.
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