Everyone waited in silence, with their eyes fixed on the throne, wanting to know what was going to happen next.
Then, Emperor Edward’s decision dropped like a stone into the calm pond.
"We have enough fun today. Seeing the way things have turned out, the Crown Gas will be postponed until tomorrow."
His voice carried across the arena. Excitent that had been burning monts ago slowly faded away, leaving the air heavy and uncertain. Even so, no one dared to complain.
The Emperor rose to his feet, leaning slightly on Pleard for support as he made his way down from the throne. The weight of his authority lingered in every step, making the hall fall into hushed whispers.
Roosevelt glanced at his younger siblings with a mocking smile. "What bad luck. I thought I was going to get the chance to discipline my younger ones today."
Rein chuckled, shaking his head as if brushing it off. "You are dreaming too much, Elder Brother." His laugh was light, but as he turned around, his eyes sharpened, carrying an edge that did not match his tone.
Maritina watched the mounting tension between her brothers and sighed. She shook her head and drew a deep breath, not wanting to add fuel to the fire.
......
Back at the Veydrin Mansion in the capital, the tension had not faded.
"What the hell happened out there?" Kael demanded the mont they stepped inside. His voice beca sharp as his brows drew together.
The old man, Ramos, scratched his beard and looked just as uneasy. They had hurried straight back after the match, yet his face showed he was still unsettled.
"I don’t know much, but we received a ssage," Ramos finally said.
Kael stopped in his tracks. "What ssage?"
Ramos clicked his tongue and waved his hand as if brushing him off. "Since we are here, is there a need to know?" he snorted.
Kael glared at him but didn’t press further. The two continued down the long hallway until they reached Emilia’s quarters.
Kael’s steps grew slower, heavier. He wondered what kind of scene he was about to see inside. His jaw tightened, though he forced himself to keep walking.
Even Ramos, who always acted tough, wore a panicked look as they pushed the door open.
Blink..
Blink....
Both n froze and blinked as if their eyes were playing tricks on them.
Inside, Ruth sat beside Emilia, carefully blowing on a spoonful of hot soup before gently bringing it to her lips. Emilia leaned forward and took the sip like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"GU... Ahhhhhh!"
Kael’s sudden scream cut through the quiet.
Both Ruth and Emilia froze in place. Their eyes went wide as they turned slowly toward the door, seeing Kael shouting while Ramos, without warning, grabbed Kael’s elbow and twisted it with shocking strength.
Kael’s face darkened. "Have you gone crazy!" he roared angrily, jerking his arm free and slamming Ramos’s hand away.
Ramos only shook his head with that infuriating calm. "I was just seeing if this is a dream."
Kael’s patience snapped. "Then pinch yourself, you old fool," he growled, glaring at him.
But Ramos acted like nothing happened and walked further into the room, hands behind his back like so wise elder.
"Are you alright now?" he asked Emilia, his tone softer.
Emilia nodded faintly, her pale face brightened with a gentle smile. "I have never felt better."
That smile was small and simple, but it struck both Kael and Ramos deeply. It pierced their hearts, stopping them in place. For a mont, neither spoke.
The air shifted becoming warr than before as if spring had graced with its presence.
Kael lifted his brows, taking a slow, deep breath to steady himself. His chest tightened, though he didn’t show it.
’No wonder she is called the Flower of Salvatore and no wonder people fought like madn to marry her.’
The room grew quiet again, but this ti it wasn’t heavy. Ruth lowered her gaze, Emilia’s smile lingered, Ramos looked oddly smug, and Kael stood there, biting back the ss of emotions that rose inside him.
For that single mont, they all wanted the smile to last forever.
Emilia looked around the room for a mont. Her calm eyes scanned everyone before she spoke softly. "Where is Adele? Didn’t she co along?"
Kael and Ramos froze. They exchanged a quick glance, both of them hesitating for a second.
"She had so work to do," Ramos finally answered,in a flat tone.
...
Sowhere in the capital, the night streets were quiet. A cloaked figure moved quickly through narrow passages, her steps sharp and without pause.
She reached a dimly lit room and pushed the door open. Inside, a man sat waiting with a serious expression.
"Why did you call out here so urgently?" the cloaked person asked. Her voice carried a trace of annoyance as she pulled back the hood, revealing her purple-blue hair that shimred faintly in the candlelight.
The man’s eyes softened as he looked at her. "Why are you so angry, Adele? Can’t I just et my fiancée? I missed you after not seeing you for so long."
His words sounded quite pleasant ladened with concern , but Adele’s gaze was sharp. She folded her arms and let out a quiet hum filled with irritation. "Your Highness Rein, you better not play with words. I am not in the mood to entertain you."
She rembered clearly how she had tried to refuse his summons.
After the match, she wanted to leave quietly, but a servant rushed to her and insisted that Prince Rein wanted to see her. She had declined at first, but then ca the ssage that he wanted her to co no matter what. In the end, she had no choice but to appear before him.
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she took a step closer. "Now tell . What happened for you to call suddenly?"
Rein leaned back in his chair, the corners of his mouth twitching into the faintest of smiles. He reached for the glass of fine wine beside him, swirling it lazily before taking a slow sip. His eyes never left Adele. They grew sharp, cutting into her expression as if searching for a reaction.
After a mont,Rein spoke,"We can’t wait any longer. The ti has co."
The words settled into the air like a heavy shadow, leaving silence between them.
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