Chapter 23: Suprise
a/n Deleted the one I published earlier. There was an information that shouldn't have said yet lol. Anyways enjoy and don't forget to leave your comments and review!
As the door opened, my mind went blank.
Did I heard it right? Emperor? He's the Emperor? Then the one whom I CASUALLY talked to is the highest and most powerful in the whole Empire?!
I looked at him wide eyes open and if my jaws could fall, it would probably have fell to the floor.
I felt his movement forward and there's no other choice but to move with him as well. I looked at his side profile with his mask on. I can't believe it. I felt cheated. More importantly embarrassed. I...
"Just how... I mean.. Why..." I was rambling as I talk. I couldn't think straight. Am I being punished up above?! I do want to see the Emperor, but not this close! Just what the heck where did my expectation of staying low profile went to?!
"Greetings to the Emperor!"
"Long Live the Aether Empire!
"Long Live the Emperor!"
I was then startled from the sudden greetings of all the people here. Which made me suddenly stopped my track midway in stepping down on the staircase. I slowly felt myself falling forward so I let go from touching the Emperor's hand in order to stabilize myself. The sudden realization of people staring at me suprised me. This is so embarassing. Now I'm falling down the staircase. This is really...
Then I felt something. I opened my eyes wide open as I saw a face close infront of me. Rather there was a mask wore by a person. I look at his eyes that shows his dark colored eyes as contrast from the light above the ceiling and him causing a shadow over me.
I realized I was being held in my waist by one of his hand while the other holds my hands up which I think he did to pull me to stop me from falling down. I suddenly felt my cheek hot.
THIS IS SO EMBARASSING!!
"I'm-- I'm really sorry your Majesty. I didn't-- this are..." I was trying to distance myself, but he had a firm grip as he fix me up to the staircase to stand-up.
"Let's move to sit." He said and stood straight. I looked at him then slightly glimpse to the front, where all the people are looking at the Emperor and me. Then his arms went up again indicating to go with my arms to his.
"Y-your Majesty I don't think that I should..." He looked at me straight to the eyes. I shut my mouth and held to him again. I can feel my heart beating so fast it's crazy. Plus the looks given by all the people in the banquet as we walk down. This is crazy. I was just late, the most I expected was to be looked at as I entered late then they wouldn't careless later. Contrary to what I expected, and the very unlikely I expected is that I'll be entering with the Emperor whom I seemed to have offended earlier!
We've reached the ground and Master Zuo and the creepy smiling guy I saw was infront of us. Master Zuo is looking dead straight to us, while the Smiling Creepy Guy was of course smiling. Plus he's looking at me as he smiles. Just smile back, Reen. Smile back.
Calm down, Reen. Calm down. You're already on the floor. So His Majesty and I will part ways.
"Your Majesty, I will---" I was about to excused myself when the Emperor out spoke me.
"She'll be sitting beside me."
Master Zuo and I took a few seconds before we can react.
"Sir?"
"Wait! What!?"I said and looked at him horrified. He looked at me then I realized my reaction just now. I SAID KEEP IT CALM, REEN. THEN AGAIN HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO CALM DOWN! AHHHHH!
Master looked at me, rather I can feel his glare. Then the smiling guy, whom based on standing by in front of the Emperor and besides Master Zuo. I supposed he's the High-Priest? Plus how he wears all white like representing the temple or something. Anyways, he laughed at me. Darn it. Compose yourself.
"Do you have a problem with that?" Is he seriously asking me that? Of course I have a problem with that! It will give me so much attention that I didn't wanted! I just wanted to look at you from afar as I eat and listen to people, not be the topic of people's talking!
"No, Your Majesty. I dare not." I said and smiled then bow. Of course I wouldn't be able to say those things now. If it were earlier I would.
"Now you're calling me 'Your Majesty', where's the casualness earlier?" My blood rose up to my cheeks and embarrassment plushed. If I had known I've probably taken another route just so I wouldn't talk to you!
"Your Majesty likes to joke..." I said and laughed, but I can still my cheeks hot. Maybe I look so stupid right now like a mouse being tortured by a cat before being devoured.
Then a clearing of throat was heard and the Emperor look at Master Zuo who stepped aside and was pointing his hand to the middle seat, with a goldish looking seat an arms away from it.
"I've prepared a sit for Lady Reenste near you, Your Majesty." Master Zuo said. The Emperor then proceed with my hand on his arm, I then walked. I still feel their gazes on me. I can hear them faintly talking about the Emperor and me.
The next time there's an occasion like to this. I'll see to it that I'll be early. Early as possible to the point I'll be with them to prepare the place.
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Going back earlier, in point of view of the others.
"His Majesty, The Emperor of the Great Empire of Aether!"
Everyone turned quiet and looked at the opening door. Everyone is full of anticipation, especially the ladies, and they're on the best behavior to present themselves.
But everyone was shocked to see the elegant man in his red-black robes and the signature black mask covering his upper face, with a beautiful woman in her long red dress and her long gorgeous black hair.
As they both began to walk, this was the time where all the people shook off their suprised and started greeting the Emperor.
The lady in red dress seems to have been tripped a bit and has let go of the Emperor.
"Ahh! She's falling..." Some of the people reacted.
But the Emperor reacted quickly and held her hands then pulled her towards her. Then the Emperor held on her waist for to support her.
The lady seems to thank the Emperor and they're interacted in peace before proceeding to walk down.
All of this taken everyone by suprise. The Emperor being with a girl in a selection process of his consort seems really ironic. Plus people can see how the two are seems to be contrast in appearance and aura, but it all fits perfectly, just them walking side by side. It puts an awe to people seeing them.
Yet they couldn't still shake off what they're seeing. The Dark Emperor who have never been with any girl since his placement to throne has a girl with him now.
"Who's she?"
"Where family does she came from?"
"She looks so beautiful! No wonder she's with the Emperor!"
The three ladies who was searching for their friend was woke from their astonishment.
"That's Reen!"
"Reen is with the Emperor?"
"Reenste is with the Emperor!"
Effreila looked at Reenste full admiration and Joie full of pride, then Resitaire look so shocked but then smiled to what she's seeing.
"She's Lady Reenste, your friend?" Sir Herschel asked. Then the three ladies nodded in unison and giggled as they feel proud to see their friend.
"She really looks so elegant and beautiful!" Effreila said full of admiration.
"You seem to really look up to her?" Effreila nodded enthusiastically. Doctor Nigel smiled to his daughter then patted her head.
"To be able to keep calm while being with the Emperor is truly impressive." Military Counselor Abner praised as he nodded looking at Reenste steadily walking.
"Of course! She's Reenste. She fend off assassins, so walking would be easy for her!" Joie said laughing joyfully.
Everyone watched the pair as they reached Master Zuo and the High-Priest. They were keeping tabs to every movement of the Lady, wondering who she is. Everyone saw the lady's seemingly exchange of glances to the Emperor and how she laughed the Emperor and how the Emperor seems to entertain her.
As they were talking, Master Zuo have asked one of his servants to do something and this made everyone curious. Everyone looked at the servant doing something, bringing a chair to the table where the officials and the Emperor is going to sit.To everyone's suprise, it was put near to the Emperor's seat.
Then they saw Master Zuo gesture showing the Emperor his seat and the chair besides it. To everyone's suprise again, when they thought the lady is to leave the Emperor's side. They proceeded to move forward. Walking to the seats prepared.
"She's given a sit besides the Emperor?"
"Just who is she? Did anyone have heard or know the Lady?"
"I just heard from the Lady of Starke Clan, that the Lady's name is Reenste."
"What family is she from? Or is she from outer family of a Clan?"
"Does the Emperor already chosen her Consort?"
"What about the selection?"
The ladies in the middle was even more stupefied when they have clearly saw the Lady that the Emperor is with, It is Reenste Ermyntrude.
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