Bab 26: Chapter 26
That night, Priestess Alison found herself kneeling before Emperor Maximus, her body trembling slightly under the palpable pressure radiating from his imposing figure. The atmosphere in the grand chamber was thick with tension, yet an unmistakable thrill coursed through her. It was a peculiar sensation, one that was all too familiar to those hailing from the Temple. The priestesses often exhibited this particular expression—a mixture of reverence and something akin to ecstatic pleasure—when they were in the presence of the Emperor, who was, after all, the direct offspring of their God. This divine lineage imbued him with an aura that was both intimidating and intoxicating, causing many to feel a sense of euphoria despite its oppressive nature. However, this peculiar mix of emotions did not go unnoticed by the nobles seated around the ornate round table. Their discomfort was palpable, as they exchanged uneasy glances, uncertain of how to interpret the priestess's unsettling demeanour.
"Your report," the Emperor commanded, his voice low and authoritative, consisting of just two words that resonated through the chamber like a bell tolling.
"Of course, Your Imperial Majesty!" Priestess Alison responded with enthusiasm, her eyes sparkling as she prepared to deliver her findings. Yet, the Emperor's keen gaze quickly detected a shift in her expression; the excitement had morphed into something more uncertain. "The Princess… well…" she stammered, her brow furrowing as she struggled to articulate her thoughts.
"What's the matter?" the Emperor inquired, his voice steady yet laced with a hint of impatience.
"W-Well… the thing is…" Priestess Alison's confidence seemed to waver, and she hesitated, clearly grappling with the weight of the information she was about to reveal.
"What is it?" It was Duke Hillington who finally broke the silence, his tone demanding yet cautious, as he sought to avoid drawing the Emperor's ire. "Speak!" he urged, his voice echoing across the chamber.
With a sudden burst of urgency, she finally blurted out, "It was white!" The exclamation shattered the tense atmosphere, reverberating off the marble walls
"White?" The nobles murmured in confusion, their brows knitting together as they processed her unexpected proclamation.
"What does she mean, white?" they whispered among themselves, bewildered. In their lexicon of energies, the colors were well-defined—green signified divine energy, blue represented spiritual energy, purple indicated magical energy, and red was associated with aura. Yet, there was no mention of white; it simply did not exist in their understanding of the mystical world. The implications of such an anomaly hung heavily in the air, raising eyebrows and igniting whispered speculations about what this revelation could mean for the empire. The nobles, dressed in their opulent robes, exchanged furtive glances, their minds racing with possibilities.
The atmosphere in the grand hall shifted palpably as anxiety rippled through the assembled courtiers. The nobles were clearly worried, their hushed conversations a cacophony of confusion and fear. However, all went silent when the Emperor raised his hand, a gesture that commanded immediate attention. His presence was authoritative, and the air grew thick with anticipation as he began to speak.
"Was the device broken?" he asked, his voice steady but laced with concern. This question hung in the air, and many held their breath, thinking that this could explain the colour anomaly.
"That was not the case," Priestess Alison replied, shaking her head as she addressed the Emperor. "I demonstrated with the crystal ball before the princess, and when I saw the color of the ball, I tested it again. However, it reacted correctly to myself and the other servants that touched it." Her tone was firm, yet there was an underlying tremor of uncertainty in her voice as she relayed her findings.
"Then what does it mean?" Duke Hillington interjected, his voice rising above the murmurs. He had been the one to pose this most important question, and his brow furrowed deeply as he awaited an answer.
The priestess seemed a little nervous, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her robe. It was clear that she had come to a conclusion, yet she hesitated to voice it aloud, the weight of her words palpable in the air.
"Don't worry, what you say will not cause you to be punished," the Emperor reassured her, his tone softer now, as if to coax the truth from her. Hearing his words seemed to have caused her to relax slightly, although the tension in the room remained thick.
"I… I suspect that the princess has more than one energy," she finally informed them, revealing the conclusion she had drawn from her observations. The room shifted, the nobles exchanging looks of disbelief and intrigue.
"Impossible!" some murmured, while others nodded in agreement, unwilling to accept the notion that the princess could possess an energy outside their known spectrum. The murmurs of dissent began to rise again, drowning out the priestess's words. The nobles were not just skeptical; they were fearful of the implications this could have on the balance of power within the empire.
As the discussions grew louder, the Emperor's brow furrowed deeper. He knew that understanding this anomaly was not just a matter of curiosity; it could hold the key to the empire's future. His mind had returned to the night his wife, the Empress gave up her life in exchange for the ritual that saved their beloved daughter's soul. Could this be the reason for the people behind the incident were trying to destroy Cassandra's soul and take her body? Or could it have been a result of having another soul within her body, even if for a short time? These thoughts spiralled in his mind as he struggled to maintain control over the increasingly chaotic assembly.
He was still unable to find any clues about those from that fateful night, even after a hundred years had passed, and he had spent a large amount of time and money in his relentless pursuit of the truth. However, despite his best efforts, he had come up completely empty-handed. The mystery surrounding that night loomed large in his mind, a dark cloud that refused to dissipate. He suspected that there could be nobles involved in the events, but without concrete evidence, he couldn't be sure. It was a dangerous game to play, especially in a court filled with intrigue and hidden agendas. Amongst the shadows of the palace, he felt the weight of isolation, for there were only a handful of people he could trust. None of the nobles were aware of the truth behind Princess Cassandra's condition, a closely guarded secret that had the potential to shake the very foundations of the empire.
His daughter had finally opened her eyes after a long slumber and was now finding her way in this world after having spent years in another realm. The Emperor knew that she was planning something behind his back. Yet, he understood that he couldn't interfere too directly. He had to tread lightly, balancing his paternal instincts with the weight of his imperial duties.
"Your Majesty," a voice called out, breaking through his turbulent thoughts. It was Duke Hillington, his closest aid and friend, who had stepped forward to take control of the meeting. The Emperor nodded, grateful for the interruption.
"For now, no one is to speak of this matter," the Emperor declared, his index finger tapping rhythmically on the polished surface of the table as he leaned on his other hand's fist. "Next, if what you say is true, then we must find out how many energies the princess possesses, along with what types." The room fell into a heavy silence, all eyes fixed on him. He scrutinized their expressions, hoping to catch even the slightest glimpse of a reaction that might raise his suspicions. However, there was nothing—only composed faces, hiding their thoughts behind a veneer of loyalty. "After that, we'll decide what must be done." With that, the meeting came to an abrupt end, the tension lingering in the air like a storm waiting to break. The Emperor's heart raced as he contemplated the uncertain path ahead, knowing that the truth was just beyond his grasp, and that the stakes had never been higher.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
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