章 27: Imperial Court
Myrtle inhaled the fresh morning breeze and let out a deep sigh of relaxation.
Her morning started bad, but eventually it turned good.
Izekiel had been very furious this morning, he had commanded every one to not bother him and for that reason, even servants and guards were not allowed near his chamber.
Myrtle had thought that his wound must be bothering him and so she took the healer with her to meet him and gain his favor.
However, Izekiel simply asked both of them to leave and stormed inside his room.
This made Myrtle upset, but when she saw Johanna appear there, her heart became giddy.
Johanna had not only broken the command of confinement upon her, she even dared to come to the emperor's personal chamber without being invited.
Despite her being his wife, she was just an imperial consort and was not in the position to meet emperor whenever she wishes.
Myrtle was sure this would make Izekiel very angry at Johanna.
"My lady...?" Myrtle's lady in waiting, Betty, says nervously, "Was that not a bit too much?"
"It was perfect," Myrtle smiled brightly as the two of them walked.
"My lady, have you forgotten? The daughter of a count entered his majesty's chamber few months ago and his majesty punished her very severely..."
"Princess Johanna needs to be taught a lesson, she is getting too much close to my brother," Myrtle shrugged.
"She seems innocent...Princess Johanna had not really done anything wrong," Betty nervously rubbed her hands.
"Are you trying to ruin my mood?" Myrtle snapped, "That princess is coming in way of her majesty! No one but her majesty deserves my brother!"
Betty wanted to point out there was no 'way' between Lillian and Izekiel. The two of them have barely talked since their marriage.
"Princess Myrtle," Lord Elric noticed the two ladies coming, and bowed slightly, "Are you going to the court?"
"I am just hoping to meet my brother and greet him," she smiled, "Why would I go to the court?"
"Of course, court is not a place for women-"
They both froze when they saw Izekiel and Nesrin appear at the end of the corridor.
This part of the palace was only visited by those who were high in the palace hierarchy. Princess Johanna was not supposed to be here.
Myrtle's fists clenched tightly, why were they walking side by side when Nesrin should have been punished?
Izekiel even looked calmer than before.
Myrtle glanced at Nesrin and wondered if the princess was involved with dark magic and witchcraft.
"I hope you have a nice day ahead, your majesty," Myrtle smiled and bowed to him, "Good morning, your highness. Are you here to see his majesty off?"
"I am here to attend the court," Nesrin returned the smile.
Myrtle's face lost all it's cheerfulness.
~~~
As soon as they entered the room, there was a sudden silence. Nesrin felt gazes, full of curiosity, contempt and surprise, falling upon her. She was nervous to be in a place like this.
This was the imperial court, where only men and experienced high ranked officials sat.
She was nervous, but she tried to keep that emotion away from her face and avoided all those gazes as she followed Izekiel inside.
This was Nesrin's request, she needed to be more aware of the things that are happening in the palace if she wants to change the course of upcoming events.
Nesrin could not solely rely on her knowledge of the novel.
It was her first day being in a place like this, she wondered how the day would end for her.
-Five hours later-
"Th-that's absurd!" Lord Elric exclaimed breaking the silence, "How can her highness propose something like that?"
"I must say, for once, I agree with Lord Elric," Duke Alwin said while stroking his gray beard.
"Outrageous is what I call that," the young count, Rahlf smirked.
Nesrin bit her lips as she heard the excellent comments on her suggestion, with a little hesitation, she lifted her eyes at Izekiel.
They were in the imperial court, Nesrin needed to learn more about the happenings of the empire in order change the future that laid in front of them.
She was not sure if Izekiel would allow her to accompany him to the court, it was not a custom in Esmeria. The court was a place strictly assigned to the males.
Izekiel's eyes were deep in thought, before he stood up from his throne and commanded,
"Her highness' proposal would be approved, Lord Elric, do the necessary preparations,"
His eyes met Nesrin's there was a small nod that gestured her to follow him.
Nesrin's heart was filled with uncertainty, she was grateful that Izekiel had allowed her to be in the court and even approved what she proposed.
At the same time, she was nervous, what if her plan fails?
"Thank you, your majesty," Nesrin says after a while.
"You know a lot about politics...but your knowledge is lacking," he glanced at her, "And yet what you said in the court made sense."
His eyes were mixed with curiosity and doubt.
"Ah, well...about that," Nesrin rubbed the side of her nose, "I saw how many noblemen have sent their requests for official palace posts. As per the political etiquette, his majesty would need to gain allies by granting them favors."
"This had always happened, the monarch seldom holds all the power. It is distributed among families and people," Izekiel stated.
"However..." Nesrin chose her next words carefully, "such distribution of power can be fatal for the monarch."
In the novel, almost all the nobles who had influence in the palace had joined their hands together by the climax. They helped in overthrowing Izekiel.
"And so you think eliminating this centuries old practice with civil service exams would be good?"
Nesrin nodded.
"This will reduce the power from the hands of nobles," Izekiel pointed out, "But it would make them more rebel as well. They won't stay silent after the decree is released."
"On the bright side, these exams will give the commoners an opportunity of getting better palace positions. They would become more loyal to his majesty and this would somewhat resolve the unrest among them."
"Your perspective is...unique I must say," Izekiel expressed, a faint smile playing upon his lips.
It was like faint sunshine falling upon frozen mountains, the light glistening upon the fresh snow.
Nesrin couldn't take off her eyes off him, and he didn't bothered to do that as well.
~~~
"My lady, this-this really scares me!" Betty whispered, "Are you poisoning her highness?!"
"Do I look like a murderer?" Myrtle looked at her with offended expression.
Betty wanted to agree but unfortunately she can't. Myrtle rolled her eyes and stirred the soup before covering it again.
This tray was the lunch prepared for Johanna, Myrtle had pulled some of her connections and sneaked a white liquid inside the meal.
"I am scared..." Betty whimpered as she saw the mischievous glint in Myrtle's eyes.
Myrtle looked at her and smiled wickedly,
"I am simply planning to send her majesty to the place she belongs."
クリエイターの想い 
Alancaster
Alancaster Thanks for reading!
Sorry for the late update, I got distracted by a couple of things today.
Enchanting The Cruel Prince
New Book Out! A tale of forbidden love, and courtly intrigues~
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