Statue

A few days passed when Cassandra was suddenly summoned by the Emperor.

As Cassandra was walking towards the main hall along with Amy she could hear the thoughts of the passersby.

[Is she the one that Lord Bentham wants to marry?]

[Why would she be chosen?]

[The fifth Princess doesn't look that pretty.]

[Did she do something to get on Lord Bentham's good side?]

[Why would someone choose a useless person.]

Cassandra bit her tongue as she walked at a steady rate. She could not say a word to someone who had not to talk it in front of her. Cassandra sighed as she looked back at Amy who was looking at the side.

Everyone was looking at them as if they were the criminals ready to be punished. Amy swallowed as she looked at Cassandra and smiled, giving her master some strength.

[I hope Princess remains strong.] Amy thought as she smiled.

Cassandra's gaze twinkled as she resumed her walk. Amy was the only one who cared for her.

"Princess." The soldiers bowed in respect which shocked Cassandra as they announced her arrival. Cassandra's eyes widened but she did not say anything as she entered the main hall looking down.

'Stay calm.'

'Lord Bentham said everything will be alright.'

'I will be able to meet the Duke today.'

Cassandra took some deep breaths as she stood in front of the Emperor, her father as she bowed.

"The fifth Princess greats the Emperor." Cassandra's voice was soft almost like a whisper but the Emperor did not mind it as he was used to it.

According to the Emperor, the fifth Princess was someone who was soft-tempered. Sometimes he even forgot that he had her but yet he remembers it again as she was the only one without a single punch of power in her body.

This was always a spot in the Emperor's heart but yet he never said a word. But now he was happy with her. He was finally satisfied with the fifth Princess whose name he did not remember.

The Emperor looked at the surroundings as a smile bloomed on his face. He never knew that he could be related to the most powerful water mage family. The Bentham's.

[Even if Lord Bentham did not inherit the Dukedom, he will be a part of the family.]

[It is a win-win situation on my end.]

[You have made me proud, my daughter.]

The Emperor laughed as she looked at the Empress sitting beside him looking with narrowed gaze on the fifth Princess. "Did the Empress know about them all along? You should have told me first." The Emperor laughed as he continued. "I was so shocked when Duke Bentham came in with such a request."

The Empress's smile stiffened but there were many people around her. She knew that she could not say something out of character here.

"Even I didn't know." The Empress managed to say.

Cassandra's body shivered as she looked up. She had no idea that the Empress was present. As soon as her gaze collided with that of the Empress, Cassandra could feel the chill run through her spine.

Cassandra swallowed as she blinked her eyes in uneasiness. But before she could say anything, Lord Bentham came in and stood in front of her smiling at the Emperor.

"Now that the Emperor has seen the fifth Princess, I require that you grant us the permission to marry." Lord Bentham said as his gaze turned sharp looking at the royal couple.

"It is too early .." The Empress managed to say as she looked at the Emperor who waved his hand cutting the Empress's words in between.

"Yes. You both look happy together. I will be happy to grant the wish of Lord Bentham." The Emperor said when a gasp spread throughout the people.

The audience at the main hall consisted of the people who wanted their daughters to marry Lord Bentham for political gains. Many of their daughters were rumored to have met with the young Lord giving them hope. Today they had known that Lord Bentham would ask the Emperor to marry the one he likes and give the girl a surprise with the marriage proposal. Everyone present wanted the lucky girl to be from their family but looking at the situation it was the worst decision.

[We should have talked with the Duke.]

[How can Duke Bentham agree to this.]

[Does the Duke not care for his son?]

Cassandra listened to such thoughts as she looked at the back of Lord Bentham who stood in front of her like a pillar of support.

"If the Emperor agrees I would like to take the fifth Princess out at a regular interval of time." Lord Bentham said with a confident gaze. His lips curled up as he looked at the royal couple.

"Out of the palace?" The Emperor raised his eyebrows as he tapped his fingers on the chair handle. A shy smile spread on his face.

"This is absurd. How can you take her …" The Empress said in a strong tone as her eyes widened but her words were yet again cut by the Emperor.

"Let him give a justification. They are in love so naturally, they would want to spend some time together. Remember when we were about to marry. The Empress and I did meet secretly." The Emperor said in a whisper.

"That .." The Empress clenched her fingers tightly in anger. She hated when the Emperor cut her words in such an open manner and yet she could not do anything. The Empress knew that even though the Emperor was saying such words in a whisper his eyes glowed dangerously.

The Emperor looked at Lord Bentham for his explanation.

"As the Emperor said, we want to meet each other more and I know that the Princess had never left the palace once. I want her to be acquainted with my mansion and things that I take care of in general."

As the Emperor listened to Lord Bentham's explanation, he remained quiet. His gaze stayed between the two as he narrowed his gaze.

After much thought he said. "You can take her out but remember to take her lady-in-waiting as well. The Princess should always be followed by her lady-in-waiting."

Lord Bentham nodded as he bowed his head to the Royal couple.

[Now the fifth Princess can meet with Duke Salvador without a worry.]

[She can just follow me there and no one will have any objection.]

A smile spread on Lord Bentham's face as he looked at Cassandra who stood there like a statue unsure what had just happened.