Chapter 2 - Under the dazzling freezing night, you smiled beautifully

BANG!

The door opened widely, a very familiar figure suddenly came out.

"Brother Seannnn!"

oh god. here comes trouble.

"W-what is it?"

I know I'm the Emperor but whenever I saw Noah I completely feel my head spinning. I don't know what kind of power Noah and Kein have to make me feel weak but it sure does not help me!

"Why...I never received an invitation from duke courtenay?"

how should I know? that bastard if he wasn't my aide at all I'm sure I got my payback already.

"We-well... I don't even know what he's thinking."

I better not provoke Kein than Noah.

"Hmp!"

Wait. Why do I looked like my wife is mad at me now?

Ha. I'm still young, 23 is still a young age.

I hoped that i got a chance to see Elizabeth later.

I can't believe this. Not only I was humiliated earlier but even my older brother doesn't concerned himself on me.

"I'm back."

"Welcome back!"

This person. Azira Vorrite. I know she's the fake Azira since I've been informed from the beginning before I even approach her was she used to be a slaved that looks like the deceased Azira.

Nevertheless I'm willing to take the risk of exposing her.

Her crimes, using someone's status to hurt those below, seducing boys with those innocent look, I know every single thing about this girl.

I tried brushing her off but,

(You will be the Emperor, as long as I'm here)

I was completely brainwashed.

The noisy hall full with nobles have began. The woman with unique moonstone hair and brilliant emerald eyes hide herself in the shadow but despite that one person have caught her as he thought he saw someone glowing thing over there.

"Who's she?"

He somehow approched her without her noticing. The woman sighed and turned around, shocked seeing someone behind her.

"Hi!"

She tilt her head. 'Lets pretend to be deaf'

"Can you speak?"

She frowned, pretending to be frustrated so that he would thought that she's deaf.

"Ahh. I'm sorry. I didn't know your deaf. I'm Claude Zickar nice to meet you young lady.."

Claude? Did he just say claude zickar?! Isn't he one of the love interest of Azira Vorrite? Why isn't he with her? According to the novel whenever Azira is they clearly followed her secretly hoping to capture her heart.

"You must be on your way. I'll leave you now.."

He waved his hand, leaving me behind. Guess my plan work. I turn around leaving the noisy place as I went out in the backyard, hoping to have some peace.

The breeze was more calm that made me breath more freely. Slowly looking around, I made sure no one is here before I let out my flute.

In my previous life, the song 'My heart will go on' was the very famous for it's sad melody with nostalgic feeling.

Without myself knowing I've started playing , my eyes were closed as I'm feeling the song. Another thing my heart started beating smile soon across my face.

Haa. Tonight is much warmer than the previous nights.

"Tch! I can't believe this. Those womans are just trying to get my attention by showing such a disgraceful thing. They must like the empress seat so much."

I scratched the back of my neck. Soon, I noticed someone's shadow, without myself knowing I followed it to only end up getting manipulated.

She's beautiful.

I never saw her before. She has a hair that is more brighter than the moon, her beautiful emerald eyes are rare thing in the empire. No one ever possessed such a brilliant green eyes.

"Your majesty, what are you doing here-"

I covered Ronald's mouth. Good thing she didn't noticed us.

"Your majesty, may I ask who's that young lady?" he whispered.

I shaked my head. He must have guessed it now, I need to observed her more.

Then.... without myself noticing, she started playing a flute with a beautiful melody. It was slow and calm at first but soon it gotten higher.

What...is making you feel happy but sad at the same time?

It made me fascinated thinking how you came up with such a brilliant melody. Who are you? What are you?

"Wow." Even ronald who most likely despise woman was also fascinated by you..

Are you a fairy? Perhaps a Goddess?

what is this feeling? The way those calming eyes gaze at the moon makes my heart race even more.

"Wai-"

No. She can't just leave. I still need to know who is she.

Ronald then grabbed my hand.

"Your majesty, It's time.."

I sighed. I guess I'll have to find her after this banquet.

"Thank you everyone for coming here. Today, it is my younger sister's birthday. Although, she will be coming a bit late since she isn't used to socialize with people, I hoped that everyone can understand that. Anyway, Happy 18th birthday, Elizabeth Rose Courtenay.."

Everyone clapped their hands, enjoying their drinks as the maids serves them food.

"Liz..are you ready?" Brother Johan held out his hand, My heart race just thinking about me having a blast birthday.

"Yes." Even though, It's only for today. After today I will never show myself again and brother Kein told me that all he invited were his trusted friends and friendly nobles. I hoped he's right.

"Then, let's go.."

It's already 10 minutes but Elizabeth is still not-

"Presenting, Miss Elizabeth Rose Courtenay and Lord Johansson Courtenay..."

Wa-wait! S-shes Elizabeth?

Many vassals started murmuring to themselves.

Of course they didn't expect to meet the youngest child of the Courtenay family. It was rumoured that she doesn't like to socialize people. She also enjoys composing songs. And the reason why she doesn't reveal herself in public is that she was very ugly.

But, the last rumour was false. It was because she was shy and doesn't want herself get in trouble.

"Miss Elizabeth, You are very beautiful.."

The shy person smiled, inside she felt nervous.

"Yes. I liked you to meet my son, Karl."

"Count McNeill, Don't go ahead of me. Meet my son, Albert."

"No. Meet my son, Acrus."

Wait. wait. wait. I'm getting dizzy with all these people.

"Ehem. Excuse me lords, my sister right now is getting all under the weather, I hoped this wait until later since today is her special day and the only day where you will see her so this is very rare sight."

The only day where you'll be able to see her?

Does that mean, this is her last day of appearing with such a huge crowd?

"I-im very sorry my lord. Let's go my son."

Kein can tell that those Counts are very trustworthy and will never failed to be a good father-in-law to Elizabeth, but, what he wants is his younger sister's happiness.

"Thank you, Brother.."

Even though brother Kein is being overprotective, I can feel his warmth just by his hands.

It makes me calm.

"Anyway, I'll let you meet his majesty, the Emperor.."

Emperor?! my body trembles as I heard of him. The emperor was considered as the most brutal just by his name. He is a complete innocent in the outside but in truth it was told that does who get in his way are all killed in a single slash.

Kein must have notices me getting anxious.

"It's alright. He won't harm you, I'm here."

"Yeah! I'll beat him up if he hurt you." Haha, Second brother really...

One more thing, in the novel it was said that he is the older brother of the second prince (which is the male lead) and that he treasures his brothers well even if the third prince that is barely the same age as me is only his half brother, he never played favored.

What he likes is making the Empire more stronger with commener's lived fairly..

And what he dislikes is... betrayal and woman.

"His aide, Sean Gill Courtenay, Greets his majesty.."

"The Captain of Hazel Royal Knights, Johansson, Greet his majesty.."

"Elizabeth Rose Courtenay, Greets his majesty, The Emperor.."

"Be at ease."

By his orders we slowly looked up.

As soon as his eyes made an eye contact with me, I didn't know what happened that made me lost my mind. It was like, Love at first sight.

He has a great face, his brilliant gold hair with ocean eyes are making him more handsome.

"Nice to meet you, Elizabeth."

hUh?? Why is he smiling?