The Emperor's Invitation

Chapter 14

"Those two cheating couple is really shameless" Reina said to herself.

Then she saw a group of people who are sitting at a large table.

"You majesty pardon me for interrupting you. The daughter of Duke Von Helios is here already" said the man who guides them.

"Good day! To the sun of the Empire" said Reina while bowing half of her body as a sign of respect.

"Hello there lady, thank you for accepting my invitation to coming here today" said the Emperor.

The Emperor has a strong resemblance to the Crown Prince Helsion. He is the older version of the Crown Prince. He is in his sixties but despite his age he is still dignified and noble. Just by looking at him you can feel that he is not someone to be trifled with. He has a presence of a true ruler.

"Your welcome your majesty. It's an honor for me to be invited here" Reina said respectfully.

"I am glad to hear that, have a seat lady" the Emperor said.

Reina see the Emperor's children for the first time. He has twelve children, seven Princes and five Princesses. The Empress and the five remaining concubines are all present. They are all shocked when they see Reina arrived.

"Good day! To the Moon of the Empire, your majesty the Empress and to all of you here, it's an honor meeting you" greeted Reina.

The Empress nods and signals her to take her seat.

"By the way Reina I would like you to meet my family" said the Emperor. "I will introduce them to you one by one" he added.

"This is my Empress Larisse Ecclaire and our child is your ex-fiancée Crown Prince Hellion" said the Emperor.

Crown Prince Helion's face darkened the moment he heard what the Emperor had said but he didn't retort to that.

"These are my five remaining concubines, Crizzia who is the daughter of one of my official and our child is the Second Princess Selina and Third Prince Izza. Karinna, who is also a daughter of my official and our children are the Fourth Prince Kairus and the Eight Prince Nairus. Loela, the Ninth Princess of the small Kingdom in the south and our children are Fifth Prince Herman and Sixth Princess Eliza. Yvonne, a slave from the Jabalom Kingdom and our children are Ninth Princess Ynez and tenth Princess Ynah. Marianna, the daughter of the Duke of the East and our children are Eleventh Prince Arios and Twelfth Princess Rian. This is my Seventh son Prince Hellery the only child of my concubine Ellery who died on child birth" said the Emperor.

"It's not our first time meeting but I'm glad to see you here, Daughter of Ricardo Von Helios. I heard a lot of rumors going around about you. I'm sorry about my son's attitude to you" said the Empress.

Reina smile at the Empress "its fine your majesty, part of it is also my fault for forcing him to be with me. But now I realize my mistake and let him go. So that he can be happy with the person he really loves" she said dramatically with invisible tears in her eyes.

Crown Prince Helsion who is currently sitting beside the Empress gritted his teeth.

"According to the Duke, you are suffering of memory loss because of the past accident happen in the tea party hosted by my daughter Second Princess Selina. I hope you don't mind her negligence" said the Emperor apologetically.

"I understand your majesty I really don't mind. No one wants that to happen" Reina replied understandingly. "What the hell, the owner of this body is dead already because of that. Now you are telling me that I have to don't mind the negligence of your daughter" Reina mumbled to herself while showing her fake smile.

All of them are silent during the meal. After their meal they still remain in the garden. The Emperor asks for dessert this time and the most expensive tea in the Kingdom, the Heirong tea.

"Reina, did you have your choice already" asked the Emperor.

Reina choke on her tea.

"Are you alright Miss?" asked Fifth Prince Herman charmingly while the Seventh Prince Hellery give her a handkerchief.

"Yes I'm fine. Thank you very much for the handkerchief Seventh Prince Hellery" Reina answered.

"My lady, be careful next time" said the Seventh Prince.

"Yes, I will" Reina added.

"You're majesty I honestly secretly admire someone from your sons and I really hope you can grant me to be with him" said Reina solemnly although it is too early for their plan to tell the Emperor about the contractual engagement but it's now or never.

"Don't worry I'll grant anything you want as long as you choose one of my child" said the Emperor.

"I hope your majesty you don't take me as too presumptuous by asking this one request of mine" said Reina.

"Oh! I don't mind anything you want to request consider it fulfilled" replied the Emperor.

"The person that I am going to choose should only belong to me. Once I take him he will become mine and mine alone. No one is allowed to take him away from me even those in the Royal family. How about that your majesty" said Reina.

The King gritted his teeth in irritation but he didn't want to disappoint the Duke's daughter to her request because he still needs to carry favor from her."Ok, whoever you choose will be yours and no one can take that person from you no matter what. I the Emperor of the Ecclaire Kingdom declare it" said the Emperor.

"Thank you your majesty" Reina answered. "Regarding the person I choose" she added. She stand and pick a Red Rose beside her then walked to the direction where the Crown Prince Helsion, Fifth Prince Herman and Seventh Prince Hellery. She raises her hand holding the Rose flower and gives it directly at the Seventh Prince.

All those present are amazed of what Reina did but they are not surprise for who she choose.

"So you want a man to be dominated in bed" said Fifth Prince Herman while smiling lewdly.

All those who are present turned pale because of what the Fifth Prince words.

Reina also is shocked with what she heard. He never thought that one of the brothers had big guts to talk like that in front of the Emperor.

The Emperor flushed red with anger.

"Remove this insolent fool in front of me and lashed him fifteen times" said the Emperor angrily.

Prince Herman is shocked with his father's orders.

"Father, what is the meaning of this? It's just a joke you're taking it too far" Prince Herman argued.

"Son, stop it" said Concubine Loela.

"Are you taking me for a joke?" shouted the Emperor "Guards take this shameless man in prison and lashed him twenty times" added the Emperor.

"Father forgives me" Prince Herman shouted while the two knights are dragging him.

"That stupid man already offended someone because of his stupidity and now he is doing it again" said the Emperor angrily.

"I heard he is castrated and his left hand was cut by the person he offended" Princess Selina said.

"Princess, watch your mouth" said Concubine Loela angrily.

Princess Selina smiled wickedly.

"You're majesty I want the Seventh Prince to be my man" said Reina.

"Are you sure?" ask the Emperor.

"Yes your majesty. Having the most beautiful man in the continent is one of the greatest achievements a woman can be" said Reina confidently but deep inside she is praying that he didn't piss the man off for her absurdity.

"That beautiful man is actually the embodiment of a Rose flower full of thorns" said Reina to herself.

The Seventh Prince heart skips a beat because of what Reina said. For some reason he felt very happy hearing her compliment to him.

"This woman really surprises me every time. Saying he will be hers and no one can steal him from her made him desire her for some reason" the Seventh Prince said to himself.

He looked at Reina's beautiful face. Her beauty is different from other noble ladies. Her eyes shine as if there is a mystery hidden beneath it that can be hardly explained.

"From now on this woman is mine. No one can take her away from me. I don't feel desire to anything in my life but this time, it's different, he desires to make her lust for him just like how the others look at him. Only this woman looks at me with caution and fear. But what is she afraid of? He never thinks of harming her. He even didn't know her personally in the past! So, why? Why are you looking at me that way?" Seventh Prince Hellery mumbled to himself.

Crown Prince Helsion walks near to Reina.

"Are you sure you want this sissy brother of mine?" asked the Crown Prince angrily.

"Why, do you think I'm joking just like you?" Reina replied.