CHAPTER THREE: MARRIAGE ALLIANCE

"Your majesty, that is impossible! How could I allow my daughter to marry into that kind of family?" Lady Mirabelle protested.

"What? That kind of family? How dare you badmouth my own family?" Lord Marcus retorted, and both began arguing. Gilbert kept staring at them for a while and then said sarcastically, "With what both of you have displayed right here, it has definitely proven that you have truly ended the feud," he then continues and face Lord Marcus.

"Lord Marcus, word has it that your son Leonard is truly a reflection of yourself. His strength and the inheritance of all your positive attributes speak volumes."

"Your majesty flatters him, but you are also right. Having a son is a blessing and also a reward for a person's good deeds. Those who didn't have must have been filled with a lot of bad energy that is stopping them from having a male child."

Gilbert then turned to Lady Mirabelle and said, "Lady Mirabelle, I heard your second daughter is an epitome of beauty. She took after her mother in everything, and men even fall whenever she passes by them."

"Thank you, your majesty. Apparently, beauty runs in our family, unlike some people who look like they are from the lineages of monkeys," Lady Mirabelle remarked.

"Well, that settles it. I want Lord Marcus's son, whom Lady Mirabelle claimed to looks like he's from the monkey' lineages, and Lady Mirabelle's daughter, whom Lord Marcus claimed she must have had due to her bad energy, to get married to each other. In this way, both of you will prove to me that you have truly ended the feud," Gilbert declared. Both of them swiftly dropped to their knees, pleading with the emperor to rescind his order, but Gilbert remained steadfast, refusing to reconsider, stating, "In a month's time, Lord Marcus' son, Leonard, and Lady Mirabelle's daughter, Clarissa, will get married, and anyone who is against this will be against me." He then stood up from the throne and headed out, with everyone bowing their heads as he left.

***Beatrice's Quarters***

She inquired about the outcome and Bryan shared.

"He warned against bringing it up again. Appointing Luther may face challenges, your highness." Beatrice, concerned, questioned Luther's name absence from the sacred water, "Why hasn't Luther's name appeared yet? He's 40,000 years old, and it should have surfaced by now. Are they attempting to alter the pattern?"

"Well, I don't think so. The patterns are expected to change with the 20th emperor, and considering his majesty is the 18th, it's unlikely to shift this time—unless there's an unforeseen circumstance," Bryan speculated. "If perhaps, your son does not belong to the..." Before Bryan could finish his sentence, Beatrice seized the cup and poured water on his face.

"How dare you claim that my son is a bastard? Do you wish for your entire family to be imprisoned?" Beatrice fumed in anger, throwing things at him.

"That is not what I meant,I was just trying to say....." she continues throwing things at him as he attempted to explain. Eventually, he ran out of her chamber.

**Gilbert Palace**

Gilbert meticulously crafted an engagement letter, sealing it with his seal and as he wanted to hand it over to Lord Marcus. Lady Mirabelle swiftly seized the document, assuring, "Do not worry, Your Majesty. I'm certain Lord Henry would want me to safeguard the engagement letter as well."

Surprising both Henry and Gilbert, Lord Henry remarked, "It's fine, Your Majesty. Water manipulators often lack courtesy." And Gilbert also Gilbert agreed, "Since you approve, Lady Mirabelle will hold onto it," prompting Lord Henry to bow and depart, leaving Mirabelle behind.

Expressing her concern, Mirabelle queried, "But, Your Majesty, why his son? There are numerous eligible suitors in his family."

"Aenious proposed it, and I won't risk the plan failing. It's best if both of you end your enmity now," Gilbert explained. Frustrated, Mirabelle sighed and bowed before leaving.

**Empress Laura Quarters**

Laura caressed her tummy and smiled. Irene, her maid, expressed concern, "I can't believe you're still happy when he's draining your power away."

"When you get to my condition, you'll understand me." Gilbert presence is announced and he entered, Irene excused herself, and he moved closer to Laura.

"How are you feeling? Any better?" Gilbert inquired. Laura shook her head negatively. "It's just two months left, so you have to hold on," Gilbert reassured, sitting next to her and Laura shared her curiosity. "I'm actually curious about something. He said I'm carrying a child with seven dragons. Will I give birth to a real child or what?"

"I also have no idea about that, so I can't provide any answers. Aeonius is already getting old, so he can't see things very well. I hope his children will be as good as him, though," Gilbert pondered. Laura expressed doubt about anyone matching Aeonius's power.

"Come here and let me hear your voice," Gilbert suggested, moving closer and placing his head on her stomach, and they both smiled.

Meanwhile, a maid overheard Gilbert and Laura's discussion and rushed to Beatrice's chamber to share what she heard.

***Beatrice Quarters***

"I overheard them talking that the child the empress is going to give birth to is not a normal being but an animal," the maid claimed. "Are you sick? Or are you drunk?" Cara questioned. The maid insisted, "No, I am not." the maid replied. "If you are not, then why are you saying rubbish?" Beatrice questioned.

"But, your highness, that is what I heard. They both definitely mentioned an animal," the maid insisted.

"What animal did they mention?" Cara asked.

"I don't remember the name," the maid admitted.

Beatrice was unsure whether to believe the maid or not, so she ordered Cara to bring in Lady Betsy. As Lady Betsy arrived, Beatrice asked her to repeat what she heard, and the maid repeated it.

Lady Betsy used her power to examine the maid as she spoke and then solemnly declared, "She is telling the truth."

"Wait, does that mean the empress is carrying a forbidden child?" Beatrice asked with a mix of shock and intrigue. She burst into laughter, saying, "Your majesty, who told you that I will never have your crown? It seems my chance is finally here," she said laughing.

***Lady Mirabelle's Mansion***

Clarissa was summoned to the grand hall of their mansion, filled with family members possessing the power to freeze. As she took her seat, Lady Mirabelle entered, prompting everyone to rise and bow in unison, addressing her as "Lady Ice." Mirabelle, after taking her seat, revealed the lifting of the curse between their family and Lord Marcus's, but announced an ordered marriage due to lingering suspicions.

Granny expressed concern. "Knowing Marcus, I fear for our precious lady entering into such a family. We can't let that happen."

"We have no other options than to obey the royal order; the wedding will hold in a month," Lord Henry explained.

"Really, that's amazing. Congratulations, sister. I can't believe you are getting married into that type of family," Clarissa said in mocking tone.

"You are the one getting married to him, not her," Lord Marcus retorted. Clarissa was shock and she quickly moved closer to her mother, questioning, "Mother, that is not true, right? You won't sell me off to that family, father is just joking, right?"

Mirabelle's response was firm, "You are the one getting married to him, and there is nothing we can do about it." Overwhelmed, Clarissa fell to the ground and fainted. Mirabelle rushed to her side, calling for a doctor, while Vivian remained in shock at the thought of her sister marrying the man she loves.

As the evening unfolded, Clarissa regained consciousness to find her mother and Mirabelle by her side. Tearfully, she questioned the situation, prompting Mirabelle to explain, "I understand your reluctance, but it was the emperor's choice for you to marry Leonard, not mine. Vivian's feelings for him are known, but you are the chosen one."

"Why me? Why not Vivian?" Clarissa pleaded, to which Mirabelle disclosed the emperor's private discussion, revealing an edict stating that Clarissa and Leonard's daughter would wed the unborn Empress's son, Karl.

"Will I be the mother of the next empress?" Clarissa questioned, hope flickering in her eyes. Mirabelle responded with a reassuring nod.

"But what if I do not have a daughter?" Clarissa inquired, expressing her concern.

Mirabelle assured her, "Lord Aeonius said you'll have a daughter." Suddenly, Mirabelle was gripped by intense pain, fainting. Concerned, Clarissa sought her father's help, questioning the cause.

"Father, what is happening to mother?" Clarissa asked. "Your mother's suffering from the side effects of being possessed," Henry replied.

Vivian, curious, asked, "What do you mean, why will she be possessed?"

"Just don't worry about it and go back to your chamber, she will be fine," Henry said. They both went outside, and as they walked, Vivian asked, "Are you really getting married to Lord Leonard?"

"Yes, I am. Any issue with that?" Clarissa responded rudely. "But you used to hate him and his father," Vivian expressed her concern. "That was before the curse was lifted. We've settled our differences, so there's no reason for animosity," Clarissa explained

Vivian immediately went on he knees and beg Clarissa to tell their mother that she didn't want to marry Leonard. However, Clarissa said, "I'm very sorry, I can't do that. Moreover, do you think Leonard's family will accept an illegitimate child of a maid? so I will advise you to stop dreaming and find a suitable match that will benefit your status "

She left Vivian on her knees with tears streaming down her face. She had never competed with Clarissa, and the one thing she dreamed of was now slipping away. The irony stung; her father, Lord Henry (also Clarissa's father), was once an ordinary man in love with a maid at Mirabelle's mansion. They later had Vivian, but after 50 years, Henry and Mirabelle fell in love, leading to him leaving Vivian's mother. He was granted the title of a Lord, while her mother was ousted, and now work as a maid in the Royal palace kitchen. She never opposed Mirabelle or Clarissa, grateful for the life they provided. However, now they sought to take away the only thing that mattered to her. Tears continued to stream down her face as she remained on her knees until her maid hurriedly helped her up and escorted her to her chamber.