CHAPTER TWO: UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

Laura left Beatrice alone at the pavilion, inciting Beatrice's anger. Frustrated, Beatrice angrily tossed the items on the table and let out a scream of fury.

"How dare she? If not for those darn laws, does she think she would ever attain such a position?" Beatrice yelled in frustration, storming out of the pavilion and heading to the emperor's chamber.

Upon reaching Gilbert's chamber, Beatrice composed herself and wore a smile before entering. She found Gilbert engrossed in reading, moves behind him and give a a massage.

"Is there something bothering you? You always read whenever you have a lot on your mind."

"This is exactly what I need right now, thanks," Gilbert replied, dropping the book and relaxing as Beatrice massaged his shoulders.

Curious, Beatrice asked again, "So what happened?"

"Well, I received a report from the lower realm. There is a war, and they are all going through a lot, so they want help," Gilbert explained.

"Why is it that whenever they are in trouble, they always ask for help from us? Are we God? Do they seek our permission before going to war against each other?" Beatrice vented in frustration, pausing her massage.

Gilbert turned to her and questioned, "Why do we exist?"

"To make sure all three realms are in order," Beatrice replied.

"So who else are they going to ask to be their intermediary to him?"

"Of course, it is us. That is why we exist," Beatrice affirmed.

"Then we have to keep doing our job and must not complain," Gilbert said, moving Beatrice closer and resting his head on her chest. Beatrice gently caressed his head and inquired,

"I saw Aeonius leaving the palace. Hope nothing is wrong?"

"I called him to check on the empress"

"Really... is there something wrong with her?" Beatrice said, feigning surprise and concern.

"Well, he said something about the child," Gilbert shared, using his head to gently caress Beatrice's chest while enjoying the comfort of her massage.

"Hope there is nothing wrong with the child. That is her first child; I pray nothing happened to her," Beatrice feigned concern.

Gilbert requested Beatrice to massage the lower part of his head. Intrigued, Beatrice moved her hand accordingly, prompting Gilbert to share.

"He said the child will... "

He said what, your majesty?" Beatrice inquired, adjusting her touch. "He said the child will look just like you. I asked him why the child would not resemble me nor the mother, but Aeonius said it must be because I love you more than the child's mother," Gilbert revealed. This revelation made Beatrice abruptly withdraw from him, nearly causing Gilbert to lose balance.

"It seems, your majesty, needed to rest, so I will take my leave," Beatrice stated, swiftly exiting. Observing this, the king's adviser, Brandon, approached Gilbert and expressed concern.

"It seems Consort Beatrice is suspicious of Aeonius' visit. What should we do?"

"She won't find out anything since she is enemies with the people who know about it." He instructed Brandon not to let anyone in, declaring his intention to rest.

Meanwhile, Beatrice entered her chamber, consumed by anger. Her maid, Cara, suggested a course of action, "Maybe you should visit Lord Aeonius; he might just tell you what they all talked about."

Beatrice dismissed the idea, stating, "Aeonius will never open his mouth unless commanded by the emperor. He is loyal to the throne, so it will be difficult to make him talk."

Cara inquired, "Then what should we do?"

Beatrice, frustrated and cara then advised her to entice one of Aeonius' children for information.

Cara proposed approaching either Lady Melody or Lord Magnus, the twins.

"Really... that's a great idea. I thought he had many children," Beatrice remarked.

"He and his wife had a delay; even the twins were born around ten years ago," Cara explained, smiling.

"Ten years ago? So you want me to bribe a ten-year-old for information? Are you stupid? I can't believe I have been praising this birdbrain for nothing," Beatrice shouted in frustration, prompting Cara to hastily leave the room as Beatrice erupted in anger.

***Lady Mirabelle's Mansion***

Clarissa indulged in the pages of an erotic novel, surrounded by her maids kneeling with hands raised. Possessing the striking features of her mother, Clarissa's beauty, defined by long white hair and piercing blue eyes, unmistakably marked her as a member of the esteemed Ice family.

"If any of you should dare move or change position, you are in trouble," Clarissa declared, her gaze unwavering from the tantalizing pages of her book. Suddenly, her sanctuary was disrupted as her maid, Maya, rushed in with distressing news.

"My lady, your mother was brought into her chamber unconscious," Maya delivered the news, prompting Clarissa to abandon her novel and hasten to her mother's side. In Lady Mirabelle's chamber, she found her father and elder sister, Vivian, attending to her. Swiftly pushing Vivian away, Clarissa demanded answers.

"Mother, who did this to you? How dare they do this to my own mother!" Clarissa exclaimed, tears streaming down her face as she look at her unconscious mother. She turned to her father with accusation, suspecting Lord Henry's involvement.

"Do not jump to conclusions without any evidence," Vivian cautioned, attempting to defuse the rising tension.

Clarissa, fueled by anger, retorted, "How can you say that when mother is in this condition? Father, will you believe she is siding with those filthy Water people all because she is interested in their lord's son?"

Vivian, offended by the accusation, shot back, "How dare you accuse me of having feelings for our enemies!" As tensions escalated and the sisters attempted to attack each other, their father intervened, instructing both to leave. On their way out, the heated confrontation reached its peak as Clarissa slapped Vivian.

"You should watch how you run your mouth in this house. Have you forgotten about your place already, or do you want me to remind you of your origin?" Clarissa's words dripped with anger as she confronted Vivian.

"I'm very sorry. I was just trying to help Mother," Vivian responded.

"Mother? Who the hell is your mother? Have you already forgotten that your mother is nothing but a lowly maid in the palace? If not for my mother taking you under her wings, you'd be out there serving others, not in this mansion!" Clarissa's anger flared, her disdain evident. "I know, and I am very grateful for that. So please, do not be angry with me," Vivian pleaded. Clarissa looked at her with disdain and advised, "If you know you do not want to be exposed quickly, you should try and hide your emotions very well." With that, Clarissa took her leave, leaving Vivian to quickly express her gratitude for the advice.

Later, Lady Mirabelle regained consciousness and shared the events with Lord Henry. Concerned, he inquired, "So the spell has been lifted?"

"I don't really remember, but I think so," Lady Mirabelle replied, observing a mark on her wrists, evidence of her body being temporarily possessed by a resting immortal.

Henry expressed his worry about the repercussions.

"I don't know what the repercussions will be, but I already secured a future for our family. We will be in-law with the royal family, so that is more than enough." As they shared a tender moment, Henry drew her close, offering solace in the face of uncertainties.

***Throne Room***

Gilbert, seated on the throne adorned with precious gems, a grand masterpiece, that is intricately carved, its backrest towering with symbols of power and eternity. He absorbed the contents of a report. After perusing it, he addressed the officials and princes.

"The Demon King desires the spell to be lifted, citing the need to expand their territory due to scarcity of food and water, and diminishing fertility of the land," Gilbert explained.

Lord Norman cautioned, " Your majesty, I advise against trusting their words. Demons are cunning; granting them more territory may only strengthen their powers."

Aeonius, however, countered, "but, your majesty, considering their plea might be wise. Providing them with additional land and later resealing them could be a fair compromise."

The first prince Luther chimed in, "Father, let's not overlook the innocent ones among them. Have any of our Lords, like Lord Norman, visited their kingdom? Those in demon realm live, breathe, and smile like us. The barren land might be due to centuries of cultivation. We shouldn't let the innocent suffer just because of their past deed."

Impressed by Luther's perspective, the officials praised him and Lord Bryan remarked,"Congratulations, your majesty, for having such a wise and amazing son. The issue of your heir is in good hands."

Lord Marcus added a reminder, "While Luther's wisdom is evident, we must remember that the successor is chosen, not appointed."

"Luther has spoken well, so I have decided that the seal will be lifted, and will be given more land and once they have settled, they seal will be placed again. But no one should ever talk about my successor again until I have decided to bring it up," he announced and then continued, "The curse placed on both Lord Marcus' family and Lady Mirabelle's family has been lifted, so I want the two of you to step forward."

Lady Mirabelle and Lord Marcus stepped out, moving to the front, facing the Gilbert.

"The curse has been lifted, and I suppose the feud between the two families should also end. I believe the innocent shouldn't suffer because of those ancestors' personal grudges."

"Of course, your majesty. Immediately I learned about that, I have been on good terms with Lord Marcus, and we have even been visiting each other's family," Lady Mirabelle lied, and Lord Marcus looked at her in disbelief. He then quickly added, "It's true, your majesty. As you already know, I am an easy-going person and not one that seeks trouble, unlike someone else. I am the one who personally visited Lady Mirabelle's mansion, dined, and even had a proper conversation at her home."

"Well, I can see that you two have really made up, but I still sense some enmity in the air, so I want you to form a marriage alliance, and by doing so, you will be proving to me that the feud has really ended," Gilbert said and the two are shocked.