Chapter 38:A friend or a foe

Ria sigh with relief after the dance they sat down at the throne and the butler gave them their drinks 'this is tiresome' ria thought when she saw how the nobles stared at them waiting for an opportunity "your majesty you two are the most lovely couple tonight" duke Florence said, he's wearing his white formal attire of a duke with the brooch that represents the Florence family

"I agree with the duke you look more compassionate and loving than mother and father,your majesties" Grand duke Ezekiel added as they went near them "that's quite a compliment from the two of you" Lucius smiled like he was annoyed and puts down the Glass of wine that he was drinking "it's just our opinion your majesty however it would be nice if it's the truth" Ezekiel added and smiled then he shift his stare at ria "your a perfect model of a royalty princess and you must being destined to be the empress as you are like the silver moon" he added and Duke Florence agreed

"You are very special princess, i have eyes that can tell one's personality and yours is truly a unique one" he said and gave a smile that seems to reminisce of the past "I Hope you'll stay in this empire comfortably and guide his Majesty into the right path, love can never be force into someone but i do hope that you'll have trust and respect with each other"he said and ria was feeling bitter

'they are good people but so selfish, they

wanted to make the emperor happy that they couldn't consider my feelings haven't they thought that i might betray the emperor and what's with their attitude thinking so highly of me like I'm their savior' 'this crazy emperor made them worry that they're so joyful in my debut it's not even the wedding day' she thought

Astria's Grand debut was to announce that she's the emperor's fiancee and sooner they'll be married there was no need for an engagement party since they wanted to proceed to the wedding "that's unnecessary remark duke" Lucius spoke but ria just smiled "I'll keep them in mind your grace" she said "why don't you two leave us alone and deal with the dogs that seems to bark at it's master" Lucius and gazed at the nobles that were eyeing on them "hah of course it's our job your majesty" Ezekiel replied and they bowed "we'll take our leave then your majesties and congratulations on your debut and engagement princess" he said and the duke smiled "please take good care of his Majesty" he said and they left

"Tsk" Lucius was annoyed "hah" and he sigh again when he saw his aunt and uncle coming towards them "ah" Ria who saw the empress dowager along with a man and a child was surprised "congratulations your majesties" they said and the child smiled so happily at ria "Thank you empress dowager"Lucius spoke and she gazed at ria "your majesty is truly stunning and amazing, I'm sure you'll do fine being the empress" she said "thank your your majesty" ria answered but kept looking at the two

"Oh I haven't introduced them yet, princess meet my husband and daughter"she said "Henry Aser at your service your majesty, I'm glad to see you healthy and adjusting well at the empire " he said and smile, ria was surprised that the two of them were related to the empress "Cherrisa Aser congratulates your majesty the princess" she smiled so cutely "I'm happy to see you again your majesty" she added and so ria's heart was melt and smiled back ", I'm happy to see you again little lady,it seems like you grow up with a loving family no wonder your so lovable" ria "hmm really" Lucius ask with disbelief and so Cherry started pouting "your majesty" she called Lucius with a grumpy look

"Hmp you are too noisy like your brother as always why don't you go and look for him" Lucius was driving them away "since we are done in congratulating you both we'll be taking our leave your majesties" "hmp I'll see you later your majesty" cherry said and smiled at ria "yes I'll see you later lady cherry"ria replied "i didn't know you meet with the empress dowager's family" he ask though it was a lie since his shadows was always guarding her "ah i met them unexpectedly when i first went out at the capital though I didn't know that they were related to the empress" ria

"Hmm" Lucius stared intently at the Three lady who was coming near them "it seems like it will be even more noiser than before" he sigh and ria stared at the Three as well "oh i recognize them aren't they your admirers your majesty" ria teased him and so he stared with sharp eyes at her "tsk handle them and make them leave" he ordered ria so she sigh "tsk your giving me a difficult job already your majesty" she replied

"Your majesties" the three bowed "it's been a long time your majesty, I'm quite surprised that your getting married sooner" it was the voice that ria heard who scolded the maids at the palace "how bold and brave of you lady Calia" it was a bit cold but there was no tension nor murderous intent 'so she must be close with him'ria thought "shouldn't you introduce yourselves with my fiancee first" he added "ah of course your majesty, pardon us for our late introduction your majesty, I'm Calia Revis, daughter of marquis Revis" she introduced her self, she was a mature and beautiful lady, she has a chocolate brown colored hair and red velvet colored eyes, she looks like a villainess from a novel, the way she look with her sharp eyes and her sharp tone defines that she's a scary Lady

"I'm lady Stella Aser, from house Aser your majesty" she bowed , the white colored hair with dawn like eyes lady, ria already met her once "Zian Wilford daughter of duke Wilford your majesty, it's an honor to see you again" she said but these two ladies were composing their selves and ria just smiled"ah yes i met the two of you once I'm glad to see you again as well" ria replied and some nobles began to whisper

"The ladies which are the candidates for the empress seat has greeted the princess,will they cause trouble" they asked "it's a shame but the emperor didn't have the slightest idea of marrying neither one of them, they work together with the emperor for the last 3 years and yet they failed to capture his heart" they kept whispering 'hah nobles are really nobles, why would they whisper when they are still being heard' ria thought

"What is your intention, coming together and greeting us" Lucius ask and they were flustered " none your majesty we just wanted to congratulate you" lady calia answered and smiled "ah i also wanted to give the gift that i prepared for the princess" she added and a butler came near her and took off a folded cage "what is that" the nobles whispered with curiosity "this a rare bird that i caught your majesty, it's very beautiful isn't it I Hope your majesty is pleased with my gift" she said that made ria mad, a beautiful bird like the princess who's force to live at the Empire and trapped like a bird as well

Ria sigh and smiled "i am grateful with your gift lady Revis now then can you please open the cage so that the bird could be free" ria and so the hall became noisy "I'm afraid i cannot your majesty it's very rare kind of bird so i couldn't set it free it could be waste of my gift if you let it go" she said with a saractic tone "i didn't say that i would let it go i only told you to open the cage how insolent of you to think that way" ria coldy replied and so the hall was in silence

"Do as she say" Lucius interferes and gave them order "y-yes your majesty" the butler replied but hesitantly opened the cage when the bird was set free it flew above and kept flewing above the nobles, ria raised her hands like it was a branch of tree waiting for the bird to rest at her hands "what is her majesty doing" they whispered but then the bird who saw ria's hand fly towards her and took a rest "ahh" the nobles were amaze and surprised so ria smiled "its seems like the bird you gave as a gift recognized me as it's master thank you for the gift milady as i like it however let me give you a piece of advise" ria coldly said as she petted the birds head

"Showing your disloyalty towards me will make you my enemy, don't even try to make such cheap tricks or you'll just humiliate yourself the same ways goes for the two of you miladies as i heard that you were once a candidate for the empress seat Don't bother trying to bring me down or else you'll regret it this is my warning as his majesty's fiancee, forgive me if I'm being too straightforward as i don't like to beat around the bush that is why for those who will try to make me their enemy do tell it right away or else I'll be the first to declare my dislikeness towards you" ria spoke with her poking face and serious tone and so the nobles are now well aware that the future empress is scary as the emperor

"We understand your majesty" lady calia said with a smile so ria was a bit confused "I'm relieved to know that the future empress is strong as his majesty" she added and so ria was now feelings tricked "heh" she felt annoyed that she kept twitching her eyebrows she was about to speak but Lucius spoke first that made the main hall felt like they're life was in danger

"Why are you apologizing to them" his cold serious voice ask "hmm" ria couldn't understand what he meant and the bird which was on her lap was trembling, it seems like the bird could tell that Lucius was in a bad mood "I'm asking you my dear princess why are you apologizing to them, are you forgetting your status that your apologizing to these unworthy beings" he ask and the dark atmosphere surrounded the hall "gulp" the nobles we're now terrified.....