Chapter 39: Socializing
"ah" Astria was bewildered seeing Lucius get mad from her apology speech 'does he want me to show absolute authority to his people' ria was questioning herself
"You don't need to apologize even if you done wrong princess since it's their role to bow down even if you haven't done anything" he speak coldly and ria gave a look that felt disgusted, Lucius who was speaking with a serious face suddenly tilt his head and smiled with a scary face
'what's with that look, are you thinking ill of me' Lucius thought and spoke "am i wrong" he ask the nobles with a smile. "no you are right your majesty" they hurriedly answered
"But i think the princess has her own opinion your majesty" lady Calia was brave enough to spoke with a smile on her face
"Ah" Astria smiled at Calia 'heh you're really good at making trouble lady calia' she thought and so the nobles as well as Lucius was anticipating at Ria's reply "won't the princess be in danger" they whisper "why is she opposing the emperor" the main hall was filled with noises and Evan who was a bit far from them, standing at the corner drinking wine was feeling terrified
' I'm getting a chill in my body, those two are really scary' he thought while listening to the nobles 'but I'm sure that his majesty won't hurt nor lift a finger on the princess though he said many times to have his revenge he never once tried to do anything to hurt her so it should be alright' he said like comforting his self
"Pfft they are doing so well" Empress Dowager Chlarisa said "his majesty must be fortunate to find a wife that could scold him" her husband added
"They really do fit each other if i may say" Evan said with a smile "you must be glad that his Majesty has found interest on someone Count Evan" Empress Dowager
"Yes but I'm also afraid for the future your majesty since the sun and moon of this empire seems to be strong and powerful"
"Well things might turn out to be fine count just make sure to help those two be close with each other" "i will do so for the sake of the empire your majesty" he replied
Meanwhile Ria smiled and stared with confident eyes at Lucius. "Your majesty is absolutely right however a fine ruler must also admit it's mistakes, i shall not apologize easily to others as you wish but if i ever did make a mistake enough to be called as a crime then I'll apologize" she said and Lucius was now staring at her with an expressionless face
"Hmm you are a benevolent ruler princess" Lucius and suddenly gave a feint smile that only few can notice "Thank you your majesty" she said "how sweet i hope your majesties can rule the empire with love and harmony" lady Calia said and while the two Lady seems to be shock enough that could faint just witnessing how Lucius agreed to Ria's opinion Since they all know that Lucius hated being told and being teach by others
"If you'll excuse us your majesties we'll take our leave" lady Ziana and the two ladies excused their selves as well "hah" ria sigh then the bird suddenly flew to her shoulder and rubbed it's head on her face "oh how cute" ria giggled
"Animals are attracted to you aren't they" Lucius ask and ria flinch "ah yes they are" ria answered but was avoiding to meet Lucius eyes as she was afraid of him since she was so brave that he confronted his beliefs
"Hmm have you done such crimes that your avoiding my eyes, weren't you so bold to speak of your opinions a minute ago?" He ask and so ria gulp "forgive me for my blasphemy" she said and Lucius suddenly move his hands towards her tha made ria closed her eyes however Lucius only tried to take the bird, it wouldn't even come close at Lucius hand as it was trembling but it seems like it was overpowered by fear to die if it won't obey Lucius so the bird transfer to his hands and ria who felt like the bird was gone had opened her eyes
"Eh" she was flustered seeing Lucius petting the head of the bird 'oh i thought he would touch my face' ria thought and blushed " I did wonder sometimes how your kingdom respects your family and your beliefs might be one of the reason, in the end your kingdom loves their ruler and homeland so i don't think your answer was a blasphemy" he said as he kept playing with the bird
"But keep in mind that you must have a heart of stone to rule this empire filled with greedy people"he added and called for a butler "i understand i will keep it in mind your majesty" Ria "good, put this bird in its cage and deliver it to the princess palace" he said as he instructed the butler
"Since you understand me, try to have a conversation with the nobles so you can learn each and one of their families and be familiar with them" he said and so Ria sigh
"Yes your majesty" ria stood and went down from the throne
"Ah did you see that his majesty has smiled" duke Florence who came near the empress dowager and the count was smiling happily "yes it was feint but that smile was someone who seems to be glad" Sir Henry agreed "ah is that sir Paul" duke Florence ask when he saw Ria walking down the throne while her two knights followed her
"Yes he was with the princess as he is her personal guard duke" count evan replied "ah so the rumors were true that crazy kid has returned" duke Florence said with a smile "were you acquainted with the black knight as well your grace" Evan ask while Chlarisa and Henry only smiled
"He was only a child before dreaming of protecting the emperor but surprisingly his dreams had come true but he did not find happiness in his dream so he quit, he had protected my daughter many times before and also because of that reasons he decided to leave his master" Duke Florence
"Oh" count evan who knew nothing was in awe hearing the duke praising the black knight with a sincere feeling
"I'm glad he found a new master" duke Florence added while he kept staring at ria who was know being circled by nobles
"Your majesty your so beautiful" "your majesty may I have the honor to have a dance with you" "your majesty" "your majesty" as soon as ria went down the nobles rushed and kept saying some things and ria was now feeling like wanted to flee
She wanted to scare them but a lady came and drove them away
"Stop bothering her majesty or all of you will be punished" she said with a scary face and so they were frightened and stopped pestering ria however some older nobles came and greeted her "you did a great job driving your peers away lady makaria" an old man with grey hair said "are you alright your majesty" a woman who was about in her 40's ask
"Please forgive them for their rudeness your majesty" a man whom ria had once met said
"I'm alright thanks to this lady but may i know all of you" ria ask with a smile 'she's certainly different when she's mad' the old man thought "ah I'm lady lena makaria from house of count makaria your majesty" the lady with light brown hair bowed
"Duke Wilford,the northern duke of the empire your majesty" he said
"Gina Perlin, wife of count Perlin your majesty" she said "i believe you already met me your highness but let me properly introduce myself I'm Fabian Delante, the successor of Marquis Delante" he bowed
"Nice to meet all of you, and thank you for helping me lady Makeria" ria "i-it was my pleasure to help you your majesty" she was blushing "oh my I didn't know that the infamous knight of the empire would blush so easily" Ria seems curious but grasped the situation ' she must be a famous knight to be feared by the nobles' she thought
"Lady Perlin" she tried to make her stop but lady gina still blabber "she's one of the elite knights under the order of the emperor your majesty and one of his strongest knight perhaps she'll be appointed as your knight" she said and Ria was surprised 'i see so this strong lady also belongs to the harem of that crazy bastar*' she thought and smiled
"I would be Happy to have you as my knight lady Makaria" ria "ah I'll be honored if I'll become your knight your majesty" she answered with a serious face but was happy if she'll really be her knight
"Your majesty would you like to visit the dukedom, my daughter Ziana might be able to help you" he said and so ria already knew what's his purpose
'the seat for the ladies in waiting of the empress is what he's after i guess' she thought "I can't leave the palace as his majesty won't allow me but since i have met your daughter it would rather be nice if she and i will spent some time together " ria
"I see then I'll bring her next time with me when I'll visit your majesty so she can aide you of your needs" he said
"Enough with your talk about your daughter duke, your majesty it would be alright if I invite you to a tea party" she ask and ria was feeling ease at the lady
' though most lady would just sent me an invitation this lady seems to be considerate of my situation' ria thought "I'll gladly attend your tea party lady Perlin" "ah I'm happy to hear your response your majesty" she said while Fabian was only staring and listening to their conversation
'she's good at socializing and she's smart and capabale of handling the matter, she's really admirable and very attractive to both men and women, it must be why his Majesty has like her' he thought
"May i ask a personal question your majesty" Fabian "hey Lord Delante your crossing the line" Lady Makaria seems cold and look so protective
"And which line did I crossed milady" he ask with a palyful tone "lord Delante do mind your behavior or the marquis will be displeased" lady Perlin "speaking of marquis Delante i have a business with him so if you don't mind I'll excuse myself your majesty" duke Wilford said
"You may leave your grace" "thank you your majesty and Lord Delante i hope you'll behave well when your with her majesty, i expect no record of dirt to someone who'll be my future son in law" he said and tapped the shoulder of fabian "ha ha ha yes of course milord" he answered while lady makaria and lady Perlin just smiled
"Umm your majesty can i be granted for a question" he ask going back to the topic "alright but one question is only allowed" ria "that will be fine Thank you for the opportunity" he smiled 'and what will he ask me about' ria thought
"Your majesty do you harbor any resentment or feelings of love towards his majesty?" He ask with a series tone and ria was taken a back 'hah if it's not feeling of love then It's resentment, how wise of you Lord fabian' ria thought and smiled so mischievously like she was entertained
Meanwhile Lucius who was only staring at ria while she kept having a conversation with them frown as he noticed that ria was enjoying their company, wondering what they might be talking so he decided to went towards them...