[The Emperor's Study]

"Your Majesty, Count Atraxil requests a private audience."

"Ah..." Emperor Haleth looked up at the door and nodded, "...Butler. Let him in."

The door shut and then soon, it was opened again.

"Your Majesty," Count Atraxil's voice bounced off the study walls. "I thank you for granting my plea. I come bearing urgent news."

At this, the Emperor closed his book and folded his arms above his desk. "Pray tell."

"It is regarding the agreement with Clatoise," Count Atraxil looked nervously at the Emperor.

"You may carry on."

Count Atraxil fumbled with his hands as he tripped over his words. "I'm quite certain you are aware that in the present circumstances, my son is overseas, residing in Clatoise as a merchant." Count Atraxil lifted his gaze for a brief moment to peek at the Emperor's expression. "He...he sent me a strange note yesterday, concerning the fast-spreading rumors among the locals there. He paused as the Emperor cleared his throat.

"Zyair." Emperor Haleth smiled. "Do take a seat. Hadley," he gestured to his maid. "Bring us both a lovely cup of tea. Check with the cook if we still have those saffron biscuits." When Hadley had gone to attend to his orders, Emperor Haleth turned to Count Atraxil once again. "Now, before you continue telling me about this 'rumor' you know of, why don't you ask after your daughter?"

"O-Oh..." Count Atraxil sweated. "Yes, how is Odette faring at the palace? No inconveniences from her, I hope?"

"Not a single one," the Emperor chuckled. "My, what a lovely creature she is, always thinking well of the others. I'd even say she's a treat at nighttime as well. I commend you on raising her well."

Blushing with embarrassment and masked fury, Count Atraxil laughed off the Emperor's words. "You embarrass me, Your Majesty. Now about the Clatoise situation..."

"Haha, what's the hurry, my good sir?" The Emperor nodded as Hadley brought in the tea tray. "Have a cup of tea before we get into the serious talk. Now, would you prefer it rose or green?"

"Rose, if you please." Count Atraxil took a cup of Rose tea from Hadley.

"Now, you shall begin whatever it is that you wish to relay to me. The Emperor took a loud sip.

"Ah, so the thing is..." Count Atraxil began, wringing his hands. "It has come to my knowledge that King Irvin is planning to take his next mistress from our whereabouts...but he's also decided to send one of his own prized women to you as a 'peace' treaty, as they say."

Emperor Haleth smiled secretively. "And who is this rumored woman that has struck his fantasy, pray would you tell, Zyair?"

"It is Rosa Gradral of Eyress. She's a very renowned personality amongst the artisans of the very area."

This came as a surprise to the Emperor. "How interesting," he mumbled. "And are you also aware of the woman he has planned to send to me?"

"No, Your Majesty."

Ah, well, the Emperor thought, the bastard Irvin is desperate to settle this matter. But how insulting does he have to be to think that such a feud could be resolved only by the off-putting exchange of mere women?

But Emperor Haleth was aware that Irvin would do whatever he could possibly do to get a woman he fancies, after all, he is a lecherous, old clod.

"Zyair," the Emperor said. "Your son, what was his name, Marcelo, he...is he perhaps well acquainted with Irvin?"

"Uh...I'd say that he is certainly wary of a Wisterian like him."

"Then..." the Emperor said, "send him a letter back with a royal stamp on it and tell him to make sure to relay it to Irvin carefully."

Confused, Count Atraxil asked, "But Your Majesty, is something the matter with your official messenger?"

"Not quite," Emperor Haleth tutted. "I'm afraid that my letters to Irvin are being intercepted, seeing that I haven't gotten a reply back to a few of them. And very important ones at that. Anyhow, your son is to personally make sure that my letter to him is safely received, understood?"

Count Atraxil nodded, solemn in his manners. "I'll make sure of it, Your Majesty."

"Now, now!" The Emperor said loudly and lightheartedly. "I've been meaning to discuss the matter with the gold mines with you."

✿

[Meanwhile, In Cynthia's Chambers]

"Your Highness," Reynard begged, "you've got to believe me!"

"No, certainly not. You aren't actually implying that I am this unfortunate princess you speak of? No, it can't be." I paced the room, distressed. "If you've got to joke about something so serious as my life, I advise you to take it to the theaters."

Distressed himself, Reynard scratched his scalp aggressively. "Your Highness, now why would I joke about such a topic when I've got nothing to gain from it? I told you before and I'll say it once again, I'm literally risking my life to let you know of this."

How could I so easily believe him? After all, I knew nothing about this guy. His first name didn't give away anything of much importance to me. I openly glared at him, letting him know of my feelings.

"All I wanted to do was to help you escape this future tragedy of yours," he said sincerely.

"There's one thing I have yet to understand," I said, thinking over my words. "Why did you have to go through such extents to help me escape my fate? My fate, not yours. Do you not want the Empire to flourish?"

"It isn't exactly so..." he said. "There are some clauses to this prophecy that aren't exactly well known."

"And how do you know of them?"

"I-I have my ways!" Reynard said, defensively. "Believe me, princess, when the right time comes, I will certainly let you know of them. But what I want of you, at the moment, is to build up your will to survive. If you don't possess the drive to escape your pre-decided fate yourself, then even I won't be able to help you."

Such deep words from an extremely suspicious man. Very suspicious.

"Let's say I believe you," I said. "Then what? What is it that you'll do?"

"Then I'll do all that is in my power to ensure your life beyond 18."

Hm...it was a tempting idea, indeed. Of course I'd love to live a long, luxurious life, not to say that I was having the time of my life here, eating all this good food. But how would this one man help me if the whole Empire was fixed on having me sacrificed for their own flourishment and well-being? Even if I was to run away, my well known face and such glistening signature hair would get me caught in no time.

"But of course, I'll demand something in exchange for my deeds, Your Highness."

I sighed as I looked upon this beautiful man with curiosity. "What is it that you wish for? Is it money?" A personal favorite. "Power?" Famous among greedy men. "Or fame?" Ah, for the lovely attention-seekers.

Reynard chuckled. "How very tempting, but unfortunately, none of it is what I desire."

"Then? You can't possibly need my hand in marriage, I hope?"

He burst out laughing. "I wouldn't dream of it, Your Highness."

"Oh, just spit it out then!" I cried impatiently, looking at him with disdain. "Stop beating around the bush, will you?"

Gathering himself, Reynard spoke as he stood up, checking his cloak in my full-length mirror, "I want you to stay away from the Emperor."

I was taken aback, not expecting such a request. Why would a man ask a girl to be wary of her own father? I repeat, he was very suspicious.

"You may be wondering why I'm asking you to stay away from your own father." Spot on. "Well, I can't tell you why, unfortunately." Dang. "But all I can do for now, is advise you."

I grumbled at this weird request. There was so much Reynard was hiding from me, so much that I was yet to know. So much about this mysterious world that was still beyond my understanding. But there must've been a reason he asked me to do something so strange. The Emperor did seem like a fishy man, but not so fishy that I had to be cautious of him. But of course, I knew very little of him.

"My father isn't a…" I paused, "he won't beat me, would he?"

Reynard raised an eyebrow but smiled reassuringly. "I'm sure he won't. Though I have my reasons to advise you to be cautious around him. I won't force you to do anything, so it's up to you if you want to take my advice or not."

Reynard moved towards the balcony but I quickly stopped him. "Wait," I held out my hand. "There's one more thing I'd like to know."

Reynard stopped in his tracks and turned to face me. "Pray ask, my Princess."

I blushed, but it didn't stop me from asking what I wanted. "Everyone's been acting funny when I ask about my mother… Is there something perhaps you could tell me about her?" I looked up at him hopefully.

"All I can disclose at the moment," he reached for the glass doors, "is that she was involved in foul play."

"How so?" I asked, curious.

Reynard chuckled. "All in good time, Your Highness. I'll tell you soon only if you take my advice."

I sighed. "You drive a hard bargain, sir," I smiled as my eyes followed him out the balcony.. "But I accept."